Review of Tapatio Springs Resort & Conference Center

Just northwest of San Antonio, nestled in a river valley and woven into the grandeur of some of the prettiest Texas Hill Country, you’ll find Tapatio Springs Resort and Conference Center.  On the four mile winding entrance road to Tapatio Springs from San Antonio on I-10, you start to appreciate the magnificence and peacefulness of the Hill County.  As you drive across the water crossing the road, see the lush golf course and the huge beautiful house on the limestone cliff over looking the entire valley resort, you know you made the right decision to spend some time at Tapatio Springs – and it will only get better.  The Resort features the best that Mother Nature has to offer including a variety of trees, wildflowers, axis and whitetail deer, rolling hills with deep valleys, limestone cliffs rising out of crystal clear springs and lakes, and panoramic views from the majestic mountains - ok, so they are only hills but some of the tallest in the area at 1900 feet - to us Texans. And the weather is consistently perfect - the average annual high of 68 makes it excellent for year round golf and other activities and the higher elevation is an average of 12 degrees cooler than San Antonio. But best of all you are about to experience 27 holes of outstanding, fun, scenic, and challenging golf.

Before we get to the golf, here is some general information on Tapatio Springs. In 1981, Tapatio Springs started it’s evolution from a 2100 acre a cattle ranch into a top ranking conference center and golf resort. In fact, Tapatio Springs has maintained the ranking of a “Texas Top Ten Resort Course” since 1992.  A lot of the credit for this excellent ranking goes to Mr. Jack Parker who acquired the property in 1991 with an eye on expansion.   Mr. Parker has methodically added amenities, creature comforts, and made significant improvements to his Resort.   Today,  in this valley surrounded by beautiful hills dotted with magnificent homes, you’ll find a mixture of accommodations, a well stocked pro shop and 27 holes of championship golf, executive and conference center facilities, and the Blue Heron Restaurant for fine dining.  Be prepared to be overwhelmed by Tapatio Springs' mission to provide "personalized, enthusiastic and complete service from each and every employee of the resort."

Tapatio Springs has a variety of accommodations to accommodate you and your golfing buddies including condominiums, townhomes, and hotel rooms. By the end of 2007, all of the hotel rooms will have all been renovated, as well as the pool. The townhomes and condos are 2 to 4 bedrooms and well equipped with everything you need for a weekend or weeklong stay. The townhomes and condos also have a fantastic view of the of the hills and Ridge Course. The hotel balcony and condo/townhome decks are an excellent spot to relax with a morning cup of coffee, enjoy the view of the courses, and start to get your mental golf game together - you will need it to score well.

Available for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, The Blue Heron serves a variety of choices from sandwiches to choice Texas beef, Gulf Coast seafood, pasta and seafood buffets, and prime rib dinner specials.  Sunday Champagne Brunch is a feast to behold and a favorite with the locals. Imagine fine gourmet dining in The Blue Heron Restaurant with spectacular views of the cliff-top mansions, golf course and lakes from the floor-to-ceiling windows!

Below The Blue Heron is “The Turn” snack bar and grill for hot and cold sandwiches, snacks and drinks.  The huge terrace patio outside the Pro Shop, which overlooks the 9th hole, the putting green, the valley, and hillside is fantastic for eating, relaxing or reminiscing about an enjoyable round of golf and collecting on some of the bets. 

Some of the other amenities of Tapatio Springs that you can enjoy include:

• fitness center with treadmills, stair climbers, stationary bikes, weight machines and free weights
• men's and women's dry saunas
• fire pit and picnic tables near the stream
• two lighted tennis courts
• swimming pool and hot tub
• catch and release fishing in any of the lakes and ponds on the property
• volleyball, croquet and archery (coming soon)
• Western style horseback riding leading to hilltops with incredible views
• golf school with hourly or 2 day programs

After 18 or more holes of golf, if you still have the energy, than hike or bike eight miles of fantastic trails through the enchanting canyons with some of the most magnificent panoramic views of the resort, hillside homes, golf course and valley. These trails are so outstanding that the National Off-Road Biking Association used the trails for their National Championships.

