Luxury in the Texas Hill Country: My Omni Barton Creek FAM Experience

I was invited to attend the Omni Luxury Familiarization (FAM) Experience from May 12–14, 2025, at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, TX. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted by warm valet staff and welcomed into my Premium Room 1 King Bed with a curated amenity of macarons, gourmet chocolates, and a cookie printed with my name—plus a chilled bottle of Lunetta Prosecco. That thoughtful touch set the tone for the luxury and detail-oriented service throughout my stay.

The resort room was spacious (425 sq. ft.), beautifully appointed with a plush king bed, cozy sitting area, dining/work table, and a walk-in shower. It offered a perfect space to unwind or catch up on some remote work.

Although I missed the official Champagne Toast and Meet & Greet due to timing, I joined the group for our welcome dinner at Blind Salamander Kitchen & Bar. The curated menu was stunning, featuring oysters, shrimp cocktail, crudo, burrata, beef tartare, and more. The highlight? The buttery brioche loaf with honeycomb butter. Our evening ended with a private s’mores experience under the stars, which made for such a cozy and memorable night.

Fresh oysters. YUM!

S'mores

The next day began with sunrise yoga on the Longhorn Lawn, followed by a hearty breakfast at Texas Spice. I ordered the Eggs Benedict with chicken sausage instead of Canadian bacon and rated it a solid 9/10.

Morning yoga

I was then treated to a Swedish massage at Mokara Spa—absolutely worth carving out time for. The spa is serene and well-appointed, with a spacious lounge and helpful staff. I skipped lunch that day because breakfast was so filling!

Spa pool

Later that afternoon, we played the Toolbox Golf Challenge on the Fazio Foothills Course, using quirky "tools" like pool cues and tennis rackets instead of golf clubs. It was hilarious and fun, but after Hole 2, we all agreed it was just too hot (98°F!) to keep going.

Hole-in-one!

Enjoying the moment with fellow Fora Advisors

In the evening, we traveled to Omni Austin Downtown for a site tour and rooftop Guacamole Challenge at CloudBar—our team won! We saw two room types: the Premier Club Suite and the Executive Suite with Balcony. Both were chic and ideal for city stays.

Dinner was back at Omni Barton Creek at Bob’s Steak & Chop House. We enjoyed family-style appetizers (the lamb chops were my favorite!), then I ordered my usual go-to Caesar salad and the prime filet mignon. The sides were served family style and the chocolate cake for dessert was rich and divine.

I wrapped up the trip the next morning with a leisurely breakfast and content creation before checking out.

The grind never stops, even while on vacation.

Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa is nestled in the Texas Hill Country, with stunning panoramic views. The property features:

• 493 guest rooms and suites

• Seven restaurants and lounges

• Mokara Spa

• Four championship golf courses

• Multiple pools including an adults-only rooftop pool

• Daily activities like yoga, lawn games, and fire pits for s'mores

Virtuoso/Select Partner Perks:

• $50 hotel credit, per stay

• Daily breakfast for two

• Upgrade upon availability

• Early check-in/late checkout upon availability

• Last room availability (LRA)

• 10% commissionable

It's perfect for: couples, wellness travelers, corporate retreats, golf-lovers, and anyone wanting a luxe but laid-back Texas getaway.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Texas page.