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    The Need For Speed

    Road trip heaven: A Texas hotel gives guests a BMW for free when they check in

    Eric Sandler
    Aug 16, 2014 | 3:01 pm

    Summer road trip season may be racing toward an end, but one of Texas' most posh resorts wants to keep the fun going with an intriguing freebie.

    Head to the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa anytime between Aug. 27 and Oct. 26. While there, hotel guests can check out one of nine BMW models absolutely free. Drivers don't even pay for gas. Check a car out for three hours during the day or five hours in the evening for a "dinner drive."

    "The (hotel) is dedicated to offering our guests best in class amenities," general manager Arthur Coulombe says in a statement. "The BMW Resort Driving Tour provides them the opportunity to experience the beautiful Hill Country region in a luxurious automobile during their stay with us."

    No word from the hotel on whether guests are allowed to attempt to recreate the short film in which Clive Owen tosses a very spoiled Madonna around the back seat while hooning in an M5, but we assume that sort of, ahem, spirited driving is frowned upon.

    Still, these aren't stripped down 3-series with crank windows (do those even exist anymore?). Choices include two convertibles, the 650i coupe and the big body 750Li.

    Of course, when visitors aren't exploring the Hill County's famous scenic drives, the resort offers plenty of ways to relax. Try the six-acre waterpark, 36 holes of golf or full spa. The hotel is also about a half hour drive from downtown San Antonio, which is in the middle of major upswing in its dining scene.

    Rates start at $309 per night, and those booking a two-night stay will receive a $100 per night resort credit. That's a definite splurge for most people, but it does come with a few hours of seat time in a Beemer.

    Just resist the urge to go all Transporter.

    Sit by the fireplace when the weather cools this fall.

    JW Marriott San Antonio fireplace
    Photos courtesy of JW Marriott San Antonio
    Sit by the fireplace when the weather cools this fall.
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    lets go camping

    4 scenic Texas campgrounds named among America's best in 2026

    Amber Heckler
    Mar 10, 2026 | 12:15 pm
    Tropic Island Resort in Port Aransas, top campgrounds for glamping 2026
    Photo courtesy of Campspot
    Tropic Island Resort in Port Aransas is a must-visit destination in 2026.

    Four Texas campsites have been lauded among the best campgrounds in America, according to the 2026 Campspot Awards.

    The award-winning campgrounds are must-visit destinations that "turn a simple getaway into an unforgettable adventure," and are chosen based on a thorough review of over 3 million data points spanning guest ratings, reservation data, park features, and the quality of their Campspot Marketplace listing pages.

    "The 2026 Campspot Awards highlight the best campgrounds across North America, recognized for their amazing locations, outstanding amenities, and unforgettable experiences," the report said. "Whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation, these winning destinations set the standard for exceptional camping."

    One coastal Texas campground, Tropic Island Resort in Port Aransas, was named to the top campgrounds for glamping nationwide.

    Tropic Island Resort is located about 200 miles from Houston in the heart of Port Aransas, and is just a short drive away from the beach, local restaurants, and shops. There are more than 170 different sites for visitors, such as fully furnished cottages, apartments, hotel rooms, and back-in and pull-thru RV sites.

    Tropic Island Resort in Port Aransas, top campgrounds for glamping 2026 Rates at Tropic Island resort begin at $35 per night for back-in RV sites.Photo courtesy of Campspot

    This isn't the first time Tropic Island Resort has earned acclaim in the annual Campspot Awards; it was dubbed one of the best campgrounds for national park lovers in 2023.

    Other award-winning Texas campgrounds
    The Vineyards Campground & Cabins
    in Grapevine, a Dallas-Fort Worth suburb 270 miles from Houston, was named as one of the top campgrounds in U.S. and one of the best campgrounds for RVs.

    The Vineyards is situated along Grapevine Lake, mere minutes from all of the wineries and shops on Historic Main Street in downtown Grapevine. The campground boasts national recognition for its "serene ambiance, scenic landscapes, lakeside panoramas, and attentive staff."

    "After check-in, treat the kids to the playground or don your swimsuit and head to the private sandy beach for a day by the water," the campsite's profile said.

    For Texans searching for a one-of-a-kind camping adventures in the Hill Country, Campspot provides two options: Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country in New Braunfels, a suburb outside San Antonio, and Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Fredericksburg.

    Like The Vineyards, Camp Fimfo earned a new distinction as one of the best campgrounds in the U.S. for 2026, and the Fredericksburg resort was also included in Campspot's list of the top campgrounds for RVs.

    campgroundscampspotawardsgrapevinevacationstravelnew braunfelshill countryfredericksburgport aransas
    news/travel

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