The Retreat at Artesian Lakes (formerly Chain-O-Lakes Resort & Conference Center) is a corporate retreat facility designed, built and operated to support learning. Whether working with a start-up company or a Fortune 500 conglomerate, it offers the complete combination of setting, amenities and programs to ensure the success of corporate meetings, seminars, workshops and planning retreats.
We are located approximately 60 miles northeast of downtown Houston off Highway 59, Cleveland Exit, on the edge of the Texas Big Thicket.
Quietly nestled in over 500 acres of East Texas pines and surrounded by inter-connected Artesian water lakes, the conference center provides the solitude and communion with nature key to opening the mind and heart to growth experiences and relationship building.
Complete Meeting Packages
- Lodging in authentic log cabins or executive private homes overlooking lakes or in log suites set in a pine grove
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Hilltop Restaurant
- Meeting Room with basic A/V Package
- Morning & Afternoon Snack Breaks and Continuous Beverage Service
- Evening Hospitality Suite set up with games
Day Meetings
- Up to three meals per day at Hilltop Restaurant
- Morning & Afternoon Snack Breaks and Continuous Beverage Service
- Meeting Room with AV Package
See our Meeting Rooms
Challenge Course
- Use of the course for four or eight hours
- Snack breaks delivered to course
- Boxed lunch delivered to course or Lunch at Hilltop Restaurant
Find out more about our Challenge Course.
Facilitation Services
Our founder, Dr. James D. (Jimmy) Smith, Jr., is the principal facilitator of the Leadership and Team Development Group (LTD Group), a consulting company specializing in the design and facilitation of activity based, or experiential, learning moralities to augment classroom content, cultural alignment or team building initiatives, leadership and strategic planning retreats.
Accommodations
Authentic log cabins overlooking lakes in four different floor plans providing a variety of options for Single or Double Occupancy. These units feature king or queen-size beds, fireplaces, antiques, fully-equipped kitchens, and porch swings.
Log Suites. These five units are located in a secluded pine grove within walking distance of Swim Lake and the swimming pool and feature two bedrooms (one king and one queen bed); two full bathrooms (one with Jacuzzi tub), a dining area, fully-equipped kitchen and covered patio.
Private Homes. These beautiful log homes are located in the gated second-home community adjacent to the resort (¼ to ½ a mile from the meeting rooms and restaurant), and offer magnificent lake views. Each house is unique but they all feature at least three bedrooms/bathrooms; living areas with fireplaces, TV sets with cable; and internet connections; fully-equipped kitchens; and expansive outdoor decks. Rental fees for these properties range between $400 and $800 exclusive of Meeting Package.
Dining
Executive Chef Jim Condra’s corporate menus are influenced by the fresh herbs grown in the adjacent garden and are carefully planned, prepared and served to complement the overall retreat experience.
A conference services coordinator works closely with each group to ensure all the participants’ dietary requirements, as well as any special requests, are addressed.
Hilltop also offers a selection of domestic and imported beers, a variety of wines and its signature Lime Tarragon Margaritas.
Themed dinners, herb garden tours, and team-building cooking demonstrations are also available.
Snack breaks are served outside each meeting room daily at mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Beverage service is provided continuously.
Meeting Spaces
We offer several meeting rooms in a variety of sizes—ranging from a cozy conference room setting for small groups to a larger room with capacity for up to 100 guests.
All meeting rooms are equipped with wireless, high-speed internet access, basic A/V equipment, “tack-friendly” walls and adjacent snack bars.
In addition, many groups turn our decks and gazebos into outdoor classrooms.
Our ropes course includes a spacious gazebo for conducting debriefing sessions.
Experiential Learning
Rated among the best in Texas, our course provides a carefully sequenced series of outdoor problem-solving challenges and obstacles that use assorted props, trees, ropes, cable and height to provide physical metaphors for situations simulating the corporate environment.
Evening Hospitality
Suite
Complete Meeting Packages include a Hospitality Suite every evening. A spacious or intimate gathering spot, depending on the group’s preference and size, these feature board games, billiards, ping-pong, karaoke, Foosball, TV/DVD. Bars, with or without bartenders, are available at additional cost.
Free Time Activities
- Beach Party at Swim Lake / Swimming Pool Area
- Boating
- Cooking Classes
- Fishing
- Hayride and Campfire with S’mores
- Herb Garden Tours
- Massage Therapy
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Bike Riding
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Bird Watching
- Star Gazing
Call (832) 397-4008
Contact our Groups Coordinator for a quote or tour of our facility
