The Hyatt Wild Oak Ranch (http://wildoakranch.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp) is a Hyatt Vacation Club property, but you don't have to be a vacation club member to stay there. You can reserve their studios and condos just like a regular hotel. It is located right next door to the ever-popular Hyatt Hill Country Resort in San Antonio, and guests at Wild Oak have access privileges to that resort, too. We love to stay at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort on special occasions, but for our frequent overnight visits to San Antonio the Wild Oak Ranch is a better fit for our budget. It also has some perks that you won't find at the resort next door --- like an indoor pool and waterslide!
Indoor Heated Pool
When the weather is nice the giant doors are raised,
joining the indoor pool with the outdoor pool.
joining the indoor pool with the outdoor pool.
Indoor Waterslide
Pricewise, I've always found the Wild Oak Ranch to be about half the price of the Hill Country Resort, except for Holidays. Then, like all resorts, the price goes through the roof. But I can typically reserve a Studio room at Wild Oak Ranch for $99-$110 a night. The Studio has a king size bed and a living area with a full-size sleeper sofa. There's also a private balcony, and a kitchenette/wet bar with microwave, mini-refrigerator, coffee maker and toaster. The larger condos are very nice, too. They have separate bedrooms, a living room with dining area, and a fully equipped kitchen. They're great to reserve when you're traveling with another family.
Outdoor Pool & Waterslide
Wild Oak Ranch is a smaller property than the Hill Country Resort, but it's a great value in comparison. Wild Oak has two pools and waterslides, both outdoors and indoors, plus the lazy river with a sandy beach and several hot tubs. Hill Country Resort does NOT have an indoor pool. So that makes Wild Oak Ranch a better choice for us in the winter. When it's 20 degrees outside, my kids can still swim all weekend. (I know . . . that's rare in Texas. But it actually happened this year).
Lazy River
Sandy Beach next to the Lazy River
When the weather is nice, Wild Oak Ranch offers lots of free outdoor family activities. There are organized pool games, s'mores by the firepit, and outdoor movies. There is also a Kids Camp with their own Clubhouse, but my kids tell me it's geared for younger preschool kids. A real gem is the playground with a merry-go-round. You don't see those very often. In fact, this was the first time my kids had ever played on one and they loved it!
Lots of hammocks on property for relaxing in.
As for eating, there's only one restaurant on property. JB's Poolside Restaurant. It's okay, but I wouldn't want to eat there every meal, every day. In fact, we seldom eat there more than once each trip. But my kids do love to get a smoothie there. And they have a daily Happy Hour. Another option for eating is to grill your own dinner. The staff will set up a BBQ Grill for you outdoors if you ask. I see lots of people doing this in the summer months. But just so you know, there's also a Rudy's BBQ (http://www.rudys.com/default.aspx) not too far down the road.
Taking a break at JB's
If you're a golfer, guests at Wild Oak Ranch have access privileges to the Hill Country Resort Golf Club next door. And for the ladies ... access to the Windflower Spa, too. I love this spa and have been known to get a massage or two there. In fact, Freddie and I once had a couple's massage there for our anniversary. It was wonderful!
By the way, if you'r not familiar with the San Antonio area, these Hyatt properties are located right across the highway from Sea World. Sounds like a fun weekend getaway to me!
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