Best Family Hotels in Texas

Located about 22 miles northwest of downtown Austin, the Lakeway Resort and Spa caters more to R&R seekers than it does to tourists. This beautiful complex rests on the banks of Lake Travis in Texas Hill Country, leading to spectacular views for those of you practicing your swing on one of four 18-hole championship golf courses (including Flintrock Falls, a Jack Nicklaus-designed course). Lakeway also boasts a full-service spa, which offers a long menu of massages and skin treatments. And if you're looking to take to the tides, head to the Lakeway Marina for opportunities to sail and fish, or simply lounge by the property's pool. Recent guests highly recommend ending your day with dinner at the on-site eatery, Lake Travis Restaurant. And though they describe the grounds as stunning, previous visitors say that the guest rooms feel dated, despite their flat-screen TVs and private balconies. Some also warn against hidden resort fees, which can spark a serious case of sticker shock upon checkout.

Like the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa, this JW Marriott property is a hit with families. The expansive property has fairways and spa treatments for the adults, and a lazy river and waterslides for the kids. Meanwhile, the resort offers a variety of rooms to suit groups of various sizes. Whichever accommodations you choose, you'll be surrounded by colorful decor, cozy furniture and views of the Texas Hill Country. According to guests, the staff always seems to be smiling and ready to assist, and with multiple restaurants to choose from, you certainly won't go hungry. The property is just a 21-mile drive north of downtown San Antonio, so spending a day touring the city's historical attractions is a cinch. The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is a member of the Marriott family, meaning that loyal guests can earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points here.

Although it's just 24 miles north of Dallas, The Westin Stonebriar Hotel & Golf Club could easily be worlds away. It's probably not the best lodging choice if you're in town to sightsee, but if you're looking to kick back, relax and practice your golf swing, previous visitors say that this is the place. Surrounding the resort are 18 Tom Fazio-designed fairways; though general greens fees are fairly steep, the resort offers unlimited golf after 2 p.m. for roughly half the price. If you're not a golfer, recent guests recommend spending some time by the pool or indulging in an in-room spa treatment. As far as the rooms go, recent visitors describe the decor as beautiful and compliment the Heavenly Beds. If you don't mind a slightly higher nightly rate, visitors recommend reserving a room with a full walk-out balcony. However, many guests cite issues with indifferent housekeeping staff, noting that the digs felt a little dingy. And though they praise the classic American fare served at The Legacy Grill and the light fare offered at the other on-site cafes and bars, some travelers wish that there were more dining options given the resort's somewhat remote location. And because this hotel is part of the Marriott hotel family, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and use points here.

Vying for attention with nearby Moody Gardens, The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center in Galveston boasts twice as much meeting space as its primary competitor, as well as a variety of on-site amenities. Sure, it may not neighbor a water park, but The San Luis does cater to the kiddos with a waterslide and a plunge pool (and to adults with a swim-up bar). The property also houses a full-service spa, just in case lounging poolside doesn't quite get you to your R&R quota. Younger travelers will also love Blake's Bistro, but if older visitors prefer a more elegant atmosphere, there are serveral other on-site restaurants to choose from. Yet despite all of its offerings, recent guests expressed mixed feelings about The San Luis: Some praise the guest rooms for their comfortable beds and contemporary decor, while others complain about disorganized customer service staff.

Located off of North Stemmons Freeway several miles northwest of downtown Dallas, the Hilton Anatole is far enough from the city to be a peaceful retreat, yet close enough to be convienent for sightseeing. But for most visitors, what sets this hotel apart from its competitors is its size. This massive Hilton property contains more than 1,600 guest rooms, each with enough room for one king-sized or two double Serenity beds, as well as a private bath with double vanities, a flat-screen TV and video game access. What's more, the Hilton Anatole still has space left over for the V Spa, a fitness club and several on-site eateries. The new JadeWaters Resort Pool Complex boasts numerous pools, a lazy river, swim-up bar, two waterslides and more. Recent guests marvel at the hotel's grand stature, and Hilton Honors rewards club members can save a pretty penny by using points to cover the room rate.

Overlooking Grapevine Lake (roughly 23 miles northwest of Dallas), the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center is a destination unto itself. Inside, visitors will find a 25,000-square-foot spa, a fitness center, retail outlets and several restaurants. The highlight of the resort, however, is the pool complex: Recent guests say that their kids loved splashing in the lazy river and riding the waterslide. Guest rooms here aren't huge, but they're equipped with internet access and cable TV; most guests say that's all they need. On top of the nightly room rate, you should also be prepared to pay an additional resort fee for access to Gaylord's facilities. And because Gaylord Hotels is part of the Marriott family, loyal guests can earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points here.

