04/12/09

Romantic retreat was exactly that

by TerryDel

For not having to go out of the country here it is: My wife and I had the greatest time this weekend. We played a round of golf at the famous Crenshaw course that bar none was as beautiful as it was a challenge to the amateur. Our dinner together was as fine as any restaurant in town with service that far exceeded most 5 star eateries. The room was impeccably clean and had a "new" feeling. The staff was happy to cater to our every want and need. But there were very few needs that weren't already thought of before hand. The grounds were beautiful and our naturewalk on Easter Sunday was delightful with the wildlife that habitats the Hill Country abounding the path. Breakfast was equal to our meal the night before. Simply topshelf service from a well run establishment designed to cater to a clientele that knows what service is supposed to be.

• Pros: 5 star service
• Cons: Not Belize

02/15/09

Save yourself the time and money

by chris611

My wife and I first visited this hotel around November of 2007 and we loved our stay. I couldn't have said one bad thing about that experience. How things can change in a year and 3 months....we just got back from a V-day trip and will never be going back.

I made the reservation on Jan 6 for a "scenic" guestroom with a king sized bed, and specifically asked not to overlook the parking lot. They placed us in a room overlooking the parking lot that had two double beds in it. When I tried to correct their mistake, I was told that I hadn't requested a King and they didn't have any available. I was put on a "list" in case one opened up, and that was it. No apology from a manager, nothing. The reservation confirmation doesn't print out special requests and the bed type that you request, probably so they can play dumb when they mess up. The double beds are called queen size by the staff, so they must have invented a new unit of measure. They charge $25/night for a mini-fridge in your room. You can own one from Walmart for $100 bucks.

We had breakfast in the Hill Country Dining Room. Last time I was thrilled with the food, this time I could have gotten better food at Whataburger. Extremely dry biscuits and salty gravy, bland and tasteless eggs benedict, a sausage "patty" tough enough that you need to use a knife to cut it. The stuffed french toast and omelette were decent.

On the plus side, the nature trail is nice and moderately challenging, the view is still the same (amazing), and the beds comfortable. The staff in the Hill Country Dining Room were attentive and friendly as last time.

However, when you pay $800 after taxes for two nights + breakfast, you expect and demand a great experience. They failed to deliver - they failed to even ATTEMPT to make it right. For that we will never go back, and I will tell anyone to look at the Four Seasons in Austin, or the Hyatt Lost Pines instead.

• Pros: View, view, view, location, comfy beds, nice bath products, decor, friendly dining staff
• Cons: Don't honor bed type and special requests, price, hotel management

01/16/07

Terrible service, avoid for your vacation/event

by 128900

June 2007 update: After attempting to reach the manager of Barton Creek several times BEFORE our wedding, he finally called us AFTER our wedding. He was defensive and offered us nothing for our trouble. Be careful with this place...

We had our honeymoon at Barton Creek and it was a terrible experience. Our suite was decent but nothing like what you would expect for the price. Room service was also overpriced and the service we received was terrible. They got our dinner order wrong on the 1st and 2nd try. By the time my husband's dinner arrived as he had ordered, it was so cold that he didn't even want to eat it anymore. Also, the staff does not respect your privacy. On our first night, we were startled to hear another voice in the other room after we had already gone to bed! Apparently, the man entered because we didn't answer his knocking at our door. Lastly, we were very disappointed that there was no mention of us being on our honeymoon during our stay.

I also had my wedding reception at Barton Creek and the service I received was even worse: Barton Creek's coordinators were unprofessional and inexperienced. We were often given misinformation about important details regarding our wedding. Their Director of Catering was condescending and unhelpful. She scoffed at our ideas and was more focused on her own wedding than on ours. Her assistant was mistake-prone and misinformed us many times of prices, availability, etc. The catering department served us a delicious meal at our tasting but the actual dinner at our reception was tasteless (e.g. watered-down soup) and the portions were tiny. They threw in hidden costs including charging us for items that we were originally told would be "included"...the list of disappointments is very long. Barton Creek made what was supposed to be a fun experience very stressful. I sincerely regret having my wedding there and learned from my wedding coordinator that The Four Seasons and The Driskill do not have such problems.

• Pros: Hill Country setting
• Cons: Terrible service, inexperienced and rude staff, overpriced

Nicknamed the "Golf Capital of Texas," this luxury resort lives up to its moniker.

by Contributor

The Scene
There is no question about the main attraction at this 300-room resort. It features golf courses designed by Tom Fazio, Arnold Palmer and Ben Crenshaw. All fairways make good use of the rolling Hill Country landscape, whose influence extends throughout the property. The elegant architecture reflects the Southwest, while native cuisine offers a gourmet touch. Spa treatments include such locally inspired delights as the Texas Mountain Laurel Body Wrap.

The Details
The resort is home to the Golf Institute, which includes a full golf school, short-course academy and private lessons. The signature Fazio Foothills Golf Course is known for its cliff-lined fairways, waterfalls and caves. The three other courses also take advantage of the intriguing natural setting, where white-tailed deer can be found sharing the fairways.

10/23/06

Not Country Club Atmosphere

by nberto

Unfortunately, I felt I was at my college gymnasium instead of a country club. The most relaxing part of the spa experience was my drive into the club. Alhough the massage was relaxing, the spa lacks a locker room attendant and is fairly outdated, making the country club price tag seem overpriced.

• Pros: Great Location, Same Day Appointment Available
• Cons: Ambience lacking

A huge array of choices for spa, exercise and facials in a country club setting.

by Contributor

In Short
Situated within the Barton Creek Country Club, the spa clientele leans largely toward club members. The plain decor is adequate, but not particularly fancy. Elegant preludes to services include complimentary fruit and beverages. New Age music plays in the small treatment rooms as therapists perform stress-relief facials and Swedish massages complete with aromatic jojoba, coconut and lavender oils. Other perks include a whirlpool, dry sauna and fitness classes like Pilates and Spinning.

01/06/06

Austin's Little Secret

by ladyvandal

I had no idea you could go to the spa at Barton Creek Resort until I received a gift certificate for my birthday. This place is really great. I love the natural grapefruit stuff they use!

• Pros: location - it's quiet