From Ghostly Goodies to Festive Activities: Discover Local Halloween and Día de los Muertos Specials

Celebrate life and remembrance with La Panadería’s authentic Pan de Muerto. Photo: La Panadería, used with permission.

With the fall season upon us, festive pastries inspired by Halloween and Day of the Dead are rising in popularity, delighting the senses. Halloween treats often feature spooky designs, like ghostly meringues, pumpkin-shaped cookies, and rich chocolate cupcakes topped with eerie fondant decorations. In contrast, Day of the Dead pastries celebrate life and remembrance, showcasing vibrant sugar skulls, pan de muerto (a sweet bread adorned with bone-like decorations), and colorful marigold-infused treats. Both themes bring warmth and creativity to the season, inviting friends and families to gather and indulge in these delectable delights, merging tradition with the joy of celebrating life and the spirit of the season.

San Antonio area businesses are offering specialized themed treats and specials/events. More details on each below. (Bakery Lorraine, Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Twang, La Panadería, 2024)

Bakery Lorraine – October 26 to 31
From October 26 to 31, Bakery Lorraine will feature a selection of Halloween-themed pastries, including the Ghost Tart (salted caramel and dark chocolate ganache with a white chocolate ghost), Mummy Tart (buttery lemon curd in a crisp shell with torched meringue), Voodoo Doll (gingerbread cookie dipped in dark chocolate), Candy Corn Macaron (orange and yellow macaron filled with vanilla honey buttercream), and Black Cat Tart (dark chocolate mousse with strawberry gelee, available only on October 30 & 31).

Bakery Lorraine’s Candy Corn Macaron. Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.

Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa – October 1 – October 31
Enjoy a variety of Spooky October treats at Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, including a Spa Face Mask Special available from October 1 to October 31. Guests can add a Specialized Treatment Mask to any service and receive an additional mask to take home for free. The add-on is only $40 and automatically applies when booking online.

Halloween-Themed Yoga Session – Sunday October 27
Celebrate the Fall spirit with a Halloween-themed yoga session on Sunday, October 27, at 11a.m. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in costume for a chance to win a complimentary Slow Beauty Pedicure. Participants will receive all-day access to the pool and fitness center, along with a guaranteed reservation at Corinne San Antonio. Admission is free, but RSVP is required via Eventbrite.

Twang
Celebrate Halloween with a Tex-Mex twist by enjoying Twang’s themed cocktail, the Bruja’s Brew, made with Twang’s Chile Lime Rimming Salt. The single serving of this drink includes 2 oz cinnamon liqueur, 3/4 oz pomegranate syrup, 3 oz apple cider, and is topped with champagne. For a group, try the punch recipe, which serves 16 oz cinnamon liqueur, 6 oz pomegranate syrup, 24 oz apple cider, plus one 750ml bottle of champagne. To finish it off right, rim each guest’s drink in Twang’s Chile Lime Rimming Salt for the ultimate touch to this spooky special. Recipe by Aaron Peña, Owner of Amor Eterno in San Antonio.

Bruja’s Brew. Photo: Twang, used with permission.

La Panadería
James Beard Nominated bakery and café, La Panadería, hailed for its authentic pan dulce, tortas and more, is thrilled to announce that the pre-orders for Pan de Muerto at all locations are now available online. Guests can honor the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos with La Panadería’s handcrafted Pan de Muerto, available to pick up between October 31 to November 3.

This year, there is a new pink rendition of the bread available in both family sized and mini options. Baby sized versions of both pink and regular Pan de Muerto will be available in-store at all locations – pre-ordering is not required.

Pan de Muerto Pre-order Details:
• Items/Cost:
Family size Regular Pan de Muerto – $25.00
Family size Pink Pan de Muerto – $27.50
Mini 6-pack Regular Pan de Muerto – $24.00
Mini 6-pack Pink Pan de Muerto – $26.00

• Pick-up Date(s):
Thursday, October 31
Friday, November 1
Saturday, November 2
Sunday, November 3

This beloved Mexican pastry symbolizes the connection between the living and the deceased, making it a meaningful addition to upcoming celebrations. Guests can also purchase the Pan de Muerto at San Antonio’s upcoming Muertos Fest at the end of the month (October 26 & 27).

Autumn Delights: Your Guide to October Events at The Spa Plaza San Antonio

October events you can’t miss at The Spa Plaza San Antonio at Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection. Photo: Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, used with permission.

Spa days offer a rejuvenating escape, promoting wellness through a range of soothing services. From invigorating massages to calming facials, each treatment is designed to relax the mind and body. Aromatherapy enhances the experience, utilizing essential oils to elevate mood and alleviate stress. Spa services often include hydrotherapy, which uses water for therapeutic benefits, and body scrubs that exfoliate and nourish the skin. Ultimately, spa days are not just about indulgence; they are essential for self-care, promoting physical and mental well-being in our busy lives.

