Hyatt Lost Pines Resort for Families

Twenty minutes east of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport lies a luxury resort tucked in among the Texas trees. Families will love trading city life for a stay at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa, where life seems both a little slower and a whole lot more fun.

Note: The SheBuysTravel writer received a one-night complimentary stay in order to review this resort. All opinions are expressly her own. 

Hyatt Lost Pines Resort for Families

Driving down the winding Hyatt Lost Pines Road—which leads you away from the Texas state highway and towards bluebonnets and roadrunners—is an experience in and of itself. The scenic journey to Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa seems to take you back in time. When you arrive, you’re officially on ranch time. Check in and stay awhile. There are bikes to ride, ponds to fish, and those s’mores aren’t going to roast themselves.

Free Family Fun

I have been taking my kids to Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa in Bastrop Country for years. We can’t get enough of this laid-back resort on the banks of the Lower Colorado River. There are 405 scenic acres to explore—by bike, hike, or Texas Longhorn! (Just kidding. You can only sit on the Longhorn.)

Bikes are free to borrow on the property, and there are plenty of them. Just hop on, strap on one of the free helmets, and off you go. Many guests also bring their own scooters for their kids to enjoy. If you prefer a slower pace, there are 18 miles of trails for hiking and birding. You will likely also run into deer, and possibly even baby skunks! If you bring your own fishing rod and bait, you can fish for free in the stocked pond. We caught (and released) dozens of small fish in just half an hour at the pond.

The best thing about Hyatt Regency Lost Pines is that kids love being outside all day and never run out of things to do. There is a playground, corn hole, rocking chairs, lawn games, ping-pong, giant chess, ranch animals, a butterfly garden, tennis courts, tetherball, horseshoes, and bocce ball. Plus, there are free daily activities, like movies on the lawn.

Crooked River Water Park

After your kids have exhausted themselves with nonstop bike riding and playing, they still have the water park to enjoy!

Recreation for Days

When I visit Lost Pines, I like to let my kids try one new activity that is not free. These range from horseback riding at the Renegade Trailhead to archery and trap shooting. The hotel concierge can also book activities off-property at the adjoining 1,100-acre McKinney Roughs Nature Park in Cedar Creek. There, families can try outdoor adventures like kayaking, rafting, and zip lining over the Colorado River.

If adults are looking to sneak in an activity all their own, they can visit the resort’s Wolfdancer Golf Club 18-hole golf course or try the sauna and steam room at Spa Django.

Camp Hyatt

On our most recent visit to Lost Pines Resort, I checked my kids in to Camp Hyatt for the first time. They were skeptical of this plan, thinking that they were too old for a kids’ club. But, true to its name, Camp Hyatt felt more like camp than childcare. My kids made slime, built fortresses, roasted s’mores, and ate popcorn at a movie screening. They had a blast.

Fine Dining

While my kids were at Camp Hyatt, I enjoyed a meal alone at Firewheel Cafe. This cozy restaurant offers an incredible dinner buffet with soups, meats, vegetables, pasta, and endless options for dessert. My eyes were bigger than my stomach as I piled my plate high with chocolate cake, raspberry crumble, and rice crispy treats dipped in the chocolate fountain. I loved it so much, I returned to Firewheel Cafe the next morning for the full breakfast buffet. Next time, I’ll try something new. Probably. There are so many options at the resort—everything from an outdoor food truck to room service to a AAA Four Diamond-rated restaurant.

Hotel Room with a View

No matter where you sleep at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa, you will be close to nature. But if you want the best experience, book a junior suite on the ground floor with a patio. It is wonderful to walk out of your room and hop on a resort bike to hit the trails.

Hyatt Lost Pines Resort & Spa has nearly 500 rooms, including 58 suites, all along the banks of the lower Colorado River. The Texas Hill Country views can’t be beat.

All guest rooms come with complimentary Wi-Fi, two bottles of water, flat screen TVs, iron, hair dryer, coffee maker, and 24-hour complimentary access to the fitness center. The $35 daily resort fee covers many of the amenities, but valet parking and dry cleaning cost extra.

Holiday Festivities

Looking ahead to the holidays, Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa is a great Christmas hotel for families. Immediately following Thanksgiving, the resort will transform into a winter wonderland, with an oversized decorated tree in the lobby and extravagant decorations. Santa will ride in on a Texas Longhorn and there will be festive parades featuring animal mascots.

New this year, the resort’s Holiday Light Stroll will feature a magical forest of colors with more than 3,000 twinkling lights. Every night, guests will be able to enjoy specialty hot cocoa and made-to-order mini-doughnuts as they walk through the light display.

Guests who visit Santa’s Workshop can meet some of their favorite holiday characters while they enjoy several activities including cookie decorating, ornament making, gingerbread house crafting, and a letter station where children can write and send letters to the North Pole. Santa will visit to greet families and Mrs. Claus will read holiday stories. Magical.

For more information on Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa or to book a room for the holidays, visit https://lostpines.regency.hyatt.com or call (512) 308-1234.