Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa Review Part 2 —Pool, Recreational Activities and Using Points

This post was written by Nancy, who is a regular contributor. She also runs a blog Savingforadream

My family of 5 recently stayed at this resort for a 3-day weekend (see Part 1 for details on location, room and food). The pool and activities are really what make this resort so fun and unique!

Pool Area

One of the first things we did after arriving was jump in the pool! The main pool has a sandy beach zero-entry section, a basketball area and a volleyball area. My guys really liked playing basketball with other guests  they’ve met during our time there.

My daughter pretended we were at the beach! We brought some sand toys from home, but there were also some for sale at the pool.

There was a waterslide and lazy river that connected to the main pool.

The lazy river is the longest one I’ve ever seen! It had a couple of waterfalls on the side and shade in many areas. There were single tubes, double tubes and tubes designed for younger kids.

My daughter got her hair braided next to the pool. There were many styles to choose from, and it was only $5.

There is also an adults-only pool area with hot tub and a splash pad. My kids did not have any interest in the splash pad, but my husband and I spent some time at the adult pool one evening while our kids were at Camp Hyatt.

The great thing about the pool area was that even though we were there on possibly the most crowded weekend of the entire year, we could still find tubes for the river and pool chairs. There were chairs set out on several decks and on grassy areas surrounding the pool. We did discover that the pool area was much less crowded first thing in the morning and from about 6 p.m. until closing at 10 p.m. We spent several hours at the pool/lazy river each day.

Recreational Activities

The resort really shines when it comes to recreational activities. We didn’t leave the premises during our entire 3-night stay, and we were never bored or found ourselves with nothing to do (see this link for an example of the activities). Most of the activities were included in the resort’s $34  mandatory fee, but some cost extra.

Every afternoon, there was some type of bounce house activity on the lawn. One day it was an obstacle course, the next day it was a dodgeball/basketball bounce house.

Close to the pool was an outdoor area with horse shoes, Frisbee golf, chess and some bowling-type game. The great thing about these games was that most of them were also available inside in the air conditioning. There was an activity room set up in one of the ballrooms with a bounce house, cornhole, Frisbee golf, crafts and many board games.

Bike rentals were included, and my husband and son went for a bike ride along the path one morning. Just grab a bike and go!

On a few days, there was a photo booth with different props and a kiddie train.

The resort has two Texas Longhorn cattle for its mascots, as well as some mini-mascot ponies and alpacas.

This game room indoors was always packed, but on our last morning we had the chance to finally play there. It had an indoor shuffle board table, a pool table, chess and other board games.

The resort had s’mores by the fire pit each night, as well as movies on the lawn. The great thing about the s’mores is that after we were done roasting the marshmallows, there were Hyatt employees who took them off the sticks and made the s’mores for us. I can’t tell you how much less messy this was! I still have nightmares about hardened marshmallows stuck to our clothes and blanket from our last campfire s’mores experience.

One night, we decided to check out a Neon Dance Party in one of the ballrooms. There were lights, dance music and lots of kids dancing their hearts out. We had to practically carry my younger son back to the room after that dance party.

The resort had a great fireworks display on July 4th. It was wonderful to watch the fireworks and then just walk back to our room instead of fighting traffic.

In addition to these activities at the hotel, the resort also has a whole range of other outdoor activities through the adjacent Renegade Trailhead equestrian facility and the McKinney Roughs Nature Park. Those cost extra, but include things like archery, trap shooting, bass fishing, river raft trips, kayaking, ropes course, zip line, stargazing, rappelling and horseback/pony rides.

And if that’s not enough to keep you busy, the resort has a full service spa, tennis courts and golf course.

Check out my video of our time at the resort!

Bottom Line

We had a blast at this resort! It feels like traditional Texas, old-fashioned fun. I almost felt like I was at a Disney resort because the employees were so friendly! Every time we ran into them in the hallway, they smiled and greeted us. That doesn’t happen with such consistency in most hotels.

We stayed there at perhaps the busiest time of the year, but everything seemed to be running smoothly. The other guests also seemed relaxed and friendly. We saw so many extended family groups here, and this resort would make a great location for a large  gathering or reunion. My kids have already started saying “When we go back here next year….”

Using Points to Stay for Free

The hotel costs 20,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points per night plus a $34 resort fee. Parking is free. You can also use Points + Cash rate of 10,000 points + $125/night + $34 resort fee, or pay a cash rate and use 3000 points/night to upgrade to the Regency Club rooms (includes the food in the Regency Club lounge).

 Cash prices vary widely depending on time of the year and day of the week. In general, summer rates are the highest, especially holiday weekends which can run over $400/night for a standard room.

Last year, my husband got  Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card. It earns Chase Ultimate Reward points, which can be converted to many other programs including Hyatt Gold Passport points. The sign-up bonus for the card is currently 50,000 points after spending $4000 in the first 3 months, plus 5,000 points for adding an authorized user. By completing the initial spending and adding an authorized user, you would have 59,000 Ultimate Rewards points, which is almost enough for 3 nights at this resort.

Another option is the Chase Hyatt card, which has a bonus of 2 free nights at a Hyatt hotel after spending $1000 in the first three months. If you have a spouse or partner, you could each get the card and then you would have a total of 4 free nights. Standard rooms come with two queen size beds which will fit four, but you might be able to call and make an arrangement to bring a third child if you use existing bedding. 

So….who is ready to make a trip to Hyatt Lost Pines?? Have you been there? What do you think?

Click here to view various credit cards and available sign-up bonuses