If you’re in the San Antonio area or plan to be, and are looking to treat yourself or a loved one to a spa day, consider Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa. Here are some of the spa specials they’re offering for the month of October.

Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection is excited to share upcoming October happenings you can’t miss. Enjoy relaxing spa specials and events at The Spa Plaza San Antonio all month long beginning on Tuesday, October 1. (Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, 2024)

Guests can look forward to the below activations in October:

Spa Face Mask Special: Tuesday, October 1 – Thursday, October 31

  • Details: Guests can add a Specialized Treatment Mask to any service, and then receive one to take home for free. The Specialized Treatment Mask is a sheet mask excellent for infusing skin with deep hydration, as well as potent ingredients like neroli, maple water, comfrey, and slow-aging ingredients, to leave skin feeling clean and glowing. 
  • How to purchase: The Specialized Treatment Mask add-on is only $40. This special is automatically applied to anyone that adds a specialized treatment mask onto their booking through the online reservation link.

Floating Sound Bath: Tuesday, October 8 from 8p.m. – 10p.m.

  • Details: Immerse yourself in the ultimate zen getaway with a relaxing sound bath experience while floating on water. Guests can expect to hear the soothing sounds of crystal singing bowls and gongs while floating in Plaza San Antonio’s tranquil pool. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to unwind and connect with your inner self.

Guests 16 and under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Whether you’re a seasoned meditator or new to the practice, everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the healing power of sound. 

Event includes all day pool and fitness center access on 10/8. Guests also receive a special discount of 25% off of any spa services booked the day of the event at the Spa at the Plaza.

  • How to purchase: Interested guests can purchase tickets for only $50 through the Eventbrite link.

Halloween Themed Poses at the Plaza: Sunday, October 27 at 11a.m.

  • Details: Poses at the Plaza is a relaxing and rejuvenating yoga session led by Alison Galvan, owner of EnergyXFitness at The Spa Plaza San Antonio’s Oasis Lawn. Guests should bring their own yoga mat to participate. A limited amount of mats are available for rent. 

This month’s class is Halloween themed, so guests are encouraged to dress in costume. There will be a costume judging at the end of class, with the winner of best costume receiving a free Slow Beauty Pedicure at The Spa At The Plaza!

Event includes all day pool and fitness center access on 10/27, in addition to Zen lounge access, 12p.m. Anaqua Tree Ceremony, and guaranteed reservation to Corinne San Antonio. Guests also receive a special discount of 25% off of any spa services booked the day of the event at the Spa at the Plaza.

  • How to purchase: Poses at the Plaza is FREE to attend. Guests just need to RSVP through the Eventbrite link.

The Spa at Thompson Dallas Introduces All-New Wellness Packages

The Spa at Thompson Dallas has three new restorative wellness package options available for guests. Photo: Foxfield Agency, used with permission.

National Wellness Month, observed every August, is dedicated to promoting holistic well-being and self-care practices. It emphasizes the importance of physical, mental, and emotional health and encourages individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles and stress management techniques. This month serves as a reminder to prioritize wellness through balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and mindfulness. Community events, workshops, and resources aim to inspire people to set personal wellness goals and seek support. By focusing on self-care and resilience, National Wellness Month fosters a culture of health and vitality, helping individuals to lead more fulfilling and balanced lives.

While National Wellness Month may be coming to an end, Thompson Dallas offers wellness programming for travelers who prioritize physical and mental health, no matter the time of year. These three new restorative wellness packages at Thompson Dallas are available to guests every day. Whether guests are looking for an in-spa service or want the comforts of the spa delivered straight to their room, The Spa at Thompson Dallas has them covered. (The Spa at Thompson Dallas, 2024)

Bath Butler

  • In-Room, $150 – Transform your in-room bath into a sanctuary with the new Bath Butler Box. The box includes a crush bath soak kit, bubble bath bliss kit, and Vagus Nerve bath oil as well as after-bath care, including vagus nerve pillow mist, Acrely Farms CBD Relax Gummies, and moisture-rich eye treatment. Each element is designed to soothe, pamper, and rejuvenate, providing guests with a complete at-home spa experience.

Disconnect to Reconnect: a Touchless Spa Journey 

  • In-Spa Service, 3 hours, $185 – Touchless Wellness is a hands-off approach that allows the body to recover with compression therapy, rejuvenate with hot and cold plunge pools, and recharge with infrared sauna and eucalyptus steam rooms. The spa incorporates the latest in touchless technology paired perfectly with traditional healing facilities to work towards a more improved physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Touchless Well-being: Comfort and Recovery at Your Fingertips

  • In-Room, 24-hour rental, $125 – Touchless Well-being brings convenience and relaxation right to the comfort of guests’ rooms. This exclusive partnership with Therabody enhances guests’ stay with 24-hour access to a range of Therabody devices, including Compression Boots for boosted circulation and lymphatic drainage, Massage Percussive Device for recovery, tension, muscle fatigue, and soreness and Massage Eye Goggles for reduced stress, headache relief, sleep improvement and relaxation. 

