United States Texas The Best Resorts in Texas The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek is our top choice in the Lone Star State By Laura Itzkowitz Laura Itzkowitz Freelance Writer & Editor Instagram Twitter Columbia University Smith College Laura Itzkowitz is a freelance writer and editor based in Rome. Her writing has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Architectural Digest, Surface Magazine, and other publications. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 05/17/22 Fact checked by Michelai Graham Fact checked by Michelai Graham Michigan State University American University Michelai Graham is a technology and business reporter who has written for The Urban Institute and Scoop News. She reports for AfroTech, Lifewire, and The Plug. TripSavvy's fact-checking Share Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. In the Lone Star state, where it’s often said that “everything is bigger,” you can expect to find some larger-than-life hotels and resorts. Texas is roughly the size of France and offers plenty of diverse landscapes, from bustling cities like Austin and Dallas to wide-open plains, vast desert expanses, and rolling hills. Fittingly, the best resorts in Texas range from resort-like city hotels to wellness-focused resorts, ranches, and family-friendly places to stay. The Best Resorts in Texas Best Overall: Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek Best for Families: The Woodlands Resort Best Budget: El Cosmico Best for Couples: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa Best for Wellness: Lake Austin Spa Resort Best Design: Hotel Magdalena Best Historic Hotel: The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park The Best Resorts in Texas View All The Best Resorts in Texas Our Top Picks Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek The Woodlands Resort El Cosmico JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa Lake Austin Spa Resort Hotel Magdalena The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park See More (4) Final Verdict Compare The Best Resorts in Texas Methodology Best Overall : Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek Courtesy of Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This 1920s mansion in Dallas’ posh Uptown pampers guests with fine dining, luxurious accommodations, and a fabulous pool. Notable Amenities The Mansion Restaurant, the Mansion Bar, outdoor heated pool for guests only, complimentary sedan service within a 5-mile radius, kid-friendly amenities like wireless baby monitors Pros Coveted location in one of Dallas’s ritziest neighborhoods Housed in a glamorous 1925 mansion Courteous and helpful staff Spacious rooms start at 450 square feet Cons Spa could use an update Bar closes early on weeknights Pulling into the driveway of this Texas icon feels like arriving at the chic residence of a wealthy host. It was originally built in 1925 as the mansion of oil and cotton magnate Sheppard King. Inspired by Italian Renaissance architecture, the stately building exudes classic style, with a marble rotunda, wood-paneled walls in the bar, and plush furnishings throughout. The Mansion Restaurant is beloved by locals for its New American cuisine with French influences, while the Mansion Bar has the air of an intimate private club. Best for Families : The Woodlands Resort Courtesy of The Woodlands Resort See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Families will love the waterpark with slides and a lazy river at this sprawling resort a half-hour from Houston. Notable Amenities Waterpark, two golf courses, 21 tennis courts, 200+ miles of hiking trails, complimentary shuttle to nearby shopping area, conference center, bike rental Pros Kid-friendly waterpark Lots of amenities for adults Adjoining rooms guaranteed if you book direct Three restaurants offer plenty of choice Cons Some reviews complain about disorganized staff Food and drinks are pricey Breakfast not included in room rate or resort fee Some rooms are far from the main building About 30 minutes from downtown Houston sits this kid- and pet-friendly resort, which is part of Hilton’s Curio Collection. The award-winning resort draws families from all over Texas and beyond for the waterpark, which includes a 1,005-foot lazy river and a 30-foot waterslide. But there’s plenty for grown-ups too, from two championship golf courses and a tennis center to a relaxing spa. Best Budget : El Cosmico El Cosmico See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It El Cosmico is a glamping resort comprising restored Airstream trailers, tents, and teepees in the artsy town of Marfa. Notable Amenities Communal kitchen and dining area, hammocks, retail shop, bike rentals Pros Bohemian vibes draw a cool crowd Picturesque location a short walk from the center of Marfa Communal kitchen for guest use Rates start under $100 Cons Communal bathrooms for tents and teepees Some guests complain of maintenance problems 3-night stay minimum Wifi only works reliably in the lobby Art lovers from far and wide have been making the pilgrimage to the tiny town of Marfa in the Chihuahuan Desert of far west Texas since the 1980s. At the time, Donald Judd created the Chinati Foundation to house his large-scale installations and those of his contemporaries, including Dan Flavin and John Chamberlain. The town is also close to Big Bend National Park, making it a good stop on a road trip through Texas and New Mexico. It’s the perfect setting for El Cosmico, a boho-chic glamping resort with restored Airstream trailers, teepees, tents, and yurts. There are communal areas, including a fire pit and kitchen, as well as a retail shop that sells items like bandanas, sage smudge sticks, desert body oil, and serape stripe robes. El Cosmico also hosts events like the Trans-Pecos Festival of Music + Love. Just keep in mind that most accommodations have outdoor showers or access to communal bathrooms and be prepared for it to get very cold at night. Best for Couples : JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This intimate resort offers plenty of privacy and romantic activities in scenic Texas Hill Country. Notable Amenities Hiking and biking trails, horseback riding, ATV and UTV rides, infinity pool and hot tub, putting green, hunting and target shooting, archery, cooking