By Gretchen Canter, Travel Advisor at Canterbury Journeys, an Affiliate of Departure Lounge

The dog days of summer were definitely upon me. Long, hot days with no end in sight; I was looking at the start of school and waking up to breakfast duty for the next I-don’t-know-how-many months. I needed a breather before I got into the ring for another year of high school drama around our house.

With three short days open on my calendar, I began to pepper my travel associates for ideas on where to go. Surprisingly, one of the guys in the group suggested a staycation at Austin’s own Lake Austin Spa Resort. Why not? I had not been to Lake Austin Spa in years. Done.

Knowing the rest of my family had football game plans, I knew that I was clear to take off. I tossed a few things in a woven beach bag and headed to the car. Blasting The Go-Go’s on my radio, you would have thought I was on my way to Malibu. As I approached the entrance to Lake Austin Spa, it almost felt like someone had turned the volume down and turned the breeze up. I was beginning to relax already.

Arriving at this quaint little resort and spa with only forty rooms felt like being welcomed into someone’s lake cabin compound. I realized later that the owner modeled it after his grandmother’s lake house where he grew up spending summers. She would have felt at home at this place. It would be difficult for anyone not to.

I spent the next two days enjoying much of what the property had to offer. Morning yoga classes on the dock were the perfect way to start the day. By evening, the dock became a platform which hosted a wine and cheese get together. My kind of place. The fitness class options were diverse, from boot camp to belly dancing. I had a hard time choosing between the classes and the shaded hammock on the edge of the lake. Priorities, priorities.

In between the activities and inactivities, I made my way more than once to the spa. Nestled behind the cabins is a beautiful two story world-class spa, deemed a Top 10 Destination Spa in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards. Replete with its own café, pool area, and treatment rooms, it is easy to understand why so many local Austinites come out here for the day. With over 100 spa services to choose from, I needed help narrowing my choices down. Fortunately, a group of ladies at my lunch table directed me to the Lavender Dreams Body treatment they had experienced the night before. Good call. With the faint scent of lavender I found myself drifting off.

As they say, all good things must come to an end. And yes, this little respite did, but not without a promise to make it back sooner. I was excited to hear they now operate a boat that will pick guests up on the lake at Hula Hut, the 360 Bridge, or if you have one, your own dock. I can only imagine what it must be like to step off the boat onto this little piece of Texas heaven. In the meantime, I loaded up my car and headed back east, rejuvenated and hoping the gas in my tank would get me home.

Contact us to book your next staycation or girls' trip. In addition to the fabulous experiences mentioned above, Canterbury Journeys clients receive exclusive amenities including:

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily full breakfast for up to two in-room guests, served in restaurant
$100 USD equivalent Spa Services credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early check-in/late check-out (subject to availability)
Complimentary Wi-Fi

Checking In: Lake Austin Spa, Austin, Texas