Fresh from a top-to-bottom $100 million renovation, this family-friendly resort is a destination in and of itself (and just in time for Spring Break). It recently unveiled a full renovation, and did so in true Texas ranch style. Instead of a ribbon cutting, the management team cut a celebratory stretch of barbed wire. This part of hill country used to be a cattle ranch decades ago before being transformed into a luxe resort.
The pools and lazy river are a favorite of young guests, and there’s even a FlowRider activity for budding surfers. All of this activity centers around an elaborate resort property designed for group business and conferences, but with the attention to detail that makes individual travelers feel right at home. These are our five favorite reasons to check out the new design and digs at Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Villas on the outskirts of San Antonio.
The pools
First things first, there is no overlooking how popular the pools and lazy river are at the resort. The 2.2-acre Big Spring lagoon is the star of the show. It is the first resort-based lagoon of its type that uses sustainable Crystal Lagoons technology. This keeps the water flowing and also creates a sandy beach in the middle of the Texas countryside. The lagoon uses only 2% of the same energy that a traditional pool would use. It is also home to numerous water sport activities like kayaking and paddle boarding. Around its edge are newly added, private cabanas for a little shade.
Families come here for staycations or for resort entertainment after visiting nearby Six Flags Fiesta Texas. The family pools feature plenty of lounge chairs for parents to watch their kids splash in the water or float down the 900-foot lazy river in inflatable rafts. One of the pools is even shaped like the state of Texas, and the two-story waterslide supplies plentiful thrills for guests of all ages.
Parents can order drinks and food from the pool menu, but it can be a challenge getting the kids out of the splash zone. Even more exciting is the FlowRider that shoots rapid waves up against a curved edge so guests can try their hand at surfing in the middle of Texas Hill Country.
The pools sit within 300 acres of flowering countryside with beautiful trees and gardens. You might hardly realize you are only 20 minutes from downtown San Antonio and its famous Alamo and Riverwalk.
The rooms
All remodeled with trendy, Texas-style décor and Hyatt’s Grand Beds, the rooms look fantastic. Instead of desks, dining tables double as work space with nearby power outlets. The hardwood floors and walk-in, tiled showers with Pharmacopia toiletry products were part of the renovation. Coffeemakers, refrigerators and large closets with full-length mirrors complete the picture.
In addition to standard rooms, there are numerous suites with separate living rooms. All accommodations have their own furnished balcony or patio.
A new concept for the hotel are the retreat rooms; these are on the higher floors and come with guaranteed late checkout and access to a special pantry for snacks and drinks.
A series of new villas is now on property, each of which is like a private residence with kitchen, dining room, living space and multiple bedrooms. These are ideal for families as well as executives that want maximum privacy. They can also be booked for private meetings or get-togethers that want to have the facilities of a private home.
Each of the five new villas is named for a Texan river and comes with four bedrooms, full kitchen, indoor and outdoor living space, and fire pits. Villa guests have butler service as well as all of the same services, like housekeeping and turndown service, of the hotel.
The dining
Antlers Lodge is the popular steakhouse with fine cuts of meat, delicious sides designed for sharing and an array of appetizers and salads. Reservations are a must when groups are in house as it is a popular spot.
Charlie’s Long Bar can also get busy with after-work cocktails and after-dinner drinks. It has a Texas saloon vibe and complements Woodbine Bar in the lobby that has both indoor and outdoor space.
There is a grocery-style gift shop selling sundries, packaged snacks and gourmet treats plus coffee or other made-to-order drinks. This is in addition to the main restaurant Cactus Oak Tavern that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The morning buffet is a real treat with an omelet station as well as made-to-order taco station with all kinds of pulled pork and meat and more salsas and guacamole toppings than you can possibly eat. I was especially impressed with the rest of the spread that included massive bowls of fresh fruit and berries plus a kids station.
Don’t forget about the s’mores available from reception and a calendar of activities each day around the resort designed for guests of all ages. This includes popular movie nights on the lawn.
The spa
In a ranch-style building in the gardens of the hotel, the full-service Windflower Spa is yet another jewel of the resort. Expect a wide range of massage and beauty treatments from a highly trained and friendly staff. After a round of golf (be sure to try one of 35 new Toptracer Range golf bays for a driving range experience) or a business meeting, the massages here are a great way to wind down. I enjoyed a custom facial that included extractions and a clear focus on the hydration my skin needed.
The men’s and women’s relaxation areas feature sauna and steam facilities plus whirlpools and outdoor lounge space. There is also a separate spa pool with both shady and sunny areas. This pool is reserved for spa patrons as well as guests staying in the high-end villas.
As part of the renovation, the spa received its own event space, perfect for get-togethers that pair a little pampering and wellness activities with business. This is the perfect venue for social functions that don’t want a traditional ballroom setup. Other new features of the spa include redesigned landscaping and new manicure and pedicure facilities.
The loyalty perks
As part of World of Hyatt, members can earn and redeem their points when staying here. Elite status members earn bonus points on their stays and can take advantage of different perks depending on their status. For example, top-tier Globalist guests enjoy complimentary breakfast for two (whatever they want from the menu, which is quite generous, and it includes gratuity). They can also take advantage of late checkout, waived resort fees and potential room upgrades.
Meeting goers can gather in enormous ballrooms, including the waterfront Rancher Hall with indoor and outdoor event space. If you are planning a big social event or conference, you can earn World of Hyatt points for organizing the room block and catering in addition to the ability for attendees to earn their own points. There’s nothing like a double dip on points. And if you pay with a World of Hyatt co-branded credit card, expect even more bonus points.
