We just got back from three nights at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort near Austin, Texas, and I’m happy to report we packed almost perfectly. Almost. There were a few things I wish we’d thrown in the suitcase, and a few things we didn’t need at all because the resort already had them covered.
That’s the thing about packing for a resort trip: it’s a totally different game than packing for a city vacation or a beach week. The resort provides more than you’d expect, but the variety of activities (pool, horseback riding, fishing, archery, restaurants) means you need to think through more scenarios than just “beach and dinner.”
Here’s exactly what we packed for our family of five (three kids, ages 8, 9, and 12) for a mid-July Texas resort trip, what we should have packed, and what you can leave at home.
What I Considered When Packing
This was a 3-night, 4-day trip in the middle of July. In Texas. So we’re talking 100°+ heat outside and arctic-level air conditioning inside every building and restaurant. That contrast matters more than you’d think, and it’s where I made my biggest packing mistake (more on that below).
I also knew our days would be split between the water park, outdoor ranch-style activities like fishing and horseback riding, and sit-down restaurant dinners. That meant I needed to pack across multiple “outfit categories” rather than just swimsuits and sundresses. The saving grace? The resort provides a surprising amount of stuff, so once I figured out what they covered, our suitcases got a lot lighter.
Swim & Water Park
This was the easiest category to pack because we’ve done enough pool trips to know the essentials by heart.
What we brought:
- 2 swimsuits per person (non-negotiable. No one wants to put on a cold, wet suit on day two.)
- Water shoes or flip flops
- Goggles for the kids
- Reef-safe sunscreen, SPF 50+
- Sunscreen powder brush for face reapplication
What we skipped: A waterproof speaker. Honestly, iPhones are waterproof now, and between the water park music and the kids screaming, we didn’t miss it.
Outdoor Activity Gear
Lost Pines has guided fishing, horseback riding, archery, and tomahawk throwing, so we needed more than just swimwear and sandals.
What we brought:
- Closed-toe shoes for everyone (required for horseback riding and smart for fishing/archery)
- Hats with brims
- Bug spray powder brush
- Sunglasses for everyone, including the kids
What we skipped: Long pants or leggings for horseback riding and a golf shirt for Stefan. Neither was missed. Because it was raining we didn’t end up going horseback riding, the kids did fine in shorts, and Stefan never hit the course.
Clothing
For a 3-night trip in July heat, I kept things minimal but made one big mistake: I didn’t pack jackets for the kids.
What we brought:
- 3 lightweight daytime outfits per person
- 1 slightly nicer dinner outfit each (they have five restaurants on-property)
- Pajamas
- Underwear and socks × 4 per person (always pack one extra day’s worth)
What we should have brought:
- A light jacket or hoodie for each kid. The restaurants absolutely blast the air conditioning, and we were freezing at dinner. This was my biggest regret.
- Slippers for the hotel room. The room has hard floors (no carpet, just rugs under the beds), and after a full day of walking around the resort, everyone’s feet were tired. Slippers would have been a small luxury that made a big difference.
Poolside Essentials
I always pack a few things specifically for myself when I know I’ll be posted up by the pool while the kids swim.
What I brought:
What I wish I’d brought: A wide-brim sun hat. I need to buy a new one. Adding this to my thrift store wish list. I skipped a book, Kindle, and portable fan and honestly didn’t miss any of them. Between watching the kids and the pool activities, I was never just sitting there bored.
Toiletries & Personal Care
Here’s where the resort surprised me. They had full-size toiletries in the room: shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Not the tiny travel bottles, full-size. So I overpacked in this category.
What we brought (and needed):
- Face wash and moisturizer
- Sunscreen powder brush
- Deodorant
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Hair ties, clips, and a brush
- Razor
- Kids’ detangling spray (a must with three kids and chlorine)
- Daily medications and vitamins
- First aid basics: Band-Aids, Benadryl, Tylenol/Motrin, anti-itch cream
- Lip balm with SPF
What we didn’t need to bring: Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. The resort had us covered with quality full-size products. If you’re particular about your hair products, bring your own, but don’t assume you need to pack everything.
General & Road Trip Essentials
The drive from the DFW area to Lost Pines is about 3.5 hours, so we didn’t go overboard with road trip supplies, but there are a few things I’d do differently.
What we brought:
- Chargers for the car and the room
- Reusable water bottles (the resort has refill stations everywhere)
- Drinks for the drive
What we skipped and didn’t miss:
- A Bluetooth speaker for the suite (we just used our phones)
- Kids’ tablets and headphones for the drive (3.5 hours is survivable without screens)
- Card games or UNO for the room (the resort kept us busy enough)
- A small cooler for the car (not necessary for a 3.5-hour drive)
What we figured out on the fly: We stopped for snacks at a gas station when we got gas, which worked perfectly fine. Had drinks packed already. No need to over-plan this for a short drive.
Don’t Bother Packing (The Resort Provides These)
This is the section I wish I’d had before our trip. Save the suitcase space:
- Pool towels (available at the water park, no need to haul your own)
- Lazy river tubes (included free, grab one when you get there)
- Fishing gear (everything is provided in the guided fishing class)
- Bikes and helmets (complimentary to use on-property)
- Hair dryer (in the room)
Key Takeaways & Tips
After doing this trip, here’s what I’ll remember for next time:
- 2 swimsuits per person is non-negotiable. Putting on a cold, wet swimsuit the next morning is miserable. Two per person, minimum.
- Pack a jacket even in July. Texas resorts crank the AC to compensate for the heat outside, and you will freeze in restaurants and indoor spaces.
- Closed-toe shoes are required for most activities. If your resort has horseback riding, fishing, archery, or anything beyond the pool, everyone needs a pair of sneakers or athletic shoes.
- Call ahead or check the website for what the resort provides. You might be packing towels, tubes, or toiletries you don’t need, and that’s wasted suitcase space.
- Slippers for the hotel room are an underrated comfort move. Especially if the room has hard floors. Your feet will thank you after a full day of walking.
Final Thoughts
Packing for a resort trip with kids doesn’t have to be stressful. The key is knowing what the resort already provides (more than you’d think) and packing intentionally for the variety of activities you’ll actually be doing. A pool-only trip is easy to pack for. A resort with fishing, horseback riding, archery, and five restaurants? That takes a little more thought, but once you have your list dialed in, you’re set.
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