Now part of Signia by Hilton (Hilton’s elevated meetings-focused hotel brand), La Cantera Resort is one of Central Texas’s most popular destination resorts. While the Hilton name now appears on the sign, not much else has changed at Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa, a much-loved resort spanning 550 acres from its elevated position in Hill Country. As the staff likes to say, it’s still your familiar La Cantera.
But, there are some changes following a $40 million renovation, and they include a complete remodel of guest rooms and suites as well as new menus and special perks for Hilton Honors members. And when Hilton brought La Cantera into its portfolio, it became the first Signia in Texas as well as the 9,000th hotel in the Hilton Honors portfolio globally.
These are five top reasons why Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa is an exciting destination resort worth visiting.
The rooms
All of the rooms are looking fresh thanks to a renovation last year. The same cowboy and ranch style decor from public areas is on display. But, now there are new soft goods and furnishings in all the accommodations. They’re divided between the main building that is split between two wings and 34 separate villas (all named for famous Texan ranches) for more privacy and interior space. The latter have access to their own private pool as well as keys to a golf cart to drive around the resort grounds. These are popular with families or VIPs that want more privacy.
Bathrooms feature glass shower stalls and wide vanities with bright mirrors. LAFCO toiletry products come in eco-friendly pump bottles are in place, the same brand used at all Signias. Some of the suites add separate soaking tubs.
Guest booking premium accommodations gain access to the adults-only SEVEN lounge on the seventh floor. This includes multiple food and beverage presentations throughout the day as well as an open bar in the evening. This will soon become part of Hilton‘s new premium lounge concept, which means that top-tier Hilton Honors members do not gain complementary access to this lounge as they might at other Hiltons.
Instead, people pay a premium to book a SEVEN category of room or suite that comes with automatic access to the lounge. Think of it like the same elevated quality of lounges you might find at Ritz-Carlton properties around the world.
The resort has a large number of suites, some of which are available for upgrades, and others are considered premium suites. These include the beautiful Presidential Suite in the rounded part of the main building with stunning views of Hill Country. But, all of the rooms and suites here have either a furnished balcony or terrace.
The dining
The restaurant concepts have not changed. SweetFire Kitchen is the main restaurant serving three meals a day from its open style preparation area, complete with pizza oven. The dining room room also has outdoor seating on the terrace. My breakfast omelet with housemate salsa was particularly delicious, and I heard many compliments from people seated at tables near me about how they were enjoying their food.
Primero Cantina by the pool is a mix between sports bar and Tex-Mex restaurant. I had eaten there a few years ago, but did not have the chance to try it again on my most recent visit. The enchiladas, brisket tacos, and chopped salads are all particular favorites. You can dine in or order your meal to sit outside by the pool.
At Signature (accessible via free shuttle from the main resort), the menu leans heavily into Michelin-quality dining. The chefs serve a range of classic dishes, but have added their own modern twists. They include a starter menu of hamachi with coconut leche de tigre or Spanish octopus with charred pineapple. Main dishes include Gulf redfish with Sardinian fregola pasta and nduja aioli or short ribs with smoked blue cheese.
By most of the pools, you’ll find separate bars with their own snack and drink menus. Both the rooms and the dining venues see constant activity thanks to 131,000 sq ft of meeting space here, each using the name of historic missions. New to the resort is La Calera, designed for weddings and social events. All of these gathering spaces, including reception lawns, are what make this an ideal candidate for the Signia by Hilton brand.
The pools
Spread around the grounds, there are numerous pools, some with infinity edges overlooking Hill Country. The kids pool has splashing fountains and a water slide. At the spa, there’s a separate pool that is typically quieter and also looks out across the valley. At the main pool, there is a bar and food menu, and the sunken lounge chair in the pool are especially great for a hot day. There are plenty of umbrellas and cushioned lounge chairs.
The adult pool is in a quieter location, one level below the main pool. It, too, has an infinity edge overlooking the valley plus its own bar with roving staff. Separate cabanas are available at many of the pools for an additional fee, and they include nonalcoholic beverages in the mini bar, and a fruit tray and ceiling fan.
The spa
This is one of the most substantial spas in Hill Country. Named Loma de Vida, it has epic views from the relaxation areas facing the valley and pool. On offer are fresh fruit, water, tea, nuts and even adult coloring setups for spa goers to relax before a service.
Numerous treatment rooms are available for all types of massage and beauty treatments. My “complete fix” facial was memorable (in a good way!) because it included microneedling, something I had never experienced before. Apparently, it helps the expensive creams and serums to soak deeper into the skin. There are also spa pavilions where guests can have maximum privacy, including treehouse-style spaces with outdoor decks and soaking tubs.
The spa is not only popular with guests, but has a loyal following among locals. The relaxation areas for men and women feature saunas with Himalayan salt wall, steam room facilities and warm soaking pools plus an outdoor terrace. At the gym, there’s a long list of fitness classes as well as a weight room and ample cardio equipment. Local membership helps to support the constant activity here, and the spa café serves healthy smoothies and light bites. It’s easy to make a whole spa day here, which happens frequently for bridal parties and groups of friends.
Another of the special experiences that guests can book is “Saddle up and Spa,” which involves a guided horseback riding session followed by a massage to work out any kinks afterward.
The activities
The resort publishes a calendar of activities available each day of the week. This can include everything from cultural activities and horseback riding to line dancing lessons and yoga sessions. Kids are located for with supervised activities, like making their own slime, producing sand art or playing bingo. They can also take part of the scavenger hunt around the resort. Once they complete their task, they are rewarded with a prize like a scoop of ice cream.
Golf is a huge highlight here. The 18-hole golf course was actually a stop on the PGA tour for more than a decade. And if you want to double down on your Texan experience, guests can take part in creating their own cowboy hat at the Resort’s Wild Pony Hat Bar. With a slightly modified name, this resort still hits all the high marks for creating a family-friendly destination that serves group functions well.
