HYATT REGENCY LOST PINES RESORT & SPA - The Grounds

Bastrop, Texas
www.lostpines.hyatt.com 

(picture from the Lost Pines website)

Last week I shared with you a family-friendly, affordable Texas vacation at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.  And today ... well today, it's time to step it up a few notches with the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa!

Both locations offer a vast list of activities, water fun, and family atmosphere, but Lost Pines really "brings it" when it comes to service, hospitality, comfort, and grandeur.  With all of that, you will also have to "bring it" in regards to your wallet.  But, you will not be disappointed.

The Lost Pines Resort and Spa is built to impress and it did just that from the moment we entered the front doors.

Impressive lobby at Lost Pines.

Our check-in service was performed quickly and our request for three rooms next to each other was granted (our party included three families).  We were off to a great start.  And once we made it to our rooms and checked out not only the indoor space, but also the outdoor space, we knew this was going to be one great vacation.

Unfortunately I completely spaced on taking a picture of the inside of the room, but you can trust that it was roomy with comfortable beds, had a spacious bathroom, and included all the amenities (if you don't believe me just refer to the website).  Although the room was quite nice, it was the outdoor space that really impressed me.

All the kids enjoying dinner outside our rooms.

The lawn area was a great place for the kids to run around as the grown ups sat on the patio and chatted or while the moms were taking our sweet time getting ready for the day.  Just beyond the lawn area was a beautiful hummingbird garden where the kids could take a leisurely stroll or (more realistically) play a mean game of hide and seek.

Pretty girls at the entrance of the Hummingbird Garden.

Another view of the Hummingbird Garden with our rooms in the background.

Along this path shown above our kids rode scooters, that we had brought along, till their little hearts were content.  Or until this guy below demanded their attention...

It can't be called a ranch in Texas without a Longhorn around.

Just on the other side of the scooter-riding sidewalk was a small pasture with not just this one, but two longhorns, a few alpacas, and a couple of donkeys.  All of us enjoyed watching the animals roam and graze and occasionally stare us down.

When we followed that great scooter-riding path around the bend it led to a beautiful meandering path along the backside of the property where we found sprawling lawns perfect for outdoor games.

We arrived at a fork in the road so we took it!  And it led us to another great path that paralleled the Colorado river.  

Although this picture doesn't show the river, it does show the long, 

winding paths and the start of my daughter's rolly polly collection.

The winding paths throughout the property are all mostly shaded by native pecan trees.  In fact, when the land was being cleared for the resort to be built, only three (maybe four) pecan trees were taken down.  Instead, the resort was built around the trees.  And those fews trees that were removed were used in the building process.  

But back to the path which continues to leisurely wind behind the property until it reaches the pool area.  Just before arriving there, we found this wonderful spot just perfect for taking a moment to sit a spell and enjoy the view…

Shaded rockers overlooking the Colorado River

We didn't necessarily go to Lost Pines though to watch the river. Instead, we wanted the opportunity to ride the river.  And one of the most relaxing spots located at the Lost Pines Resort is on an inner tube floating the lazy river at the Crooked River Water Park.

My sweet girl and her BFF having a great time on the lazy river.

When the kids weren't floating the river, we knew we could find them here on the slide.

They even spent a few minutes at the splash pad.

 And it turned out that just sitting and watching the river isn't so bad after all.

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The grounds alone at the Lost Pines Resort are enough for us to dream of returning for a repeat visit.  But, there is so much more to the resort so be sure to check back soon to read all about the activities that are offered.