https://www.youtube.com/Born_to_Run
I used to love to listen to my friends talk of their children's amazing accomplishments - the sports stars, the straight-A students, the Eagle scouts, the Homecoming Queens, the cheerleaders, the scholarship winners. I mean, these kids were and are amazing. Total Type A's. While I was thrilled that my friends' children were obviously on track to win a Nobel prize or rule the free world, I could only sit there and wonder where I went wrong.
We love our children. Really, we do. Our offspring are extremely successful, productive adult citizens of whom we are immensely proud. But back in the day they were boisterous boys who were apt to shenanigans the likes of which make me break out in a sweat as I sit here typing. Someone once asked what system we used for disciplining our children. I quipped, "The penal system." Needless to say, my kids weren't invited to their house anymore.
While we were entrenched in those tender teenage years, my husband and I decided we had to get away from the boys every now and then for fear of going stark raving mad. I think it all started when the manager from one of the local area Targets called to inform us that our son and his friends had been banned from every Target store in the United States. If you think about it, that's a lot of Target stores. My mother always said "Your children will be worse than you. It's called karma." What an understatement. Those challenging moments always brought out my exceptional parental skills - I popped the cork on another bottle of wine and started booking hotel rooms.
We love our children. Really, we do. Our offspring are extremely successful, productive adult citizens of whom we are immensely proud. But back in the day they were boisterous boys who were apt to shenanigans the likes of which make me break out in a sweat as I sit here typing. Someone once asked what system we used for disciplining our children. I quipped, "The penal system." Needless to say, my kids weren't invited to their house anymore.
While we were entrenched in those tender teenage years, my husband and I decided we had to get away from the boys every now and then for fear of going stark raving mad. I think it all started when the manager from one of the local area Targets called to inform us that our son and his friends had been banned from every Target store in the United States. If you think about it, that's a lot of Target stores. My mother always said "Your children will be worse than you. It's called karma." What an understatement. Those challenging moments always brought out my exceptional parental skills - I popped the cork on another bottle of wine and started booking hotel rooms.
A weekend away without the kids was usually the ticket to unfray our nerves and give us the strength to face the little hellions as they continued their conspiracy against us. Most people call these "staycations" but my husband and I call it "running away from home."
We've managed to come out on the other side of parenthood practically unscathed. We enjoy our adult children and even manage to laugh at some of the things they put us through. But I know there are others like us who are presently suffering through the adolescent angst. You may be too embarrassed to admit it out loud, but you know who you are. We stand in solidarity with you and want to share the top five places in and around Austin to which we've run. Just in case. You're welcome.
5. Hyatt Regency Lost Pines, Bastrop, Texas http://lostpines.regency.hyatt.com
This is a lovely resort nestled within the Lost Pines Forest in Bastrop. The property is 405 acres which makes you feel that you have traveled to a distant land when in fact you are only 20 miles from Austin. There is much to do here including golf, a spa, horseback riding and a multitude of kid activities. Did I mention kids? We are taken aback by the thousands of rugrats running amok on the property since this is exactly from whom we are running. However, the hotel excels at allowing us our "adult time" on the property starting with an adults only pool area. It's situated near the bar. Imagine that. Speaking of pool, a lazy river extends from the pool and is great for relaxing while floating and sipping margaritas. That is until I start getting pummeled by the kids floating en masse on the river. Defeated, I head to the spa for a massage which helps eliminate my anxiety.
That evening we explore our options for dinner. Not being familiar with the area, we can't come up with any restaurants off-property. Wanting to avoid eating with a thousand screaming kids, we choose to dine at Stories, a lovely farm-to-table restaurant located upstairs in the hotel away from the hustle and bustle of the lobby. The moment you walk into the restaurant, the dark wood and candlelight allow you to relax and unwind. While not extensive, they have a nice wine selection from which to choose. We dine on the bone-in ribeye which is cooked to perfection.
That evening we explore our options for dinner. Not being familiar with the area, we can't come up with any restaurants off-property. Wanting to avoid eating with a thousand screaming kids, we choose to dine at Stories, a lovely farm-to-table restaurant located upstairs in the hotel away from the hustle and bustle of the lobby. The moment you walk into the restaurant, the dark wood and candlelight allow you to relax and unwind. While not extensive, they have a nice wine selection from which to choose. We dine on the bone-in ribeye which is cooked to perfection.
