With the string of endless near 100-degree summer days in Texas, the best way to greet them and overcome the challenging heat is a dip in a refreshing swimming pool. Better still, how about a Texas staycation at a luxury resort hotel with a ginormous pool and a lazy river, one that you’ll be touting memories about for the rest of the summer. Here are seven mega Texas resorts with over-the-top pools and lazy river complexes designed for family summer fun.
The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
Northeast San Antonio
The River Bluff Water Experience at the JW Marriott San Antonio boasts multiple pools, a lazy river, four slides, and a sandy beach area spread out over nine acres.
The 1,100-foot lazy river, surrounded by beautiful regional Hill Country-style landscaping, has fountains and sprinklers with lots of sunshine. You’ll find two 47-foot high body slides and two tower tube slides with fantastic Hill Country views from the top.
The centrally located family-friendly pool is circled with cabanas and lounge chairs, while the waterfall infinity-edge adult pool and hot tub overlook the scenic Hill Country. The sandy beach pool features a graded entrance with lounge chairs and cabanas for that beach feeling. The graded entry kids pool features spray and sprinkler activities with two small kiddie slides.
Rentable private cabanas include a shaded seating area with sofa, lounge chairs, refrigerator, flat-screen TV, and a safe. You get two in-pool lounge chairs with the cabana around the main activity pool. The Rivertop Poolside Grill, one of seven restaurants at the resort, provides burgers, sandwiches, frozen daiquiris, and specialty rum cocktails delivered by friendly poolside waiters.
Pro Tip: Single and double tubes are available, but there are no kid-sized tubes or floats, so bring those from home. Bring your beach toys or purchase them at the resort. Pack lots of sunscreen and wear a hat for sun protection.
The Gaylord Texan Resort & Conference Center
Grapevine, Between Fort Worth And Dallas
Cool off in the Texas heat at the Gaylord Texan Resort. Make a splash at the 10-acre Paradise Springs Water Park outdoor pool and lazy river complex featuring a 6,000 square foot family lagoon with a giant multi-level water play fort that you must see to believe. Play at multiple pools, a lazy river, four winding waterslides, and zip lines.
Climb stairs and ladders at the fort to multiple bridges where a Texas-size bucket fills with water and tips over, dumping floods of water on your grandkids below. They can spray their pals using spray guns on multiple levels.
The main activity pool has two horseshoe-shaped hot pools, a great place to sit and people watch. A shaded toddler pool has a graded entrance with splash pad fountains and rock seats for parents.
The 600-foot-long lazy river has lots of splashing fountains and waterfalls. Have fun on four winding water slides and zip-lines that you ride and drop into the water. You’ll have access to private cabanas for rent with extra shade, comfortable lounge chairs, a refrigerator, and table seating. Indulge at the full-service Pool Bar and Grill at Paradise Springs, one of 10 restaurants, to satisfy your Texas-sized appetite. Paradise Springs is an exclusive amenity for resort guests.
Back at the hotel, the 4.5-acre covered atrium hosts an outdoor pool and hot tub adjacent to the bar just outside the Hill Country Atrium. A hotel indoor 20-meter lap pool is available at the end of the Riverwalk Atrium.
Pro Tip: Four wristbands come with each of the 1,814 hotel rooms, six wristbands with suites. A complimentary shuttle departs from the hotel tour lobby every 15 minutes to the water complex, about a half-mile away. Wear water shoes for walking on the hot concrete.
The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa
Western San Antonio
The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort features the Edge Falls waterpark and pool area, including multiple pools, a lazy river, slides, a beach area, and a FlowRider surf area, as you find on some cruise ships, plus various lounge areas.
Ride the unique FlowRider standing on the board or kneeling and feel like you are surfing or wakeboarding. It costs extra, not included in the resort fee.
You can set the main activity pool up as a home base since it connects to the lazy river. Surrounded by shady trees balanced with sunny spots, play sports like basketball and water volleyball. The Texas-shaped adult pool is separate from the lazy river. Relax at the cave-like Jacuzzi hot tub with a waterfall.
