Dallas

These Are the 12 Best Family Resorts In Texas

By Diana Oates

| Apr. 21, 2022

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With summer around the corner, it’s time to plan a trip. And what better time to make memories with the kids than when they’re out of school? These 12 getaways—which we’re deeming the best family resorts in Texas, hands down—are sure to delight kids of all ages and their parents. Seriously—whether you’re into chillin’ by the beach in a luxury resort or hanging out by an amazing pool while dad golfs, we’ve got you covered and we’re here to prove a resort can, in fact, be family friendly. Yep, maybe the best of both worlds does exist after all.

Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas

1. Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas

Getting there: 14 miles from downtown Dallas
Why we recommend it: outdoor activities, family-friendly, close to Dallas
Rates: Tower Room starting at $425/night

Who says you must drive far to feel like you’ve gotten out of town? Dallasites like to think of the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas as that faithful friend who will never let them down. Bringing the kids? Even better. Camp Four Seasons offers an opportunity for you to hit the spa and relax while the kids have a ball. From movies under the stars to water slides and even golf and tennis, the kids are not forgotten here.

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Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center

2. Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center

Getting there: 23 miles from downtown Dallas
Why we recommend it: outdoor activities, dining, family-friendly, close to Dallas
Rates: Standard Guest Room starting at $371/night

This property’s holiday season programming is top notch, but don’t let that distract you from considering a summertime visit. The resort’s Paradise Springs Water Park and its 10-acre outdoor pool and lazy river complex features a 6,000-square-foot family lagoon. There is also 600-foot-long lazy river and four waterslides. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, hit up one of Gaylord’s eight eateries, with options to please even the pickiest palates.

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Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa

3. Hyatt Regency Los Pines Resort and Spa

Getting there: 3 hours (215 miles) from downtown Dallas
Why we recommend it: outdoor activities, family-friendly, customer service
Rates: Standard room starting at $323/night

Known for its lovely customer service experience, this accommodating Hill Country resort makes every member of the family feel at home, always. Its picturesque setting along the Colorado River provides guests with 405 acres of Texas landscape for horseback riding, archery, fishing and more. The resort’s Crooked River Water Park is also a big hit, featuring a 1,000-foot lazy river, a two-story water slide, an activity pool, sandy beach and a splash pad. What more could one want out of a family-friendly getaway?

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JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa

4. JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa

Getting there: 3 hours, 58 minutes (268 miles) from Downtown Dallas
Why we recommend it: outdoor activities, family-friendly, food
Rates: Standard rooms starting at $329/night

There’s something about the Oak-covered hills of the Texas Hill Country that just make you feel at home. We love that this resort has amenities galore, such as a 1,100-foot lazy river and a spa, but it’s also located close to a lot of crowd-pleasers like Seaworld, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and The Shops at La Cantera. This is perfect for the family who wants to relax between roller coaster rides and shopping trips.

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JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa

5. The JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa

Getting there: 5 hours, 16 minutes (330 miles) from Downtown Dallas
Why we recommend it: outdoor activities, family-friendly, food, unique, luxury
Rates: Standard cabin room starts at $399/night (two night minimum)

Love the exclusivity of a true Texas ranch but have yet to secure the goods for a personal vacation property? Consider the laid-back luxury of this truly special Sonora property. The 13,000-acre stunner has a main lodge and smaller, cozier cabins for rent and is a great option for those who want a curated ranch experience. From horseback riding to off roading on UTVs, the activities are endless. Relax by the pool and then enjoy a spa treatment while dad takes the kids skeet and trap shooting. The food is also incredible, as you’ll learn from Wednesday night pizza, the Thursday butcher block, fajita Friday and Saturday bar-b-que. This seemingly, middle-of-no-where intimate property makes it seem as is you really do have a ranch to call home. And what do they always say…fake it till you make it?

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La Cantera Resort and Spa

6. La Cantera Resort and Spa

Getting there: 4 hours and 24 minutes (282 miles) from Downtown Dallas
Why we recommend it: outdoor activities, family friendly, spa
Rates: Standard Rooms starting at $360/night

The fact that our vote for the most serene spa in Texas also happens to have a kid-friendly aspect really speaks to how well it manages both worlds. There are separate pools for kids and adults, both clean and top of the line. We recommend booking over the 4^th of July holiday and getting a front row view of the amazing fireworks that launch from Six Flags Fiesta Texas. They are magical, and the kids will remember them for years to come.