classes, wine and whiskey tastings Pros Authentic Texas ranch experience Half the accommodations are private cabins Plenty of activities on-property Cons Not enough choice in the dining options Some guests complain about staffing issues 2-night minimum stay If you want an authentic Texas ranching experience, this is the place to stay. Spread out over 13,000 acres in Texas Hill Country, this resort offers the chance to immerse yourself in the scenic landscape with activities like horseback riding, ATV adventures, skeet shooting, and cowboy cookouts under the stars. Half of the 32 accommodations are private cabins, so couples will have plenty of privacy. There are also fun themed dining nights, like Wednesday pizza night, Thursday butcher block, Fajita Friday, and Saturday BBQ. Best for Wellness : Lake Austin Spa Resort Courtesy of Lake Austin Spa Resort See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This lakeside resort boasts an award-winning spa and wellness programming just 30 minutes from Austin. Notable Amenities Two outdoor pools with cabanas and an indoor heated pool, daily fitness activities and wellness programming, complimentary fresh smoothies and juices Pros Award-winning spa Variety of room types, including cottages with hot tubs Lake with complimentary use of equipment Fresh, healthy food with good vegan options Cons Spa appointments book up in advance Expensive 23% service charge added to most overnight packages No children under 16 allowed More than 100 treatments entice travelers looking for a bit of rest and relaxation to this resort’s 25,000-square-foot spa; it offers everything from Swedish massages and Ayurvedic treatments to Aquastretch sessions and floating meditations in the soothing waters of the pool barn. There’s also a full calendar of fitness classes and activities like hiking, yoga, kickboxing, and paddleboarding. The rates are certainly a splurge, but guests at the intimate resort get complimentary access to lake equipment as well as fresh smoothies, juices, coffee, and tea. Best Design : Hotel Magdalena Hotel Magdalena See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It One of the newest hotels by the hip Bunkhouse Group, this cool hideaway just off Austin’s famed South Congress Avenue exudes ‘70s style. Notable Amenities Outdoor swimming pool, Summer House on Music Lane, Magdalena Bar, free coffee in the lobby every morning, curated boutique in the lobby, on-property events like live music or yoga, bike rentals, valet parking Pros Great location tucked behind South Congress Avenue Good vibes inspired by ‘70s hippie culture Excellent dining and drinking options Resort-like feel with pool area and landscaped grounds Cons Area can get noisy at night Some guests complain about the service This hip new hotel draws inspiration from the site’s past life as the home of the Terrace Motor Hotel and its owner, musician Willie Nelson. Nelson was best known for opening the Austin Opry House, where musicians like Tom Waits, Lou Reed, Muddy Waters, and Patti Smith performed. The first mass timber hotel built in the U.S., it centers around a pool with lush landscaping inspired by Barton Springs and ‘70s lakeside culture. Rooms and suites feature vintage photos by Austin Opry House photographer Scott Newton, Spanish tiles, and cotton serape stripe robes. Don’t skip dinner at Summer House on Music Lane, which serves unfussy food like chips and onion dip, hamachi crudo with avocado and winter citrus, and strip steak with chimichurri. Best Historic Hotel : The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Fresh off a renovation, this historic hotel in downtown El Paso has a beautiful ambiance and fantastic restaurant. Notable Amenities Ámbar restaurant, La Perla rooftop bar Pros Fantastic restaurant and bar Stylish accommodations Historic heritage Cons Some reviews complain about maintenance issues AC in rooms doesn’t go below 69 degrees Some guests complain about noise from a nearby nightclub Built by Conrad Hilton in 1930, this historic hotel in downtown El Paso once hosted Elizabeth Taylor. Fresh off a complete renovation, the property sparkles with a stylish design that boasts Art Deco flair and pays homage to its heyday during the cattle trading era. The restaurant Ámbar gets rave reviews for the fantastic food that marries Mexican and Texan influences, while rooftop bar La Perla offers panoramic views in what was once the penthouse suite where Taylor lived during her marriage to Nicky Hilton. The hotel also boasts the largest collection of agave spirits in North America. Final Verdict Choosing the right resort for your Texas vacation will be an easy task with our expert curated list. Planning a romantic getaway? The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek or JL Bar Resort, Ranch & Spa are your best bets. Want to bring the whole family? The Woodlands Resort’s waterpark will keep kids and adults entertained. Interested in music, arts, and culture? Hotel Magdalena in Austin and El Cosmico in Marfa are the best places to immerse yourself in a bit of nostalgic hippie culture. Compare The Best Resorts in Texas Property Resort Fee Room Rates Free WiFi Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek Best Overall No $$$$ Yes The Woodlands Resort Best for Families $35 per night $$ Yes El Cosmico Best Budget No $ Yes JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa Best for Couples No $$$ Yes Lake Austin Spa Resort Best for Wellness No $$$$ Yes Hotel Magdalena Best Design No $$ Yes The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park Best Historic Hotel No $$ Yes Methodology We evaluated around two dozen hotels and resorts in Texas before settling on the best one for each category. We considered each resort’s overall reputation, guest reviews, location, quality of service, design, and dining and drinking options. Additionally, amenities such as kids’ clubs, spa and fitness facilities, concierge services, on-property activities, and free Wifi were taken into account. We also considered whether the hotel is new or if it has undergone a recent renovation or update. We relied on our expert’s first-hand experience, but also consulted dozens of guest reviews and considered whether the property has won any awards in recent years. TripAdvisor Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies