There are numerous options for corporate retreats near Austin, Texas. Whether you’re local or bringing your crew in from elsewhere, the Texas Hill Country is an amazing place to sync with team members, plan for the future, or simply reward everyone’s hard work. We’ve put together a list of five fun retreat locations around the area and paired each of them with a mouthwatering menu idea to keep your team satisfied.
Lucky Arrow
To soak in the Hill Country to the fullest, this rural retreat in Dripping Springs offers amazing views, nightly star-gazing on a rooftop deck, and easy access to numerous attractions, like Pedernales State Park and Hamilton Pool. You can bring your team to recharge and reconnect here, while enjoying the pool, beer garden, fire pits, and nearby local vineyards, breweries. To add a little variety to your stay, you can even book a night in a yurt!
A Meal Made for Stargazing:
APPETIZER
CROSTINI BAR (rustic breads, salami, goat cheese, ricotta, burrata, olives, roast peppers, pickled vegetables, seasonal spreads)
MAINS
SHINER BOCK SHORT RIBS (shiner braised beef short ribs, gremolata), TEXAS RANCH SPICED CHICKEN (dry rubbed roasted organic chicken leg quarters)
SIDES
ROASTED SWEET POTATO SALAD (greens, sweet potatoes, ricotta, spiced pecans, maple pecan vinaigrette), TOASTED BROCCOLI SALAD (port soaked raisins, preserved lemon, carrots), ROASTED GARLIC MASHED POTATOES, BUTTERMILK BISCUITS (served with house cultured seasonal butters)
NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINK STATION (ORANGE CRANBERRY AGUA FRESCA)
Cyprus Valley
Who could pass up the opportunity to stay in a treehouse made for adults? Up to 27 team members could stay at Cyprus Valley overnight, or you could bring up to 200 people to enjoy the daytime activities that the site has to offer. A small private lake, pool, hammocks, and canopy tours through old-growth cypress trees up to 100 feet tall offer plenty of fun. The unique accommodations, reminiscent of childhood, could be a great way to help everyone relax or even spark some creativity for future planning.
Comfort Food Under the Treetops:
APPETIZER
CHIPS AND SALSA STATION (tortilla chips, salsa roja (medium spice), salsa verde (mild spice))
BUFFET DINNER
FARMER’S MARKET SALAD, CHOPPED BRISKET (slider buns), BBQ SPICED CHICKEN LEG QUARTERS, GREEN CHILE MAC AND CHEESE, COLE SLAW (seasonal vinaigrette), BROWN BUTTER CORN BREAD (butter)
NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINK STATION
UNSWEETENED ICED TEA (lemon wheels, sweeteners)
Emo’s Austin
If you are looking to reward your team’s hard work with a fun evening, consider arranging dinner and live music at Emo’s for a quintessentially “Austin” experience. This fun venue is filled with local charm and could accommodate a wide variety of events. Bring in some local talent to entertain everyone while they enjoy a fabulous meal!
Dinner and a Show:
PASSED APPETIZERS
BRISKET STEAMED BUN (slow smoked brisket, BBQ sauce, house pickles, white onion), BACON WRAPPED DATES (GF) (house made bacon, medjool dates, marcona almonds), AVOCADO TOAST (avocado, queso fresco, toasted baguette, pomegranate seeds)
PLATED FIRST COURSE
NUTTY APPLE SALAD (greens, roasted apples, walnuts, blue cheese, apple cider vinaigrette), SOURDOUGH BREAD (served with house cultured seasonal butters)
PLATED DUO
DRY RUBBED PETITE FILET, CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN THIGH (crispy rice cake, pomegranate/cucumber salsa, pickled onions, chimichurri)
PLATED DESSERT
DECONSTRUCTED LEMON MERINGUE PIE (lemon mousse drops, torched meringue kisses, brown butter thyme streusel)
TABLE SIDE COFFEE AND HOT TEA
THIRD COAST COFFEE (regular and decaf, half and half, sweeteners), ASSORTED TEAS (hot water, Texas honey, lemons)
Asante Lodge
Asante Lodge is located in Dripping Springs and offers a relaxed and secluded ambiance with a unique attraction: the wildlife. Owners Dan and Darlene have brought numerous species of antelope and other wildlife to their retreat to fill the property with memories of their travels to Africa. The property has 14 bedrooms across five different lodges, with numerous amenities in each, including a pool, chef’s kitchen, and more! You can book a wildlife tour as a unique activity for your team to enjoy while staying at the lodge.
A Picnic for a Wildlife Tour:
SNACK BOXES
CHICKEN SALAD (chicken salad, seasonal fruit, baguette crisps, manchego cheese), MEAT & CHEESE (pleasant ridge cheese cubes, salami, baguette crisps, seasonal jam), FRUIT & YOGURT (honey yogurt, grapes, seasonal fruit, almonds)
SANDWICHES
CRANBERRY TURKEY SALAD, FRESH MOZZARELLA (pesto, marinated cherry tomatoes), TURKEY & AVOCADO (balsamic onion relish)
SIDES
KETTLE CHIPS (individual bags), CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE, CHEF’S CHOICE PASTRY
Inn Cahoots
For a change of scenery for just a day or an overnight stay in downtown Austin, this versatile boutique hotel offers a variety of meeting space configurations, 23 guest rooms, a rooftop deck, and a pool, not to mention easy access to numerous bars and restaurants. The versatility of the space makes it a great place to gather your team to draw on downtown’s entrepreneurial energy to refocus your goals and plans.
Strategy Session Luncheon:
TO START
FARMER’S MARKET SALAD TRAY
MAINS
GREEN CHILE CHICKEN ENCHILADAS (chicken, green chiles, tomatillo sauce, queso fresco), BUTTERNUT AND SAGE LASAGNA (butternut squash, sage, mozzarella)
SIDES
HONEY AND ROSEMARY ROASTED CARROTS
MAC AND CHEESE WITH HOUSE BACON
Whatever your team is gathering for, these corporate retreats near Austin offer a number of unique and versatile options. If you’re planning a retreat, we’d love to feed your team, so reach out to one of our coordinators today.