It’s a ho-ho-whole lot of fun at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio when Managing Director Tom Netting dons a special Santa suit this holiday season. Tongues and tails will be wagging during Story time with Santa Paws taking place on Thursday, December 3 / Wednesday, December 9 & / Wednesday, December 16 at 10 a.m. The Grand Hyatt San Antonio invites the public to bring their family (two legged & four legged) as Santa Paws reads from a number of pet themed holiday “tails”.

Is there anything more traditional than gathering around the fire, enjoying cookies and cocoa while listening to a treasured holiday classic with a dog curled up at your feet? GHSA will be welcoming school groups, families, daycares and children of all ages (along with their pets) to listen to some holiday “tails” while munching on delicious cookies and sipping milk, cider and warm cocoa during “Story Times with Santa Paws.” Local celebrities and media personalities will be joining Santa Paws to read to the crowd.  The events will be FREE and open to the public. “Reading together is such an important part of the holidays and something we support so strongly” says Netting. If you don’t have a pet to bring, don’t worry. There will be plenty of adoptable puppies on hand to snuggle with!

It will be a winter wonderland as downtown’s grandest hotel is transformed with holiday decorations and thousands upon thousands of lights. Come and view the Grand Hyatt San Antonio’s pet and literary themed holiday window displays along with the impressive three-dimensional, 200+ pound chocolate sculpture created by the hotel’s own Pastry Chef Daniel Keadle.  

Santa Paws and special guests (local celebrities and media personalities) will read a number of pet-themed holiday “tails”.  Featured Selections are: “Cat’s Night before Christmas” and “Dog’s Night Before Christmas” by Sue Carabine, as well as “The Night Before Dogmas” by Claudine Gandolfi. “Waiting for Santa Paws” will take place Thursday, December 3; Wednesday, December 9; and Wednesday, December 16 at 10 a.m. in the lobby of the Grand Hyatt San Antonio Hotel, 600 E. Market Street. Complimentary cookies, milk, cider and coffee served to all two legged story time guests as well as holiday treats for their four legged friends. If you don’t have a pet to bring, don’t worry. The Humane Society of San Antonio will provide plenty of adoptable puppies on hand to snuggle with. These events are free and open to the public.

Remember to Bring Your Cameras
Families bring your cameras to take photos with Santa Paws as well as in front of our holiday window displays. The readings will take place in front of the “Tis’ the Season to be Reading” holiday window display with its more than 1,600 lights. And you won’t want to miss the pet themed window display, “Waiting for Santa Paws” which portrays an over the top dog house decked with kitschy holiday decor nestled among a snowy backdrop dotted with LED lit Christmas trees and plenty of snuggly cat and dog stuffed animals patiently awaiting the arrival of the big guy in the red suit.

This event honors the Humane Society of San Antonio.
Looking to make a difference this holiday season? Through Destination Humane, guests are able to volunteer their time and make a positive impact in the life of an animal at the HSSA. After a quick tour and orientation of the HSSA, guests can assist in any area they are interested in helping. Help get the HSSA’s puppies ready for the day. Give a calm and gentle older dog some TLC. Snuggle up with a cat. The choice is yours.

Guests who participate in Destination Humane receive 20% off the standard Hyatt rate as well as breakfast for two along with a welcome amenity. GHSA will also donate $25 per stay to HSSA to ensure that every HSSA animal has a full belly during the holiday season. There is a $10 per person fee payable to Humane Society as a donation. Children under 12 are FREE. The Humane Society will include a t-shirt and a certificate with a photo of your favorite shelter animal. Destination Humane is available to visitors on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings from 9:00am - 12:00pm. Visit www.sahumane.org to learn more.

“We will provide the people who come to our city with the opportunity to make a difference in our community by educating them on how to prevent animal cruelty and the benefits of loving an animal,” explains Netting. “It is a message that is important to spread, not just during the holidays, but all year long.”