SAN ANTONIO, TX – The Gunter Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel on the San Antonio Riverwalk, is pleased to announce that it was awarded Best City Center Historic Hotel at the 2026 Historic Hotels Annual Awards of Excellence Ceremony and Gala on October 15. Historic Hotels of America, an official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, conferred the 2026 Historic Hotels Annual Awards of Excellence Winner designation on The Gunter Hotel.
The Gunter Hotel is one of more than 300 hotels and resorts in the United States that are recognized by Historic Hotels of America for preserving and maintaining its historic integrity, architecture, and ambiance.
Through this exclusive awards program, Historic Hotels of America honors and celebrates the year’s most exemplary historic hotels, hoteliers, and leadership practices. The Historic Hotels Annual Awards of Excellence honor historic hotels and hoteliers who demonstrate innovative leadership, stewardship, and a commitment to furthering the recognition, preservation, and celebration of these preeminent historic hotels and their histories. Historic Hotels of America recognized eleven historic hotels and seven individuals in 2026.
The Historic Hotels of America announced the award recipients to an audience of owners, general managers, senior decision-makers, and guests representing many of the finest historic hotels worldwide. The event took place at the Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection (1939), in Williamsburg, Virginia. The awards ceremony was the final event in the 2026 Historic Hotels Annual Conference, the only hospitality industry conference focused on sharing best practices for leveraging cultural heritage resources, enhancing the guest experience, and capturing an increasing share of the rapidly growing heritage and cultural leisure travel market.
“We are delighted to honor The Gunter Hotel with this prestigious award. We selected it from an exclusive group of nominees and considered it for several categories. It stands among the finest hotels and hoteliers in the world,” said Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Vice President, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. ”We applaud the dedication and passion of the individuals working at these iconic and legendary historic hotels, the people who keep the stories alive from the past and make staying or celebrating special occasions at these historic hotels memorable experiences.”
“We’re honored to be a part of the coveted network of Historic Hotels of America, and to be recognized by the organization,” said Jiwon Choi, Owner of The Gunter Hotel. “The Gunter Hotel has been a special place in San Antonio for almost 117 years, and it’s been such a rewarding experience to transform and restore this property while still maintaining its historic identity.”
The Gunter Hotel has long been a downtown landmark and a symbol of culture and hospitality; since opening in 1909, the 311-room property has seen over a century of change in the Alamo City. The property recently underwent a transformative $70 million renovation while preserving its soulful Beaux-Arts architecture. Just steps from the Riverwalk and the Alamo in downtown San Antonio, the hotel balances a contemporary perspective with its historic roots.
Guests can enjoy four distinctive dining concepts: Jots, Keystone Club, Bar 414, and Paris Baguette. Each room features a record player and a copy of legendary blues musician Robert Johnson’s first album, recorded in the hotel’s room 414 in 1936. The property also boasts a state-of-the-art, on-site recording studio and a vinyl library spanning nearly 1,000 titles across all genres, inviting guests to stay, listen, and help reinforce the hotel’s role in music history. For more information, visit www.thegunterhotel.com and follow the hotel on Instagram and Facebook.
About Tribute Portfolio®
Tribute Portfolio is a growing global family of characterful, independent hotels united by a passion for captivating design and a drive to create vibrant social scenes for guests and locals alike. With more than 160 hotels across 35+ countries and territories, Tribute Portfolio has resonated with travelers who seek independent experiences and crave a connection with the community. From boutique resorts like Ermita in Cartagena and urban hotels such as The Vagabond Club in Singapore to indie-spirited locales like Bellyard in Atlanta and Hotel Riomar in Ibiza, each Tribute Portfolio hotel celebrates its individuality and offers travelers a fresh, often colorful perspective. For more information, please visit www.tributeportfolio.com and stay connected on Instagram, X, and Facebook. Tribute Portfolio is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, Marriott International’s global travel program. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com.
About Historic Hotels of America®
Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest historic hotels across the United States of America. The National Trust for Historic Preservation was chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1949 and is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is leading the movement to save the places where our history happened. To be nominated and selected for membership in this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historical significance. Of the more than 300 historic hotels inducted into Historic Hotels of America from 41 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, all historic hotels faithfully preserve their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity. For more information, please visit HistoricHotels.org.
