One of the strongest women I know, my hero, my friend Holley just completed chemo and radiation for breast cancer, and we planned a “Holley Beat Cancer” overnight stay at the Hilton in Rockwall Harbor with our group of friends! It’s such a pretty location, overlooking Lake Ray Hubbard, and easy to forget you’re just 20-30 minutes from Dallas.
The Hilton not only offers a beautiful view of the lake, but also a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, and amazing outdoor pool and hot tub! And it’s just the very best smelling hotel!! I’ve been here two times before and it always just smells incredible!
We arrived about noon, and Hilton was able to give us early check-in, which was great, especially since I didn’t call in advance to ask, thinking we’d just get lunch or whatever until we could check in. They had also sent me a message earlier in the morning, offering a free upgrade to a resort-view room (instead of a view of the parking lot)!
After dropping off our stuff, we walked over, and I love that there are so many restaurants in walking distance so you don’t have to drive, to Rodeo Goat for lunch! There wasn’t a wait, except all the fun porch-swing tables on the patio were full, so we sat inside and enjoyed the air conditioning instead! I split the ranch burger with Holley, and we all shared the chips and queso, fries and sweet potato fries. Our other friends had burgers but I don’t remember which ones, but everything was delicious!
Down at the pool, we found chairs together and made our way into the cool water, which is a treat during late July in Texas! In fact, we went to the hot tub a few times! The pool ranges from 3’ – 4.5’, with a ramp at one end for ADA. It’s really big, too! A full bar and waitstaff will bring you drinks or a menu from the restaurant. We spent most of the afternoon down at the pool, and I admit to float envy! A group of women each had brought a big Joe noodle sling float, which are allowed at the pool, although inflatable ones are not. I love my own big joes and wish we had bought ours! Another large group brought floating drink holders, which sure seemed fun! Float Envy is a thing! Personally, I brought but did not wear my Apple Watch in the pool, and I didn’t check my pool for hours, missing a few calls. But of course, nothing serious and it’s nice to disconnect and relax!
There are 3 large cabanas that can be reserved, too! The cabanas offer a big, sectional-style couch, tv and refrigerator and the group that had one rented certainly seemed to be enjoying it (poolside people watching is a blast)! The cabanas rent for about $350 for all day, and are available only through ResortPass, which also has day passes to the pool starting at about $25/person. Unfortunately they don’t offer discounts to hotel guest.
Seriously water-pickled, we got ready to go out to dinner. Gloria’s wouldn’t allow us to join the waitlist remotely, and at the restaurant they had an hour wait. While Gloria’s is worth the wait, we wandered around and saw Campisi’s did not have a wait, so we opted for their yummy pizza instead.
A little about Rockwall Harbor…. It is so cool! They have slips where you can tie off your boat, and two commercial tours on the lake. My husband and I did the sunset cruise with Sail With Scott a few years ago, and it was terrific! There is also the Harbor Lights Cruise that is a double decker boat that I haven’t done, but looks fun! An amphitheater backs up to the lake, with lots of room for lawn seating for concerts arranged by the city, and a fun splash pad sits adjacent to the lawn area, all overlooking the lake. There is also a Cinemark theater, and several other restaurants and shops. It’s really quite fun!
After filling our bellies at Campisi’s, we walked back by the water to the Hilton. Harbor Lights was just pulling in from the tour, the lake was filled with ducks and happy children were running through the spray pad! The open patio at Rodeo Goat really seemed like the place to be after dark, as it has the best outdoor seating, breeze off the water and views of the lake. Campisi’s faces the parking lot and Gloria’s kept their patio blinds closed.
Returning to the hotel, they were playing a movie, Lilo and Stitch, on the wall by the pool! It was a great family atmosphere! From the balcony in our room, we sat outside and watched it! It was such a great way to end the day!
Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!
Michelle
