Last November my daughter and I had the chance to visit The Gaylord Texan when we did a tour of Madagascar Ice. Even though I only caught a glimpse of the inside of the hotel it was beautiful and I knew that the next time I visited the Dallas area I had to visit The Gaylord Texan resort again but this time as a guest.
The Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center
The Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center is located in Grapevine, Texas which is just a short drive from Dallas. This beautiful hotel overlooks lake Grapevine and has all of the perks and amenities that you would expect to find in a luxury hotel. The summer time is the perfect time to visit The Gaylord Texan because they are having their annual SummerFest which features fun and entertainment all summer long.
My family and I were given a complimentary room that was located on the seventh floor with a view of the Atrium. This was really such a treat to be able to walk out onto your balcony and see everything that was going on around you. There is so much to see at The Gaylord Texan so being able to see a lot of it from a birds-eye view was fun for not only myself but also my kids.
The room was super clean and I felt comfortable as soon as I walked into the door. We had two queen beds in our room but you can also get a King size Bed if you prefer. The beds are very comfortable and there was no issue with any of us falling right to sleep. In fact I think I had one of the best night’s sleep in a long time and that was with a five year old sleeping next to me.
The bathroom was spacious and had the toilet and bathroom separated from the sinks making it easier for everyone to get ready in the morning. If you happen to forget your toiletries like shampoo, soap or lotion The Gaylord has got you covered.
The rooms also have plenty of storage for your clothes and luggage, a mini-fridge with two bottles of water per day, a lock box, flat-screen TV and a little area with a table and chairs.
When your not in your room there is SO much to do at the Gaylord. The atrium is a really fun place to walk around and just take all the sights in. It’s almost as if your walking through a small town. Art work is every where and every turn has something unique and fun to look at. There is also plenty of places to eat, shop and if you can find the time The Gaylord has a state of the art fitness center and Spa which I didn’t get a chance to visit this time around but I hope to in the future.
The Gaylord Texan is celebrating summer with their annual Summerfest which features lot’s of fun and entertainment for the whole family. We took advantage of the weekend activities while we were visiting. Some of these activities included the Friday Night Fireworks show, DreamWorks Character Meet and Greet and Pool Party fun at Paradise Springs. These activities were all free and so much fun. There are a lot more activities and events that you can get involved in for a fee. For instance we got up early Saturday morning for the Madagascar Crack-A-Lackin Breakfast which featured the gang from Madagascar. For me and my two kids our ticket was about $100 which is a little pricey for breakfast but not only are you eating a delicious meal but your kids are able to meet, get autographs and take pictures with the characters. Aubrey’s favorite part was being able to meet Gloria but Jeremy’s favorite part of the breakfast was the chocolate fountain. He thought this was the best thing ever!
We spent the majority of our Saturday at Paradise Springs which is located just a short drive from the hotel. It’s in the resort but it’s a bit too far to walk so the shuttle in front of the hotel is there to take you back and forth. Paradise Springs is almost like a mini-water park and has water slides, pool, spas and even a lazy river.
Since Summerfest was in full swing there were lot’s of activities going on at the pool including games, music, hair braiding and spray on tattoos. We tried to take in as much as possible and had a blast. The water park is included in your stay. 
We had an amazing time at The Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center. It had everything you could want in a hotel when your on vacation or business. We will definitely be visiting again when we are in the Dallas area. For more information you can visit http://www.marriott.com/hotel-info/dalgt-gaylord-texan-resort-and-convention-center/entertainment/xlzol9y/summerfest-event-schedule.mi.