Barton Creek Resort
Are you looking for a great getaway for the family? Nestled inside of the hills of Austin, sits a quiet and peaceful place called the Barton Creek Resort and Spa. I was invited down to experience all the resort had to offer. After many potty breaks and a few wrong turns, our family of 5 arrived at the resort, located 15 minutes west of downtown Austin. Situated on roughly 4,000 acres, the Barton Creek Resort features golf, tennis, a beautiful pool, a waterfall hot tub, nature walk, miniature golf, spa, yoga classes for the kids and a tranquility room (a.k.a. the “Mommy Room”!). This room features windows that face a natural stone wall that the resort left in place. Adorned with candles and comfy reclining furniture, it’s the perfect place to just sit and read, relax or just veg.
The lobby (and my children running from the camera).
While you may not know it because when you’re at the resort you feel like you are truly getting away from it all, you’re really only a 15 minute drive from downtown Austin and all the city has to offer. My husband and I took the kids down to the Congress Street Bridge to watch the bats fly out at dusk. Unfortunately, the bats were shy on the night we went, so we gorged on ice cream as compensation for the sleepy bats.
Got to the South Congress Bridge and waited for the bats that never came out – apparently, not something that happens very often. Just our luck! 
We had a great time visiting all of the eclectic eateries and shops on Congress, but the highlight of our trip was really the resort itself. Our package included breakfast down in the Hill Country Dining Room where the staff remembered our names when we came down on the second day. The kids loved the chocolate chip peanut butter pancakes and my husband loved the coffee (he’s a coffee snob). The view was absolutely AMAZING and I could have sat in that beautiful dining area and read magazines all day (and yes, I seriously brought about 30 magazines with me.) A word to the wise – I would highly recommend getting a package that includes breakfast. It’s worth paying that little bit extra because you WILL get sticker shock if you decide to forego a bed and breakfast package and order off the menu. It’s definitely a better value to get a package with breakfast included!
AMAZING view from the breakfast table. No, my children are not drinking wine! 
After breakfast on the first morning, the kids and I headed down to the pool for some R & R while my husband went for a run on the indoor track. The pool is surrounded by trees, so you’re never too far from shade on a hot day.
View from our room – gorgeous.
The recently renovated rooms are very spacious; enough so that we had room for a roll away bed. Our view was incredible. On the upper floors, you get to see the lovely rolling vistas of Texas hill country.
One of the favorite parts of the trip for the kids was the nature trail. As you hike down, you’ll come across a teepee and a fort that overlooks a beautiful creek and waterfall. Sitting at the top of the nature walk is the putt putt golf course where your kids can quadruple bogey every hole like mine did.
We had a fantastic time. It’s a great place to take the family (or even if you’re looking for a nice getaway without the kids) that’s just a short road trip away.
A special note also has to be made about the staff at Barton Creek Resort. They were outstanding. From the hosts, front desk, poolside servers, housekeeping and especially the wait staff at the Hill Country Dining Room, we were blown away by how accommodating and friendly each and every staff member was. We’ll be back….and I’m counting down the days!
The resort features 312 spacious and beautifully appointed guest rooms, a newly renovated full-service Three Springs Spa and superior dining experiences in its Hill Country Dining Room and 8212 Wine Bar & Grill. Located in the heart of Texas Hill Country, Austin’s award-winning Barton Creek boasts four nationally acclaimed championship courses as well as the state’s only Callaway Performance Center. For more information on Barton Creek Resort & Spa, call 1-800-336-6158 or visit bartoncreek.com.
Thank you to Barton Creek Resort & Spa for hosting my visit. All opinions in this post are 100% my own.
