8 standout hotels in Conroe, TX with cool amenities

Editor’s note: Robin Soslow was a guest of Hyatt Regency Conroe which paid for her stay during reporting. All opinions expressed below are entirely hers and were not subject to review by Hyatt Regency Conroe.

Prized since the 1970s as a favorite East Texas recreational getaway, Lake Conroe has grabbed the limelight in recent years, sparking the building and updating of hotels around town. In 2017, the city of Conroe was named one of the fastest-growing cities in the country by the U.S. Census Bureau, and record numbers of people keep moving to this Texas lake community. In mid-2023, two new hotels opened, and one is even connected to a new convention center.

Conroe is a fun destination for a family getaway, with plenty of kid-friendly restaurants and recreation on the lake. If you’re wondering where to stay in Conroe, Texas for your next family vacation or weekend staycation, we cruised around this popular Montgomery County lake and compiled a list of our favorites. From water parks and mini golf to goat feedings and fishing in the lake from your balcony, Conroe has something for everyone. 

This $107 million hotel opened in May 2023 with 250 rooms that include suites and ADA-accessible rooms. Located 20 minutes from Lake Conroe in the Grand Central Park area of South Conroe, the forest setting is close to golf courses and downtown Conroe.

For families who simply want to spend the weekend eating and playing, the hotel’s on-site restaurant Conroux serves regional cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients, Avenue A pairs craft cocktails and small plates and a 24-hour market offers grab-and-go fare for those late-night munchies. The outdoor pool, relaxation deck and game lawn create a family oasis. But the best part? You don’t have to leave Fido behind because the Hyatt Regency Conroe is a pet-friendly hotel, too.

Imagine a day spent feeding goats, playing in the water, barbecuing on the grill, roasting s’mores around the fire pit, and then gazing at the stars from a rooftop deck. Happy Goat Retreat can make this your reality. This unique, 14-acre gated resort features 14 tiny homes made from shipping containers, and one rustic three-bedroom, two-bath house. Accommodations are nestled amongst leafy trees just two minutes from Lake Conroe. Need bigger accommodations? The deluxe units sleep four and include stocked kitchenettes.

The pet-friendly grounds of Happy Goat Retreat include a heated pool with a relaxation-ready deck, a barn, hammocks, swings, fishing ponds and plenty of room to play family games. And yes, you can even feed the on-site friendly goats.

This Best Western spinoff can be your home away from home if you prefer to cook your own meals. Each room has a full-size refrigerator, cooktop and microwave. Texas hotelier Matt Patel revamped the property, which opened in May 2023. Edging attraction-filled downtown Conroe and a quick drive to Lake Conroe, the smoke-free hotel offers free grab-and-go breakfast, extended-stay rates, a fitness center and a market. Cribs and rollaway beds are also available and the hotel is pet-friendly. As an added bonus, the hotel is about a 20-minute drive to The Woodlands Children’s Museum and The Woodlands Waterway.

Creating a resort families would love was a driving force when this property’s 20-story tower and 186-acre grounds were transformed into a Margaritaville edging Lake Conroe’s west side in 2020. Kids of all ages can have fun at the pools, lazy river and slides at the huge on-site water park—and there are plenty of meal options for kids at the resort’s various restaurants.

The 600-square-foot suites feature separate living areas with sofa beds adjacent to a spacious bedroom. Mini fridges and furnished balconies and patios with water views make it a breeze to enjoy happy hour in your room. Larger groups and guests with dogs can spread out in the roomier, pet-friendly lakeside cottages.

The resort hosts a variety of free, kid-friendly activities each day, and additional recreational activities include an 18-hole mini golf course, racquet sports and volleyball. At the boathouse, you can even rent boats, kayaks, swan-shaped pedal boats and a six-person paddleboard.

This all-suite haven is perched on a peninsula jutting into a quiet part of Lake Conroe’s east side. Guests love how the individual balconies extend over the lake, so you can go fishing without even leaving your suite. Nicely decorated one- and two-bedrooms have Jacuzzis, and some two-bedrooms have lofts. All have queen sleeper sofas, a balcony or patio and well-equipped kitchens. On-site features include boat ramps and docks, an outdoor pool, playground, tennis courts and hiking paths. Summer activities and amenities for kids include scavenger hunts, fishing tournaments, snow cones and arts and crafts.

Looking for country comfort with luxe touches? On Lake Conroe’s southeast shores, these studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units offer full kitchens, living areas with stone fireplaces and patios or balconies. Perks include free use of washers and dryers for guests, an impressive family recreation room and art and activities sessions for kids. For grab-and-go meals, hit The Grill which offers pulled pork sandwiches, burgers and even kid-friendly options like chicken tenders and pizza. 

Additional amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, a hot tub, barbecue grills, a fitness center, covered boat slips, paddleboarding, fishing and a private boat launch. Horseshoes, volleyball and basketball are also available, and the resort makes it easy to go horseback riding, with a stable and trails on-site.

This budget-friendly, casual lodging option is close to Lake Conroe and great golfing. Amenities geared for families include a free continental breakfast, indoor pool, hot tub and fitness center. Spacious rooms include a fridge and microwave, and you can keep up with the washing thanks to the laundry facility for guests. Cribs and rollaway beds are also available, as are pet-friendly rooms.

Proximity to family-friendly attractions like Candy Cane Park, which has an aquatic center that’s as fun as a water park, and 7 Acre Wood, an old-fashioned kiddie park that boasts a petting zoo, zip line and Western play town, add appeal to this all-suite hotel. Save time and money on meals with the fully-equipped kitchen and the free hot breakfast, stay cool at the outdoor pool and keep up with your exercise routine at the hotel’s fitness center.

This story was edited by Hearst Newspapers Managing Editor Kristina Moy; you can contact her at [email protected].