What could be better than sitting on a patio, sipping your favorite drink, listening to live music performed by some of the nation’s best singer-songwriters, and breathing the fresh air of the Texas Hill Country? The awe-inspiring views are not so bad, either. All of this and more can be found at the recently re-opened Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort in Boerne, Texas, just 30 miles northwest of San Antonio.
Country music star George Strait and area entrepreneur Tom P. Cusick, Jr., bought and renovated the resort in 2011, but unfortunately, a fire destroyed the clubhouse in November of 2017. Since then, a new 47,000-square-foot clubhouse was constructed, with the grand opening of the new facilities held this past October.
According to Director of Sales and Marketing Jonathan Falloon, “We are the original Hill Country boutique resort with only 111 rooms and eight suites. Staying here is a very personal experience, and our clients will not get lost in the shuffle,” he said. “We offer a more relaxed atmosphere than the larger resorts, and we’re a much more affordable option than you might expect.”
All 220 acres of Tapatio Springs were carefully tended to during renovations. The 18-hole golf course, already home to some of the most picturesque golfing in the state, underwent a $2 million renovation. The owners shelled out another $1 million to add a new pool and bar, and $1.3 million to update the meeting space. The guest rooms were refurbished as well.
In addition to being a good place to spend a few days relaxing, the resort is becoming a favorite place for weddings, meetings, and small conventions. The larger clubhouse has enabled Tapatio Springs to add 4,000 square feet of interior space for corporate meetings and other events. Now, the resort has more than 14,000 square feet of gathering space, including a new area called The Studio, which can accommodate executive retreats, board meetings, and hospitality functions. Some spectacular outdoor meeting spaces are also available.
Sport and Leisure
Of course, one of the main attractions is the breathtaking golf course. Those who enjoy playing golf will be happy to know that, according to Falloon, “There is a fully staffed team of PGA professionals in the golf shop, and tee times may be made ten days in advance.” In addition to offering fun and challenging golf experiences for individuals, Tapatio Springs also offers planned golf activities for groups, including tournaments, scenic and challenging rounds, and unique activities.
Those who are intent on relaxing during their stay at Tapatio Springs may want to visit the Puresól spa and spend time in the Himalayan salt cave. This is a very relaxing experience, and the negatively-charged, ionized salt and trace minerals present in the cave’s atmosphere could potentially naturally draw toxins and impurities out of the body. Additionally, relaxing couples massages are available.
Tapatio Springs is also a great place to visit as a family. An adults-only pool provides a serene and relaxing environment for couples who wish for calm and quiet, while a separate pool offers families the opportunity to splash and play without worrying about disturbing others. Both pools are heated year-round.
Food and Spirits
Other changes include a redesign and expansion of the resort’s restaurants. La Cascada Table & Bar is the largest on-property eatery and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It now features an expanded patio area, a private dining room, and a bar serving local brews and cocktails including (of course) Código 1530® Tequila. Strait publicly backed the ultra-premium priced spirit a few years back, joining a growing list of celebrities currently investing in tequila. Strait’s recent track Codigo, written with his son Bubba and collaborator Dean Dillon, pays homage to his love of the brand.
In addition to classic Texas comfort foods, the menu includes locally-inspired daily specials, handcrafted beverages, and mouthwatering desserts. Fresh ingredients from nearby farms and ranches are used to create memorable choices. The Double L Bar & Grill beside the pool is open in warm weather, and La Tienda, near the golf shop, features breakfast burritos, chicken Caesar wraps, hand-scooped ice cream, and private label coffee.
Live Music
Naturally, there is plenty of music available at the resort. Every Friday and Saturday evening, live music is performed. Some of the best singer-songwriters in the country appear at this venue. There was a sold-out performance last October featuring Dean Dillon, who has written many of Strait’s hits including The Chair, Nobody in His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her, and Ocean Front Property.
A raffle was held to give an all-expense-paid trip for two lucky people to attend Strait’s December concert in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena. This included airfare and three nights at the MGM Grand hotel.
Although Strait has not announced any plans to sing at Tapatio Springs, he lives close by and drops in occasionally. His presence is noted in the names of some of the rooms in the complex. There is the George Strait Suite for guests who require larger accommodations. Meeting rooms are named for Strait’s music, such as the Troubadour meeting room in the Clubhouse, a nod to the Grammy-nominated song and album. Then there is the Ace in the Hole Boardroom named for Strait’s touring band.
Local Attractions
While visiting Boerne, guests might enjoy checking out the local attractions. There is plenty of shopping, cuisine, and nature to explore! A stroll down Boerne’s Hill Country Mile (Main Street) is like a stroll through the past. There are many small shops and restaurants featuring home cooking, antiques, art and pottery, and various styles of clothing. You may also want to stroll beside Cibolo Creek and see the ducks.
Wine aficionados will be interested in visiting some of the many Texas Hill Country wineries located in Boerne and near Tapatio Springs, as the climate and soil in the area are very favorable to growing grapes. The resort can arrange a shuttle service through various wine tour companies. In nearby Comfort, there is even a distillery that offers spirits made from the abundance of the prickly pear cactus native to Texas as well as Hill Country peaches, jalapeños, and more. No corn or grains are used. There is a tasting room there, also. Brewhouses are also very popular in this area because of the German culture brought by settlers in the 1850s.
Texas Hill Country locals and visitors alike will enjoy the Cibolo Nature Center & Farm. This pristine area, featuring trails and wilderness across 100 acres, has been open to the public since Earth Day 1990. The organization serves over 100,000 visitors annually, providing guests with outdoor activities that are both educational and entertaining. Whether they are conducting research or putting on an event, the center strives to be an exemplary steward of all-natural resources such as land, water, and wildlife.
Herff Ranch, established in 1852 by pioneer surgeon Dr. Ferdinand Herff, adjoins the Cibolo Nature Center. Much of the original 10,000-acre ranch has been developed, but approximately 60 acres across Cibolo Creek were acquired for preservation. The historic farmland includes the original homestead and is now protected through a voluntary conservation easement.
