Lake Austin Spa Resort evaluation: Is it value splashing the money?

Disclosure: Lake Austin Spa Resort offered The Factors Man with a complimentary two-night keep, however all opinions expressed listed here are the writer’s alone and weren’t topic to evaluation by every other entity.

What do you do once you’ve lived in Austin for nearly a decade and are struggling to endure the inferno that has been the summer time of 2023? You hunt down water is what you do.

That is why I used to be thrilled once I was invited to take a look at the Lake Austin Spa Resort for a two-night keep in early August. The journey represented an opportunity to disconnect, recharge and chill out in a sublimely picturesque setting.

When you’re contemplating a Texas Hill Nation getaway, learn on for what to anticipate from the rooms, actions, eating, price and customer support on the Lake Austin Spa Resort.

The resort displays the dynamic historical past of Austin to a point. It began as a set of 10 fishing cabins and a dance corridor in 1941 earlier than being transformed right into a nudists’ camp within the Seventies. After that, it grew to become a cowboy rodeo after which a weight-loss camp within the late Seventies. There are tales of locals setting out on boats simply outdoors the resort to promote pizza and beer to hungry visitors.

The spa and resort’s present, higher-end kind was established in 1997 and underwent its most up-to-date renovation in 2004.

The best way to e-book the Lake Austin Spa Resort

The 40 rooms at Lake Austin Spa Resort are divided into three principal classes:

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• Base-level rooms (signature, backyard view and lake view)
• Sizzling tub cottages
• Suites

All of the rooms are in a single lengthy line, with the base-level rooms nearer to the entry gate and the extra premium rooms farther towards the spa. Working from inland to the shore, you may discover the lodging, then a driveway, the reception, eating room, health club, principal pool and multipurpose rooms all lined up; then, there is a filth strolling path and, lastly, the turquoise lake.

Charges embody lodging, three every day meals, and most actions and health lessons. Premium actions and spa remedies are topic to a further price.

Base-level rooms common $1,025 per individual per evening, together with taxes and costs. An extra visitor prices virtually the identical (about $900). You will discover charges as little as $730 per individual on off-peak dates, although.

Suites usually price about double the worth above.

This impartial property will not be a part of one of many main resort chains like Marriott or Hilton; subsequently, you can’t technically use resort factors for a keep. Nevertheless, when you’ve got an eligible Capital One card just like the Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card (see charges and costs), you’ll be able to e-book your keep after which redeem your Capital One miles to cowl the journey buy at a price of 1 cent per mile inside 90 days of the acquisition.

The property has a free-to-join loyalty program referred to as the Monarch Membership, which provides a $200 spa and private expertise credit score per individual once you comply with your first stick with a second keep of no less than three nights inside 12 months.

The best way to get to Lake Austin Spa Resort

Most visitors drive themselves or use a ride-hailing service to get to the property. From Austin-Bergstrom Worldwide Airport (AUS) and downtown Austin; it is a 40- to 45-minute drive with out site visitors. When you name a ride-hailing service, think about scheduling a trip in your return journey, because the resort is in an remoted space with few drivers.

Alternatively, you’ll be able to actually dwell it up with a water taxi pickup service from downtown or West Austin, costing $185 per boat for as much as six folks.

A relaxed, homey vibe

When driving to the Lake Austin Spa Resort, you may come to the general public boat ramp, the place you may be buzzed by way of a big non-public gate to the resort. A workers member will meet you on the reception and park your automobile (this valet service is complimentary).

Strolling into the reception space, the workers will give you a welcome glass of prosecco in a stemless plastic flute and a packet with sheets on the actions schedule, facilities, room info and spa choices.

Given the various iterations of the property over the many years, the decor looks like an older Hamptons manse that is been renovated with a 2000s sensibility.

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The beautiful lake views throughout the entire property (minus the spa tucked again inland), nevertheless, are the true draw. For what it is value, Lake Austin is not actually a lake — it is the a part of the Colorado River that sits between Lake Travis, the first supply of Austin’s water provide, and Woman Chicken Lake, which runs by way of downtown Austin.

