Weindependently evaluateall of our recommendations.

If you choose links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

A quintessential summer in Austin, Texas, involves getting out on the water.

Garden with view of main building

Credit:Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

In fact, the heat almost demands it.

The resort itself is a bit of a window back in time.

The ambiance encourages you to get off your phone and soak in your surroundings and the water.

Bedroom of the Lady Bird Johnson Suite

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Staying at Lake Austin Spa Resort is a bit of a choose-your-own adventure.

Personally, I thought I wanted to relax.

Another thing that struck me was just how attentive the staff were.

Dishes at dinner

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Its easy to see why Lake Austin Spa Resort is so loved.

The staff is accommodating, the menus are thoughtful, and the experiences available are abundant.

To learn more about that experience, read my full review below.

Two women paddleboarding at Lake Austin Spa Resort

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Each offers a casual yet upscale atmosphere with hand-picked antique and vintage decor that maintains the resorts Texan charm.

The Lake View and Garden rooms have similar offerings with a more scenic view.

Those looking for the ultimate pampering and perhaps a history lesson can stay in the Lady Bird Johnson Suite.

Spa room at Lake Austin Spa Resort

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

The team sources anything they cant grow directly from local farmers.

The menu accommodates various dietary and health concerns, from dairy- and sugar-free to vegan and gluten-free options.

To say these ingredients are fresh is an understatement.

Dock with chairs over the lake

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

I ordered almost every fish dish they had and was hard-pressed to pick a favorite.

But it doesnt have to be all health and wellness, as the cocktails also thoroughly impressed me.

My favorite was the Hill Country Ol Fashioned, with Citrus & Smoke being a close second.

View of green lawn through a stone wall

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

As an all-inclusive resort, all meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks are included in the nightly rate.

Outside the scheduled activities, there is still much to do at the resort.

Perhaps the biggest draw is the lake.

But if it’s relaxation you seek, that is also not hard to find.

The spa is in a separate building connecting to the main resort through a gated walkway.

I enjoyed trying out a few different experiences in the spa.

My first stop was the newly installed hydro-circuit.

I began with an exfoliating mud scrub and then rotated between a warm shower and a cold plunge.

I also tried the Luminosity of Ice facial, which left my skin plump and glowing.

However, my favorite would have to be the private aqua stretch.

However, only ages 16 and up are allowed at the resort.

Teens can enjoy yoga, water sports, and other activities.

Glass, plastic, cardboard, and paper are also recycled for landscaping projects.

It also donates old linens and blankets to local animal shelters.

Lake Austin Spa Resort has two ADA-compliant rooms.

A water taxi service, departing from downtown, is available and it’s a very scenic 40-minute journey.