Located about 30 miles north of downtown Houston, The Woodlands was one of the first master-planned communities in the country, famed for the natural beauty of its surrounding piney woods. The Woodlands Resort features 440 guest rooms and suites surrounded by 27,000 acres of native Texas forestland … although not all of the amenities were designed by Mother Nature.
For the kiddos: The signature attraction is undoubtedly the Forest Oasis Waterscape, an aquatic playground that offers myriad ways to beat the Texas heat. Puffy’s Sprayground is designed to keep the small fry deliriously wet thanks to computer-activated water jets and fountains, along with a toddler-friendly, zero-grade entry pool.
For tweens and teens: But don’t think that the Forest Oasis is just for the wee ones. Daredevils will thrill to take on the three-story, 30-foot-tall double-helix racing slide; slightly more sedate attractions include an underwater marine mural and areas for water basketball and water volleyball. Oh yeah, there are regular swimming pools, as well.
For moms and dads: Those two resort must-haves – golf and spa amenities – are well covered. Two 18-hole courses provide fun for duffers and pros alike, while the menu of nature-inspired spa services includes such tempting treatments as the sunflower salt scrub, apricot body polish and yellow rose mud wrap.
For the whole family: Since you’re plunked down in the midst of all this natural splendor, it would be a shame to waste it whiling away the hours indoors. Get out and about on some of the 120 miles of hiking and biking trails to discover how The Woodlands got its name. Should the weather be uncooperative, there are plenty of rainy-day options, including tennis (four of the resort’s 21 courts are indoors) or heading to the nearby shopping mall, cinema or children’s museum.
Did we forget to mention? Five onsite restaurants provide dining options to satisfy any appetite, from casual poolside cuisine at Cool Water Café to upscale buffet fare in The Woodlands Dining Room and modern Italian fare from the wood-burning oven at Spartilo.
