The Best Family-Friendly Hotels to Book in Austin, Texas

No, you’re not crazy for bringing the kids along on your time off at Omni Barton Creek. Granted, this resort and spa isn’t one of the standard family-friendly hotels in Austin, but that doesn’t mean that you and the kids can’t savor a luxurious stay. Got sport-loving teens? The hotel offers golf and tennis lessons on site. As for the little ones, mini-golf, s’mores kits and nature trails will make them happy campers.

Country Inn & Suites gets it: you’re a parent with a packed schedule and frayed patience. This hotel is right off of I-35, getting your family to Texas Typhoon Waterpark and Austin’s Park n’ Pizza within minutes. Free breakfasts are ready as soon as your kids are, and the free cookies and coffee come in clutch if any little feet are off to a slow start. Just be sure you pencil in a few quick cannonballs at the pool before checking out.

Handmade salted caramels are waiting for you in your room (if you can get to them before the kids snaffle them up) at the Archer, but, if complimentary candy doesn’t get your brood on board, tell them that they can have whatever dessert they desire from the dozens of restaurants at the Domain. That’ll leave you to savor every element of your Texas-chic suite, along with the caramels, such as the floor-to-ceiling photo murals and the nail-studded platform beds.

The kids are going to get a kick out of the Texas-shaped waffles at SpringHill Suites’ breakfast buffet. The breakfast tacos should be a hit, too, and, if all else fails, even the moodiest of minors will crack a smile splashing around in the pool. This family-friendly hotel in the Austin outskirts of Cedar Park is close to the HEB Center, in case you need to snag quick hockey, basketball or concert tickets for a kid-pleasing activity.

Kids having a hard time putting their cellphones down? You’ll be blown away by how quickly they’ll stop scrolling at Lost Pines Resort and Spa. The Crooked River Water Park alone will have messages left unread, and the kids will double-tap the family hikes, corn hole games and nightly s’mores service. And, whenever they get a little sore for screen time, send them to the video arcade and conveniently forget to mention that they left their phones in the hotel room.

As you get ready to let your UT Austin freshman finally leave the nest, Homewood Suites will keep you close to campus. You’ll need to keep the tissues nearby, though, as you cook up a few last family breakfasts in the in-suite kitchen. The campus is only 15 minutes away, though it’ll feel worlds away when you drop them off at their dorm. No need to fight back the happy tears; there won’t be a dry eye at the hotel’s evening social after you share a few heartwarming memories with other guests.

If your idea of family-friendly hotels in Austin also means budget-friendly hotels in Austin, then Comfort Suites will suit you well. The free breakfast with its famous waffles will do your wallet and willpower good, especially if you’re hitting the city early to get a good spot in line at Franklin’s Barbeque (you’ll need the extra calories alone just to weather the queue time). Smoke-free facilities including the outdoor pool mean your family won’t be coughing up any cash or cooties.