When you’re in need of a break from hectic routines, desperate for some down time, and eager for a chance to really relax and enjoy a peaceful respite with the kids, look no further than a mini vacation nearby! For a fantastic spot that combines the best of Hill Country outdoor activities with luxury amenities all within a short drive of Austin, you can look to the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa. It’s no secret that this is a local favorite getaway destination for its awesome water park, golf course, kids activities, adorable animals on the property, fishing, and pampering spa services, too. Situated between Austin and Bastrop on the Lower Colorado River, the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines offers a perfect quick Texas getaway.


Our Experience at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines

We took a nice family getaway, and are excited to share some highlights from our trip…

Upon entering the resort, you’ll find yourself on a winding country road dotted with horse crossings and deer sightings along the way, confirming that you’ve left the busy city and are now ready for some country adventure.

The staff was so warm and welcoming upon our arrival. Even though we got to the resort a wee bit too early to check into our room, we were invited to take advantage of any of the resort amenities straight away.

Our first stop was to visit the live mascots onsite in the corral. As a whole family of animal-lovers, we were all thrilled to meet goats, alpacas, horses, longhorns and the cutest pig named Beans. Our kids were so excited to feed and pet the animals. Our animal encounter was adorable and so fun!

Feeding all the goats made us realize we were hungry, too. So our next stop was just a short walk over for lunch at Birdie’s Burger Bar at the 18-hole golf course. With a sprawling porch, this is a great casual spot for burgers, salads and plenty of options on the kids menu, too. Everything was delicious. The kids highly recommend the queso!

After lunch, our room was ready — and what a room it was! With a family of five, we opted for a suite, and it was enormous! The kids squealed with joy about how luxurious it was to spread out with a living room area equipped with ample seating, full kitchen, a Murphy bed and fold-out couch, too. Adjoining was another room with a dreamy king-sized bed and second bath. The suite had floor-to-ceiling windows filling the spacious accommodations with warm sunlight. It was much more like being in a lovely condo or friend’s home than a standard hotel. What a treat!

But we couldn’t stay indoors for too long, there were tons and tons of fun activities just waiting for us! One great way to get around the Hyatt Lost Pines is to hop on a complimentary bike from bike corral and explore the grounds. Simply find the right size bike and helmet, and off you go!

The kids could have spent hours playing games such as horseshoes, ping pong, cornhole, basketball, and soccer. We also found ourselves near the playground where organized complimentary crafts were being offered, so we had to stop and take a break to decorate wooden toy snakes.

There are seemingly endless opportunities for activities for all ages. The resort stretches across 405 acres beside the Lower Colorado River, so you can walk the trails along the water and go fishing, too. You can even schedule a some classic Texan fun with horse trail rides, archery, trap shooting and more.

One of the kids’ favorite parts of the resort was the Crooked River Water Park, home to a 1000-foot flowing lazy river and a pool area complete with a slide, a beach, water basketball, water volleyball, an adult pool, two whirlpools, a splash pad, a children’s pool and plenty of space for lounging in the sun or in the shade. Here’s you’ll also find a poolside bar with servers ready to provide food and drinks.

Despite the fact that the weather was a bit chilly, the kids were happy to splash right in. They went around the lazy river time and time again, while mom chose to stay lazy (and dry) lounging poolside with a cocktail.

Obviously all of the water play made the kids work up an appetite. There are several dining options to choose from at the resort. You can find everything from fine dining to casual fare. We chose to have dinner at Shellers Barrelhouse Bar, and opted for the breakfast buffet Firewheel Cafe the next morning. The food was delicious at each locale with plenty of variety at all restaurants. The kids are big fans of buffets, so they were delighted to stuff themselves at breakfast.

The Hyatt Lost Pines takes great care in offering fun family activities when the sun goes down, too. You can visit the Riversong fire pit nightly for s’mores roasting. The staff there is equipped with so many delicious ingredients to help you customize the perfect treat. You can also enjoy outdoor movie nights (weather permitting) and cuddle up on the lawn with some popcorn to watch a family film.

After a great night’s sleep, we were ready for a second day of fun — hiking trails, basketball, yard games, and more lazy river! Being on the water’s edge really makes for a relaxing environment. A nature walk with the kids was just the thing we needed to connect and chat about our weekend.

While it seems like we packed in a LOT of fun times, it’s almost as though we just scratched the surface when it comes to all that there is to do. You’ll want to take advantage of a full weekend away so that you can book some time at the Spa Django or schedule a round of golf at the 18-hole Wolf Dancer Golf Club. Parents, if you want some time to yourselves, you can check out Camp Hyatt, which offers kid-friendly drop-off care.

For more information and to book your room, you can head to their website. Stay in touch by following their Facebook page and or give them a follow on Instagram.