This swish property is a golfer’s paradise, but its amenities will bliss out those who’ve never played a single round. After all, this is the only AAA five-diamond resort in the big old state of Texas.
The hotel has 431 guest rooms and suites, and ours had all the luxurious trappings the Four Seasons is known for. Cushy down pillows decked the bed, cozy bathrobes were waiting in the bathroom, and the furniture could’ve been plucked from a high-style southern home. The walkout balcony looked out over the par-71 golf course, which shows some local pride with a signature hole shaped like the state of Texas.
The cute, Texan-flavored touches extended to small details in the room, including a mini cowboy hat guests use to signal whether or not they want new towels; we also got little, cactus-shaped cornbreads from room service. And speaking of room service (which we love to do around here), the menu is available 24/7 and has all kinds of irresistible bites.
Try the specialty breakfast dish Huevos Las Colinas, which starts your day off southwestern style. You’ll get eggs on tostadas with black beans, chicken, avocado, and salsa. And if you have wee travelers in tow, there’s a kid’s menu that has treats like banana splits and toasted PB&J sandwiches.
Even though it’ll be tempting to have all your meals in your thick terrycloth robe, set aside at least one night for dinner at the American restaurant Café on the Green. With lanterns, breezy white curtains, and greenery in lacquered vases, the stately spot would be right at home in The Great Gatsby.
Our server was as friendly and wine-savvy as could be and steered us in the completely right direction—which is to say; he advised not to leave without trying the Mac and cheese, made with deliciously smoky cheddar. Other options include Ahi tuna with a touch of pomegranate, Australian lamb chops with hibiscus-mint jus, and short ribs with braised celery and onions.
And don’t be surprised if you get a couple, well, surprises while you’re there. Our dinner was right after the New Year, and our dessert came out topped with a chocolate clock set to midnight.
There are more casual places to grab a bite on the resort’s grounds, including the Terrace Lounge, which serves cocktails and hors d’oeuvres right off the lobby. The pub-style Bar 19 is a place to watch sports (and play shuffleboard) in style; and the Cabana Lounge, right next to the pool, is open seasonally to ply hungry swimmers with grilled snacks. Racquets serves sandwiches, soups, and salads, and is named for its location right next to the tennis courts in the Sports Club.
And speaking of the Sports Club, the sprawling space offers everything from Pilates to basketball and spinning. If you book a treatment at the club’s European-style spa, get there early to kick back in the relaxation area. Stocked with plushy lounge furniture and breezy, cabana-style draping, the space also has a sauna, steam room, whirlpool, and cold-plunge pool for each gender.
In the luxe, dimly lit treatment rooms, therapists offer everything from hot stone massages to Organic Pecan Body buffing. The latter treatment, which celebrates a staple of the Texas diet, includes an exfoliation, a warm Vichy shower, and a deep oil massage.
For wining, unwinding, or enjoying some superior tee time, this resort has got all the goods. We give it five, Texas-size stars.
