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

But when I heard a beach-like, human-made lagoon of 2 metres long, that is the size of one and every two feet (and even so) was being said to be. The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Villas in San Antonio were opening 2 acres. I’m on the dusty plains visiting family, but I had to trek down to the property to see it for myself.

The opening of the lagoon was the end of $100 million renovation, including updating rooms, changing some of its dining options, adding a new event barn and creating ‘Toptracer Range golf experience’.

Here’s what it is like to visit that huge lagoon and what you will expect when staying at the World of Hyatt-affiliated resort, where families can beat the Texas heat and a great home base for if you are going on hailed San Antonio vacation.

Related: The 13 best resorts in Texas for a Lone Star State getaway

The Big Spring Lagoon

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The two have just opened in time for spring break this year and after an unseasonably warm late winter, the 2 s. It was an amazing place to hang out for two days, surrounded by 2-acre Big Spring Lagoon. crystalline water and several sections of sandy beach, the space is one part Bahamas (and one portion Texas Hill Country), with a charming windmill and barn visible from the beach areas.

My time in lounge chairs and getting a start on my summer tan was spent by s, but others took advantage of paid water activities such as stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. The lagoon was a beautiful place to see the energy of its lagoon, where children laugh as they build sandcastles, teens throwing ‘funniest football in. large grassy space and others (like me) just pretending we weresoaking up some island sun, margarita in hand, instead of sitting on the fringes of San Antonio.

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The lagoon is a nice pavilion area with shady bar and tables to grab food and drinks, but for margaritas (and other orders on your phone) you can have them delivered directly to your chair. The pool bar was a nice break for people who needed shade, and there were plenty of dads around the bar’s TVs playing several different games.

Prickly pear cocktail ($16) allowed me to get a mandatory drink-by-the-water Instagram photo and eat s poke bowl with hi tuna, fresh greens and sushi rice ($18)).

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For those who want more comfort or dedicated space (and shade!) for the family, cabana rentals are available throughout the lagoon from $375 per day and include chaise lounges; minifridge’S and flat-screen smart TVs. I had a seat every time I went to the lagoon because of my alone, but I saw many families using the dedicated space.

I was really impressed with the lagoon experience, which reminded me of Evermore Resort in Orlando. While I enjoyed a little fun at “the beach” by myself, this is really ‘family-centered’ experience that would be worth redeeming some World of Hyatt points to enjoy.

The water park and other amenities

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Big Spring Lagoon is the resort’s newest attraction, but it’ll certainly not be its only one. One of the major attractions is a 5-acre water park with 950-foot lazy river (and, trust me, I know lazy rivers), two-story waterslide, multiple heated pools and FlowRider Wave Machine.

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To me, the lazy river was “the heart of the resort” with a great mix of high-energy fun (think children racing through jetted areas where water speeds up) and people (like me) who put the la in the lean river. Amongst the lazy river adults will love is a swim-up bar where you can hold on to ‘to float without floating away,’ if you are held by heiresses and hang onto dragged down into your room while drinking from his server so you could enjoy bevy as you poop.

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In addition, there are regular pools at the resort and lounge chairs for swimming or relaxing. Thankfully, there’s also an adults-only pool area (pictured above) where things are quieter for the most part as it is for adults.

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The arrivals are given a schedule for activities that help plan the itinerary to do what else they will do during their stay and there is plenty of options. I was visiting Friday night of my visit, families gathered outside to watch “Madagascar 2” and a group of dads watched basketball in the lobby bar. But I chose cheap bike rentals for a ride around the golf course and other people took advantage of sand volleyball, an arcade, arts and crafts and nightly t’mores. I was visiting a week of soccer matches, water balloon fights, nature walks, wildlife feedings and even goat yoga.’ The schedule alone showed that the week before my visit had been an event with football matches (and other activities), water ball fight in which they were played at home by s.

There is a 27-hole golf course that allows players to exploit the resort’s facilities, and even has paid junior golf camps for younger guests to practice their swings.

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Despite the fact that people like to play golf, I’d rather spend the day at the spa. That’s what I did in a long morning session at Windflower, The Hill Country Spa. I got a relaxing 80-minute stone massage ($275) in quaint Texas setting and enjoyed the space’s other amenities, such as the dry and wet saunas, afterward. Spa offers a full range of treatments from massages and facials to couples therapies.

The room and how to book

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A balcony-style king room was I, and at nearly 400 square feet it was spacious and charming with a real homey Hill Country flair. I loved the Texas-based art and the big TV that allowed me to watch my own shows. The balcony was awash with cute chairs for relaxing outside, as it is fun because the courtyard my room faced was full of activities and families running around playing.

During my research, rates at Hyatt Regency Hill Country vary dramatically by season and availability. I got about $350 a night for the lowest rates I could get. award night from 17,000 to 23,000 points per night as a World of Hyatt Category 5 property. Note that in May, Hyatt is adding new award bands which will likely affect award bookings at the resort on selected dates throughout the year. Luckily there’s still time to book here before those changes take effect, so that doesn’t have to be changing.

Dining

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I had an assignment focusing on the new lagoon and other water facilities, but at Antlers Lodge I got one very high-end dinner with delectable dishes. The swanky restaurant was like a retreat from the park-like energy of the day, and I loved everything that I ate — including’wedge salad so big it could have been eat alone ($17) and giant filet of seared halibut with rice and chili crunch ($45) which I think about since then.

The other restaurants are a casual all-day cafe, sand clubhouse restaurant by the golf course, and more casual bars and restaurants by lagoon, late night bar with pool tables and. beautiful new lobby bar Woodbine Bar that’s like an indoor-outdoor concept of “the old” (insider) hotel?

Accesibility

Several accessibility features for guests, such as Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant room types, pools with chair lifts and zero-entry sections of the lagoons, are available at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country.

In order to ensure the property can meet specific requirements, TPG always recommends calling and speaking directly with the hotel before booking so that it is sure he has the best stay possible.

Checking out

TANNER SAUNDERS/THE POINTS GUY

I had two days at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Villas, but after that it felt like I’d just spent a summer vacation. Big Spring Lagoon is a resort-like experience, and it’s easy to spend an entire day just kicking back there with the big spring. And yet the resort has too much to offer for never going out and exploring all of the huge space, . With its proximity to San Antonio attractions such as SeaWorld San Marco and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Plus is a short-lived place for you to spend fewer days here and enjoy the best of both worlds.

Related reading:

• I didn’t expect to love World of Hyatt, but here’s why I do
• These are the hotel openings TPG is most excited for in 2026
• 21 best all-inclusive resorts for families

Thanks for reading A review of the Hyatt Regency Hill Country