Located just 30 minutes from downtown Austin at 1705 South Quilan Park Road, the Lake Austin Spa Resort has been named the #1 destination spa in North America by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine in 2008, and in 2009 it won the title of Top Rated Destination Spa in the U.S. by the Zagat Survey of Top U.S. Hotels, Resorts & Spas.

I decided to take a weekend trip up to the resort to unwind, relax and rejuvenate. I chose to take the back way to Austin, down Highway 290, to get in the Hill Country spirit. Upon arriving to the resort I was greeted by the friendly staff and was engulfed by the serene setting. The pathways along the shore and around the 19-acre lake-front property were lined with beautiful flowers and organic gardens. Throughout the gardens you find, honey, aloe, jasmine, lavender and fig trees capturing an endless supply of inspiration, reflected in the resort’s spa treatments and cuisine.

I immediately began to unwind in the pristine and peaceful atmosphere. Soothing my soul in a comfortable hammock on the peaceful grounds at the foot of the cool, blue Lake Austin.

My intimate guest room further encouraged my relaxation with Egyptian cotton sheets, hand-made quilts, custom-designed furniture, and signature lavender spa amenities. All 40 lakeside guest rooms were completely refined during a multi-million dollar renovation combining high technology and high comfort in early 2008.

While spending the majority of your time unwinding in your room is inciting, with more than 20 activities for all fitness levels offered daily, you certainly want delve into the wide variety of offerings. The resort’s holistic approach is reflected in its fun and innovative activities and programs. Whether you want a high-intensity cardio workout, a private sculling lesson, an hour of relaxation and meditation or a nutrition or lifestyle consultation with a certified fitness professional, there’s something that appeals to everyone’s interests and abilities.

The resort takes full advantage of its natural surroundings with a varied curriculum of water-related activities and hikes through nearby nature preserves. The lure of the water is impossible to resist, as almost any hour of the day guests glide across the lake in kayaks, canoes and Hydro-bikes. I welcomed my morning with yoga poses overlooking the lake on the outdoor yoga deck.

After all the action I certainly worked up an appetite, and the food at the resort does not fall short of impressive. Executive Chef Terry Conlan serves three delicious and healthy meals daily. After 16 years the award-winning chef still does what he enjoys most—create innovative, healthy cuisine that is deliciously satisfying and, above all, made from the freshest ingredients available. He insists on presenting guests with a range of enticing choices that reflect the wonderfully rich and diverse regional cuisines of the Southwest, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and Asia. If cooking is your thing healthy cooking classes are scheduled throughout the week.

Now that I had the basics covered it was time for a little self-indulgence, on to the multi-million dollar, award winning LakeHouse Spa. The 25,000-square-foot expansion and renovation completed in 2004 is suited with spacious men’s and women’s locker rooms, an outdoor Palm Pool, hot tub and cabanas, 30 treatment areas, including garden tents and suites, and an indoor Junior Olympic-length lap pool in the pool barn.

Offering more than 100 innovative spa and salon treatments I was lured in to the crème de la crème of treatments, the signature Fruits of the Shore body treatment. For two hours I was indulged in an invigorating fig scrub, a soothing bath and oil application, a detoxifying body wrap and a massage. This treatment is inspired by the fig trees right from the lakeshore. The aromatic fruit treatment was sensational.

While I did not participate in any of the numerous special events and discovery programs available daily, guests get to enrich their experience with Discovery classes in healthy cooking, nutrition, communication skills, body image, relationships and sexuality, journaling, crafts, gardening and others.

Overall my experience at The Lake Austin Spa Resort was everything one could want in a destination spa retreat. The incredible combination of charming guest rooms, world class spa treatments, reviving activities, deliciously healthy cuisine and life-enriching programs certainly makes this spa experience #1 in my book. Take that, Condé Nast!