If you live in Texas, we can all agree on one thing—it’s big. We can drive for hours and still not cross the border. The upside? There is so much to explore without having to step foot onto a plane, especially with the rising cost of travel. For Texans, drive destinations continue to grow in appeal and with more and more development underway it’s an exciting time to map out just where the wheel can take you.
One such destination is Lake Texoma, a waterside hideaway just about an hour north of Dallas. The 93,000-acre lake—which sits as the country’s 14th largest reservoir—has been making headlines with the influx of brands looking to plant their flag along the water’s edge. Most recently, Hard Rock announced plans for a 189-key hotel and private residences as part of the larger Pointe Vista masterplan, which will introduce a variety of entertainment, golf, culinary and adventure experiences for Texans including an 11-acre manmade Caribbean Bay with floating concert stages, water activities and more. The masterplan also calls for two additional hotels to be built, introducing a variety of accommodations to explore this stunning waterfront.
Hard Rock International in partnership with Pointe Vista Holding Company announced development plans for the Hard Rock Hotel at Lake Texoma and The Residences at the Hard Rock Hotel Lake Texoma. Construction began in March 2024, the Hard Rock Hotel and Residences will be located within the Pointe Vista development, joining a 2,700-acre master-planned resort community featuring over 19 miles of shoreline, a golf course, enclosed waterpark, family entertainment center, amphitheater and more. The project is expected to create over 9,000 jobs in the area.
With a planned second quarter 2026 opening, the new Hard Rock development will be a premier destination on the Oklahoma-Texas border featuring both natural splendor and a breadth of resort amenities. The area is the ideal location for summer activities on the water, conventions, events, and excitement-filled days and nights year-round. It is the only resort venue serving all of North Texas and the entire State of Oklahoma with this broad assortment of amenities.
Some additional destinations popping up for their influx of development, especially as it relates to hospitality, include Port Aransas with the 30A-esque Cinnamon Shore complex with robust amenities and idyllic vacation rentals, Cinnamon Shore is a welcoming beach community on the Texas Gulf Coast where families nurture tradition and make new memories. Along with luxury Port Aransas vacation rentals, we also have on-site dining and activities, experiences, and even beach buggies so you've got everything you need.
Fredericksburg just welcomed New Waterloo’s Albert Hotel and plans were just announced for the forthcoming Waldorf-Astoria Texas Hill Country Hotel & Residences, the first ever in the state. Located less than one mile from downtown Fredericksburg, Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country will provide a central location for visitors looking to indulge in the beauty of Texas Hill Country—the most popular wine-tasting destination in the state, the second most visited wine country in the United States and home to over 100 wineries. Nestled against sprawling vineyards and rolling hills with blooming wildflowers and farms, Fredericksburg offers a picturesque setting and idyllic escape 75 miles west of Austin and 65 miles northwest of San Antonio.