The 950-foot Ramblin’ River has lots of natural landscaping and shade trees with waterfalls, a relaxing lazy river experience. You have access to kid’s tubes, plus double and single adult tubes.
Build sandcastles along this beach area as you watch the tubes pass lazily by on the river. Bring your beach toys or purchase them at the resort. Ride the long green 22-foot water slide, a thrill for the kids.
The lounge areas are scattered all along the lazy river and around the pools and beach area. It’s first-come, first served. Rent a luxury cabana that includes two loungers, an umbrella, table, and chairs for four, ceiling fan, refrigerator, flat-screen TV, a safe, and electrical outlet.
Pro Tip: Enjoy drinks and eats from Papa Ed’s Poolside Grill or Vince’s Watering Hole Poolside Bar and Grill, delivered by friendly poolside waiters.
The Woodlands Resort
Conroe, North Of Houston
At the Woodlands Resort, enjoy the Forest Oasis Lazy River and Water Park with two pools, a lazy river, slides, and three whirlpools. The Park is only available to overnight guests with four wristbands per room.
Explore the mural and underwater music at the 30-foot central tower housing a racing slide and waterfalls at the main pool. The kid’s pool, Puffy’s Sprayground, touts fountains, and waterspouts at the zero grade entry pool patrolled by Puffy, the resort mascot.
The grand 1,005-foot-long lazy river is separate from the other pools, twisting and winding among the lush greenery. Unfortunately, you won’t find a beach area here. Enjoy the racer slides to see who can hit the pool first.Â
Four cabanas are available for rent providing shade and seating for up to six. Lounge chairs scattered around the pools and lazy river are open for relaxing.
Pro Tip: Order lunch or dinner by the pool from Cool Water Café and indulge in extensive drink choices, including pitchers of margaritas or sparkling pink sangrias.
The Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort
Bastrop, East Of Austin
The Crooked River Waterpark at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort provides relaxing water fun with three pools, a lazy river, a sandy beach, and several waterslides.
There is a family-friendly activity pool with a sandy beach that also affords entry to the lazy river. The adult pool connected to the lazy river has a large waterfall at the entrance to the pool. The kids’ splash pad has fountains that spray water at different levels. Parents can access lounge chairs nearby.
The 1,000-foot-long lazy river connects all the pools and slides, including a unique swim-up bar. Float along the river in large shady areas amid sprinklers and water sprays. You’ll find single, double, and kids tubes available. Bring your beach toys for the beach area that connects with the main pool and the lazy river. The slides empty right into a nook that connects to the lazy river, so you don’t need to get out of the water.
Lounge areas line the lazy river, around the pools, and the beach area with grassy or mulched regions that are cooler. Private cabanas are available for rent.
Pro Tip: The Old Buck’s Place, one of five restaurants, satisfies that Texas-size appetite with help from poolside waiters and the swim-up bar with tasty cocktails.
Marriott Marquis Houston
Downtown Houston
At the Altitude Rooftop & Pool on the 6th floor, experience a dip in the infinity pool and whirlpool, or float the world’s largest Texas-shaped lazy rooftop river at Marriott Marquis Houston, located in the heart of downtown Houston. Enjoy signature poolside parties all year round in a lively resort-like experience. Choose from a sea of lounge chairs or rentable cabanas for relaxing with an Instagram-worthy cocktail or poolside eats from High Dive, one of six restaurants at the hotel resort.
Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe
Lake Conroe, North Of Houston
Spend the day with your toes in the sand at the Jolly Mon Water Park, float the lazy river, soak up the sun at one of five pools spread out over 5 acres, or play with the kids in the splash pool or the waterslides at Margaritaville Lake Resort, north of Houston at Lake Conroe. Swim up to the 5 O’Clock Somewhere bar for cold drinks, bar bites, good times, and rainbow-colored sunsets.
Take advantage of these fun-in-the-sun family destinations with Texas-sized amenities!
There Are Lots Of Things To Do In Texas In The Summer And Year Round: