My husband’s family lives outside of Austin, Texas so we’re lucky enough to get to travel there frequently. On our last trip, we stayed at an Austin hotel that I had my eye on for quite a while. Check out everything you need to know about staying at the Omni Barton Creek with kids. 

I knew I would love staying there because it’s a high end hotel, but what I didn’t know was how incredibly family-friendly it is! My son is 4, and the Omni Barton Creek had so many activities and amenities that were perfect for his age, and honestly would be perfect for any age child. 

Family-Friendly Facts: Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

• Hotel Name: Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa 
• Location: Austin, Texas Hill Country (8212 Barton Club Dr, Austin, TX 78735) 
• Price Range: $$$ (approximately $250-$500+ per night, varies by season) 
• Best For: Families with kids of all ages, multi-generational trips 
• Kid-Friendly Highlights: Three family pools + splash pad, on-site dining with kids menu, bounce house and complimentary arcade, junior golf programs, mini golf, nature trails 
• Ages of Kids on Our Visit: 4 years old
• Family Room Options: Suites with separate spaces, connecting rooms available 
• Overall Family Rating: 5/5

Check current availability and prices here.

Getting to the Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa with Kids

The Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa is located in the Austin, Texas Hill Country. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. 

When we visited, we got a rental car since we knew we’d be driving to see my husband’s family. The hotel offers both valet and self-park options. We chose the self-park option and it was perfectly convenient since all parking is on-site. The property is large, so I’d recommend one parent parks/retrieves the car and the other waits in the hotel lobby with kids. 

If you plan to just stay at the hotel (which you absolutely could!) the distance would be do-able by Uber or Lyft from the airport.

If you’re planning to visit downtown Austin, it’s about a 25-minute drive from Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa. 

Family Room Accommodations at Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa

Since we just have one child, we opted for the deluxe room with two queen beds. It was perfectly spacious for their basic room! There was a large bathroom (with separate toilet area), and a small sitting area with a table and two chairs. It would have been large enough for a pack-n-play or crib if we had needed one. 

For larger families, the hotel offers suites and connecting rooms. The Omni Barton Creek guarantees connecting rooms for families, just check the “Stay Together” box on their website when booking. Some rooms also offer a balcony, but since my son is so young, I prefer not to have one in our room for safety. 

The rooms offer important kid-friendly amenities, like a mini fridge and plenty of storage. For example, our room had a very large dresser that more than fit all our clothing and a large closet to store luggage. 

Dining with Kids at Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa

One of our favorite things about the Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa is how many restaurants are available on site and offer a great kids menu! Our favorites were Crenshaw’s Bar & Eatery, which is a casual restaurant with American fare, and Texas Spice, which is the breakfast restaurant and offers a great weekend buffet.

The same kids menu is served at each restaurant and has tons of options for all meals. And the breakfast buffet at Texas Spice was a huge hit. My son loved picking out his own items, and it was offered at a discounted rate for kids. 

Poolside dining is also available, which is a great option for lunch, and of course if you want to stay in your room, the hotel offers room service for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

The Omni Junior Chefs program is a fun way that the hotel promotes healthy eating. They gave us a gift bag full of healthy snacks and coloring supplies given at check-in. When kids return their colored postcard to the front desk, the hotel donates a meal to the Feeding America. 

The Pools at Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa

There are several options available for families at the Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa, including two traditional pools and one splash pad. There’s also an adults only pool and hot tub if you’re traveling with others who can watch your kiddos while you get some quiet adult time! All of the pools are heated and open year-round from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m..

The splash pad is great for toddlers and young children – my son loved it! And the two larger pools are great for stronger swimmers or swimming as a family. 

We visited in the fall so it wasn’t crowded at all, so it was easy to get a seat and we had plenty of space all to ourselves. The resort staff said the pool gets much busier in the summer (which was no surprise!), and if you’re visiting during that time of year, it might be a good idea to grab chairs early or reserve a cabana. Also since we visited in the fall it wasn’t terribly hot, so we didn’t need much shade, but the chairs all have umbrellas if you’re traveling during a busier time period. 

There is poolside food and drink service (with a kids menu!), which was super convenient. We could spend the day relaxing in the sun without having to go inside or get dressed for lunch. 

Family Recreation & Activities

• Lawn games and outdoor spaces: The Longhorn Lawn is an outdoor space that is great for kids to run around and is often also set up with games and a bounce house or inflatable water slide. 
• Mini golf: There is a small mini golf course, perfect for little kids, right on the hotel property. 
• Crafts: Each day we were at the hotel, there were kids crafts available in the lobby. This was a great option if we needed some indoor time or a low-stimulation activity. 
• Arcade: The hotel has a small arcade with some retro video games and an air hockey table. Our favorite part of this space was that all the games were free, so my son could play as much as he wanted!
• S’mores: Each night we were there, the Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa set up s’more making kits that we could make on the large fire pit at the back of the property. It was a great (and free!) simple dessert each night!
• Nature trails: The resort has a family-friendly 1-mile nature path loop where you can take in the Hill Country scenery and get some fresh air.
• Golf lessons: The Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa is perfect for families who love to golf and even offers lessons for all ages. 

The Spa (For Parents!)

I can only somewhat share my experience with the spa at Omni Barton Creek. We had every intention of booking spa appointments when my son was visiting my mother-in-law, and let me tell you, the spa was gorgeous! 

We ended up not wanting to spend the extra money (trust me, this was a hard and overly responsible decision!). The spa offers massages, facials, body treatments, salon services and couples spa experiences. You can book them in advance (definitely recommend this during busy seasons), or make an appointment once you arrive. 

The spa is open daily from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Common Questions for Families

• What are the best ages for kids to stay at the Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa? Honestly, ANY age! There are a range of activities for all kids from baby to teenager age.
  
• What is the ideal length of stay at Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa with kids? We stayed for four nights and it was perfect! Granted, we also spent time away from the resort with my husband’s family, but I don’t think I would have gotten tired of the resort had we spent all of our time there.
  
• What should you pack (beyond the usuals)? If you’re planning to golf or play tennis, you can consider bringing your own equipment and attire for those sports. Bring swimwear and any sort of swim aids (like life jackets or vests) that your kids typically use.
  
• What is the best time of year for families to visit? I’m biased, but I LOVED visiting in November! We live in the Midwest, so it was a nice break from the cold at home. And the resort was quieter because it was during the off season. Since the pools are open year-round, we could still take advantage of all of the amenities.
  
• What budget considerations should you take into account? Since we stayed during a less busy time, we secured a reasonable room rate. Plan to spend a moderate amount on food and beverages at the hotel. I didn’t think prices were crazy, just standard, upscale resort pricing. 

Our Family’s Final Verdict on the Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa

Overall, I would absolutely recommend the Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa for families. We will be returning the next time we visit my husband’s family and already can’t wait to be back. 

Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. That little bit helps me keep this blog running so I can keep sharing real-life travel tips for families like yours.