Legendary musicians have walked the halls of The Gunter Hotel since it first opened in 1909. Most notably, legendary blues musician Robert Johnson recorded his first-ever session during a three-day recording in Room 414 in 1936. Songs including I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom, Sweet Home Chicago, and Cross Road Blues were recorded within those walls, forever securing The Gunter’s place in American music history.
In addition to Robert Johnson’s historic recording, The Gunter Hotel has long served as a hub for music and culture. Throughout its history, the hotel has hosted live performances, in-house orchestras, and radio broadcasts, cementing its reputation as a destination for creativity, collaboration, and entertainment. As The Gunter enters its next chapter as a Marriott Tribute Portfolio Hotel, it continues to honor this remarkable legacy through an expanded commitment to music. Guests can experience year-round live performances, The Gunter Studio and Listening Room, the relaunch of Bar 414, and a curated collection of more than 1,000 vinyl records available to check out and enjoy on the record players found in every guest room.
As part of this evolution, The Gunter has also introduced its Vinyl Ambassadors—expert music curators who help bring the hotel’s musical story to life. Whether recommending records from the hotel’s collection, sharing the history behind iconic recordings, or creating memorable listening experiences, the Vinyl Ambassadors offer guests a one-of-a-kind connection to The Gunter’s rich musical heritage.
To ensure excellence across every aspect of its music programming, The Gunter Hotel has assembled a team of seasoned industry professionals. From the design of The Gunter Studio to artist programming and long-term creative direction, the hotel has partnered with respected experts to advise on world-class technology, best practices, artist development, and programming. This team includes Steven Durr, legendary sound designer and acoustical architect whose more than 2,000 clients include Garth Brooks, Neil Young, Spoon, Eric Johnson, and many other acclaimed artists, as well as Michael Ramos, Grammy Award-winning producer, songwriter, and musician whose decades of experience have helped shape the studio into a space worthy of The Gunter’s enduring musical legacy.
Today, more than a century after opening its doors, The Gunter Hotel continues to celebrate the artists who shaped its past while creating new opportunities for musicians, guests, and the San Antonio community to be part of its next chapter.
