Ed Neuhaus 
I get asked about this comparison constantly. Both communities are luxury golf properties west of Austin. Both have beautiful homes and excellent golf. But here’s the thing: they’re completely different buying experiences.
I’ve sold in both for over 15 years. I live in Bee Cave, about 5 minutes from Spanish Oaks. I’ve walked clients through custom builds on hilltop lots overlooking the Hill Country, and I’ve shown 20-year-old estates in Barton Creek with mature trees and established neighborhoods. Different buyers are drawn to different things.
So lets walk through what actually matters when you’re choosing between them.
Golf: Four Courses vs One Perfect Course
Barton Creek gives you options. Four championship courses designed by some of the biggest names in golf architecture: Tom Fazio did both the Foothills and Canyons courses, Arnold Palmer designed Lakeside, and you’ve got the Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore collaboration on Cliffside.
If you like variety, that’s your answer right there. Different challenges, different terrain, different moods depending on what you want that day.
Spanish Oaks went the opposite direction. One Bobby Weed course. That’s it. But here’s what they did right: they capped membership at 450 people. Golfweek ranks it #3 in Texas. You’re not fighting for tee times, you’re not dodging resort guests, and the conditioning is pristine because the play volume is intentionally limited.
The Barton Creek courses are tied to the Omni resort, which means resort guests can play. That brings more people onto the course, but it also means you’ve got full resort amenities. Spa, multiple restaurants, tennis, pools, kids camps, events. It’s a much larger social ecosystem.
Which one’s better? Depends what you value. If you want one exceptional course with low member density, Spanish Oaks wins. If you want four different courses and a full resort experience, Barton Creek wins.
Membership: Open vs Invitation-Only
Barton Creek membership is tiered through the Omni. Golf, social, spa, fitness. You can choose your level, and the entry cost is lower than Spanish Oaks. It’s a more accessible membership structure, and the community is larger.
Spanish Oaks is invitation-only. You need a sponsor. Initiation fees run $100,000 to $200,000 depending on timing, plus monthly dues. No corporate memberships. They’re serious about the 450-member cap.
This isn’t just about money. It’s about what kind of community you want to be part of. Spanish Oaks is deliberately intimate. Barton Creek is more social, more events, more people. Neither is wrong. They’re just different.
Homes: Decades of Inventory vs Custom Hillside Enclave
Barton Creek has been around for decades. You’ve got multiple neighborhoods, multiple builders, homes from the 1990s to brand new construction. Prices run from around $700,000 on the lower end to well over $5 million for estate properties.
More inventory means more negotiating room. You’re not competing with two other buyers for the one listing on the market. There’s usually something available.
Spanish Oaks is newer and tighter. Homes typically start around $1.4 million. Newer custom builds are regularly $3 million and up. The hillside enclave lots can push $5 million depending on views and finishes.
Everything in Spanish Oaks is custom. No production floor plans. And inventory is thin. On any given week, you might see 5 to 10 listings on the MLS. A lot of sales happen off-market through relationships and word of mouth.
If you want options and the ability to compare properties side by side, Barton Creek gives you that. If you want a custom home on a hillside lot with views of the Hill Country and you’re comfortable with limited inventory, Spanish Oaks is where you should be looking.
Location: Urban-Adjacent vs Hill Country Feel
Barton Creek is about 10 to 15 miles west of downtown Austin, right off Loop 360. You’re close to the city. Whole Foods, shopping, restaurants, easy access to MoPac and downtown. It’s luxury living with urban convenience.
Spanish Oaks is 18 miles out, near Bee Cave off Highway 71. You’re deeper into the Hill Country. The Galleria is 5 minutes away for shopping, but the vibe is more removed, more secluded. You feel further from Austin even though it’s only a few extra miles.
This matters more than people think. If you’re commuting downtown regularly, Barton Creek makes more sense. If you work from home or don’t mind the drive and you want that Hill Country retreat feeling, Spanish Oaks delivers it.
Amenities: Full Resort vs Intimate Clubhouse
Barton Creek is tied to a full Omni resort. Spa, multiple dining venues, tennis, pools, fitness center, kids camps, events. If you’ve got family visiting, you’ve got options. If you like a busy social calendar, it’s all built in.
Spanish Oaks has the Hacienda clubhouse with chef-driven dining (seating capacity around 50-60), tennis, pool, fitness, fishing ponds, hiking trails. It’s intimate by design. The amenities are excellent, but the scale is intentionally smaller.
I’ve had clients who love the energy of Barton Creek. I’ve had others who specifically chose Spanish Oaks because they wanted a quieter, more private club experience. Neither is better. It depends what you want.
Taxes: This One Actually Matters
Spanish Oaks is in Bee Cave. The city tax rate is $0.02 per $100 of assessed value. That’s absurdly low.
Barton Creek is split. Some addresses fall under Austin’s tax rate, which is $0.44 per $100 or higher. Other sections fall under lower county rates depending on the specific address.
On a $2 million home, that difference can be $8,000+ per year. I’m not saying taxes should be the deciding factor, but you need to know what you’re walking into. Check the actual tax rate for the specific property you’re considering. Don’t assume.
Schools: Both Excellent, Different Districts
Barton Creek feeds primarily into Eanes ISD. A+ rating, consistently ranked #1 in the Austin area. If schools are a priority, Eanes is hard to beat.
Spanish Oaks is in Lake Travis ISD. A- rating, ranked #3 in the area. Still excellent. Slightly different vibe, slightly different test scores, but we’re splitting hairs at this level.
Both districts are highly regarded. Both will give your kids a strong education. The difference is marginal.
The Real Decision: What Kind of Buyer Are You
Here’s how I usually frame it for clients.
You’re probably a Barton Creek buyer if:
- You want variety in your golf (four courses beats one)
- You like a larger social community with more events
- You want full resort amenities at your fingertips
- You’re looking for more inventory and negotiating leverage
- You prefer being closer to central Austin
- You want a more accessible membership structure
You’re probably a Spanish Oaks buyer if:
- You value one exceptional course over variety
- You want low member density and no resort guests
- You prefer an intimate, invitation-only club atmosphere
- You’re looking for newer custom construction on hillside lots
- You like the deeper Hill Country feel
- You’re comfortable with limited inventory and higher price points
- You want those ultra-low Bee Cave tax rates
Neither one is the “right” choice. I’ve sold homes in both communities to people who absolutely loved their decision. But they were different people looking for different things.
What I Tell Clients
When I’m walking a buyer through this decision, I usually say: go play both courses. Have dinner at both clubhouses. Walk the neighborhoods. Talk to members if you can.
The amenities and specs are easy to compare on paper. The feel is harder to quantify. Some people walk into Spanish Oaks and immediately know it’s their place. Others prefer the energy and variety of Barton Creek.
I’ve lived in this market long enough to know that the “best” community is whichever one fits your lifestyle, your golf preferences, your social style, and your budget. Not what some ranking or article tells you.
Both are exceptional properties. Both have strong resale value. Both have happy members who chose them for good reasons.
The question isn’t which one is better. The question is which one is better for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to explore either community? I’ve been selling homes in both Barton Creek and Spanish Oaks for over 15 years. I know the inventory, the builders, the neighborhoods, and the membership process. Reach out and we can walk through which one makes sense for your situation.
