ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: After a short taxi ride from the airport, we arrived at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines and checked in swiftly. We were escorted to Suite 3102, one of the property’s Lone Star Suites. We were meeting family for drinks and dinner later that day, so it was nice to settle into the room a little early.

© Francis X. Gallagher

GUEST QUARTERS: Our spacious suite opened to a center hallway with a living room and dining area on the left and large bathroom and separate bedroom to the right. The living area consisted of a built-in dining table near the sliding glass doors to a porch overlooking the vast property. Closer to the hallway, a second built-in included a coffee table and large, flat-screen TV on the opposing wall. A Nespresso coffee machine was set up on a bar, which held a small refrigerator. I appreciated the plentiful water supplied by housekeeping daily. It was well over 100 degrees while we were in Austin, so it was nice to have a relaxing and cool hideaway.

The bathroom featured a tub, a separate glassed-in shower, and a marble-top vanity and sink area. Bathroom amenities were provided by Pharmacopia. An area outside of the bathroom included space for luggage, a security safe, extra drawers and storage, hangers and a mirror. Next to the bathroom, a separate door led to the bedroom, equipped with a king-sized bed and another large, flat-screen TV.

© Francis X. Gallagher

SERVICES/AMENITIES: A bar off the lobby offered a perfect place for a cocktail before heading to dinner at Stories Ranch Kitchen just up the stairs. We hosted a dinner for five at Stories Ranch and enjoyed the menu of steaks and Texas Wagyu strip … one of us even tried the South Texas antelope! Maude’s Bar & Terrace sits just outside the lobby, and there are several firepits blazing where you can kick back in the evening when things cool down and enjoy a beverage. Breakfast was served in the Heartwood House, which has a country ranch feeling as well as attentive service, considering there were many customers coming in all at once.

On a hot day in Texas, what is better than taking a walk down to the Colorado River and then over to see the longhorns and their animal friends in the corral just beyond? Make sure you say hello to the alpacas. There is even a program where you may have room service delivered to your ground-floor patio and enjoy breakfast with the two resident alpacas, Maui and Sonic! And a day would not be complete without a few hours at the pool and the lazy river — no better way to cool down while enjoying the Texas sunshine!

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

• We were attending a family wedding that was literally across the street at the Austin Alpaca Playhouse — perfect location.
• The hotel arranged a driver, as Ubers can be difficult; our driver made our stay and return trip to the airport tops.
• Bartenders at the Roadhouse were creative with the craft drink options.

HYATT REGENCY LOST PINES RESORT AND SPA
575 Hyatt Lost Pines Road
Lost Pines, TX 78612
tel 512 308 1234