Torn between weekends on the water and mornings on the fairway? If you are choosing between Rough Hollow and The Hills near Lake Travis, the right fit comes down to what you want every day to look like. You might be picturing boat days, lakeside dining, and a resort vibe. Or you may want private‑club golf, racquets, and a full social calendar within a gated community. In this guide, you will compare amenities, HOA and club costs, housing styles, and the key checks to make before you buy. Let’s dive in.
Rough Hollow: lake‑first living
If you want to live around the marina and plan most weekends on Lake Travis, Rough Hollow puts the water at your doorstep. The community’s centerpiece is the Rough Hollow Yacht Club & Marina with more than 294 boat and jet‑ski slips, a fuel dock, a ship store, and two trams down to the docks. You also get member facilities for day‑to‑day convenience. You can review offerings on the marina site and confirm slip programs directly through the Rough Hollow Yacht Club. Explore marina details.
Highland Village, Rough Hollow’s resort‑style amenity center, layers on daily fun beyond the lake. You will find multiple pools, a lazy river, splash pad, sports courts, a soccer field, a dog park, an amphitheater, and miles of trails. An on‑site activities director coordinates community programming so your calendar stays full. See community amenities.
Freedom Boat Club and other third‑party services operate at or near the marina, which is useful if you want lake access without owning a boat. Availability and membership terms vary, so plan to verify options through the marina office.
Who Rough Hollow fits
- Lake‑first buyers who want reliable, easy access to Lake Travis
- Households who value resort amenities, trails, and community events
- Buyers seeking a range of home types including lock‑and‑leave villas and waterfront estates
The Hills: club‑ and golf‑first life
If you want private‑club golf and a gated, club‑centric lifestyle, The Hills places everything inside the neighborhood. Members access roughly 72 holes across multiple courses in the Lakeway and Hills complex, including a Jack Nicklaus Signature layout, with robust practice facilities and instruction programs. Review The Hills Country Club. For a third‑party course snapshot of the Signature course, you can also check Golf Digest’s profile.
The club’s lifestyle goes well beyond golf. The World of Tennis complex, aquatics, fitness and wellness, and multiple dining venues create an active year‑round scene. Membership is separate from the POA and is offered in tiers, and pricing is typically shared on request. See membership overview.
The Hills is a gated community with local governance through the Village of The Hills and its POA framework. Security, common areas, and neighborhood rules are managed locally. For municipal context, visit the Village of The Hills site.
Who The Hills fits
- Golfers and racquets enthusiasts who want private‑club access close to home
- Buyers who value a gated setting with clubhouse dining and social events
- Households who prioritize club programming and wellness facilities over immediate lake access
Lake vs. golf access: how daily life differs
Both areas are close to the water and local clubs, yet the day‑to‑day feel diverges.
- Rough Hollow gives you immediate lake access through the on‑site marina, plus family‑friendly pools and trails. If boating, paddleboarding, and lakeside dining are at the top of your list, living here keeps that lifestyle close. Check marina services and membership.
- The Hills delivers a private‑club experience inside the gate: courses, practice facilities, leagues, clinics, and a rolling social calendar. If golf and club life are your first priority, this is the in‑neighborhood option. See club amenities.
Many buyers want both. It is common to live in one community and join a golf club or marina program elsewhere. Treat each as a separate membership with its own costs and rules.
HOA, POA, and recurring costs
Understanding how each community structures fees will help you compare apples to apples.
Rough Hollow costs and structure
Rough Hollow operates with a master association and multiple sub‑associations managed by FirstService Residential. Dues vary by sub‑neighborhood and product type, which means there is no single “Rough Hollow fee.” Always confirm the exact assessment amount, frequency, and inclusions on the seller’s HOA disclosure and the community documents. Visit the Rough Hollow HOA site.
The marina and yacht club are separate from the HOA. Slip rentals, services, and any member programs come with their own fees and possible waitlists, managed by the marina. Contact the Yacht Club & Marina.
Representative listing data show a wide range of HOA assessments across Rough Hollow sections. Use current MLS comps for an accurate, home‑specific picture at the time you buy.
The Hills costs and structure
The Hills sits within an incorporated municipality with a POA that handles common areas and security. The Hills Country Club is a separate private organization, and club dues are not part of the POA assessments. Learn about club membership.
As with Rough Hollow, HOA or POA fees vary by property type and subsection. Some areas bill semi‑annually and condos may have monthly dues. Confirm the exact amount, billing cycle, and coverage in the HOA/POA documents for the specific property you are considering.
Housing and pricing at a glance
Both communities offer a mix of homes, but the emphasis differs.
Rough Hollow homes
- Product mix: lock‑and‑leave townhomes and villas, production single‑family homes, semi‑custom enclaves, and waterfront or custom estates on premium lots. New construction and resale custom properties sit within the broader master plan.
