San Antonio's Wildflower Spa

For clients who are seeking a unique idea for a family vacation, suggest Wildflower, The Hill Country Spa in San Antonio. Surrounded by 200 acres of wildflower meadows, the spa is part of Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort, a 20-minute ride from San Antonio International Airport. The AAA Four Diamond resort was built in 1990 and is home to a 500-room luxury hotel, a championship 27-hole golf course, several pools and lagoons, and the full-service 14,000-square-foot Wildflower Spa. An aerial view of the Hyatt Regency Hill  Country Resort grounds

A renovated 1880s-style ranch structure, the Wildflower Spa has a distinctly Texas, down-home style feel that is evident once guests walk through its shady back porch-style entrance. Original artwork depicts southern Texas themes, and distressed timbers and natural stone floors complete the country casual vibe. Fresh wildflowers can be found throughout.

Wildflower Spa houses 24 treatment rooms, including three outdoor porch cabanas, multiple steam rooms and saunas, and lavish men's and women's locker rooms with hot tubs. Guests also have access to a full-service salon, retail boutique, and secluded pool and garden area for relaxation and yoga. A young guest gets a manicure at the resort's special SPAhhhT Youth Spa for kids and teens

Every massage table is covered with a handmade one-of-a-kind patchwork quilt crafted by local quilter Patty Centeno. Spa director Michelle Carpenter recently unveiled a new treatment menu—men's and women's specialty massages, Vichy shower treatments, mud wraps and therapeutic baths are available, all using pure local ingredients such as sunflowers, jasmine and ginger.

Carpenter can be reached at 210-520-7981, or contact the spa directly at 210-767-5577. She recommends making bookings in advance, but walk ins are welcome; San Antonio locals also use the spa.

Cozy Options for Kids

While parents are off enjoying the spa and golf course, children can be entertained at the SPAhhhT (pronounced "spot") Youth Spa, a kids-and-teens-only spa that offers kid-friendly services like manicures and pedicures, henna tattoos, Caribbean-style hair braiding, and pre-teen facials. Oversized beanbag chairs line the brightly colored waiting area (filled with kids' and teens' magazines) and the hip décor is accentuated with pulsating Texas music.

Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort is also home to Camp Hyatt, a program for kids ages 3 to 12 that offers supervised activities like indoor crafts, stargazing and archery. The Underground Teen Space has a smoothie bar, the latest video games, and Internet access (with safe restrictions). Note: The resort is also within driving distance to well known attractions such as the newly expanded SeaWorld of Texas, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, the Alamo, and the Riverwalk, the latter a boardwalk-style attraction with restaurants, shops and shows.

The Wildflower Spa lacks a spa cuisine menu (though it does have a juice bar), but there are plenty of dining options at the hotel including the Springhouse Café, overlooking the gardens and pool areas, and the Cactus Oak Tavern, by the golf course. There's also Charlie's Long Bar, a traditional Texas saloon; the fine-dining Antler's Lodge for steak and seafood; and the Hill Country Creamery for sweet treats.

Of the resorts' 500 guest rooms, try booking one of the 58 spacious suites for a family. Travel agent liaison for the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort is Barbara Scherff, director of leisure travel. Her direct line is 210-520-4071. The hotel's reservation line is 210-647-1234. For more resort information, visit www.hillcountry.hyatt.com.

For information on San Antonio attractions, contact Dee Dee Poteete, director of public relations for the San Antonio Visitors' Bureau (210-207-6708, [email protected]) or visit www.sanantoniovisit.com.