Just imagine: There’s a 900-plus-acre parcel of rolling countryside where majestic oak trees have stood sentinel for centuries alongside 17 lakes and ponds, cattle, horses and wildlife, in a quiet corner of Waller County just minutes northwest of Houston. As you drive in to escape for a long weekend, anticipation settles into relaxation and you give in to a big-sky kind of contentment. You enjoy an unhurried weekend with friends and family, fishing, hiking, golfing, riding horses and enjoying exceptional meals in rustic luxury. The bucolic setting and world-class hospitality leave you wanting for nothing. Except, maybe, more time.
For 500-plus member families, The Clubs at Houston Oaks is that welcoming escape, beckoning them to set aside the heavy burden of obligations and temper the hurried pace of modern life to enjoy recreation and sports activities together in a breathtaking setting. The property, owned by oil company Tenneco in the mid-1950s, was used as a family retreat and recreation facility and included an extensive underground bunker for maintaining and monitoring the company’s global gas operations during the Cold War era and Cuban Missile Crisis. In 2006, three couples partnered to purchase the land and began transforming it into the ultimate multi-faceted family sports club. Their vision for their private club and community continues to evolve and they are steadfast in their pursuit of creating a rustic yet luxurious, exclusive yet approachable destination for families and close friends to enjoy together.
The Clubs at Houston Oaks is comprised of eight ”clubs within the club:” golf, gun, tennis, fishing, equestrian, wellness, wine and social. Geared toward being a destination for all ages, the club’s members enjoy a world-class experience in each facet:
- Seven food and beverage outlets featuring club favorites and seasonal farm-to-table menus using the club’s own produce, which is harvested daily. Unlike many clubs, the clubhouse restaurant is open on Mondays to accommodate the frequent long-weekenders and is closed on Tuesdays.
- The 500-acre Equestrian Club with pristine pastures and a working ranch, home to more than 100 cattle, horses and other animals. Members can board their own horses, receive instruction and training, and enjoy riding the trails and exploring the property.
- Fish Camp, a quaint area featuring an expansive deck, retail shop and lighted dock and fishing pier, with 17 fully stocked lakes and ponds.
- The Gun Club offers a variety of shooting experiences for the entire family, including shooting clinics, junior lessons and archery. There are 16 traps with towers, a five-stand pavilion, an integrated wobble trap field and an archery range. The course can be tailored to challenge every skill level.
- Golf facilities include the 18-hole Chet Williams Signature championship golf course, recently named No. 2 in Texas by Dallas Morning News, a snack shop, fully-equipped pro shop, extensive training program and a nine-hole executive course with expansive short game practice area.
- A 24/7, fully equipped fitness center. The adult pool is adjacent to the spa and features a relaxing hot tub and resort-style ambience.
- A family pool complete with sandy beach on the clubhouse lake with access to a variety of watercraft.
- The Tennis Club offers six LED medium speed tennis courts and two pickleball courses, all lighted.
- Access to world-class luxury accommodations to suit the occasion.
LUXURY ACCOMMODATIONS
Members may reserve accommodations ranging from quaint cottages to upscale homes. Each features expansive living space, exceptional kitchens that can be fully stocked prior to arrival, and spacious great rooms designed to promote togetherness.The owners invested great care into every design decision, garnering influence from world-class accommodations around the globe. The goal is to provide comfort and stylish settings where members can create lasting memories, Texas-style.
“We aspire to offer first-class accommodations emulating the finest boutique hotel experiences. The property has been developed and designed from top to bottom with high-end touches and fabulous finishes. And our team delivers special experiences based upon a standard of service excellence that sets us apart. This is a warm, comfortable and rusticly refined club—every design detail, menu item, landscape feature, social event and member or employee interaction reflects the club’s dedication to fostering that magical environment,” said Bob Gusella, CCM, CCE, general manager and CEO.
LEGACY LODGE
Legacy and Founding Members of the club are eligible to reserve this 6,800-square-foot lodge with four main suites, each with a full bath and outdoor shower, two upstairs bunk rooms, a great room, open kitchen and a beautiful outdoor patio overlooking the property’s largest lake. The Legacy Lodge is an exceptional space to host family, a group of friends or even a wedding party. The designers matched
old-world charm with the latest technology to create this enchanted facility, which features beautiful antique décor from Europe and around the world, highlighted by a custom-made chandelier centered in the main living space. Legacy Lodge is the epitome of luxury at Houston Oaks.
COTTAGES
Whether they’re looking for a romantic getaway, a family weekend or an opportunity to escape the city for a while, members have access to four single-family cottages nestled under the oaks and surrounding the Legacy Lodge. The Azalea Cottage is a charming, luxurious and comfortable two bedroom, two bath cottage, while the Bougainvillea, Camellia and Dogwood cottages offer larger three bedroom, three bath configurations perfect for the whole family. Nothing says home away from home like an exquisite country cottage.
THE INN AT HOUSTON OAKS
The Inn provides a perfect option for the solo adventurer, the couple looking for a relaxing getaway or even the whole family. The Inn features 12 bedrooms, two of which are family suites with the capacity to sleep the parental couple along with up to four kids in the adjoining bunk room. The hotel’s large gathering area with TV lounge and billiards table, private conference room and computer station, and common kitchen and dining room area make this a popular lodging option for members who need a place to stay on a moment’s notice, as well as for corporate outings and large groups who plan their trips in advance.
RANCH HOUSE AND CABIN
The Ranch House and Ranch Cabin are located among the 500 acres of the club’s working ranch and are perfect for a weekend getaway with the family. Members can feed the animals, learn about the horses and enjoy all the Texas
Photo: Johnathan Ivy Photography
countryside has to offer. The house consists of four bedrooms and three full bathrooms with a large kitchen and game room for the kids. The cabin has two bedrooms and one bath, a fully equipped kitchen and beautiful views of the Ranch. Both offer casual and comfortable accommodations with a bit of a western flair.
TREE HOUSE
Built around a grand and sturdy century-old oak, with a wooden bridge and observation deck, the Tree House provides a place where kids can run and play and just be kids. Birthday parties, slumber parties and practice camping all happen at the Tree House on a regular basis. Although it was designed with kids in mind, the Tree House easily accommodates adult supervisors and features an elevated loft, running water and a half-bathroom. The Acorn Club focuses on programming for the younger family members at the club and provides families with unlimited fun-in-the-sun options via a multitude of programs and amenities inspired by the property’s natural beauty and the pursuit of an active lifestyle. In addition to the Tree House, kids can enjoy two playgrounds, a softball field, disk golf course, tennis courts, summer camps, pool fun and, of course, plenty of animals. Members are meant to feel like they are enjoying their second home and, by all accounts, are proud to share this special place with their friends and families. The genuine and unmistakably authentic Texas-style hospitality of the Clubs at Houston Oaks will inspire adventure and joyful experiences to last a lifetime.