Disclosure: I received complimentary accommodations to facilitate this feature of Lakeway Resort and Spa, however all opinions are my own.

Being a teacher, summertime is the perfect time for vacations. Unfortunately, with Mathew’s job, it’s not always easy to get time off to go on a vacation that isn’t just a weekend trip. With Addison on the way and with our August completely booked up, I really wanted to have one last big vacation with Mathew before Addison came. I researched several places in Texas to babymoon, but I just kept coming back to Lakeway Resort and Spa. Being from the coast, I’m always drawn to places with water, and once I heard they had 3 pools that overlooked Lake Travis, I was hooked. When I mentioned a babymoon at Lakeway Resort and Spa (and showed him pictures from their website), Mathew’s eyes lit up and we made our plans to have a relaxing time with each other before Addison gets here.

The term “babymoon” is a relatively new one, and before I got pregnant I said, “That’s such a stupid word! I’ll never say that!” but here I am. A babymoon is “a relaxing/romantic vacation that parents-to-be take before their baby is born,” and that was exactly our objective when deciding on a place to visit. Taking a babymoon at Lakeway Resort and Spa just sounded like a no-brainer!

Check in time at Lakeway Resort and Spa is at 4 pm, so Mathew and I spent our morning at home just leisurely working on Addison’s nursery and packing for our trip. What I loved about our trip to Lakeway Resort and Spa was that it was only an hour and a half away from us. Lakeway is a suburb of Austin, and I needed a place that wouldn’t require too much traveling (potty breaks, anyone?). It was the perfect distance away from home so we wouldn’t have to worry about traveling all day, but far enough away that we felt secluded from our regular daily lives- both things that were of big importance to us.

We arrived at Lakeway Resort and Spa around 4:30, which was the BEST time to arrive, and let me tell you why. After driving up and getting taken care of by valet, we were able to go inside and leisurely check in. Although there was a conference at the resort at the same time as our stay, we honestly never noticed the people. We didn’t have a long line to wait in, and were assisted to our room very quickly. Inside our room was a really sweet welcome snack and note that made us right at home. Lakeway Resort and Spa just renovated their rooms for guests, and our Lakeside room was the perfect size and had a great view of Lake Travis.

The hotel staff notified us at check in that Lakeway Resort and Spa has a daily happy hour from 5-6 pm with free drinks and appetizers for their guests. Of course, this made Mathew and I really excited (he likes the drinks, I like the snacks!) We changed, went downstairs, and helped ourselves to delicious hors d’oeuvres/drinks. The bartender was really sweet and offered me various juices and sodas since I couldn’t have an alcoholic drink, which I really appreciated. Although there was seating inside Masterson’s bar, we decided to take in the great view of the lake and take cocktail hour outside on the balcony. It really was a great way to kick off our stay there. We made sure to visit happy hour each night for the duration of our stay, and it was just a nice way to relax and spend time talking.

Mostly during our time at Lakeway Resort and Spa, we really just took time to relax at the pool. Lakeway Resort and Spa’s pool complex features three swimming pools (Sunset pool, Whirlpool, and Kids Pool), a swim-up bar, heated whirlpool, and outdoor pool deck with cabanas and lounge chairs. Mathew and I hung out in the Sunset Pool, which has the swim-up bar and is separated from the Kids Pool. Although Lakeway Resort and Spa is a family vacation spot, Mathew and I felt as if we were on a honeymoon during our babymoon because there were never any children at the pool that we were at sine the Sunset Pool requires swimmers to be 18 and up. The Kids Pool is close by, but far enough away that you don’t hear screaming children running around. It was DIVINE. 

Mathew and I made good friends with the bartender (don’t worry- I stuck to Shirley Temples) and he really made our time in the pools more enjoyable. We loved it so much that we even ordered burgers from Masterson’s (the restaurant on site) and had them brought down to the pool for us to have lunch one day. Lakeway Resort and Spa also allows cabana rentals at the pool  which I saw several families taking advantage of while we were down there.