The Four Seasons brand prides itself on luxury, and this property is no exception. Sitting on the northern shore of Lady Bird Lake (just a block or so from the Austin Convention Center), the Four Seasons Hotel Austin earns rave reviews from travelers thanks to its sumptuous atmosphere and extremely friendly service staff. The accommodations also garner praise: Rooms are decorated in neutral tones and feature cozy furniture, down bedding, flat-screen TVs, L'Occitane bath products and Internet access. Some previous visitors recommend splurging on a balcony room for excellent views of either the lake or downtown Austin. Or, you can save your money for an elegant Ciclo restaurant dinner or a massage at the spa. You'll find excellent vistas from the windows of the deck of Live Oak or the lounge chairs by the outdoor, heated saltwater pool, and you won't have to pay extra for them.

Located near the Museum of Art, the Dallas edition of the luxurious Ritz-Carlton brand goes beyond just offering many of the amenities you'd expect from a five-star hotel. For instance, this hotel boasts not just a pool, but a saline-treated rooftop pool; and not just facials and massages, but a 12,000-square-foot spa. But guests say that the rooms alone are worth The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas' high price tag. Spacious and elegant, these high-end digs come equipped with 400-thread-count linens and iPod docking stations, not to mention HD televisions and fully stocked minibars. If peanuts and cookies won't tide you over, make reservations at Fearing's Restaurant; previous visitors said that the eatery deserves its numerous accolades thanks to its gourmet American cuisine. But while most recent guests were satisified, a few say the service wasn't up to par for a Ritz property. Because of The Ritz-Carlton's affiliation with Marriott, member's of the company's loyalty program can trade in their rewards points for extra perks.

Sitting about a mile from The Galleria, The St. Regis Houston is one of only a few five-star hotels in the city. And like others of its caliber, the St. Regis Houston earns its commendation with all of its luxurious amenities. Previous guests say that the outdoor pool is gorgeous and that they enjoy soaking up some sun in the comfy lounge chairs lining the pool deck. The on-site fitness center and spa also garner praise, with R&R-seekers recommend indulging in one of the many body and skin treatments available. When dinnertime rolls around, treat yourself to a hearty steak at The Remington Restaurant. Guest rooms are decked out in hardwood and leather furniture and stocked with deluxe amenities like flat-screen TVs, Italian bed linens and Bose Wave music systems. Because this Houston property is part of the Marriott hotel family, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and use points here.

Located in the heart of downtown, The Westin Austin Downtown sits just one block south of Sixth Street, where the numerous performance venues give the city its nickname – the "Live Music Capital of the World." Some guests noted that being in the center of it all resulted in a noisy atmosphere, but most agreed that it didn't intrude on their rest in the new accommodations (the hotel opened in July 2015). Guest rooms are appointed with signature Heavenly Beds, minibars, iPod docking stations, Wi-Fi access (for a fee) and coffee makers for brewing Starbucks coffee and Tazo tea. Before heading out on the town, travelers can work up a sweat in the fitness center or relax by the rooftop pool, then head to the Stella San Jac, the on-site restaurant. Recent travelers said the innovative Southern cuisine was a cut above other hotel restaurants in the area. Visitors were also impressed with the service, which they say is the perfect example of Texas hospitality. Plus, those who participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program can earn and redeem points here.

The JW Marriott Austin impresses travelers with its beauty, accommodating staff members and location. Set in the heart of downtown Austin, the hotel puts guests within walking distance of the ever-lively Sixth Street, the Austin Convention Center, the State Capitol building and the Mexic-Arte Museum. This massive JW Marriott has 1,012 rooms and suites, all of which come with work desks with ergonomic chairs, 48-inch LED smart TVs, coffeemakers and Wi-Fi access (for a fee). Marriott rewards program members can offset costs by using points to cover their stays. All guests have access to the property's ample facilities, which include a fitness center, a 24-hour business center and an outdoor rooftop pool surrounded by lounge chairs. When it comes to dining, the JW Marriott is home to an Italian eatery, a Texas-focused restaurant, a burger shop, a Starbucks and a couple bars. Keep in mind that Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and redeem points by choosing to stay here.

Surrounded by some of Austin's favorite entertainment joints and within walking distance of major attractions like the Austin Bats and Zilker Park, The W Austin puts you at the epicenter of the action. Its ultra-chic design may seem somewhat out of place in this funky city, but recent guests said that the guest rooms and amenities live up to the W's reputation. The hotel did infuse a hint of the city's "weird" culture into the decor: Rooms feature throw pillows with brightly stitched designs, offsetting the serene blue hues that envelop the space. Like Austin itself, the W Austin earns high praise from recent guests for its friendly, fun atmosphere, claiming that they felt extremely welcome here. And they're not the only ones: The hotel's Pets Are Welcome (P.A.W.) program makes sure that even the four-legged members of your party are well cared for. Because W Hotels are part of the Marriott hotel family, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and use points here.