There isn’t a improvement on the opposite facet of the lake, which makes the resort really feel considerably non-public, aside from the boats and Jet Skis that generally ply the waterway.

The property is dog-friendly. The charge is $300 per canine, which incorporates treats and a canine mattress in your room. You possibly can deliver your individual meals, or the kitchen could make canine meals comparable to grilled hanger steak over brown rice or grilled rooster breast with contemporary pasta for $8-$13 every.

Throughout my keep, two of the 12 visitor teams had canine. They have been reasonably yappy, and it sadly detracted from the property’s upscale really feel, although maybe that is extra the exception than the rule.

To arrange in your journey and maximize your time on the resort, you’ll be able to analysis the actions provided throughout your keep and fill out three waivers and private info varieties earlier than arrival.

The schedule adjustments every day, with actions from 8 a.m. till 9 or 10 p.m. There are normally three to 4 to select from in every hour block.

Complimentary indoor actions embody:

• Yoga
• Pilates
• Meditation
• Dance
• Health lessons (for all ranges)

Out of doors actions embody:

• Tai chi
• Kayaking
• Stand-up paddleboarding
• Mountain climbing by way of Balcones Canyonlands Nature Protect (finest within the cooler months)

A number of premium actions can be found at a further price, comparable to Jet Snowboarding, waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing and sightseeing picnics, costing $95 to $160 per individual.

I caught to the complimentary actions, beginning with a cooking class after my early afternoon arrival. I anticipated it to be interactive, however the instructor talked shortly and did all the things themselves. As a pupil, I might have appreciated being concerned within the dishes’ preparation, and I might’ve favored extra time to ask questions.

Subsequent up was an early night yoga class earlier than dinner. The instructor was very nice, and the problem degree was accessible to most. Nevertheless, it was awkward having no music (you could possibly hear each breath and drip of sweat), and the altering of poses was extra speedy than I’ve discovered with very skilled practitioners.

A water-healing class got here extremely beneficial by one of many resort’s actions desk specialists. This 50-minute class included light water stretching within the stunning, barn-style indoor pool. It included a two-minute customized demo on a particular physique half (I selected my hip) to loosen up your fascia, the connective tissue casing protecting our organs, bones and muscle tissues. It helped launch my joint, and the trainer was pleasant and educated. You possibly can e-book a 50-minute non-public therapy for $225.

Company also needs to plan to reap the benefits of the every day scenic boat tour, which runs both upstream previous newer mansions (pictured under) or downstream by extra established residences. This exercise lasts 25 minutes. When you’ve got sufficient time, I would counsel exploring in a single path throughout one trip. Then, join the sundown sip and cruise boat trip (extra $110) to go within the different path.

The cruise consists of beer and wine as you benefit from the sundown over the river and surrounding peaks.

The principle out of doors pool is a good place to arrange and skim a e-book on one of many lined or uncovered solar beds. It is in between the entry gate and the reception, and it is a most three-minute stroll from any of the rooms.

For these wanting to maintain up with their health routine, the health club provides cardio, circuit and free-weight gear. Two Peloton bikes overlook the lake, however you may want your individual Peloton login to do a category.

When you plan to work or join with family members throughout your keep, bear in mind that cellphone protection is spotty, and the property’s Wi-Fi is sluggish, at 3 Mbps obtain and 5 Mbps add speeds. This makes it exhausting to stream or work with movies and pictures.

The spa

Lake Austin Spa Resort’s LakeHouse Spa is accessible to each day and in a single day guests. It is a five-minute, tranquil stroll by way of a fantastic backyard from the resort to the spa.

Renovated in 2004, the menu proffers greater than 100 therapeutic massage, physique and skincare remedies, and the services are sprawling, with 30 therapy rooms. The salon provides hair, make-up and nail companies, and there’s an out of doors palm pool with a scorching tub and cabanas.