Our first night at Lakeway Resort and Spa, Mathew and I checked out Masterson’s Restaurant and ate to our hearts’ content. And when I say we ate…we ATE. I gave y’all a preview of our meal on Instagram with Mathew’s Molasses Glazed Texas Quail, but our meal didn’t stop there. I had Prime Filet Mignon with Truffle Herb Butter and Truffle Whipped Potatoes. As much as I wanted to eat the whole thing, I didn’t, because we saved room for the Skillet Baked Sweetwater Peaches with Streussel Topping and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. Everything we had was AMAZING!

We were SO full by the end of our meal, and my feet were KILLING me because they’d started to swell over the course of the past couple of days, and although Masterson’s is on site and a very short walk from our room, I couldn’t hack it and asked the restaurant manager if he could get someone to come get us. He quickly called someone from valet who drove over on a large golf cart and drove us back. I was SO thankful that they saved me! Being pregnant in high heels is NOT an easy task. That small gesture from the staff really made my night!

Our final day at Lakeway Resort and Spa was another relaxing day spent in our Lakeside room, had breakfast in bed, and enjoyed time at the pool. Our room was so comfortable that we actually spent time just relaxing/napping, but we could’ve easily gone golfing, sailing, or spent time on the lake via the marina if we wanted.

Mathew and I took it easy all day and then asked the Concierge for a great place to dine out. Lakeway Resort and Spa isn’t far from town, and we found a nice pizza joint nearby. When we got back, I told Mathew I’d seen that the resort sold bags filled with supplies to make s’mores by the pool. There is a large pit in between the Sunset Pool and the Kid Pool with chairs around it at night, and there were SO many families enjoying time together just roasting marshmallows over the fire for s’mores and watching the movie of the evening, Ice Age, at the Kids Zone.

I thought this was a BRILLIANT idea on the resorts’ part, and Mathew and I bought 2 bags of s’mores supplies so we could have 2 s’mores each. Talking by the fire, getting sticky from fluffy marshmallows, and just enjoying life with my husband- it was honestly the perfect ending to our night. I ended up soaking my poor, swollen feet in the whirlpool, and then headed to bed with a happy tummy and a full heart.

Overall, our babymoon at Lakeway Resort and Spa was honestly the best trip we’d taken in a while. It felt SO good to just relax and take time to spend focusing on each other, and it made me fall even more in love with my amazing husband. I am so thankful that we had the time to go! If you are currently expecting, I highly recommend taking a babymoon to just de-stress and take your worries away. Our babymoon at Lakeway Resort and Spa was a god-send and I have not felt so content in a while.

Right now, Lakeway Resort and Spa has their August Rush room rate offer with rates starting at $99* (per night, Sun – Thurs) and $189* (per night, Fri & Sat) from August 3 – 28, 2014.

They also have San Saba Spa specials during August:

• Cleanse and Buff – $180
  Buff away old skin with Renewing Mango Scrub and renew your skin’s healthy glow with Detoxifying Moor Mud Wrap
• Restful Revitalization – $130
  Revitalize your look with our replenishing facial and show off your eyes with an eyelash and eyebrow tint
• Rockin’ Relaxation – $110
  For this month only, enjoy our popular Colorado River Rock Massage for 50 heavenly minutes
• Back to School
  Make an impression when you take 10% off haircuts and mani/pedi services so you can look your best for back to school! Prices vary. See spa menu.

For family fun, the new Kid Zone offers new bounce houses with obstacle course and dual slides and a variety of activities to keep the kids busy. The Kid Zone is an indoor recreational area with a supervised, fun staff that will gladly take care of the kids for a few hours.

If you’re looking for a place to have a babymoon in Texas, I highly recommend Lakeway Resort and Spa. We plan to return in the near future as a family of 3, and I’m so glad to know that they offer wonderful accomodations for families.