Lake Austin Spa Resort
1705 S. Quinlan Park Rd., Austin, Texas, 78732, USA
Why We Like It
Weight drops off shoulders upon arrival in this restful retreat. Being all-inclusive there’s no need to bring a phone or wallet, not even for gratuity, so you can get up and go at leisure. It’s like being at a (billionaire) relative’s lake house—let them take care of everything, just make yourself at home.
Fodor's Expert Review
Lake Austin Spa Resort is a chance to go off the grid without venturing too far from the city (it’s just a 30-minute drive from downtown). There are 40 boutique cottages and bungalows nestled in this Texas Hill Country resort, and guests stay on an all-inclusive basis with nutritious dining and wellness experiences part of the package. Treatments and personal training sessions are available for an additional fee.
PROS
- A beautiful lakeside retreat with a real focus on rest and restoration
- Healthy, nutritious dining without compromising on taste
- The massive list of complimentary activities will keep you busy
CONS
- It’s geared more to locals, as you don’t really get to experience Austin itself here
- The hefty price tag per person per night is equivalent to a long-haul trip to Bali
- Day passes mean the spa can get busy
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Room
Cottages and bungalows are painted in neutral tones, while bespoke furnishings and nature-framed art breathe personality. Since all rooms are ground level, guests enjoy some form of personal outdoor space, whether a porch or a private garden. The spacing of each unit makes it rare to see or hear other guests from the inside, allowing for a cottage-in-the-woods tranquility rather than resort suite one.
You Should Know Rooms have Keurig coffee makers which aren’t for everyone. You can enjoy artisanal coffees from the dining room or request a Nespresso replacement.
Bathroom
Sunlit bathrooms come with a Kohler Soaking tub and shower that’s infused with vitamin C. Bath salts and bottled potions are lavender scented from the resort’s spa line.
Lobby
Arrive in daylight and be soothed by rolling hills en route to Lake Austin Spa Resort. It’s perched on a scenic lake across from a nature reserve and features an oasis of verdant gardens you can’t help but stop to admire. Guests are mostly couples and female friends and families, so comfy they haven’t changed out of their robes.
Pool
There is both an indoor and an outdoor pool. The indoor barn pool is more of a workout space where classes are held or for freestyle laps. Meanwhile, the outdoor resort pool is where you can relax and catch rays.
Spa
The LakeHouse Spa is in a building of its own, a 25,000-square-foot facility offering over 100 different spa treatments. Like the rest of the resort, its design is inspired by the shores of Lake Austin, with a quaint cottage-style relaxation room to enjoy pre- or post-session. Day passes are available for outside guests, so it can get a little busy here.
Gym
The fitness center and meditation room overlook Lake Austin. It’s equipped with bikes, weights and rowing machines. When the weather’s nice, many guests take their morning stretching routine out on the deck.
Dining
Nightly rates cover all meals and snacks. They’re served in The Dining Room, from breakfast to dinner, and as expected, the focus is on whole foods sourced locally and enhanced with herbs and flavors from the resort’s very own gardens. Expect the likely suspects; avocado toasts, buddha bowls, steamed fish, but also the odd seasonal Asian-inspired item or impossible burger. Breathe a sigh of relief, there is dessert.
Drinking
There is no separate bar, but alcoholic beverages including cocktails, wines and beers can be purchased for a fee.
The Activity Calendar
The activity list included in each stay is vast, and even on rainy days, there are multiple choices per morning or afternoon. Some require advance reservation, but many are walk-up if they take your fancy. Activities on rotation range Pilates, tai chi, yoga, hiking, kayaking, meditation, talks, and movie nights. Add-ons include tarot readings and a wine cruise.
Tip The list of activities can be overwhelming, and you’ll feel the urge to tick off as many as possible. That isn’t the point of the retreat. Two or three per day is a happy amount to properly enjoy the experience without being tired out.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
There is no public transport to reach Lake Austin Spa Resort, so you’ll need to arrive by car. They do, however, offer a pricey water taxi service from various locations along the Colorado River that runs to downtown.
Restaurants
Guests pay sky-high prices for the all-inclusive experience, so all dining takes place on-site.
Bars
Most guests do not leave the all-inclusive resort to drink; however, alcoholic beverages are available from the restaurant at a reasonable cost.
Photos
Quick Facts
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