5 Dreamy Central Texas Resorts that Are Always Worth the Splurge

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Texas resorts like Hyatt Lost Pines offer entertainment in spades.
Hyatt Lost Pines. Photo credit: Heidi Gollub.

When it comes to planning a Texas Hill Country getaway, nothing compares to the ease of booking a family vacation where entertainment awaits for the price of a hotel room. Resorts spoil the whole family with relaxation and fun. So why not book your next Lone Star State escape at one of these dreamy Texas resorts? 

From Dallas to Fort Worth, Austin to San Antonio, Houston to Galveston, Texas has countless options when it comes to splurge-worthy getaways. If you’re looking for a hotel experience that the whole family will enjoy—with a golf course, spa, water slides, nature hikes, bike trails, zip lines, and more—check out our recommendations for some of the best resorts in Texas.

Texas resorts like Hyatt Lost Pines offer entertainment in spades.
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa. Photo credit: Heidi Gollub.

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, Cedar Creek, Texas

Address: 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Road, Cedar Creek, TX 78612

The first time I visited Hyatt Regency Lost Pines I thought I might just move into this luxury hotel and stay forever. The secluded Texas Hill Country resort borders the lush McKinney Roughs Nature Park and, although just a few miles outside of Austin, feels hidden away deep in the woods. The perfect blend of rustic scenery and modern comforts, Hyatt Regency Lost Pines boasts 405 acres of picturesque rolling hills, native trees, golf courses, nature trails, gardens, and water features.

And, speaking of water, The Crooked River Water Park is the resort’s main attraction. First, you’ll want to float along its 1,000-foot lazy river, while the kids try out the waterslide, sandy beach, splash pad, hot tub, and water volleyball. Next, head over to the main lawn for old-fashioned games and entertainment. Finally, before bed, you can squeeze in face painting, s’mores, and a movie on the lawn.

The resort offers so many outdoor activities once you are on the property, you really could stay for days. When you wake up on day two, take a spin on a free bike, go horseback riding, and play tetherball. Then, try the playground, basketball and tennis courts. And don’t miss strolling through the hummingbird and butterfly gardens, visiting the resident animals, and hiking through the neighboring 1,100-acre nature park. The resort also offers river activities like kayaking, in partnership with the Lower Colorado River Authority. 

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Nearby Attractions: Bastrop State Park, The Dinosaur Park.

Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa is one of the best Texas resorts
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa. Photo credit: Heidi Gollub.

Hyatt Regency Texas Hill Country Resort and Spa, San Antonio, Texas

Address: 9800 Hyatt Resort Dr, San Antonio, TX 78251

Built on the grounds of a historic San Antonio ranch, Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa successfully captures the quiet calm of yesteryear. It is a lovely, tranquil place, surrounded by native landscaping, where you can explore delightful gardens and wildflower meadows.

Most noteworthy, the crown jewel of this resort is its nature-inspired five-acre water park. A beautiful cascading waterfall marks the entrance to the 950-foot Ramblin’ River. The river was designed to replicate some of the area’s most popular tubing spots. Guests pick up inner tubes at the mouth of a limestone half-tunnel, which takes you from the activity pool into a flowing waterway. As you float along, carried by the current, you can enjoy the colorful landscape of Redbud Trees and Mountain Laurel.

Upon check-in, be sure to look at your Activity Guide. This will ensure your kids have plenty of options to keep them entertained, including organized games, sandcastle building, face painting, movies on the lawn, and zoo shows — all included in the room price. Also, bikes can be rented for free. A large playground, complete with tetherball and ping-pong, is available for play at any time. What else? Don’t miss the 22-foot tower water slide, waterfall jacuzzi, or the heated FlowRider wave simulation machine.

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Nearby Attractions: SeaWorld San Antonio and Aquatica.

JW Marriott Hill Country is one of the best Texas resorts for families
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country. Photo credit: Heidi Gollub.

JW Marriott San Antonio Texas Hill Country Resort and Spa, San Antonio, Texas

Address: 23808 Resort Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78261

Located on 600 acres of Texas Hill Country, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country is one of our favorite Texas resorts. Private balconies off the guest rooms offer stunning views of rolling hills, but you’re unlikely to stay in the room for long. The kids will want to get wet! With a recently expanded River Bluff Water Experience, they will be begging to try the 650-foot rapid river ride, water slides, body slides, heated pools, whirlpools, and 1,100-foot long lazy river.

