A Review of the Hyatt Regency Hill Country

Growing up in the Texas Panhandle, the beaches of the state’s Gulf Coast were a distant dream. And I mean that literally: they were at least an eight-hour drive from where I lived.

So when I heard it looked like a beach, 2.2 acre man-made lagoon was opening at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Villas in San Antonio while I was in the dusty plains visiting family, I knew I had to make a trip to the property to see it for myself.

The opening of the lagoon marked the end of the resort’s $100 million renovation, which included updating guest rooms, changing some of the dining options, adding a new event barn and creating a golf experience at Toptracer Range.

Here’s what it’s like to visit that huge lagoon and what you can expect when staying at the Hyatt World-affiliated resort, which is the perfect place for families to beat the Texas heat and a great base for a San Antonio vacation.

Related: The 13 Best Texas Resorts for a Getaway to the Lone Star State

The great spring lagoon

Having recently opened in time for spring break this year and after an unseasonably warm end to winter, the 2.2-acre Big Spring Lagoon was an incredible place to relax for two days. The space is one part Bahamas, thanks to the crystal-clear water and multiple sections of sandy beach, and one part Texas Hill Country, with a charming windmill and barn visible from the beach areas.

While I spent my time relaxing on lounge chairs and working on my summer tan, others took advantage of paid water activities like stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. The energy of the lagoon was palpable, with kids laughing while building sandcastles, teenagers throwing a soccer ball around a large grassy space, and others (like me) simply pretending we were soaking up the island sun, margarita in hand, instead of sitting on the outskirts of San Antonio.

Speaking of margaritas, the lagoon has a nice pavilion with a shaded bar and tables for food and drinks, but you can also place orders on your phone and have them delivered right to your chair. Since it was spring break, the pool bar was a nice respite for people who needed shade, and many parents were crowded around the bar’s TVs playing different games.

I opted for a prickly pear cocktail ($16) which earned me an obligatory waterside drink Instagram photo, as well as a delicious poke bowl with ahi tuna, fresh vegetables and sushi rice ($18).

For people who want even more comfort or dedicated space (and shade!) for the family, cabin rentals are available throughout the lagoon starting at $375 per day and include lounge chairs, mini refrigerators, and flat-screen smart TVs, among other amenities. Since I was alone, I could easily get a seat every time I went to the lagoon, although I noticed many families taking advantage of the exclusive space.

Overall, I was really impressed with the lagoon experience, which reminded me of the Evermore Resort in Orlando. While I had fun relaxing alone on “the beach,” I realized that this is truly a family-centered experience and would be worth redeeming some World of Hyatt points to enjoy.

The water park and other amenities.

Although Big Spring Lagoon is the resort’s newest attraction, it’s certainly not the only one. The other big draw is a 5-acre water park that features a fantastic 950-foot lazy river (and trust me, I know). lazy rivers), a two-story water slide, several heated pools, and a FlowRider wave machine.

To me, the lazy river was like the heart of the resort, with a great mix of high-energy fun (think: kids trying to run through areas with jets where the water speeds up) and people (like me) getting the slow ones into the lazy river. One part of the lazy river that adults will love is a swim-up bar where, if you can hold on to a rope without floating, a bartender will bring you a drink and carry it to your room so you can enjoy a group while you float.

The complex also has numerous swimming pools where guests can swim or relax on sun loungers. Luckily for adults, there’s also an adults-only pool area (pictured above) where things are a little quieter.

Upon arrival, guests are given an activities program to help them plan what else to do during their stay, and there are plenty of options. On the Friday night of my visit, families gathered outside to watch “Madagascar 2” while a group of dads watched basketball in the lobby bar. I opted to enjoy a cheap bike rental for a cruise around the golf course, while others took advantage of sand volleyball, a game room, crafts, and late night cupcakes. The schedule alone showed that the week of my visit offered soccer games, water balloon fights, nature walks, wildlife feeding, and even goat yoga.

Golfers can take advantage of a 27-hole golf course and the resort even offers paid junior golf camps to help younger guests practice their swings.

While I appreciate people’s love of golf, I prefer to spend the day relaxing at the spa. That’s what I did during a long morning session at Windflower, The Hill Country Spa. There, in a rustic Texas setting, I received a tranquil 80-minute stone massage ($275) and then enjoyed the space’s other amenities, such as dry and wet saunas. The spa offers a wide range of treatments, from massages and facials to couples therapies.

The room and how to book

I stayed in a king-size room with a balcony and, at almost 400 square feet, it was spacious and charming, with a true Hill Country homey feel. I appreciated the Texas-centric art and large television that allowed me to broadcast my own shows. The balcony had nice chairs for relaxing outside, which was fun considering the patio my room overlooked was full of activities and families running around and playing.

In my research, Hyatt Regency Hill Country rates vary drastically depending on season and availability. The lowest rates I could find were around $350 per night. As a World of Hyatt Category 5 property, award nights can currently be booked for between 17,000 and 23,000 points per night. Just keep in mind that in May, Hyatt is adding new award bands that will likely impact award bookings at the resort on select dates throughout the year. Luckily, there’s still time to book here before those changes take effect.

Meal

While my task was to enjoy the new lagoon and other water amenities, I managed to have a delicious and very exclusive dinner at Antlers Lodge. There, the elegant restaurant felt like a true refuge from the day’s energy in a park, and I thoroughly enjoyed everything I ate, including a sliced ​​salad so big it could have been a meal on its own ($17) and a giant seared halibut filet with rice and crispy chili ($45) that I’ve been thinking about ever since.

Other dining establishments include a casual all-day cafe, a clubhouse restaurant next to the golf course, other casual lagoon-side bars and restaurants, a late-night bar with pool tables, and a beautiful new lobby bar, Woodbine Bar, which is something of an indoor-outdoor concept.

Accessibility

The Hyatt Regency Hill Country offers a number of accessibility features for guests, including Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant room types, pools with chairlifts, and zero-entry lagoon sections.

TPG always recommends calling and speaking directly to the hotel before booking to confirm that the property can meet specific needs to ensure the best stay possible.

reviewing

After two days at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Villas, I left feeling like I had just spent a classic summer vacation. Big Spring Lagoon is an incredible resort experience and it’s easy to spend an entire day relaxing there. But the complex has too much to offer to never venture out to explore the rest of the enormous space. Plus, its proximity to San Antonio attractions like SeaWorld San Antonio and Six Flags Fiesta Texas means you could easily spend a few days here and get the best of both worlds.

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