“We’re bringing Joey with us?!” my 10-year-old excitedly exclaimed when I told her to pack dog food and a leash as we headed out for a long weekend at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa.
While traveling with dogs has become increasingly popular, I’ll admit that it’s not a travel trend we’ve checked off of our list until now. Typically, when our family takes a trip near or far, our always playful, occasionally mischievous, mini golden doodle gets to have his own fur-filled retreat at his favorite doggie boarding facility. He loves it, and we’re of course grateful for the fun and care he receives, but my wallet doesn’t always appreciate paying for two vacations.
When I found out that the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa, just under an hour and a half drive from Austin, recently launched an elevated pet-friendly experience for guests traveling with their four-legged companions, I couldn’t resist testing it out with our pup.
Joey embracing the vacation life at Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa. Photo by Mauri Elbel
The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa, nestled among 300 secluded acres of the historic Rogers-Wiseman family ranch, which operated as a working ranch for more than a century in San Antonio, has been one of our family’s favorite getaway spots for years.
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It’s home to a family-friendly (yet still relaxing) 5-acre waterpark shaded by giant oak trees, which my kids love. There’s a lazy river and four swimming pools –– including a Texas-shaped pool –– as well as a sandy beach, swim-up bars, a two-story waterslide, and a FlowRider wave machine where thrill-seekers can test out their surfing skills. The newly renovated 500-room resort also boasts a full-service Windflower Spa, a 27-hole Hill Country Golf Club designed by world-renowned architect Arthur Hills, and a half-dozen restaurant and bar options which run the gamut from casual poolside bites and drinks to upscale dining.
The waterpark is open year round with heated pool options. Photo by Mauri Elbel
Four-legged guests checking into the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa receive a welcome amenity that includes a plush s’mores toy (which has become Joey’s favorite fetch toy), and pet-friendly rooms are stocked with Hyatt-branded dog bowls, mats and, of course, doggie waste bags.
The resort’s ground floor patio rooms that open directly onto a grassy lawn area are a perfect option when bringing along your pet, but during our most recent stay, we got to rest our heads in one of the resort’s new luxury ranch-style villas.
From the moment guests arrive, their pets are welcome with open arms. Contributed by Hyatt Regency Hill Country
As soon as we entered through the villa’s doors and Joey made a beeline for his Hyatt-themed doggie goodies, we instantly realized he wasn’t the only one in for a treat.
The resort’s five new standalone 2,336-square-foot villas, named after Texas Rivers (we stayed in the San Saba Villa), feature four spacious private bedrooms (two king bedrooms and two bedrooms with two double beds), each with its own private screened-in porch and bathroom with a soaking tub, walk-in shower, plush robes and linens, a minifridge and coffee/tea station. The living area and fully-equipped kitchen is flanked by two bedrooms/bathrooms on each side, and if desired, the bedrooms can be closed off from the communal area for added privacy.
Earlier this summer, Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort debuted new luxury villas for guests seeking added comfort, space and privacy paired with exclusive, high-end amenities. Contributed by Hyatt Regency Hill Country
The new villas offer guests a much more secluded feel, yet you’re still just steps away from the resort’s waterpark, restaurants and slew of family-friendly activities. In the mornings, we’d sip coffee and read books on our screened porch while watching deer and an occasional bunny scamper across the soft green lawn. In the evenings, our kids roasted s’mores over the firepit on our private back patio as we sipped wine and gazed at the stars.
No stay is complete at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa without nightly s’mores and stargazing. Contributed by Hyatt Regency Hill Country
Staying in one of the new villas is ideal for families with multiple kids, like us, who often have to reserve two side-by-side hotel rooms to sleep everyone comfortably. But the layout is also perfectly set up for two families vacationing together, a multigenerational family, or a group of friends who prefer the privacy of having their own bedroom and bathroom while being able to gather together in the shared common spaces to cook a meal or relax.
The five new secluded villas are named after historic Texas rivers – Guadalupe, Nueces, Brazos, San Saba, and Pecos – and are designed to blend the rustic elegance of the resort and its location with modern comforts. Contributed by Hyatt Regency Hill Country
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Villa guests also receive next-level service including twice-daily housekeeping and a dedicated villa host who greets you upon arrival and assists you throughout the duration of your stay with everything from recommending experiences to booking spa treatments. Plus, villa guests have access to the amenities at the adjacent Windflower Spa including a peaceful private outdoor pool, whirlpool, eucalyptus steam rooms, and sauna.
Each villa was thoughtfully designed to feel like a home away from home, with spacious accommodations surrounded by beautiful Hill Country scenery. Photo by Mauri Elbel
When it came time to pack up and head back home, no one wanted to leave –– even Joey was begging for another night.
But the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa’s recent renovations and debut of its luxury villas are just the beginning of more improvements to come –– and reasons to come back. Construction is already underway on a new 2.2-acre man-made lagoon and beachside paradise as well as a new indoor/outdoor event venue, all set to open early next year.
If You Go
Getting there:
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa is 90 minutes from Austin.
Do:
Families can swim and splash in the 5-acre waterpark, bike along the trails, check out the wildlife feedings, play golf, soccer, tennis, pickle ball and sand volleyball, and end the day with nightly s’mores by the campfire and movies on the lawn. Want to venture out? The resort sits next to SeaWorld and is located just 20 minutes from San Antonio’s downtown Riverwalk.
Eat & Drink:
Enjoy specialty cocktails and tapas at the sleek new Woodbine Lobby Bar that welcomes guests upon arrival or take a seat on a cowhide-covered barstool at Charlie’s Long Bar. Order poolside bites from Papa Ed’s Pool Bar and Grill, then sip a cold adult beverage from the swim up bar while the kids splash. Our kids love the double-patty cheeseburgers served up at Cactus Oak Tavern, and the convenient and casual dining at Springhouse Café, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, is a family-friendly favorite. Reserve a table at Antlers Lodge for a more upscale dining experience offering Texas-inspired fare like black truffle crusted bison tenderloin and Lone Star bone-in ribeye.
Insider tip:
When staying with your dog, reserve a ground floor patio room that opens directly onto the grassy lawn, or book one of the brand-new luxury ranch-style villas.
