
Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe/Houston
Best for families and water-based activities — multiple pools, a multi-acre water park, private sandy beach and on-site watersports.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe/Houston is a family-focused, lakefront resort with water parks, pools, beach access and island-themed dining — good for families and active-lake stays. The Woodlands Resort, Curio Collection is a full-service, wooded resort centered on golf, pools, meetings and family leisure — read this if you want a more traditional golf-and-pool resort close to The Woodlands shopping and entertainment.
Updated · about 20–25 miles apart (roughly a 30–40 minute drive depending on traffic)

Best for families and water-based activities — multiple pools, a multi-acre water park, private sandy beach and on-site watersports.

Best for golfers, groups and guests who want resort services near The Woodlands — on-site golf, extensive meeting space and multiple pools and dining options.
When Margaritaville Lake Resort wins: Choose Margaritaville if your priority is lake access and family fun — the Jolly Mon Water Park, private beach, lakeside dining and boats/watersports put water days first.
When The Woodlands Resort wins: Choose The Woodlands Resort if you want a classic resort near The Woodlands town-center attractions, or if you need large meeting or event facilities and an on-site golf course in a wooded setting.
Bottom line: Both are full-service leisure resorts. Pick Margaritaville for lake-focused family recreation and beach-style dining; pick The Woodlands Resort for golf, meetings, more traditional resort pools and proximity to The Woodlands' shops and venues.
| Category | Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe/Houston | The Woodlands Resort, Curio Collection |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Tropical lakefront, family-first activities and entertainment | Wooded golf-and-pool resort with convention and group focus |
| Location | On Lake Conroe with private sandy beach and direct lake access | In The Woodlands (Panther Creek), near Market Street and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion |
| Size / rooms | 335 accommodations (303 suites + 32 lakefront cottages) across 186 acres | 402 guestrooms (listing); large resort footprint with extensive meeting space |
| Audience / ages | All ages; family-oriented with kids' activities and kids' pools | |
| Pools & water | Five outdoor pools, an 18+ infinity pool and the Jolly Mon Water Park (lazy river, slides, splash pad) | Multiple outdoor pools, a lazy river and waterpark access (surcharge noted) |
| Restaurants & bars | Several island-themed outlets (LandShark, License to Chill, Joe Merchant's, Lone Palm Pool Bar and more) | About 4 restaurants and 3 bars/lounges serving American and resort-style cuisine |
| Spa & fitness | St. Somewhere Spa (about 18,000 sq ft, 13 treatment rooms) and Fins Up Fitness Center | Fitness facilities and spa services available (full-service spa details not published in supplier listing) |
| Golf & tennis | On-site 18-hole Golf Club at Margaritaville plus driving range, tennis/pickleball | Golf course on site, golf lessons and extensive tennis (indoor/outdoor courts) |
| Meetings & events | Large conference space (around 72,000 sq ft) and multiple ballrooms and outdoor wedding sites | Conference center with 33 meeting rooms and large ballroom/event facilities |
| Nearby attractions | Lake Conroe activities, marinas, Sam Houston National Forest and seasonal local attractions | Market Street, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands Mall and Hughes Landing |
Margaritaville sits directly on Lake Conroe with a private sandy beach and immediate access to boating and watersports.
Pick Margaritaville when lake access and on-property water recreation matter most.
The Woodlands Resort is located in Panther Creek near Market Street and The Woodlands’ main attractions.
Choose The Woodlands Resort for easy access to The Woodlands’ shopping, dining and entertainment.
Margaritaville is an all-suite hotel offering a mix of lakefront cottages and multi-bed suites aimed at families.
Margaritaville is better if you want suite layouts or a private lake cottage for family stays.
The Woodlands Resort has a large room inventory (listed as 402 guestrooms) with standard full-service hotel rooms.
The Woodlands Resort suits guests who want traditional hotel rooms and convenient access to resort services.
Margaritaville focuses on island- and beach-inspired dining across lakefront restaurants and pool bars.
Margaritaville is the choice for lakeside meals, tropical cocktails and poolside casual dining.
The Woodlands Resort offers several restaurants and bars suited to breakfast, casual and evening dining.
The Woodlands Resort is a solid option for varied on-site dining and convenient food options for meetings and families.
Margaritaville’s standout amenity is its lakefront water offering — Jolly Mon Water Park plus multiple pools and a beach.
If a resort water park and private beach are priorities, Margaritaville delivers.
The Woodlands Resort features multiple outdoor pools, a lazy river and family pool amenities, plus access to other waterpark options (surcharge).
The Woodlands Resort suits guests who want classic resort pools, cabanas and a lazy river in a wooded setting.
Margaritaville provides a large, full-service spa and onsite fitness with family-friendly evening entertainment.
Margaritaville pairs a large spa and active-program calendar with family-minded evening options.
The Woodlands Resort offers fitness facilities, event programming and multiple dining/lounge options for evenings.
Choose The Woodlands Resort for spa/fitness access plus resort social spaces and event-driven nightlife.

Margaritaville — on-site water park, private beach, multiple pools, kids’ activities and watersports.

The Woodlands Resort — on-site golf course, driving range, indoor and outdoor tennis courts and lessons.

The Woodlands Resort — large conference center and 33 meeting rooms designed for groups.

Margaritaville — lakefront restaurants with boat slips, sunset dining and on-water wedding/venue options.
Margaritaville is the clearer family pick thanks to its multi-acre Jolly Mon Water Park, children's pools, private beach and supervised kids' activities.
The Woodlands Resort and Margaritaville both have golf, but The Woodlands Resort is better positioned for golfers who want easy access to The Woodlands and a traditional golf-resort experience.
Yes. Margaritaville has the large St. Somewhere Spa on property; The Woodlands Resort offers spa and fitness facilities (supplier listing confirms fitness and spa services but specific spa size/details are not published here).
Both resorts welcome families. Margaritaville explicitly markets family amenities and children's facilities; The Woodlands Resort is family-friendly as well.
Explore how Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe/Houston stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·