The Big Spring Lagoon Opens at Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio Following $100M Transformation
Guests visiting Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Villas in San Antonio will now find a new centerpiece for the property’s water recreation offerings. On March 6, 2026, the resort officially opened The Big Spring, a 2.2-acre crystal lagoon surrounded by white-sand beaches that creates a beach-style environment in the heart of the Texas Hill Country.
The lagoon opening is one of the most visible milestones in a multi-year, more than $100 million renovation of the 300-acre resort property, located at 9800 Hyatt Resort Drive on San Antonio’s northwest side. The redevelopment introduced new event venues, villas, and upgraded guest spaces while expanding the resort’s long-standing reputation as a family-friendly destination known for its pools, lazy river, and outdoor recreation.
While the property has offered a five-acre water park with a 900-foot lazy river, water slide, multiple pools, and a FlowRider wave simulator for years, The Big Spring now adds a new experience designed to resemble a beach getaway—without leaving Central Texas.
How the Crystal Lagoon Technology Works
The lagoon itself was built using Crystal Lagoons® technology, a system used in large-scale resort developments around the world to create clear, swimmable lagoons far from natural coastlines. The San Antonio installation marks the first time a Crystal Lagoons amenity has been incorporated into a resort in the central United States, according to the technology company.
Unlike traditional resort pools, the lagoon functions more like a small body of water with a specialized filtration and monitoring system. Crystal Lagoons says the technology uses advanced telemetry systems, ultrasonic filtration, and minimal chemical treatment, allowing the water feature to operate with significantly lower energy and maintenance requirements.
In terms of environmental impact, the company reports that lagoons built with its system use up to 33 times less water than a golf course and about 40 percent less water than a park of similar size, while consuming only a small fraction of the energy required by conventional swimming pool filtration systems.
The result is a large recreational lagoon capable of supporting activities such as swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and shoreline relaxation, all within a controlled environment designed for resort guests.
Mobile Sidebar Ad
A Partnership Behind the Resort’s Transformation
The lagoon project was developed through a collaboration between Crystal Lagoons, Woodbine Development Corporation, and Hyatt, part of a broader effort to reposition the resort with new amenities and updated facilities.
Within the renovation, The Big Spring serves as the visual centerpiece, surrounded by white-sand beaches, premium cabanas, and waterfront gathering areas that expand the resort’s recreational layout.
Nearby, guests can visit Aunt Di’s Comfort Station, a new casual dining venue located along the lagoon shoreline. The addition allows visitors to enjoy food and drinks while spending time around the water.
Importantly, access to The Big Spring is exclusive to Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Villas hotel guests, making it part of the overall resort experience rather than a public attraction.
Additional New Amenities Across the Property
The lagoon also connects with several other new additions introduced during the renovation.
Overlooking the water is Rancher Hall, a newly built 5,600-square-foot indoor-outdoor event venue designed with exposed wood beams, large windows, and views of the lagoon. The space opens onto a patio and event lawn surrounded by live oaks, creating a setting for weddings, conferences, and other gatherings.
The resort also expanded its accommodations with five standalone luxury villas, each named after Hill Country rivers including the Guadalupe, Brazos, Nueces, San Saba, and Pecos. Opened in 2025, the approximately 2,300-square-foot villas include four bedrooms, kitchens, living areas, and outdoor patios, offering a more residential option for families and groups visiting San Antonio.
Guests staying in the villas receive additional services and access to amenities at Windflower – The Hill Country Spa, which recently completed its own renovation including upgraded relaxation areas and a wellness programming space known as the Talpa Room.
Meanwhile, the Hill Country Golf Club has introduced 35 Toptracer Range golf bays, using ball-tracking technology that provides real-time shot data for golfers practicing near the lagoon area.
Mobile Sidebar Ad
A Beach-Style Destination in the Texas Hill Country
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort originally opened in the early 1990s on land that once formed part of the historic Rogers-Wiseman Ranch. While the property has evolved significantly over the decades, design elements throughout the renovation—such as ranch-inspired architecture and materials—continue referencing that Hill Country heritage.
The addition of The Big Spring reflects a broader trend in the hospitality industry where resorts increasingly compete by offering distinctive experiences rather than simply rooms and amenities.
For travelers searching online for San Antonio resorts with lagoons, Texas Hill Country family resorts, or hotels with lazy rivers near San Antonio, the updated property now combines traditional resort features with a lagoon-style beach environment rarely found in inland destinations.
As summer travel season approaches across Texas, the opening of The Big Spring gives visitors another way to spend time outdoors—whether paddling across the lagoon, relaxing on the sand, or enjoying the broader amenities that have made the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort a long-standing destination for both visitors and San Antonio residents hosting events.
Readers can stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for additional updates on tourism, hospitality, and development across the greater San Antonio region.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.