LUXE VACATIONS

Luxury hotel brings 'Resort Home' travel trend to Barton Creek

One of the Resort Homes at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa features an open-concept living area with views of the surrounding Hill Country.

Courtesy of Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa is bringing a growing luxury travel trend to Austin, introducing six standalone Resort Homes designed for multi-generational vacations, golf getaways, wedding parties, and corporate retreats. Reservations are now open for stays beginning in September, with rates starting at $1,500 per night.

Demand for residential-style lodging is growing as more families, friend groups, and business travelers opt for larger accommodations instead of booking multiple hotel rooms, according to Preferred Hotels & Resorts' 2025 Luxury Travel Trends Forecast. The report also identified wellness travel, immersive local experiences, and slower-paced itineraries among the year's emerging luxury travel trends. In response, luxury hotel brands are increasingly expanding villas, private residences, and other home-style accommodations for travelers seeking more space and flexibility.

Omni's answer comes in the form of six standalone, two-story Resort Homes located less than a mile from the main resort, a 4,000-acre Hill Country property featuring four championship golf courses, the Mokara Spa, and more than 75,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Guests can travel between the homes and the resort using a complimentary six-seat golf cart while enjoying access to the golf courses, restaurants, spa, pools, and other resort amenities.

One of six Resort Homes at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa. The homes, located within the Hill Country resort, start at about $1,500 per night.Courtesy of Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

Each Resort Home offers approximately 2,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space with four bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms, a chef's kitchen, covered patio with barbecue grill, and room for up to 10 guests. Every stay includes a dedicated Resort Home concierge, while optional upgrades such as private chefs, stocked groceries, beverage packages, and celebration décor allow guests to tailor the experience.

The Resort Homes are the latest addition to the Barton Creek property. The property was originally home to the Barton Creek Country Club before Barton Creek Resort was added in 1987. Both the private country club and resort continue to operate today. Omni Hotels & Resorts acquired the property in 2013 and completed a $150 million overhaul in 2019, adding a new hotel tower, expanded meeting space, and additional pools. The updated and expanded Mokara Spa is open to the public and does offer both individual treatments and day passes.

Omni joins a growing list of luxury hospitality brands embracing residential-style accommodations, including Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Auberge Resorts Collection, and Montage.

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Toast to Texas

Texas Hill Country uncorks No. 3 spot among best U.S. wine regions

Courtesy of Grape Creek Vineyards

The Hill Country's elevation to No. 3 a testament to local wineries' dedication to providing top-notch wines and excellent experiences.

The Lone Star State's booming Hill Country wine scene is about to get a lot busier, as it was just declared the No. 3 best wine region in the country for "a grape getaway."

The Hill Country was honored in USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for the Best Wine Region in 2026. The 10Best awards program puts a spotlight on the best travel destinations, the best food and drink spots, local attractions, and must-visit shopping locations. A panel of experts and 10Best editors select their top picks to present to readers, who then vote to decide the winners.

The Texas Hill Country was ranked higher than some of the most well-known wine regions in the U.S., including California's esteemed Temecula Valley, Anderson Valley, and Paso Robles.

USA Today estimates there are over 60 wineries spread across scenic towns like Fredericksburg, Stonewall, Lampasas, and New Braunfels. National acclaim for the Hill Country has transformed its vineyards into can't-miss tourist destinations for locals and out-of-towners alike.

"This American Viticultural Area is one of the largest in the country, growing varietals like tempranillo, viognier, cabernet sauvignon, and an increasing acreage of warm-weather grapes," editors wrote.

The Hill Country previously ranked as the 9th best wine region in the nation in 2025, so its elevation to the top three this year is a testament to local wineries' dedication to providing top-notch wines and excellent service for patrons.

This summer is teeming with events and festivals in the area, such as grape-stomping shindigs and seasonal passes for discounts and deals at participating members of trade organization Texas Hill Country Wineries (THCW). Austin locals can even take the scenic route to traverse the region's small towns, and there are plenty of hotels, cabins, campgrounds, and resorts for an overnight stay.

"Being named the No. 3 Wine Region in the country by USA Today readers is a huge honor for our entire Hill Country wine community," said THCW executive director January Wiese. "We've been proud to see this region recognized among the nation's best before, and this year's ranking is a testament to the incredible growers, winemakers, and hospitality teams who make Texas Hill Country a true wine destination. We can't wait to welcome visitors to experience it for themselves."

One Fredericksburg winery also offers an immersive tour that rivals the most prestigious California wineries. Grape Creek Vineyards ranked No. 5 nationally in USA Today's separate list of the Best Winery Tours. The signature Taste & Tour features a tram ride through Grape Creek's estate, with stops inside production facilities where attendees can try tastings right out of the barrel.

The Taste & Tour at Grape Creek Vineyards is one of the best in the country.Courtesy of Grape Creek Vineyards

Heath Family Brands CEO and owner Brian Heath, who owns Grape Creek, was honored by the award recognition and praised the brand's dedicated team members "who work every day to make sure every guest leaves with a story to tell."

"Fredericksburg is home to some of the best wine tourism in the country, and it means the world to be recognized alongside it," Heath told CultureMap.

Taste & Tour experiences are offered at Grape Creek Vineyards' Highway 290 location for $45 per person. Tours are limited to six guests per group, and must be booked in advance.

The top 10 best wine regions in the U.S. in 2026 are:

No. 1 – Rogue Valley, Oregon
No. 2 – West Elks, Colorado
No. 3 – Hill Country, Texas
No. 4 – Paso Robles, California
No. 5 – Augusta, Missouri
No. 6 – Anderson Valley, California
No. 7 – Loudoun, Virginia
No. 8 – Willamette Valley, Oregon
No. 9 – Yakima Valley, Washington
No. 10 – Temecula Valley, California

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