Lakeway Resort & Spa

Lakeway Resort & Spa Overview

You know what? Lakeway Resort & Spa surprised me. I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up, it felt a bit like one of those conference hotels that tries too hard to be fancy, but once you get past the slightly dated lobby (think early 2000s “sophisticated”), this place actually has some serious charm. The location is genuinely spectacular – perched right on Lake Travis with these sweeping views that make you forget you’re just 20 minutes from downtown Austin.

The rooms are… well, they’re comfortable but not gonna blow your mind. What really gets you is stepping out onto those balconies, especially if you snag a lake-facing room. The water stretches out forever, and honestly, the sunsets are ridiculous. I mean, Texas Hill Country sunsets hit different anyway, but from here? You’re basically getting a private show every evening. The spa is where they really know what they’re doing – I wasn’t expecting much, but the treatments feel genuinely restorative, not just overpriced fluff. And here’s something I appreciated: the staff actually knows the area. Ask them about hidden swimming spots or decent BBQ that isn’t tourist-trap expensive, and they’ll point you toward places like The Oasis (yeah, it’s touristy but those sunset views) or Salt Traders Coastal Cooking if you want something a little more local.

The pool area gets busy on weekends – fair warning if you’re looking for zen vibes on a Saturday afternoon. But during the week? It’s this peaceful spot where you can actually hear the water lapping against the shoreline. The fitness center is adequate (nothing fancy, but it has what you need), and parking is free, which feels revolutionary after dealing with Austin hotel rates. Look, this isn’t the Four Seasons, and the 7.9 rating feels about right – there are some rough edges, like the Wi-Fi that gets spotty in certain rooms and the restaurant that’s perfectly fine but not destination dining. But if you want to feel like you’ve escaped the city without actually going very far, and you don’t mind trading cutting-edge luxury for genuine lakefront tranquility, Lakeway Resort delivers. Plus, you’re close enough to zip into Austin for Franklin Barbecue or a show at the Continental Club, but far enough out that you can pretend you’re on a proper vacation. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.