4. Hyatt Hill Country Resort, San Antonio, Texas http://hillcountry.regency.hyatt.com
This is a sister property to the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines. It sits on 300 acres in the middle of San Antonio and boasts many of the same amenities as the Lost Pines. For some reason, though, I didn't feel as overrun by kids at this location, probably because their pool area is larger. One feature that sets this apart from Lost Pines is that the lazy river actually runs through a bar. You never have to get out of your float to get a drink. Just don't be shocked when you see you bar tab at the end of your stay.
3. The Driskill Hotel, Austin, Texas http://www.driskillhotel.com/
The Driskill is an elegant hotel in the middle of downtown Austin on Sixth Street which can be a blessing - you are smack dab in the middle of Austin's entertainment district - and a curse - you are smack dab in the middle of Austin's entertainment district. Anyone who has been to Sixth Street knows how rowdy it gets around midnight. And let's face it - we're kinda over the Sixth Street crowd. However, you are within walking distance to many great bars and restaurants in the Warehouse district or Second Street as well as a short pedicab ride to Rainey Street.
Before heading out to dinner, stop at The Driskill Bar for a cocktail and live music. This is a place to see and be seen. I want to stay and people watch all night and hate to leave for dinner.
When the night is over, the small but well appointed rooms at The Driskill have comfortable beds with luxurious linens. It's hard to get out of that comfy bed after a night on the town but knowing the 1886 Cafe & Bakery is waiting downstairs for us makes it easier. Their coffee is key to peeling back our eyelids after late night antics and their cinnamon rolls are legendary!
2. All Seasons Downtown Retreat, Fredericksburg, Texas www.allseasonsfredericksburg.com
This is a relatively new property located just off Main Street so it's walkable to the wonderful shops and restaurants in downtown Fredericksburg. We stay at the Dream Catcher suite which has a small seating area with a big screen TV, kitchen stocked with juice, milk, cereal and freshly baked coffee cake and a bedroom. The room is really comfortable and clean. There are only 6 suites so it's very quiet. The pool area is lovely and we enjoy cocktails by the pool during a late night swim. If you're wanting amenities, then this place isn't for you. However, if you're wanting a quiet weekend away, I would highly recommend this place.
When the night is over, the small but well appointed rooms at The Driskill have comfortable beds with luxurious linens. It's hard to get out of that comfy bed after a night on the town but knowing the 1886 Cafe & Bakery is waiting downstairs for us makes it easier. Their coffee is key to peeling back our eyelids after late night antics and their cinnamon rolls are legendary!
2. All Seasons Downtown Retreat, Fredericksburg, Texas www.allseasonsfredericksburg.com
This is a relatively new property located just off Main Street so it's walkable to the wonderful shops and restaurants in downtown Fredericksburg. We stay at the Dream Catcher suite which has a small seating area with a big screen TV, kitchen stocked with juice, milk, cereal and freshly baked coffee cake and a bedroom. The room is really comfortable and clean. There are only 6 suites so it's very quiet. The pool area is lovely and we enjoy cocktails by the pool during a late night swim. If you're wanting amenities, then this place isn't for you. However, if you're wanting a quiet weekend away, I would highly recommend this place.
1. Hotel Saint Cecelia, Austin, Texas http://hotelsaintcecilia.com/
It's almost impossible to believe that you are in the middle of downtown Austin. The property is secluded behind walls and the verdant grounds block any sounds of traffic just beyond the walls. One of the coolest places we've ever stayed, the hotel is named after the patron saint of music and poetry. As we walk into Suite No. 3, our eyes move immediately to the red headboard. The bed is super comfy and made up with white organic bed linens. The wainscoting on the walls is painted black which is a nice contrast to the red. Each room has its own turntable and you can borrow albums from the office. Our choice - Joni Mitchell.
It's tempting to just take a long nap while Joni serenades us but the pool is calling. A bright neon Soul sign keeps watch over the pool area as we sip one of their delicious Bloody Mary's. Dinner choices are plentiful as South Congress is just a couple of blocks away from the property.
It's almost impossible to believe that you are in the middle of downtown Austin. The property is secluded behind walls and the verdant grounds block any sounds of traffic just beyond the walls. One of the coolest places we've ever stayed, the hotel is named after the patron saint of music and poetry. As we walk into Suite No. 3, our eyes move immediately to the red headboard. The bed is super comfy and made up with white organic bed linens. The wainscoting on the walls is painted black which is a nice contrast to the red. Each room has its own turntable and you can borrow albums from the office. Our choice - Joni Mitchell.
It's tempting to just take a long nap while Joni serenades us but the pool is calling. A bright neon Soul sign keeps watch over the pool area as we sip one of their delicious Bloody Mary's. Dinner choices are plentiful as South Congress is just a couple of blocks away from the property.