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I booked one therapy throughout my keep: my very first facial. The esthetician was pleasant, educated and really affected person in strolling me by way of the steps, explaining why I felt like my pores and skin was tingling and answering all of the questions I had. I used to be handled to the Alpine Important, which is touted by the spa as “the one Valmont males’s facial accessible within the U.S.” It is a 50-minute anti-aging therapy with a collagen masks that focuses on the attention space.

Whereas the therapy was included in my go to, I used to be floored once I noticed the bill on the finish, itemizing the common worth of $550 plus a 23% service cost and tax. You possibly can peruse the full therapy and worth checklist. Admittedly, they organized one of many spa’s extra premium remedies for me, however common facials and massages begin at $220.

Certainly one of my favourite facets of the spa expertise was post-treatment, hanging out within the ready room in my gown, consuming nuts and consuming iced tea whereas having fun with the gorgeous furnishings, excessive ceilings, peace and quiet. If the temperatures weren’t insufferable outdoors, I might have taken a drink out onto the balcony and sat in one of many rocking chairs having fun with the serenity — alas, throughout summer time in Texas, no, ma’am, no.

Tea, espresso and lemonade are complimentary. Alcoholic drinks can be found at a further price, with beers averaging $8, cocktails $14 and glasses of wine $16. Right here is the complete meals and drinks menu.

The meals largely impressed me, however there have been a few misses. For instance, the shrimp appetizer within the first photograph within the gallery under was dry and difficult. However I relished my juicy and tender sea bass entree and a decadent chocolate-hazelnut dessert later within the meal.

A sensible strategy to strive as a lot of the menu as attainable in a short while (e.g., a two-night keep like mine) is to ask for half-portions and order as a lot as you want.

You possibly can eat within the formal indoor eating room or the skin informal eating space. It was beautiful waking up and consuming breakfast alongside the lake. By night, nevertheless, it was manner too scorching to be outdoors, so virtually everybody selected to eat within the eating room; it additionally had stunning lake views. Eating outdoors at lunch or within the night can be fantastic throughout cooler seasons, although.

On the spa, resort visitors staying in a single day (not day guests) also can choose to dine from a complimentary menu from 11 a.m. till 3 p.m., a wise alternative for the day(s) you’re receiving remedies.

You possibly can ask for a vegan, pea-protein smoothie between meals, and the kitchen places out afternoon snacks to seize.

Water stations are simple to entry all through the resort, and visitors obtain a reusable water bottle as a part of the welcome pack. Or, you’ll be able to deliver your individual.

When you’re feeling delinquent, you’ll be able to order any of the primary meals to be delivered to your room for no extra cost.

Pleasant however casual service

The workers all through the resort have been familial and heat, which set a welcoming tone to the expertise.

The main focus of the resort is on wellness and decompressing. Nevertheless, given the standard of the delicacies and the excessive nightly room charges, I anticipated the service to be barely extra polished within the restaurant. Many of the wait workers seemed to be college students working over summer time break reasonably than devoted full-timers. Whereas minor, there have been slight missteps like forgetting to take my drink order at dinner and never changing silverware after it had been taken away between programs.

Past eating, although, two fellow visitors expressed their frustration at having spa remedies canceled on the final minute, so there may have been some communication errors.

Close by, Miraval Austin is a key competitor; I’ve beforehand stayed there and located the delicacies and repair extra subtle. The true promoting level, although? You possibly can redeem World of Hyatt factors (transferable from Chase Final Rewards) at Miraval.

Regardless of a number of fulfilling facets of my keep at Lake Austin Spa Resort, the spotlight for me was stress-free within the lakeside hammocks, disconnecting from work and immersing myself in a enjoyable novel. Nevertheless, it is value contemplating the hefty price ticket of greater than $1,000 per evening for this privilege, though it does embody meals, actions and valet.

Associated: An all-inclusive Central Texas oasis: A evaluation of Miraval Austin Resort and Spa

In abstract, the Lake Austin Spa Resort is a good alternative for these looking for an fulfilling, hassle-free spa retreat close to Austin and who may need to splurge on a high-end therapy or two. Simply understand that the lodging may not be as luxurious as different well-known high-end spas. When you’re counting your pennies or want to make the most of resort factors, think about exploring different choices.