Review: Lake Austin Spa Resort

How did it strike you on arrival?
This all-inclusive destination spa is set on the picturesque hillside of its namesake lake. The building is intentionally made of local stone so it blends into the natural landscape.

What’s the crowd like?
As a wellness retreat, guests skew heavily female. Buffed and polished from their treatments, fresh-faced women of all ages (mothers and daughters, bachelorette groups, corporate execs) walk the grounds in their robes all day.

The good stuff: Tell us about the rooms.
Luxury Lakeview rooms have a cottage feel with a covered back patio that looks out onto the water. Walls in some of the rooms are painted a soft blue or yellow and the headboards have a pretty wildflower pattern, while artwork mimics the Austin landscape.

We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?
The bed was extremely soft with a down comforter.

What will we find in the bathroom?
It comes with lavender-scented products are from the resort's own line. (They're also used in spa treatments.)

Room service: Worth it?
Menus call out which ingredients were grown at the resort's on-site gardens, plus nutritional facts for each dish (calorie count, fat, protein, and carbohydrate content). On my visit, the shrimp tacos with peanut sauce were light but substantial and the salads were excellent.

Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why?
Paul, the yoga teacher, makes students feel comfortable no matter their skill level.

Anything stand out about other services and features?
One of the pools is housed inside a barn—it's a striking setting. And I loved that the spa treatments use products grown on the grounds (wildflower and organic honey are used in the facial scrubs) and that some treatments take place in semi-open settings.

Any other tips?
You don't book this resort to experience Austin—it's located 30 minutes from downtown and is purely meant for a spa getaway. It's impossible to not feel relaxed, what with the hammocks dotting the property, quiet nature trails, water sports, cooking classes, and astrologer-led stargazing sessions. A plus: room rates are inclusive of all meals, including a mid-afternoon snack.

Bottom line: Why are we staying here?
Everything is centered on wellness, from the exceptional spa treatments to the healthy cuisine and the stunning natural setting.