By Jeanni Ritchie
The sunset cruise is so nice, you have to do it twice!
There’s a tagline for you, Margaritaville! And an absolute truth for me. From the sign-in for the Tiki Hut Party Barge Sunset Cruise at Einstein’s Surf and Boat Shop to disembarking the cruise that first night, I had video after video and two dozen photographs of Lake Conroe and that gorgeous Texas sunset.
I wanted to go back the next night and ditch my phone. I wanted to be in every moment of the 2-hour cruise.
And I was!
I met everyone else on board that second night, sang and danced to a medley of tunes from Jimmy Buffett to Taylor Swift…and even did the Cha Cha Slide dockside! I exchanged numbers with new friends as we shared life stories. Captain Robert steered the boat and spun the tunes, taking requests from all on the manifest. The family-friendly excursion was definitely a highlight of my Margaritaville visit.
But long before the sun went down, there was so much else to do!
From my 19th floor balcony, I had a full view of the waterpark below and I watched as workers got the pools ready for its 9 AM opening each day. After Day 1, I’d learned to hurry down and snag a chair- a hot commodity- for a day of sunning and swimming in the large waterpark.
The waterpark includes multiple pools like The 5 O’clock Somewhere Pool and the Turnabout Pool with waterslides. A lazy river, kiddie splash pad and kiddie waterslides, swim-up bar, poolside food and beverage delivery, hot tub, and toddler area are open from 9 AM- 10 PM daily.
Also outside is a golf course, fishing tourney weigh-in station, boat and jet ski rentals, water trampolines, paddle boards, and more from Einstein’s Surf and Boat Shop. Email einsteinsurfboatshopmgv@gmail.
The entertainment and contests outside brought the concept of a waterpark to a whole new level. There was a pool DJ from 1-5 PM each day who also hosted the Mr. and Ms. Margaritaville contest! We all cheered for our favorites as they showcased their best dance moves in the water and strutted their finest beachwear as if on the catwalk!
There was a scavenger hunt starting at the towel hut, tent games, belly flop contests, flip cup competitions, connect 4 relay races, dodgeball, watermelon eating contest, kid cannonball contest, and even a HAIRY CHEST COMPETITION!
It is definitely a water resort made for outdoor enthusiasts but for all they had outside, there was just as much inside!
Starting with one glorious morning in the St. Somewhere Spa! I arrived early and took advantage of the steam room, an odd desire given the heat and humidity outside of the spa. But that didn’t have eucalyptus added to the steam!
I had a Crown of Jewels Scalp and Head Treatment, one of the spa’s newer offerings. This head spa treatment uses the viral Halo water system and Milbon Gold products, an exclusive Japanese luxury brand. In addition to the scalp treatment, you get a herbal foot bath soak, leg and foot scrub, steam-infused facial, and soothing arm and hand massage.
I fought with everything I had not to fall asleep during this relaxing treatment. I wanted to savor every moment.
After my morning of much-needed pampering, I was ready to socialize! I won prizes at the 90’s themed trivia contest, played carnival games and baseball at the Virtual Sports Simulator (it’s like a Wii with actual equipment!), and saw a movie in the Paradise Amphitheater. I played in the 2nd floor arcade like a child and, after the sunset cruise the first night, I listened to live music late at night in the Boathouse Lounge like a grown-up!
I shopped for souvenirs in the souvenir shop, finding the most appropriate sign that said “I’m Growing Older, Not Up!”
The restaurants were fabulous from morning bagels and late night pizza at Joe Merchant’s Coffee and Provisions (they serve about 200 of those pizzas daily!). I had a couple of lunches on License to Chill’s outdoor patio overlooking the pools. This open-to-the-public restaurant had chicken, seafood, and Wagyu meatball dishes along with delectable desserts. I rewarded myself for a chicken and vegetable bathing-suit-worthy lunch with a piece of chocolate molten cake!
If lunch overlooked the waterpark, dinner overlooked the lake. LandShark Bar & Grill (found at most Margaritaville Resorts and also open to the public) has burgers, sandwiches, and seafood platters, including shrimp tacos (my pick)! There was no shortage of meal options at Margaritaville!
I ended each evening at the fire pits and colorful Adirondack chairs overlooking Lake Conroe. It was a beautiful place to recap and reflect, and just take in all of nature.
The rooms were beautiful, the rainshower heads rejuvenating, and the bed relaxing but with all this beauty inside and outside of the resort, it was hard to stay in the room!
Margaritaville Resort Lake Conroe quickly became one of my favorite destination spots ever!
Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist from Central Louisiana whose hobbies include swimming, watching sunsets, arcade play, and spa days. She found her own personal Utopia at Margaritaville Lake Conroe.