Thompson Dallas
205 North Akard Street
Dallas, TX 75201

Celebrate National Wellness Month at Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk

Join Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk for a series of workouts and an LSPACE Wellness Event. Photo: Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, used with permission.

Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk has some exciting programming for National Wellness Month this August. (Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, 2024)

Thompson San Antonio Spa is here to promote healthy habits and support you in your self-care journey. This August for National Wellness Month, Thompson San Antonio Spa is partnering with top local fitness instructors to offer you and your friends a series of dynamic workouts. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your fitness routine and enjoy a luxurious post-workout pool day.

To enjoy this series of diverse workouts every week leading up to the LSPACE Wellness Event & Fitness Sampler, just choose the date and the workout you’d like to attend. Classes are $30 per person.

Happening every Sunday in August at 8a.m.

Cenote Pool Deck, 4th floor
Thompson San Antonio (check-in at 3rd floor Spa)
115 Lexington Ave
San Antonio, TX 78205

Workout Schedule

8/11 – Sweat & Swim Luxe with Instructor Chasity Morales

An invigorating workout combining mat core Pilates strength and a soothing stretch recovery.

8/18 – Full-body Workout with Instructor Wela

A high-intensity, circuit-based training program that blends functional exercises to improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness. Includes cardio, strength, and interval training designed to keep your heart rate up and maximize calorie burn.

8/25 – LSPACE Wellness Event & Fitness Sampler

Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk invites you to a premier fitness event in partnership with LSPACE, the quintessential California beach lifestyle brand that believes the perfect fit is everything. Your ticket includes a sampler of four fitness classes led by local instructors, followed by a Sip & Shop experience. Explore the brand’s swimwear and activewear line, featuring beautiful everyday pieces designed with your moves in mind. Then, indulge in a mimosa bar + breakfast bites at Thompson’s Cenote Pool Deck.

Bonus Perk: After your workout, enjoy complimentary access to the exclusive Cenote Pool Deck for the ultimate pool day. Not to be missed, the LSPACE x Thompson curated cabana outfitted with LSPACE pillows, champagne buckets, and festive cups for enjoying a complimentary round of the LSPACE x Thompson Summer Breeze, a craft cocktail inspired by the quintessential California beach lifestyle brand. When you book the cabana, you’ll take home branded SWAG including a canvas tote, towel, and postcard with a curated music playlist to keep the good vibes going all summer long.

Reserve your spot now and join us every Sunday in August to take the first step towards a healthier, more energized you.

For more information and to reserve a ticket for these classes, book HERE.

Photo: Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, used with permission.

Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa officially opens spa

The Spa at Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa is set to open on March 8, 2024. Photo: Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, used with permission.

The Spa Plaza San Antonio opens to the public and guests on March 8 with signature treatments and wellness rituals including feather therapy, crystal wand massages, ayurvedic massages, Rainbow Chakra Mats, virtual relaxation journeys, custom tea ceremonies, and the use of oils indigenous to South Texas. Located on the grounds of the Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection, The Spa Plaza San Antonio is surrounded by lush gardens and greenery and sits within two 19th-century homes, the Elmendorf-Tyler House and The Staffel House, built in the 1850s. The homes were thoughtfully restored to preserve the property’s rich history and transformed into a luxury spa setting featuring six treatment rooms, a Zen Lounge, and a Wellness Concierge. (Plaza San Antonio, 2024)

The Spa Plaza San Antonio offers a restorative approach to health and wellness, including a selection of treatments like Body Rituals, Massage Rituals, Skincare Rituals, Nail Rituals, Immersion Packages, and Enhancements. Guests will be guided through a holistic spa experience to enhance the mind, body, and spirit.

In honor of this momentous opening at Plaza San Antonio, The Spa is offering a Buy One Get One Free promotion for guests who take advantage of this offer by Sunday, March 31. The offer is valid for services scheduled until December 31, 2024 and is subject to availability and excluding blackout dates. This promotion is NOT applicable to add-ons. The free service must be equal to or more than the first service. Standard spa booking terms and conditions still apply. To redeem this promotion and confirm availability, guests must call the spa at 210-353-8016 or stop in and mention the promo code: Wellness2024

The Spa Plaza San Antonio Opening: Friday, March 8, 2024
***Operating Hours: Tuesday – Sunday from 9a.m. – 6p.m.

BOGO Offer: Now through Sunday, March 31, 2024
***Services can be scheduled through December 31, 2024
***Scheduling is based on availability

Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection
555 S Alamo St.
San Antonio, TX 78205