La Cantera Resort & Spa - Review 2025

What to Do

The resort’s own course isn’t the only place to hit the links if you’re coming here with golfing in mind. Cedar Creek Golf Course and Dominion Country Club are within minutes from La Cantera and offer dozens more holes to play.

There are five beautiful swimming pools at the resort, several of which are infinity-style with expansive views over Hill Country. Some have sun loungers built-in, perfect for taking in the Texas sun while enjoying the refreshing water at the same time. Kid-friendly areas have fun waterslides, while adult-only pools offer a more tranquil atmosphere.

The Shops at La Cantera are minutes away and accessible via a complimentary resort shuttle, as are other nearby spots for shopping, dining, and activities. Six Flags Fiesta Texas is practically across the street while hiking and exploring are possible at a number of parks and nature preserves just a short drive away – try the Natural Bridge Caverns, where you can descend deep under Hill Country.

What to Eat & Drink

La Cantera is a great resort for foodies, thanks to a large number of highly-rated dining options. The main restaurant is SweetFire Kitchen, open for all meals of the day. It has an open exhibition-style kitchen amidst a casual home-style atmosphere overlooking Hill Country. Texan traditional favorites are served, and weekend buffet brunch is one of the resort’s biggest hits.

Primero Cantina is another all-day dining option with more Tex-Mex dishes and more Hill Country views in an indoor-outdoor setting. Out at the pool, light bites and cocktails are served at Vista Grille; out at the gold course, you can find the sports bar concept Grille 254. There’s also a lobby bar and its adjacent Bocado, serving charcuterie boards of the finest Texas smoked meats and cheeses.

The resort’s signature restaurant is called Signature, and it should be considered a do-not-miss. This dining experience is a bit more elegant and upscale, with a “brighter and fresher” take on Texas traditional, including more Pan-American dishes like Atlantic oysters and Pacific Northwest lamb. Sunday Brunch here consists of an exceptional spread, too.

Room Guide

La Cantera offers rooms and villas that are designed to reflect their surroundings in Texas Hill Country. There are four main room categories with several differentiated sub-categories that vary in view and size.

Deluxe Rooms: Entry-level rooms at La Cantera consist of city, Hill Country, and pool views. They may have one king bed or two queens and sit at approximately 400 square feet of space. Each has luxurious touches like rainfall showers and Keurig coffee makers.

La Cantera Suites: Junior Suites and One-Bedroom Suites offer balconies to enjoy the views of Hill Country, the pool, or the resort grounds. Separate living areas with queen-sized sleeper sofas allow the whole family to stay together if desired. Larger luxury suites are available, too, as part of the SEVEN category – see below.

The Villas: The Villas at La Cantera is a separate resort-within-resort experience, as they are set away from the main complex just a short golf cart drive away. Each of the 34 villas is named after an iconic Texas ranch, and while some are smaller and closer to standard hotel rooms, others are true countryside estates. Guests of this luxurious part of the resort benefit from private check-in, an exclusive pool, and a personal golf cart for your use to explore the property – among much more.

SEVEN: The seventh floor of the resort is adults-only and private access. These rooms, suites, and luxury suites, including 1,000+ square foot specialty suites, offer exclusive amenities. Some of the best are the private lounge with complimentary happy hour, in-room Nespresso machines, private concierge, and access to the facilities of the spa.

Special Experiences

One of the most unique things to do in Texas Hill Country is to hit the wine trail, and La Cantera does a great job of organizing what you need to know about it. In the hills surrounding the resort, more than 50 family wineries grow and bottle Mediterranean varieties ranging from Rhône to Italian. Besides the wonderful tasting stops you can make, visiting the vineyards is a great way to see some of the most scenic spots in Texas. The resort can organize guided tours of wine country, too.

Besides the miles of hiking, jogging, and nature trails on the resort’s property, there’s a whole lot more of it within easy reach. La Cantera recommends a hike or picnic at Enchanted Rock, a nature preserve with a giant, pink, dome-shaped granite hill in the middle. It’s a great place for catching views and even stargazing after dark. Another great option is the Cave Without A Name, one of the most beautiful caves in Texas that even hosts concerts every so often.

If you’d rather keep it simple and stay at the resort, special experiences take place every day and can be found on its calendar. S’mores roasting takes place around the fire every evening, while activities like family movie nights, sand art, and football bowling happen a few days per week – all great fun for kids and adults alike.