With only a few weeks left in summer, who else is looking to take a last-minute road trip? My family absolutely loves Hyatt Lost Pines in Bastrop, Texas – so much so that the kids often refer to it as our vacation home {if only!}. In their defense, Lost Pines does feel more like a home than a regular hotel stay {a very plush home, at that}. Located only about two hours from Houston, some friends have argued the price tag for a night’s stay {starting about $300 in the summer} is too steep. True, it’s not the same price at an overnight at a Hyatt House, but it is not just a hotel; it is a resort. You literally don’t have to leave the property and have plenty to do for a weekend stay. In addition to nicely appointed rooms, the cost includes entrance to the Crooked River Waterpark, daily kid crafts and sports, bicycle and tricycles to ride around the property and trails, horseshoe pits, a playground, nightly s’mores and outdoor movies {Friday thru Sunday}, photo ops on a longhorn as well as strolls through a butterfly garden and a hummingbird garden.

The Crooked River Waterpark features a zero-entry beach pool complete with a volleyball net, basketball goal, hot tub and sandy beach. Just past the basketball goal is the lazy river {our favorite part!}, a speed slide and an adults-only pool. Food and drinks can be delivered right to your lounge chair from Old Buck’s Place.

Although we usually spend most of the day at the waterpark, we do try to squeeze in a few breaks and partake in the other activities the resort has to offer.

Dining Options: For breakfast we ALWAYS go to Firewheel Cafe ever since I learned kids ages 5 and younger can dine for free at the buffet. Breakfast for the four of us {2 adults and 2 kids} costs less than $30, and it’s pretty hardy. The Firewheel Cafe also serves lunch and dinner, but we usually do our later dining at Old Buck’s Place {on the grounds of the waterpark} or at Shellers Barrelhouse. Both serve burgers and other Texas-style dishes as well as traditional kid’s meal varieties. Sometimes, we just grab a pre-made sandwich, some Starbucks and a scoop of ice cream at McDade’s Emporium and Ice Cream Saloon. There is also a fancier restaurant, Stories, where my husband has been for conferences. We are saving that one as a family for when the kiddos are a little bigger.

Evening activities: S’mores and Outdoor Movies! Hands down, my kids favorite activities are at night when the resort puts out a s’more station and an outdoor movie {Lost Pines led us to eventually purchase our own outdoor movie projector for the sad nights when we can’t forever live at the resort *wink*}.

The property also includes a fitness center, which after chasing these two kids for a weekend, I’ve never made it to. For extra an extra cost, guests can go golfing, horseback riding, kayaking, fishing, zip lining, and more. And starting at $55, little ones ages 3 to 12 can participate in Camp Hyatt while mom and dad relax and squeeze in a spa treatment at Spa Django.

We love Hyatt Lost Pines so much that just writing this post makes me want to book another weekend at the magical place set in the Texas Hill Country.

On our way home from our favorite resort, we are always sure to stop by the cute little downtown area of Bastrop for chicken friend steak and a slice of cream pie at Maxine’s Cafe. This easy trip from Houston is truly what childhood memories are made of.

What do you look for in a family vacation?