Margaritaville Lake Resort has been recognized as a 2021 TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice award winner and was named among the top 10% of hotels worldwide.

Pro Tip: Text marked 🎶 comes from lyrics taken from some of Jimmy Buffet’s over 300 songs.

Hello, Texas 🎶

Bringing a touch of Florida and the Caribbean to Texas, Margaritaville Lake Resort on Lake Conroe, north of Houston, celebrates their one year anniversary on June 26th. They will be partying with margarita flights and a passport game for guests and anyone else who wants to celebrate this pandemic win.

There are over 20 Margaritaville Resorts throughout the US and Caribbean but only one in Texas. Sitting on 186 acres, Margaritaville is a 3.5 hour drive from 20 million Texans; therefore, 90% of their guests come from Texas.

Everything is 100% on-brand at Jimmy Buffett‘s Margaritaville Lake Resort, from the seaside teal doors of each cottage and guest room, to the upside down margarita glasses hanging on the lobby chandelier, to the surfboard that serves as the outdoor shower by the pool, every small detail serves to remind you that you have a license to chill🎶 as Buffet sings. 

The tower hotel features 302 all-suite rooms with each having a view of the lake. But the 32 pastel-colored (think parrot shades) cottages are really where you find your cheeseburger in paradise 🎶 . Each one has a porch that looks out onto Lake Conroe, with colored Adirondack chairs just begging for you to enjoy yourself.

Stars on the Water 🎶

Twenty-one of the cottages have upstairs lofts featuring two double beds and all of the brightly colored cottages feature boat slips out front, parking right behind the cottage in the back, a master bedroom with a king size bed, a small kitchenette, bathroom, living area and plenty of flat screen TVs. You can easily create your home away from home, waking up with a view of the lake and enjoying happy hours in the evening, keeping watch over the boats by night.

Tower Suites run $199-$499 and the Lake Cottages range from $299-$699.

I Wish Lunch Could Last Forever 🎶 

Chef Jake has taken over the culinary program at Margaritaville, fresh off a flight from Florida, where he is bringing a delicious coastal flair to the resort at License to Chill Cafe & Bar and LandShark Bar and Grill. Sitting right on the lake,  LandShark has a great outdoor patio where you can enjoy scrumptious fish tacos paired with, none other than, a Landshark beer from the tap.

Chef is bringing some real artistic creations to License to Chill. Start with Jalapeño Cornbread, followed by Ginger Carrot Bisque with a unique table presentation that keeps the integrity of the veggies intact, an entrée of Rockfish, served with a cinnamon marmalade or a Wagyu Beef over Parsnip Purée. Dinner here with a cold glass of Chardonnay is the recipe to chill.

Barefoot Children  🎶 

All designed to maximize your relaxation, guests do not want to miss hanging out at the Jolly Mon Water Park with its multiple pools and lazy river. For a more active choice, choose pickle ball or miniature golf.

Breathe in, Breathe out, Move on 🎶

St. Somewhere Spa, overlooking a cove on the lake, will help the wind down with its signature St. Somewhere massage or a fantastic facial, accented by an afternoon enjoying the steam room, outdoor whirlpool and relaxation lounge.

Somethin ‘Bout a Boat 🎶 

Rent a pontoon boat from Einstein’s Surf & Boat Shop, conveniently located on the backside of the resort, and enjoy a beautiful day on Lake Conroe. The lake is massive and offers several places to tie your boat up and enjoy a seafood lunch. Monty‘s Lighthouse Cajun Bar & Grill, named after the goat that is the area’s mascot, has an outdoor patio where you can enjoy a glass of cold iced tea with a variety of fresh seafood options that they put their Cajun spin on! Enjoy a dish as hearty as Shrimp and Grits or as light as a fresh Green Salad topped with crab.

That’s What Living is to Me 🎶 

Head into town one evening to enjoy a dining experience like no other at the adorably named Hodge Podge Lodge. Located in a 167-year-old house, owner Chef Jeff works with four other chefs in the kitchen that was converted from a two-car garage to create culinary artistry.

It’s a popular place and stays really busy on the weekends, so plan to make a reservation and show up beforehand to enjoy a cocktail in their speakeasy bar, Sips. In addition to the amazing menu, you’ll enjoy seeing the 1930s Model A out front that is an homage to their shabby chic vintage style. Out back, they have a cottage made from original dorms from Stephen F. Austin University.

The restaurant is a great example of Montgomery being called “the friendliest city in Texas.” From the owner to the hostess to the waitress to the chef, they really are very intentional with the entire experience. Hodge Podge Lodge features a simple but robust menu, with starters like a Charcuterie Board or Crab Cakes, a delightful offering of fresh salads, three chicken and pasta choices or their fan favorite, Sea Bass topped with a crab cake and a light lemon sauce over broccolini, cooked to perfection.

It’s 5 o’Clock Somewhere 🎶 

Some of our favorite aspects of Margaritaville are the mood-setting Jimmy Buffet music playing on the TV in the room when you arrive, the on-brand fin faucets in the bathrooms, the Margaritaville Keurig pods in room, and the parrot emblazoned comforter on each bed.

Wonder Why We Ever Go Home 🎶 

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Cover photo courtesy Jolly Mon Water Park 

A parrothead herself, Marika Flatt is the Travel Editor of Texas Lifestyle Magazine and was named “Outstanding Austin Communicator” 2021 by Women Communicators of Austin. Flatt has been the voice of the Weekend Trip Tips on NPR’s Texas Standard for over three years and is a regular travel contributor to TV shows across the state.