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Barton Creek Resort & Spa

By Teresa Plowright, About.com

photo courtesy of Barton Creek Resort & Spa.

photo courtesy of Barton Creek Resort & Spa.

Barton Creek Resort: background:

Barton Creek Resort & Spa -- with 300 guestrooms-- is located in the Hill Country near Austin, Texas. The property has 4000 acres and rolling hills.

Barton Creek is rated AAA Four-Diamond, and has been picked among Travel + Leisure's " 500 Greatest Hotels in the World" and Conde Nast's "Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World". Barton Creek has a other awards too, plus golf courses ranked top in Texas, and a luxury spa.

Barton Creek Resort for families:

Kids club takes ages 6 months to 8 years. Activities include: arts and crafts, nature walks, story time, computer games.

Also of interest to families:

  • outdoor pool, with kiddie pool
  • indoor pool, heated year-round
  • loutdoor playground
  • arts and craft center
  • special Junior and Teen nights
  • game room with video games, pinball machines, air hockey, and foosball
  • Family Movie Nights
  • Nature Trail
  • Families activities are scheduled too (seasonally): such as arts and crafts, nature walks, family bingo and board games, Wacky Olympics, putting contests, scavenger hunts.

    Area attractions:

  • Austin Children's Museum, free for everyone
  • Barton Springs/Zilker Park: Swim in 68-degree spring-fed pool; canoeing; miniature train; nominal fee.
  • Bats of Congress Avenue Bridge: 1.5 million bats live here mid-March to October
  • Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum - interactive & multi-media
  • Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Research Center- botanical garden, nature trail
  • Lake Travis: skiing, swimming, boating, and fishing.
  • Swimming Holes: natural pools and waterways
  • Austin Ghost tours
  • Keep in mind about Barton Creek:

  • outdoor pool is unheated
  • check if restaurant adds tip automatically
  • guestst pay Resort Guest Service fees (6% for nightly rates, 12% on packages-- check web site for updates)
  • Find out more about Barton Creek Resort & Spa:
    • See the Barton Creek Resort site
    • check visitors' comments at TripAdvisor.com (-just enter "Barton Creek" in the searchbox)

    This brief profile is meant to introduce this resort to family vacationers; please note that the writer has not visited in person. Always check resort sites for updates.

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