Labor Day Getaway: Hyatt Lost Pines

Well, I'm caught up to Labor Day weekend on the blog, so makin' progress!  

We booked a semi-last minute getaway for Labor Day weekend to the Hyatt Lost Pines resort outside of Austin, and I'm so glad we did! I think ER'ONE in the family needed a little break from the ordinary. We'd heard great things about this resort and how family-friendly it was, so we decided to give it a try.  (This post is not sponsored, just a personal review of our visit!) 

Of course, you can't be on Highway 35 without stopping in West, Texas at Slovacek's. (I love the original Czech Stop too, but Slovacek's is just a little bit bigger, with some more options, making it more toddler friendly.) 

While the boys chose ham and cheese sandwiches on freshly baked bread, I stood in line at the Kissing Pig Cafe for some good ole-fashioned BBQ.  And it did Mama right.  

Seriously, this place is so much more than a pit stop....there's the cafe, the deli with all sorts of treats, and amazing gifts and shopping! I'm not above doing some Christmas shopping at the gas station...trust me, if you are a recipient of one of these gifts, you'll NEVER KNOW....

We finally made it to the other side of Austin and down the THREE MILE winding driveway to the lovely Lost Pines resort.  It feels sorta in the middle of nowhere which we loved. But trust me, this place had every amenity of your heart's desire. 

When we checked in, we were given a "Calendar of Events" for all the things going on during the weekend.  And goodness me, it was like one big 3 day party.....

First up was a tractor ride down to the Colorado River.....

It doesn't get much better than a tractor ride for this baby.

The property itself is something like 200 acres....it even has it's own stables and fields with Longhorns hanging out.....

That evening, I was "S'MORE" than excited (hehe) to participate in the S'More roasting.  

The best part is that they had everything prepped for you! Marshmallows were already on the sticks and ready to go! 

They even had servers attending the table and "assembling" your s'more for you! They have it down to a science! 

Surely there is a similar banquet table in Heaven.

Greyson was QUITE THE FAN of the S'more. He's still talking about it and will randomly start listing out what's in a s'more and how to make it.  (Think he's hinting around?!)

It helped that the weather was sheer perfection.  September was already toying with the idea of Fall, so it wasn't brutally hot.  The evening was SO BEAUTIFUL on the back lawn by the fire pit. Kids were running around playing and laughing; it really is the quintessential family resort.

The next day we decided to hit up the pool(s). More like an aquatic resort, if you will.  I loved that everything is built around a grove of pecan trees and there are beach chairs and relaxing areas tucked away around all of the water features. This place is complete with a kiddie pool, a splash pad, a small sandy "beach" with a zero entry into a pool, lazy river, a water slide (that lands into the lazy river) and a private Adult Only pool in case you are one of the lucky ones that gets to break away from the CRAZY and enjoy some quiet time. (We were not those people.)  Regardless, we really enjoyed it! Greyson is still not a big fan of a lazy river, but he enjoyed the splash pad and kiddie pool. And really the best part about it is that there is a full service staff walking around, so you can just order food and drinks while you splash around with the fam all day! 

The ONLY negative thing about the pool situation is that (other than the adult pool I'm assuming), there wasn't a regular/traditional pool that you can actually "swim" in.  The zero entry beach pool is probably 3 feet at it's deepest. I know it's meant to be more of an "activity pool" with the volleyball net and basketball goal, but me and Jeremie felt a little weird just standing knee deep in the water.  Greyson likes to do "Candy Balls" off the side of pools, so this wasn't really a possibility in the pool or the lazy river.  And since the main pool WAS zero entry from the sandy beach, I could just feel sand in the pool.  And listen, after what WAS a glorious week at the beach this summer, I still have PTSD from all the sand. 

The water activities did seem to be pure JOY for older kids.  Jeremie and I commented that ONE DAY, we WILL be the parents laying in the cabana with the kids old enough to run back and forth from the slide to the lazy river and just come back when they're hungry. I'm not rushing it, BUT WE WILL BE THOSE PARENTS, RIGHT? Please, older parents, assure me.  

The next day we took advantage of the many other amenities on the resort. We didn't fish, but look how charming the little morning fishing was.....

One of Greyson's favorite things was the bike selection. Under a beautiful grove of pecan trees, they have all sizes of bikes from toddler to adult! He found a "motorcycle" that we about couldn't get him off off. 

Jeremie loved toting him around in this little bike seat...it was adorable!

Every cyclist needs his cowboy boots right?

Good thing he had his cowboy boots on, because later in the day we stumbled upon a Cow Ropin' lesson....and my little Texan got it on his FIRST TRY...

To complete your Texas experience, they brought out their very own mascot Longhorns for a photo opp....

Racing down the LOOOOONG hallway was a favorite for the weekend...

And so was the horse inside, who Greyson deemed "Miss Sally"....

More hallway fun....

After nap time, we caught Mississippi State's first football game....

And then caught the train ride...more than once...

                                

This was pretty much the scene at the end of each day....COWBOY WAS TIRED.

The resort has like 7 dining options on the property from poolside food to fine dining. (Which again, we did not get to participate in.) BUT everything/everywhere we did eat was incredible! The first night, we ordered pizza from Old Fashion Creamery and took it to our room, and it was probably one of the best pizzas I've ever had. We did the buffet at one restaurant for breakfast and dinner, and listen, it wasn't Golden Corral people.  When I walked in and saw the DESSERT TABLE complete with a fondue fountain, I giggled like a school girl. The food at all the stations was fresh and delicious...our favorite was also the "Create your own Pasta Dish" station.  #givemeallthealfredo

Of course my waffle was in the shape of Texas. DUH.

The last night we ate at the restaurant on the golf course, called Major Neighbors.  It was divine!

And how charming was the fire pit that night with everyone sitting around it?!

We had the best time and will certainly be back.  If you are looking for a family friendly-one stop shop resort, this is it! You don't even have to leave the property and there is more to do than you even have time for! (There are a TON of extra activities from horseback riding to scavenger hunts to airboat rides!) I'll also add that they DO have a "Kid's Camp" so you can get a little time away if you'd like.

Of course the resort itself was incredible, but I am always so refreshed when we just get away for some family time. Just a change of scenery and routine always makes me realize that I might be taking life a little too seriously sometimes, if that makes sense! ; )

So that was our trip! Good thing I always do a thorough check of the hotel room before we leave.....because apparently Greyson had put his new Armadillo (also "Miss Sally") down for a nap in the closet.

She did nap with with him on the way home though...