There are plenty of ways to ring in milestone birthdays. You can take a trip, make a big purchase, or throw a huge bash. But when I ask Orlando what he wanted to do for his thirtieth birthday this past weekend, none of that sounded appealing to him. What he really wanted, he confessed, was a weekend just for the two of us to get away. It just so happens that his birthday falls right around the end of his basketball season every year, so I couldn’t have agreed more that this was just what we needed. When I thought about leaving the girls for a faraway destination, though, my wanderlust faded just a bit. The perfect compromise, we decided, was a staycation at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa.
This luxury destination brings in visitors from around the world, and yet Orlando and I had never been. It was close enough that we could get back to the girls if they needed us (or more accurately, if Issa rejected all food and needed to nurse – ha!), yet far enough that we would feel we were in our own little world. We packed our bags Friday afternoon, rolled down the car windows, and drove off into the very literal sunset. When we arrived at the JW Marriott we were greeted by Jennifer, who gave us the grand tour of the resort. I simply had NO IDEA how huge the grounds were! The hotel features convention space, golf courses, a water park, and a massive bird sanctuary surrounding the property so the views of the gorgeous hill country will never change. If you follow me on Snapchat you were probably inundated with my coverage of the experience, but I simply couldn’t get over how amazing everything was!
We grabbed dinner that night in the High Velocity Sports Bar, where we were tucked into a booth with our own private TV screen to watch the NBA playoffs. When we finally made it to our rooms that evening, the staff at the JW had graciously left complimentary snacks and a rose petal trail to kick off our romantic weekend together. Service throughout our stay was absolutely impeccable, and I cannot stress enough that Southern charm is in ABUNDANCE here.
For breakfast the next morning we dined at Cibolo Moon, where I ordered the PHENOMENAL brisket hash you see pictured above. Roasted potatoes and tender brisket were nestled beneath a hearty egg topped with chipotle hollandaise sauce and it was every bit as good as it sounds. We sipped on coffee and leisurely discussed how we would spend our day. I love my children dearly, but it was so lovely to have nowhere to be, no one who needed you, no one to distract you from each other. Even though we naturally discussed the girls about 70% of the time. 😉
Later that day, when we had recovered from our food coma, we found some time to relax by the pool for what seemed like hours. I tried out the new water slides, we took several laps in the lazy river, and even took a bit to lounge in poolside chairs with a cocktail and some chips with queso. The Longhorn sangria was just the right mix of sweet and a buzzy kick, and again we didn’t have to worry about being responsible adults so the drinks could flow freely! The older I get the more I find my palate for wine has deepened, and the selection at the JW Marriott was simply unreal.
That evening Jennifer had made us reservations at 18 Oaks, the award-winning steakhouse on the JW Marriott golf course, and we were delighted to find our table on the patio with a view of the sunset. Once again the food was top-notch and our service was stellar. My chef’s special spinalis ribeye or ribeye cap was delectable, literally the most tender cut of steak I’ve ever tasted. And I’m the daughter of a beef farmer, so you can trust me when I say that’s a big deal. Orlando ordered ribs that fell off the bone, duck fat truffle fries to share, and we enjoyed soft conversation while the sun set in the background.
The next day we slept in, which was glorious in and of itself, and then found our way to the Lantana Spa for an afternoon couples massage. The spa is the largest in Texas, and it makes good use of every square foot. There’s a cafe where we enjoyed a healthy brunch, a gym, sauna, jacuzzi, and private pool for all-day enjoyment if you choose. There’s also a fantastic tradition of the seven knots. Every visitor receives a red ribbon upon entry into the spa. You tie a knot for each worry that’s bothering you, and then place it in the bowl at the bottom of the staircase to symbolize letting it go. It might be a simple gesture, but a spa is always the perfect place to reflect and refresh your mind.
By the end of the massage we were feeling like our time at the JW Marriott had come to a close. We were feeling ready to be back to the little ones, and we were (fairly) positive they were missing us, too. It’s funny how just a few days away sets the reset button when it comes to parenting. You can come back feeling recharged, ready to take on the next challenge. And as cheesy as it is, it’s a priority for us to keep our marriage just as healthy and happy as our children. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.
It’s surreal that Orlando is 30 now. I’ve known him for almost a decade of his life, and the difference between his early twenties and the man he is now has been so amazing to watch. We’ve quite literally grown up together, even though we totally thought we were capable adults ten years ago. Of course, I’m sure when we’re celebrating his 40th birthday we’ll be reflecting on life as well. The good news is now we know the JW Marriott is the perfect place to celebrate and sequester ourselves away for a weekend.
XO,
A
P.S. We received a complimentary stay and media privileges in exchange for this post. Don’t worry though, all opinions are my own!
