
Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe/Houston
Best for families and leisure travelers who want on-site watersports, a private beach, a multi-acre water park and varied resort activities.
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Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe/Houston is a large, family-oriented lakefront resort with multiple pools, a water park, a golf course and a full-service spa. Crowne Plaza Shenandoah Woodlands Area is a practical, full-service IHG hotel near The Woodlands aimed at business travelers, groups and regional visitors; read this if you need to choose between a recreational lake resort and a convenient Woodlands-area full-service hotel.
Updated · about 20–25 miles apart

Best for families and leisure travelers who want on-site watersports, a private beach, a multi-acre water park and varied resort activities.

Best for business meetings, event groups or travelers who want a dependable full-service IHG hotel close to The Woodlands retail and dining.
When Margaritaville Lake Resort wins: pick Margaritaville for family getaways, multi-generational reunions, wedding weekends, lake activities and guests who want spa, golf and water-park access on property.
When Crowne Plaza Shenandoah Woodlands Area wins: choose the Crowne Plaza if you need easy access to The Woodlands businesses and entertainment district, straightforward meeting facilities in a branded full-service hotel, or a base for regional travel with a complimentary area shuttle.
Bottom line: Margaritaville is a destination resort built around Lake Conroe recreation and on-site entertainment; Crowne Plaza Shenandoah Woodlands Area is a practical full-service IHG property optimized for meetings and regional visitors. Your choice depends on whether the trip is about leisure and on-site experiences (Margaritaville) or convenience and meetings near The Woodlands (Crowne Plaza).
| Category | Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe/Houston | Crowne Plaza Shenandoah Woodlands Area |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Resort/tourist destination with lakefront recreation and active family programming | Full-service business and group hotel serving Shenandoah/The Woodlands |
| Location | Montgomery, on 186 lakefront acres at Lake Conroe | Shenandoah, near Market Street and The Woodlands retail/entertainment |
| Size (rooms) | 335 guest suites (including 32 lakefront cottages) | 152 guestrooms |
| Ages | All ages; family-focused activities and kids' programming | All ages; not an adults-only property |
| Pools & water | Five outdoor pools, private sandy beach, Jolly Mon Water Park (lazy river, slides, splash pad, swim-up bar) | One outdoor pool |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site venues (LandShark Bar & Grill, License to Chill Bar & Café, Joe Merchant's, Lone Palm Pool Bar and others) | One on-site restaurant (Johnny's) plus a bar/lounge and room service (limited hours) |
| Spa & wellness | St. Somewhere Spa — 18,000 sq ft, 13 treatment rooms, hair and nail salon | Not published |
| Known for | Lakefront recreation, water park, family activities and on-site golf | Meeting space and proximity to The Woodlands amenities |
| Meetings & events | About 72,000 sq ft of meeting space, 20 meeting rooms, multiple ballrooms and outdoor venues | Conference space 7,770 sq ft with 7 meeting rooms |
| Airport access | Nearest major airport commonly cited as George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) ~33–46 miles | Preferred airport: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) ~36.9 km / 22.9 mi |
Margaritaville sits on 186 acres directly on Lake Conroe with a private sandy beach and lake-access activities.
Choose Margaritaville if being on the lake is central to your trip.
Crowne Plaza Shenandoah Woodlands Area sits in Shenandoah with quick drives to The Woodlands shopping, dining and entertainment.
Pick the Crowne Plaza for proximity to The Woodlands and straightforward access to regional businesses and venues.
Margaritaville is an all-suite property with a mix of suites and lake cottages designed for families and groups.
Rooms are designed for families and longer stays, with many large-suite and cottage options.
Crowne Plaza offers standard full-service hotel rooms and suites in a registered-brand layout.
Crowne Plaza provides conventional hotel rooms with accessible options suitable for business travelers and small groups.
Margaritaville offers several themed dining venues and pool bars spread across the property and lakeside.
Expect a variety of casual and island-inspired dining choices with lake views and poolside service.
Crowne Plaza has a single primary restaurant (Johnny's) plus a bar/lounge and limited room service hours.
Crowne Plaza covers essential dining needs with an on-site restaurant and bar, suitable for business and group stays.
Margaritaville centers around lake recreation, five pools and the Jolly Mon Water Park.
Water-based activities and multiple pool options are the resort’s primary draw.
Crowne Plaza offers a single outdoor pool and standard hotel recreation.
Crowne Plaza is functional for a quick swim or downtime but lacks the resort-scale water amenities.
Margaritaville pairs a large spa with fitness classes and on-site evening entertainment.
Expect spa services, scheduled fitness and on-site entertainment geared to resort guests.
Crowne Plaza focuses on fitness and practical services more than a large spa or nightlife program.
Crowne Plaza covers essential wellness needs and gives easy access to The Woodlands nightlife if you want off-property options.

Margaritaville — water park, children's pool, private beach, arcade and supervised kids' activities.

Crowne Plaza — a recognizable IHG brand with 7 meeting rooms and 7,770 sq ft of conference space in a centralized location near The Woodlands.

Margaritaville — St. Somewhere Spa (18,000 sq ft, 13 treatment rooms) and multiple wellness options on property.

Crowne Plaza — short drive to Market Street, Woodlands Mall and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion; complimentary area shuttle.
Margaritaville is designed for families with a multi-acre water park, children's pool, private beach, arcade and supervised kids' activities; Crowne Plaza is a standard full-service hotel without those resort-scale family amenities.
Crowne Plaza Shenandoah Woodlands Area offers focused conference facilities appropriate for business groups; Margaritaville also has extensive meeting space but is more recreation-oriented, which may matter for attendee expectations.
Not published — the supplier listing does not show a full-service spa at Crowne Plaza Shenandoah Woodlands Area, while Margaritaville lists the St. Somewhere Spa with 13 treatment rooms.
No — Crowne Plaza is not lakefront. For lakeside boat rentals, paddleboarding and a beach, choose Margaritaville at Lake Conroe.
Explore how Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe/Houston stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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