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Lakeway Resort and Spa

7. Lakeway Resort and Spa

Getting there: 3 hours 21 minutes (209 miles) from Downtown Dallas
Why we recommend it: waterfront, family friendly, outdoor activities
Rates: Standard rooms starting at $220/night

Lake Travis is a sight to be seen, and what better way to experience a gorgeous Texas Hill Country sunset than with a cocktail in hand, hanging with the family? We like that the property has both an adults-only and a kid’s pool in addition to a waterslide. There is a gym, spa and even a handful of options to get out on the water, whether you’re more of a coasting-on-a-sailboat type or a Jet-ski-racing adrenaline junkie.

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Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe

8. Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe

Getting there: 3 hours and 15 minutes (208 miles) from Downtown Dallas
Why we recommend it: new, outdoor activities, family friendly
Rates: Suites start at $259/night

It’s OK to admit it: we like things that are shiny and new, and there’s something to be said about visiting a resort when it is fresh off a grand opening. The amenities, the property and everything about it just shines a little brighter. And while this property is a couple of years old now, it still has that new resort feel. When you first scope out the space, your kids will be drawn to the pool and endless amenities, but the top selling point, in our minds, is the option to rent a lakefront cottage. Because anyone who has traveled with kids knows that a little privacy—especially after dealing with post-swim-and-ice-cream meltdowns—can go a long way in helping you truly enjoy a vacation.

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Rough Creek Lodge and Resort

9. Rough Creek Lodge and Resort

Getting there: 2 hours, 2 minutes (106 miles) from downtown Dallas
Why we recommend it: outdoor activities, family friendly, food
Rates: Call to inquire

Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam…. OK, you might not see a buffalo, but this place gives you the nostalgic vibes of a good ol’ fashioned weekend at camp. A luxury camp, of course. There is a lot included in this vacation, including access to fishing boats, s’mores, fossil hunting, tomahawk throwing, live music and ziplining. The only real choice you’ll have to make is whether you want to stay in the main lodge or rent a ranch cabin/home. The food is also incredibly good, which isn’t always the case at camp out-inspired getaways. Think Texas quail, pheasant ravioli, warm apple blackberry tarts and more. Those “adventurous family” types have found their dream destination.

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Landry’s

10. The San Luis Resort Spa & Conference Center

Getting there: 4 hours, 27 minutes (293 miles) from Downtown Dallas
Why we recommend it: outdoor activities, family-friendly, beach
Rates: Standard rooms starting at $189/night

When we think family-friendly vacation ideas, we immediately think of the beach. And while Texas isn’t exactly known for its beautiful white sandy beaches (hi, Florida), this luxury option has been keeping those in the Lonestar State in a beachy state of mind for decades. We recommend renting a private cabana at The Cove pool, which comes complete with lounge chairs, a personal mini fridge, flat screen TV, as well as snacks and Champagne. That way babies can nap, dads can watch the big game and you can cool down in the shade as needed.

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The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa/@anniemescall

11. The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa

Getting there: 30 miles from Downtown Dallas
Why we recommend it: outdoor activities, family-friendly, golf
Rates: Standard rooms starting at $209/night

Another solid option for a weekend away that isn’t too far from Dallas, this resort is tucked away in a residential area of North Texas. It almost feels like you are checking in to a country club for the weekend. In addition to an 18-hole Fazio golf course, the rooms and the Well & Being Spa are recently renovated, and the pool provides hours of entertainment to help beat the Texas heat.

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The Woodlands Resort

12. The Woodlands Resort

Getting there: 3 hours, 23 minutes (213 miles) from Downtown Dallas
Why we recommend it: outdoor activities, family friendly
Rates: Standard rooms from $267/night

Have a reason to be in the Houston area and want to make a vacation out of it? Located just 30 minutes outside of the hustle and bustle of downtown, you’ll find this Woodlands playground of sorts, which features the Forest Oasis: Lazy River & Waterpark. Created for kids and adults alike, this attraction has a 30-foot tower with a double-helix waterslide and a 1,005-foot lazy river that weaves in and out of the trees. Other fun activities for the entire family include an arcade, goat yoga, biking, kayaking and pickleball. Yes, we said goat yoga. Don’t miss it.

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These Are the 12 Best Family Resorts In Texas

1. Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas

2. Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center

3. Hyatt Regency Los Pines Resort and Spa

4. JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa

5. The JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa

6. La Cantera Resort and Spa

7. Lakeway Resort and Spa

8. Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe

9. Rough Creek Lodge and Resort

10. The San Luis Resort Spa & Conference Center

11. The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa

12. The Woodlands Resort

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These Are the 12 Best Family Resorts In Texas

1. Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas

2. Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center

3. Hyatt Regency Los Pines Resort and Spa

4. JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa

5. The JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa

6. La Cantera Resort and Spa

7. Lakeway Resort and Spa

8. Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe

9. Rough Creek Lodge and Resort

10. The San Luis Resort Spa & Conference Center

11. The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa

12. The Woodlands Resort

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