Nestled high in Texas Hill Country you’ll find an oasis in La Cantera Resort & Spa, an escape from everyday life.
This is a resort that’s meant to reflect the best of its Texan heritage, with a lobby space built to resemble the “Big House” at the infamous King Ranch, one of the most famous ranches in all of Texas. The wood beams in the ceiling, the roaring stone fireplace in the lobby and the look of Sire Bar’s rustic colors and furnishings, all tie back to the “Big House” at the King Ranch. Its on-site store, Henrietta’s Market, also reflects the ranch’s heritage given that it’s named after Henrietta King, who was the sole owner of the King Ranch for nearly 40 years, after her husband, Richard King died in 1885. The Esparza Lawn is named after a Texas fighter who perished at the Alamo, Gregorio Esparza. Emily’s Rose Court is named after the “Yellow Rose of Texas,” Emily Morgan.
But this haute hotel has more than history—it also has all the modern amenities you can hope for, including the introduction of its all-new Loma De Vida Spa & Wellness spa—the third biggest in Texas—which officially opened its doors on Sept. 30. The rooms are in the midst of a massive renovation, but it’s the impressive new spa that is certain to draw health and wellness loving-Angelenos. Here are five ways to indulge your mind, body and spirit at this this Destination hotel.
- SPA. Loma de Vida, literally translated, means “Hill of Life” in Spanish, and that’s absolutely the intent for those seeking sanctuary at the Loma de Vida Spa & Wellness center, a 25,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor secluded sanctuary overlooking lush fairways and wooded bluffs. The Loma de Vida destination spa will provide signature experiences that focus on complete relaxation, offering holistic, meditative and restorative treatments that blend indigenous Texas elements with complements of European influences. The spa will specialize in merging products, services, technology and nature with superlative offerings to create a truly distinctive escape with social elements that include wellness, education and communal events not generally associated with spas. You’ll find 17,000 square feet of indoor space with 15 treatment rooms including eight massage/body rooms, three facial rooms, two couples’ suites and two Sky Lofts. The Gathering Place is a vibrant environment to recharge and reconnect, with a majestic fireplace, revolving art gallery and terrace with expansive views of land and skyscapes that can only be found in Texas; it’s the ideal location for sophisticated fun. Truly VIP travelers can indulge in the Sky Loft suites, each of which overlooks the first hole of the award-winning Tom Weiskopf designed Resort Course and, like the rest of Loma de Vida, glass façades offer dramatic views of the sky and Hill Country terrain. Old-fashioned Cowboy bathtubs also present a True-to-Texas experience at each loft. Another 8,000 square feet of manicured outdoor space rounds out the facility. Outdoor treatment areas include three private garden cabañas, an intimate and private Saline Grotto pool, all ideal locales for intimate couple’s retreat, group or private sanctuary. Loma de Vida is partnering with companies dedicated to sustainability and ecology such as ila, an organic luxury skincare line handcrafted from Cotswold hills and green fields of Oxfordshire in England; Comfort Zone and Davines, a skin care and hair care line from Parma, Italy; and Lavende a Texas-based lavender (inspired by the founder’s visit to the lavender fields of Provence, France) to help create some of Loma de Vida’s menu of rituals and signature treatments.Because consumers are no longer just treatment-oriented, Loma de Vida offers customized services. For example, when you book a traditional spa treatment you will be offered a compilation of options that include not only a variety of spa wardrobe selections but complementary services to enhance well being for a more transformational experience. At Loma de Vida the goal is to disconnect in order to reconnect. This isn’t just a place for a spa lover to go; the hotel is made to be a one-stop-shop for anyone who truly needs time and space to recover from an illness or to heal from heartbreak. It’s overly spacious (you can’t be the third biggest spa in the largest state in America without being spacious) for a reason: instead of cramming every room to capacity, the spa is large enough to give its visitors space to heal on their own. Make sure to listen to watch the sunlight filtering in through the solarium with a glass of tea in your hand—there are few things in life quite so soothing.
2. FITNESS. For some, de-stressing includes a good workout; Loma de Vida’s Fitness and Movement studio boasts functional fitness machines, an adult jungle gym, punching bags and more. Rowing machines, spin classes and yoga will be on tap along with a fusion of movement classes and TRX suspension training. It’s a spacious, gorgeous space to work out where you can gaze at the rolling hills beyond.
Photo Credit: Destination Hotels
3. GOLF. Many men (and women) claim they find golfing cathartic, something about being out in the solitude of nature and enjoying an independent sport. You’ll find that in spades at La Cantera, which has been a PGA Tour stop for 15 years. Its primary course was built by Jay Morrish and PGA Tour professional Tom Weiskopf, but the best news is that there’s not just one, but two. The second championship course, The Palmer Course at La Cantera, was designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer.
4. PEACE AT THE POOL. La Cantera’s plethora of pools are great places to relax and swim away the Texas heat, but there’s something truly soul-soothing about swimming up to the edge of its Topaz infinity pool in the evening and watching the sun set in Texas. You can’t miss it.
Photo Credit: TTG
5. SHOPPING. Though technically not part of the resort, the massive, tony Shops at La Cantera are a great way to blow off steam (hello, retail therapy). The shops, just a two-minute drive away, are home to some of the best boutiques you can imagine, from Tiffany & Co. to Neiman Marcus to Tory Burch. That’s how a true Beverly Hills gal relaxes, at least!
