When you’re in need of a little rest & relaxation with the family, look no further than the newly renovated Horseshoe Bay Resort on the shores of Lake LBJ. Just a short 45-minute drive from Austin near the charming town of Marble Falls, this sprawling 7,000-acre, AAA Four Diamond-rated Hill Country resort has been undergoing quite the impressive transformation — a $60 million renovation and expansion project, in fact.
For a quick end-of-summer getaway, or weekend vacation at any time of year, the Horseshoe Bay Resort offers a terrific variety of amenities — pools & lakeside beach area for the kids, watersports, golf, nightly s’mores, giant lawn games, animal encounters with tropical birds and giant tortoise, kids club, luxury spa, tennis, trails, bikes, fine dining, and more!
When it comes to a stay with the kids, you have plenty of accommodation options to choose from to suit any size group. The resort did a top-to-bottom remodeling of the their 385 rooms, suites and villas with contemporary decor and tranquil lake views. Choose from upscale hotel rooms in the Tower or one-, two- and three-bedroom (pet-friendly) Palm Villas suites equipped with a kitchen and living area that offers more of a “home away from home feel.”
We were recently invited for a stay to experience the resort’s family-friendly atmosphere with our own kids — and for a last summer hurrah. Read on for top reasons why this is a great place to book a family getaway…
Swimming – Let’s start with the kids favorite element of any hotel stay — the pool! At Horseshoe Bay Resort, you’ll find three pools on the property, as well as direct beach access to Lake LBJ if you want to swim in the lake. Plus, you can’t miss the largest hot tub in Texas (located at the Yacht Club). Our kids especially loved playing in the lakeside sand!
Play Time – While we didn’t tackle the resort’s three award-winning Robert Trent Jones, Sr. championship golf courses onsite with the kids, we did enjoy some putt-putt on the 18-hole, par-72 Whitewater putting course. (Horseshoe Bay Resort is included in the list of “America’s Best Golf Resorts” by Golf Magazine, by the way.) We putted through the scenic landscape of gardens featuring exotic birds and waterfalls. But if golf isn’t your thing, you can enjoy a game of soccer or giant checkers on the Live Oak Lawn. Or check out this Summer Activity Guide for the daily schedule of kids activities such as arts & crafts or Family Movie Nights in the Paseo Pool.
Lake Living – Unlike many Texas lakes, LBJ is always a full-level lake, meaning you can count on water no matter how dry a summer may get. Kayaks, pontoon boats, WaveRunners, and paddleboards, fishing tours and lake cruises are all available to book so that you can enjoy the beautiful lake.
S’mores & Eats – Gather around the fire each evening to roast marshmallows. We definitely got our fill of complimentary s’mores after a fun evening swim in the pool. Beyond the ooey, gooey s’mores, there’s also plenty of to eat at the resort. Choose from several dining options from upscale gourmet dinners to kid-favorites served poolside.
Grown-Up Time, too – While there are obviously tons of things to do at Horseshoe Bay Resort with the kids, if you’re looking for some time to relax while you’re there without the kids, you’re also in luck! Their Kids Club program offers childcare for kids up to age 12 where you can drop them off to make new friends, enjoy crafting, cooking and more activities. (Note that you need to reserve your spot with the Kid’s Club 48 hours in advance.) Indulge in a treatment at the Bayside Spa, play tennis, enjoy a cold brew at the brand new Whitewater 360 Sports Club, take in lake views while you dine at the Yacht Club, or book a Sunset Cruise!
Here in Central Texas, we have many more months of warm weather days to go enjoy a staycation at Horseshoe Bay Resort. Before you go, check out their page of specials, including the End of Summer Perks Package and the Family Fun Package. Be sure to check out all the extras planned for Labor Day Weekend, including a ABBA Revisited concert on Sunday, September 2nd at 8 p.m.
For much more info about the resort as well as all the updates about their renovation, please visit www.hsbresort.com. You can also follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