And what else? Vacationing families will discover a full-service spa with a private outdoor pool, a 36-hole PGA TOUR golf club, hill country hiking and biking trails, an organic culinary garden, and plenty of dining options with six on-site restaurants. You won’t be bored. Secluded in Cibolo Canyons, 20 minutes from downtown San Antonio, the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa promises fun-filled adventures for the entire family. 

Get more details on this fab resort in our full review

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Read More: 15 Great Texas Road Trip Ideas for Families

Texas resorts don't get much more fun that Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine.
Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine. Photo credit: Heidi Gollub.

Great Wolf LodgeGrapevine, Texas

Address: 100 Great Wolf Dr, Grapevine, TX 76051

My kids talk about Great Wolf Lodge in the same excited tones that used to be reserved for Disney World. They ask to go back again and again. And truly, this Texas resort is amazing. Majestic wolf statues guard the entrance to 98,000 square feet of indoor, air-conditioned, action-packed fun. Inside the woodland-themed wonderland, there is an impressive 80-foot tall water park that features 10 indoor waterslides, six swimming pools, a wave action river, and an interactive treehouse water fort. When you head outside, you’ll find a ropes course and a second 84,000 square foot water park that is open in the summer.

Then lure your children out of the water with the promise of MagiQuest. This enchanting game allows kids to go on interactive quests and adventures, spanning all eight floors of the hotel. Purchase a MagiQuest wand and let your kids loose to search for “runes” throughout the hotel. Runes are needed to complete each quest. As kids point wands at anything from treasure chests to framed pictures on the walls, the hotel comes to life at their command. After a few rounds of racing through the hotel halls, they should be good and ready for bed.

SheBuysTravel Tip: If you need a break in the afternoon, put a snack in the mini-fridge and offer it to the kids as an after nap time treat! And, if this is your first visit to a Great Wolf Lodge, read our complete guide for first-timers!

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Nearby Attractions: LEGOLAND Discovery Center; SEALIFE Aquarium.

Gaylord Texan is a Texas resort with a huge, indoor atrium
Gaylord Texan. Photo credit: Heidi Gollub.

Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention CenterGrapevine, Texas – Across the street from Great Wolf Lodge

Address: 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, TX 76051

Gaylord Texan proves that everything really is bigger in Texas. The hotel’s huge nine-story temperature-controlled atrium is filled with 4.5 acres of indoor gardens, a river, fine dining, shops, a fitness center and a conference center. And, when you eat Tex-Mex at the Gaylord’s Riverwalk Cantina, listen to a strolling Mariachi band, and gaze out over the koi-filled waterways and waterfalls, you will feel as if you have been transported to San Antonio’s famous River Walk, with the added benefit of air-conditioning.

Visit Gaylord Texan in the summer to enjoy the 10-acre outdoor pool and lazy river complex, Paradise Springs. Above all, your kids will want to try the 27-foot tall waterslide, the 25-foot-long zip line and the 600-foot lazy river. Plus, they can check out the outdoor Game Pavilion, which features shuffleboard, bocce ball, croquet, and a large campfire pit. And be sure to enjoy some of the free summer activities like fireworks, poolside movie nights, and fireside ghost stories. In winter months, you will love bundling up for indoor ice slices and snow tubing at the annual ICE! attraction.

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Visiting Texas During the Spring? Here’s Where to Find Bluebonnets Across Texas Hill Country

Bluebonnets, the state flower of Texas, bloom from late March to early April. The date can vary a bit depending on how cold the winter was. There are some beautiful spots to see and get your picture taken with bluebonnets around the Texas Hill Country and outside of Dallas.

If you are visiting during spring, you could easily add on a day trip to any of these locations and check out the wildflowers. More on where to find bluebonnets here. 

More Texas Family Vacation Ideas!

  • Best Day Trips from Austin with Kids
  • Kid-Friendly Day Trips from Dallas
  • Best Places to Cool Off in Texas
  • Explore the Wonders of Texas National Parks
  • Texas Weekend Getaway Ideas
  • Glamping in Texas

2 responses


  1. Hi Heidi,

    All of these resorts sound amazing but I think I’m most excited to take my family to the Hyatt Resorts and the Gaylord. We’ve only been to Texas once and stayed at Moody Gardens in Galveston. The weather was terrible (it was cold and Galveston ended up getting snow the moment we left). I’d love to have a redo and these places sound perfect. Thanks for the info.

  2. I am looking for a condo to rent during the winter months, Nov, Dec, Jan, and Feb. In the hill country to work on my golf game. One bed one person. Not interested in the family destination, just a place to stay and course to practice on with practice facility.

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