Prevue January-February 2014 - (Page 55)

La Cantera Reboots [ON LOCATION] GIANNA WYATT During our visit, we gathered for drinks at La Cantera's exclusive Casita Village, tucked away from the main resort with 38 villas and a private pool, lobby entrance and direct golf access. The Western-style village, complete with whitewashed stucco exteriors, tiled roofs and rustic wooden plank doors, wraps around a beautifully landscaped courtyard. It's a great area for private group functions because you can buyout the whole area. Chef Dirk Troop organized an outdoor activity for us where the group was split into teams to create a Texas meat rub. The simple exercise required group deliberation to assign each individual a speciﬁc role. Once we knew the actions required of us, we started collaborating together to determine the best way to work together as a team. "This activity really brings groups together with just basic kitchen tools and skills," says Chef Troop. After we taste tested our combination of chilies, herbs and spices together, Troop and his team barbecued a bunch of chicken breasts with the rub for us to sample. We then voted on our blind taste test to see which team created the best one. It was a fun and simple icebreaker that's great for networking and settling into an event. Troop and his team book culinary events for groups up to 400 pax, and he also partners with local Texas breweries for larger groups. At another teambuilding event, we gathered for a beginner's yoga class around the main pool area within a lush garden overlooking the city. The cool breeze and sounds of trickling waterfalls were invigorating and relaxing. The following day we got into gear with a 3-mile hike around the property. The hotel provides guided tours to point out details of the native ﬂora and fauna along the hillside, even though the trail is simple to navigate. New management prepares iconic Texas golf resort for the future In December, Destination Hotels took over operations of the 508-room La Cantera Hill Country Resort in San Antonio. This is one of the most iconic golf and group resorts in Texas, perched atop an old quarry at the highest point of the city. Looking down on the live oak grove and emerald green below, it truly feels like another world. And yet, La Cantera is just a 15-minute drive into downtown and famous attractions like the expanded River Walk, historic Pearl Brewery redevelopment and the Alamo. The hotel lobby is a replica of Keen Ranch, an old farm owned by the local Clyburn family. The expansive space is warm and welcoming with leather chairs, blue slate ﬂoor, wood surfaces and black candelabra chandeliers. As much as you'll love the Texas ranch ambiance and downhome ﬂavor now, Destination Hotels is preparing a comprehensive renovation beginning later this year. "You're going to see wall-to-wall enhancements in virtually every offering and service throughout the property," says John Spomer, VP/managing director. Spomer explains that Destination Hotels has built its brand by curating a highly individualized collection of independent hotels, where each property is seamlessly integrated into the local destination. "From customer service to training to the brand messaging to everything else, our hotels are not mandated to do this, say this and be that, because that's the way the brand does it," explains Spomer. "The brand is La Cantera Hill Country. And we have every opportunity to craft an overall experience for meeting planners that best shows off our destination." DINNER & DRINKS We're told that La Cantera's Francesca's at Sunset restaurant was the ﬁrst hotel in Texas to explore the farm-to-table trend way back when. The kitchen serves local venison and game from various farms just 15 miles away. Try Francesca's pre ﬁxe menu in a private dining room accommodating 12 pax, or buyout the space for 75 pax. Be sure to also swing by the 50-seat Steinheimers Bar as the sun sets for a group wine tasting with a local sommelier. The venue is also popular for cocktails and games after dinner. Total meeting space at La Cantera is 41,000 sf. resortlacantera.com; visitsanantonio prevueonline.net | 55 55-San-Antonio3.indd 55 1/8/14 8:49 AM http://www.resortlacantera.com http://www.prevueonline.net

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue January-February 2014

Planner's Pick: Boston
Fresh Meets: Hyatt All-Inclusive
Bureau Buzz: Branson
Good Business: Baha Mar, Bahamas
Sea Shores: Celebrity Cruises
The Art of Roi
Corporate Retreats
Scotland
Florida Special Section
On Location: La Cantera, San Antonio
Convention Centers
On Location: Edgewater, Seatle
On Location: RIU Rivera Maya
On Location: Secrets Vallarta Bay, Mexico
Colombia
Check Out: Hilton Bomonti, Istanbul

Prevue January-February 2014