Growing up in the Texas Panhandle, the state’s Gulf Coast beaches were a distant dream. And I mean that literally — they were at least an eight-hour drive from where I lived.

So, when I heard that a beachlike, human-made lagoon measuring 2.2 acres was opening at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Villas in San Antonio while I’d be on the dusty plains visiting family, I knew I had to make a trek down to the property to see it for myself.

The opening of the lagoon marked the end of the resort’s $100 million renovation, which included updating the rooms, changing some of the dining options, adding a new event barn and creating a Toptracer Range golf experience.

Here’s what it’s like visiting that massive lagoon and what you can expect when staying at the World of Hyatt-affiliated resort, which is the perfect place for families to beat the Texas heat and an excellent home base for a San Antonio vacation.

Related: The 13 best resorts in Texas for a Lone Star State getaway

The Big Spring Lagoon

Having just opened in time for spring break this year and after an unseasonably warm late winter, the 2.2-acre Big Spring Lagoon was an incredible place to relax for two days. The space is one part Bahamas, thanks to crystalline water and multiple sections of sandy beach, and one part Texas Hill Country, with a charming windmill and barn visible from the beach areas.

Though I spent my time relaxing in lounge chairs and getting a start on my summer tan, others took advantage of paid water activities like stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. The energy of the lagoon was palpable, with kids laughing while building sandcastles, teens tossing a football in a big grassy space and others (like me) just pretending we were soaking up some island sun, margarita in hand, instead of sitting on the fringes of San Antonio.

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Speaking of margaritas, the lagoon has a nice pavilion area with a shaded bar and tables to grab food and drinks, though you can also place orders on your phone and have them delivered directly to your chair. With it being spring break, the pool bar was a nice respite for folks who needed shade, and plenty of dads crowded around the bar’s TVs playing a number of different games.

I opted for a prickly pear cocktail ($16) that allowed me to get an obligatory drink-by-the-water Instagram picture, plus a delicious poke bowl with ahi tuna, fresh greens and sushi rice ($18).

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For folks who want even more comfort or dedicated space (and shade!) for the family, cabana rentals are available throughout the lagoon starting at $375 per day and include chaise lounges, minifridges and flat-screen smart TVs, among other amenities. Since I was by myself, I was easily able to snag a seat each time I went to the lagoon, though I noticed plenty of families took advantage of the dedicated space.

All in all, I was really impressed with the lagoon experience, which reminded me of the Evermore Resort in Orlando. Though I had fun relaxing at “the beach” by myself, I could tell this really is a family-centered experience that would be well worth redeeming some World of Hyatt points to enjoy.

The water park and other amenities

Though Big Spring Lagoon is the resort’s newest attraction, it’s certainly not its only one. The other major draw is a 5-acre water park featuring a great 950-foot lazy river (and, trust me, I know lazy rivers), a two-story waterslide, multiple heated pools and a FlowRider Wave Machine.

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The lazy river, to me, felt like the heart of the resort, with a great mix of high-energy fun (think: kids trying to race through jetted areas where the water speeds up) and folks (like me) who put the lazy in the lazy river. One part of the lazy river adults will love is a swim-up bar where, if you can hold on to a rope without floating away, a server will bring you a drink and charge it to your room so you can enjoy a bevy while you float.

The resort also has plenty of regular pools where guests can swim or relax in lounge chairs. Luckily for adults, there’s also an adults-only pool area (pictured above) where things are a little quieter.

On arrival, guests are given an activity schedule to help plan what else to do during their stay — and there are plenty of options. On the Friday night of my visit, families gathered outside to watch “Madagascar 2” while a bunch of dads watched basketball in the lobby bar. I opted to enjoy inexpensive bike rentals for a cruise around the golf course while other people took advantage of sand volleyball, an arcade, arts and crafts, and nightly s’mores. The schedule alone showed that the week of my visit offered soccer matches, water balloon fights, nature walks, wildlife feedings and even goat yoga.

Golfers can take advantage of a 27-hole golf course, and the resort even offers paid junior golf camps to help younger guests practice their swings.

While I appreciate people’s love of golf, I’d rather spend the day relaxing at the spa. So, that’s what I did during a long morning session at Windflower, The Hill Country Spa. There, in a rustic Texas setting, I got a tranquil 80-minute stone massage ($275) and enjoyed the space’s other amenities, like the dry and wet saunas, afterward. The spa offers a full range of treatments, from massages and facials to couples therapies.

The room — and how to book

I stayed in a king room with a balcony, and at nearly 400 square feet, it was both spacious and charming — with a real homey, Hill Country flair. I appreciated the Texas-centric art and the large TV that allowed me to stream my own shows. The balcony had cute chairs for relaxing outside, which was fun considering the courtyard my room faced was full of activities and families running around playing.

In my research, rates at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country vary dramatically by season and availability. The lowest rates I could find were around $350 per night. As a World of Hyatt Category 5 property, award nights can currently be booked from 17,000 to 23,000 points per night. Just note that in May, Hyatt is adding new award bands that will likely affect award bookings at the resort on select dates throughout the year. Luckily, there’s still time to book here before those changes go into effect.

Dining

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While my assignment was focused on enjoying the new lagoon and other water amenities, I did manage to have one very upscale and delectable dinner at Antlers Lodge. There, the fancy restaurant felt like a real retreat from the parklike energy of the day, and I thoroughly enjoyed everything I ate, including a wedge salad so big it could’ve been a meal alone ($17) and a giant filet of seared halibut with rice and chili crunch ($45) that I’ve been thinking about ever since.

Other dining establishments include a casual all-day cafe, a clubhouse restaurant by the golf course, other casual bars and restaurants by the lagoon, a late-night bar with pool tables and a beautiful new lobby bar, Woodbine Bar, that’s sort of an indoor-outdoor concept.

Accesibility

The Hyatt Regency Hill Country offers a number of accessibility features for guests, including Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant room types, pools with chair lifts and zero-entry sections of the lagoons.

TPG always recommends calling and speaking directly with the hotel before booking to confirm the property can meet specific needs to ensure the best stay possible.

Checking out

After two days at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Villas, I left feeling like I’d just had a classic summer vacation. The Big Spring Lagoon is an incredible resort experience, and it’s easy to spend an entire day just kicking back there. But the resort has too much to offer to never get out and explore the rest of the massive space. Plus, its proximity to San Antonio attractions like SeaWorld San Antonio and Six Flags Fiesta Texas means you could easily spend a few days here and get the best of both worlds.

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