Of course, the primary reason you came to Tapatio Springs is to play golf on 27 of the best holes in Texas – and make sure that you try them all because each nine is unique and different and will test your skills and course management with a combination of tight landing zones, water features and challenging doglegs. The Valley Course has elevation changes, dog legs, fantastic scenic views of the hills, the valley, the Lakes Course and magnificent homes dotting the hillsides.  The Lakes Course meanders through the valley and along the limestone cliffs, ponds and streams.  This is the easiest of the nine holes and a good nine to warm up on.  The newest nine holes and a Texas Outside Top Ten Favorite is the par 35 Ridge Course which as the name implies traverses up and down a beautiful and picturesque stretch of the Texas Hill Country – what an outstanding nine holes with breathtaking views, dramatic elevation changes, blind shots and some very fun to play holes. Put your driver away and go for accuracy because lakes, hills, canyons, water and trees frame every hole. To learn more, read Texas Outside’s reviews of each of these outstanding courses - click here for the Valley Course review, the Lakes Course review, or the Ridge Course review. Tapatio Springs has an excellent Stay & Play Package that includes golf, practice balls, and accommodations.

After 27 holes of golf, an hour in the exercise room, a two hour hike through the hills, or just because you feel like it, you need to take advantage of the therapeutic massage clinic and holistic spa.  Your sore, tired or stressed muscles will enjoy a variety of massages  including: Swedish, neck and back, Shiatsu, therapeutic, or cranial sacral.  Or you can treat yourself to a facial, manicure, pedicure, rose petal bath, neyharding moor mud, or herbal body wrap.  These treatments will ensure you’re refreshed and ready to play golf again the next day.

On of the advantages of Tapatio Springs is that it is centrally located to a number of fun things to see and do in addition to great golf. Here are a few recommendations:

• Boerne is about 10 miles away and has over 100 quaint antique shops, numerous historic sites and good restaurants. The Resort will provide you with complimentary transportation to Boerne.
• Drive twenty minutes and you can enjoy all the sights and fun activities in San Antonio including: the Alamo, Sea World of Texas, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Retama Park horse racing track, and the Riverwalk - check out Texas Outside's Guide to San Antonio. 
• Just a few minutes away is Comfort with plenty of antique shops waiting for your hard earned money
• Like to dance and party, then visit nearby Bandara, the “Cowboy Capital of Texas” with some lively honky tonks, live music and very fun cowboys and locals
• If you have time, you need to check out Fredericksburg and Kerrville for shops, restaurants and nightlife
• Visit Guadalupe River State Park for hiking, fishing or enjoying the Guadalupe River  
• Rent a kayak or tube and take in the sights on the Guadalupe River – try Texas Hill Country River Guides for guided kayak river trips on the Guadalupe River
• Enjoy a meal at Po Po Restaurant which has been a “Texas Tradition Since 1929” and visit their funky next door neighbor, the Nelson City Dance Hall for a good time and good music
• Take a tour of Cascade Caverns (a “million years in the making”) or The Cave Without a Name
• Call Hill Country MotorGliding (210 667-3716) to schedule a sunset glide ride or a discovery flight
• Visit the AG Heritage Museum which features antique farming implements, tractors, and turn-of-the-century tools plus a working woodshop, pioneer house and a blacksmith shop (830 249-6007)
• Go clay shooting at nearby Joshua Creek Ranch
• Enjoy Cibolo Nature Center 100 acre greenbelt for hiking, biking, horseback riding, picnicking or birding
• Sip some good wine from Comfort Cellars Winery (830 995-3274) or Sister Creek Vineyards

Let’s hope this great golf resort and conference center never loses it unspoiled qualities and down home charms.  Tapatio Springs Resort is a great place to spend some time - you should plan on more than two days to see and enjoy it all. Call them now and book a reservation and tee time.

Tapatio Springs was last visited in May 2007.

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