- Pricing signals: neighborhood medians for current listings often fall around roughly $700,000 to $900,000, with waterfront and custom estates trading well above that. Always validate with current MLS comps for your specific section.
The Hills homes
- Product mix: gated single‑family estates and custom homes plus smaller pockets of townhomes and condos, often oriented to course or Hill Country views.
- Pricing signals: neighborhood listing medians commonly run around the $900,000 to $1.1M range, with custom estates commanding higher premiums. Confirm current values with up‑to‑date MLS comps by product type.
Schools and daily logistics
Both Rough Hollow and The Hills are served by Lake Travis Independent School District. Many addresses in these communities map to Rough Hollow Elementary as well as Lake Travis Middle and High, though you should confirm zoning for a specific property. For district context and resources, visit the LTISD site.
Commute times and daily errands vary by section. When you tour, time your typical trips to groceries, healthcare, and work so you can compare how each location fits your routine.
Buyer checklist: verify before you write an offer
Use this quick checklist to reduce surprises and keep your purchase on track.
- HOA/POA disclosures: Confirm the exact assessment amount, billing frequency, and what is covered. Review recorded CCRs, community manuals, and any resale certificates. Rough Hollow publishes resident documents and forms. Access Rough Hollow HOA documents.
- Marina details (Rough Hollow buyers): Ask about slip availability, size limits, waitlists, fee schedules, transfer rules, insurance requirements, fuel dock hours, and guest policies. Contact the Rough Hollow Yacht Club & Marina.
- Club membership (The Hills buyers): Verify whether membership is optional or required, membership categories, initiation fees, monthly dues, and any resident discounts or food and beverage minimums. Pricing is typically shared on request. Start with the club’s membership page.
- Security and gates: Review gate hours, guest procedures, and any fob or amenity access policies. Rough Hollow owners can reference published community manuals. See Rough Hollow community resources.
- Architectural controls: Check set‑backs, pool and landscape rules, exterior finish restrictions, and ACC approval timelines. Rough Hollow publishes ACC forms online. View ACC forms.
- Short‑term rental rules: Many master‑planned communities limit STRs. Read the CCRs and community manual for the property you are evaluating. Review Rough Hollow’s community manual.
- Insurance and flood risk: Lakeside properties can carry different insurance needs. Get quotes early and review any flood considerations using official maps and your insurance advisor.
- Schools and zoning: Confirm the exact attendance zone with LTISD for the property. Check LTISD resources.
- Disclosures and resale certificates: Request a complete seller HOA/POA disclosure package early in your option period. Rough Hollow disclosure example resource.
Which one is right for you?
Choose Rough Hollow if your days revolve around the water and you want a resort‑style neighborhood with a large marina, pools, trails, and regular community programming. It is ideal if you plan to use Lake Travis weekly and want on‑site lakeside conveniences.
Choose The Hills if you want to step out your door to a private‑club lifestyle that centers on golf, racquets, fitness, and a robust social calendar within a gated setting. It is a great fit if golf days and clubhouse dining are part of your weekly routine.
If you want a bit of both, that is common here. Many buyers live in one community while joining a nearby club or marina. Your decision may come down to which lifestyle you want at your doorstep most days, then layering in the other through a separate membership.
Ready to explore homes, compare fees, and map commute times side by side? Lean on a local, hospitality‑driven team to arrange tours, introduce you to the marina and club membership offices, and pull tight comps by section. Start a conversation with VIBE Real Estate Group to find the right fit.
FAQs
What are the main differences between Rough Hollow and The Hills?
- Rough Hollow centers on Lake Travis access with a large marina and resort amenities, while The Hills centers on private‑club golf, racquets, and gated, club‑focused living.
Is club membership included with homes in The Hills?
- No. The Hills Country Club membership is separate from the POA, offered in tiers, and priced on request through the club, so you should verify options and costs directly.
Do Rough Hollow HOA fees include marina access or a boat slip?
- No. The marina and yacht club are operated separately, with their own slip programs, fees, and possible waitlists that you arrange through the marina office.
How much are HOA or POA fees in each community?
- Fees vary by product type and subsection in both areas. Use the seller’s HOA/POA disclosures and current MLS comps to confirm the exact amount, billing cycle, and coverage.
Which schools serve Rough Hollow and The Hills?
- Both communities are within Lake Travis ISD. Many addresses map to Rough Hollow Elementary, Lake Travis Middle, and Lake Travis High, though you should confirm zoning for a specific address with LTISD.
Can I live in one community and still join a nearby club or marina?
- Yes. Many residents combine memberships, such as living in Rough Hollow for lake access while joining a private golf club, or living in The Hills and arranging a marina program separately.
