Celebrating Life at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

“Life should not only be lived, it should be celebrated!” – Osho

I couldn’t agree more with this quote, hence we decided to celebrate life at the Omni Barton Creek Resorts & Spa. It is an easy 3.5 hours drive from where we live in the Northern ‘burbs of Dallas.

We were all excited to experience the luxury that Omni Barton Creek has to offer to guests. We last stayed with them in 2017 and since then they have had some major renovation. Those of you who didn’t know, they spent $150M on renovations, which they unveiled in the spring of 2019. Renovations were designed to highlight the history and the breathtaking view of the Texas Hill Country.

Arrival

As soon as we enter the lobby, my kids wowed in awe. It was such a beautiful surprise. We remembered the last time we visited, and it was nothing like this. You can now see the beautiful view of the surroundings from the lobby, and it has floor-to-ceiling windows with a wrap-around porch. What a beautiful design! 

Room

We were greeted with a happy smile from the front desk agent who handed us the key to our room. It was a speedy check-in, just what every guest wants after a journey whether by plane or car. Our room was on the 10th floor, and we couldn’t wait to check out the views from it. However, there we had a little bit of a hiccup with a stuck curtain that won’t open up but it only took less than 10 minutes for the maintenance guy to come and fix it— Viola!… hello stunning view! Take note: no matter what floor you’re on, each of the 312 guest rooms offers stunning Hill Country views. Do you need a change of scenery? If yes, then this is your perfect spot!

Things To Do

You won’t run out of activities here, from golfing to swimming and hiking or even gaming, they have it covered.

Pools

We rested in a little bit while the kids were enjoying some of the welcome treats they got from the hotel. Then it was straight to the pools. There are three pool areas to enjoy; 2 for families with a splash pad and an adults-only infinity pool. The pools are heated and open year-round and there is also a hot tub to relax in. The pool areas make up a beautiful oasis, perfect for families and couples looking for a place to unwind. 

We loved the pool so much that we spent most of our time here. Click for photos at the infinity pool.

Mokara Spa

A 13,000 square foot spa sanctuary that no guest should miss. It focuses on the well-being of the mind, body, and spirit; they offer signature spa treatments, salon services, personal journeys, wellness facilities, and more. My favorite was the spa’s private rooftop pool sporting a great overlook of the golf course and the Texas Hill Country. Adult spa guests have access to spa amenities, including private locker rooms, relaxation lounge, steam room, sauna, indoor heated whirlpool, and heated outdoor rooftop pool for the day. 

Golf

There are so many things to do at the resorts, and one of the highlights is their championship golf courses designed by masters of the game – Tom Fazio, Ben Crenshaw, Bill Coore, and Arnold Palmer. They also offer four driving ranges, six putting greens, four short game areas, and the world-class Barton Creek Golf Academy. My husband and I would have loved to play a round of golf, but our time is very limited and of course, we wanted to spend time with the kids. I guess a good reason for us to come back again. 

Nature Trails & Hikes
This 1-mile trail is excellent for the whole family to enjoy the fauna and flora of the Texas Hill Country. My kids had a great time exploring the area. And they got to build their first fort which was such a fun experience.  Don’t forget to stop by the front desk to pick up a scavenger hunt bingo card and hit the trail. Score a bingo and you’ll win a prize.

Mini Golf
It’s always fun to have some friendly family competition. Unfortunately, my girl always expects to be perfect on the first try of anything as is a little bit of a sore loser when she isn’t. You know what I mean:) However, an 18-hole mini-golf is such a great treat!

• Scorecards and putting equipment are available 11 am – 7 pm at the pool towel hut. No
  reservations required. For more information, dial EXT 4539

Play Tennis
They offer 11 tennis hard courts to channel your energy into and play with your family and/or friends. Their courts allow everyone to have a fun experience; regardless if you are a beginner or a professional, you will have a great time. You can bring your own racquet or borrow one from the pro shop. Please call the Tennis Pro Shop to get more details and reserve a court.

Barton Game Room
This room offers some fun games like air hockey and foosball. They sometimes play a movie, so check the activities schedule when you check in to see what’s on.

Sunrise and Sunset Walk or Jog
This is a great way to squeeze an exercise early morning on the Fazio Foothills golf cart path.

• For your safety, jogging and walking are only allowed up to one hour after sunrise and 30 minutes prior to sunset. Jogging maps available at the Front Desk.

Finally, you won’t miss the fun games available at the Lady Bird Lawn and make S’mores around the firepits while watching the sunset or after you had dinner to end the day.

• S’mores kits are available for purchase at Velvet Joe’s.

Dining

Unlike some resorts that have very limited dining on-site, here at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, you won’t go hungry. Whether you are looking for a fancy restaurant or a family-friendly one, you can find something to your liking. Their culinary team brings local and seasonal ingredients to your table to create a memorable meal. Here are some of their offerings on-site:

Blink Salamander Kitchen & Bar
I could dine here just for the view alone! It is beautiful! The panoramic views of the Austin Hill Country are just awesome. Their food didn’t fail to impress either! We celebrated our girl’s birthday here, and everyone was so nice and so accommodating for all our requests.

Bob’s Steak & Chop House

An award-winning steakhouse with an exquisite and lively ambiance. Famous for their prime steak, chops, seafood, and wines.

Crenshaw Bar & Eatery

This lounge is a perfect spot to hang out with friends after a long day at the pool or the golf course. They offer local beers, wines, cocktails, and some contemporary comfort food like burgers, Mac ‘N Cheese and flatbreads.
After your meal, explore memorabilia from Barton Creek legends, including former University of Texas Football Coach Darrell K Royal and musician Willie Nelson.

Nopales

Napoles will become your favorite if you hanging out by the pool as they also offer poolside service of food and drinks . Enjoy some tacos paired with a margarita and you’re good for some poolside fun!

Jim Bob’s Lobby Lounge

This lobby lounge was designed to pay homage to the life of Jim Bob Moffett, who developed the Barton Creek area and left behind a legacy in the oil and mining industries. You enjoy the views of rolling Texas hills and the lush foliage on Lady Bird Lawn while sipping cocktails and some food.

Texas Spice

With a focus on local ingredients and southern flavors, Texas spice offers classic breakfast entrees alongside lighter options.

Velvet Joe’s Coffee House & Artisan

A quick stop for grab-and-go pastries, lunch, and more. Velvet Joe’s serves fresh drip coffee, seasonal favorites, and espresso beverages made with Stance Coffee. Enjoy breakfast at Velvet Joe’s or on the resort lobby balcony.
After your meal, you can shop artisan wares from local Austin creators to find the perfect gift to bring home. Forgot something? Velvet Joe’s stocks sundries from chapstick to phone charging cables.

If you are looking for a relaxing and fun getaway, check out their latest promotion.

• Sunrise, Sunset and S’mores Package

***Thank You Omni Barton Creek Resorts & Spa for hosting our stay. We enjoyed every minute of it!***