Brookdale Westlake Hills: Comprehensive Review

brookdale westlake hills austin texas

Overview

Brookdale Westlake Hills is a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) located at 1034 Liberty Park Drive in Austin, Texas. Operated by Brookdale Senior Living, a company with over 47 years of experience managing 627 communities nationwide, this facility offers multiple levels of care on one campus, allowing residents to transition between care levels as needs change while remaining in the same community.

Situated in the heart of Austin with views of downtown, the community provides a serene residential setting while maintaining proximity to urban amenities and natural attractions. It’s conveniently located near Treemont Park and the Zilker Botanical Garden, offering residents easy access to outdoor recreation opportunities.

Types of Services Offered

Independent Living

Brookdale Westlake Hills offers independent living services for active seniors seeking a maintenance-free lifestyle:

  • Private apartments with multiple floor plans
  • Freedom from home maintenance, housekeeping, and laundry
  • Community amenities and social activities
  • Two meals provided daily
  • Transportation services for outings and appointments

Assisted Living

For residents requiring assistance with daily activities, personalized care includes:

  • 24-hour emergency response system
  • Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)
  • Medication management
  • Regular health screenings
  • Three meals daily plus snacks
  • Weekly housekeeping and personal laundry

Skilled Nursing

The skilled nursing facility provides 24-hour medical supervision and care:

  • Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
  • Post-hospital recovery care
  • Pain management
  • Wound care
  • IV therapy
  • Care for residents with chronic conditions

One resident who received skilled nursing care noted: “The physical and occupational therapy was excellent. The doctors and physician assistants were also excellent and arranged to have additional testing that I needed. I didn’t have to go visit some place for X-rays. They brought the X-ray people to me, so it was very convenient.”

Accommodations and Pricing

Room Options

  • Studio apartments
  • One-bedroom apartments
  • Two-bedroom apartments
  • Private and semi-private rooms in the skilled nursing facility

Pricing Structure

According to multiple sources, pricing at Brookdale Westlake Hills varies by level of care:

Independent Living:

  • Starting at approximately $6,580 per month (as of July 2025)

Assisted Living:

  • Starting at approximately $8,105 per month (as of July 2025)
  • Caring.com lists a starting price of $5,805

Skilled Nursing:

  • Varies based on care needs
  • FamilyAssets lists prices ranging from $4,995-$7,011

These prices are generally higher than the Austin area average of $4,250-$4,727 for comparable care. Costs typically include housing, utilities, housekeeping, scheduled transportation, dining, and activities.

Amenities and Features

Facility Amenities

Brookdale Westlake Hills offers an impressive array of amenities:

Outdoor Spaces:

  • Outdoor heated swimming pool and whirlpool
  • Landscaped grounds with walking paths
  • Courtyard and garden areas
  • Porch and patio spaces

Recreation Areas:

  • Fitness center
  • Arts & crafts studio
  • Library
  • Billiards room
  • Gardening/greenhouse
  • Beauty salon/barber shop
  • Game room

Common Areas:

  • Spacious lobby with vaulted ceilings
  • Fireside living room
  • Private dining room
  • Meeting rooms
  • Community room (rental space)
  • Business centers with computers

One visitor described: “It felt like you were in a resort. Their dining was served restaurant-style. There is a pool and a hot tub outside. They had some gardening, which was a cool feature for people that wanted to do that outside.”

Dining Services

The community emphasizes quality dining experiences:

  • Restaurant-style dining with professional service
  • Chef-prepared meals with seasonal menus
  • All-day dining options
  • Special dietary accommodations
  • Private dining room for special occasions
  • Executive chef trained under French and Caribbean chefs

Daily Activities and Programs

Brookdale Westlake Hills offers a diverse calendar of activities:

Physical Activities

  • Swimming in the outdoor heated pool
  • Fitness programs in the dedicated fitness center
  • Chair tai chi
  • Walking clubs
  • Range-of-motion exercises

Social and Recreational Activities

  • Card games and board games
  • Billiards
  • Arts and crafts sessions
  • Live music performances
  • Social gatherings and happy hours
  • Holiday celebrations
  • Movie nights
  • Gardening Society
  • Veterans Club

Community Outings

  • Shopping trips to local stores and boutiques
  • Restaurant outings
  • Cultural excursions
  • Day trips to Austin attractions

One resident commented: “It sounded like they did a lot of activities where they would take them places and then also bring speakers in and have things in on their campus for people to do.”

Resident Experience and Testimonials

Brookdale Westlake Hills has received generally positive feedback:

Review Scores

  • A Place for Mom: 10/10 based on 50 reviews (76% 5-star ratings)
  • Caring.com: 4.5/5 based on 17 reviews
  • Seniorly: 9.9/10 proprietary rating

Positive Feedback

“My parents were residents of Brookdale Westlake Hills. They both shared a room there and were well taken care of. It was a very nice and clean facility with excellent food, nursing, and support services. The staff was very professional and friendly.”

Another resident shared: “Brookdale Westlake Hills is on the top of our list. It had beautiful grounds. The staff was very friendly. Everyone knew each other’s names… Their amenities were nice. It felt like you were in a resort.”

Areas for Improvement

Some reviews mention:

  • The high cost of services (value rated 3.4/5 on Caring.com)
  • As one resident noted: “You get what you pay for, and you have to pay a lot to get top quality. So, it’s expensive.”

Recognition and Awards

Brookdale Westlake Hills has received several recognitions:

  • “Best Meals and Dining” award
  • “Best of Senior Living” award
  • “Best of Senior Living All Star” award
  • “Best Activities” award
  • “Most Friendly” award

Comparison with Similar Facilities in Austin

When compared to other senior living communities in the Austin area:

The Village at The Triangle

  • Starting price: $5,300+ monthly
  • Located at 4517 Triangle Ave, Austin

Pavilion at Great Hills

  • Studio apartments starting at $4,595/month
  • One-bedroom apartments starting at $5,350/month
  • Located at 11819 Pavilion Blvd, Austin

Buckner Villas

  • More affordable starting price of $3,100+ monthly
  • 8.0/10 review score based on 24 reviews
  • Located at 11110 Tom Adams Dr, Austin

Distinctive Features of Brookdale Westlake Hills

  • CCRC model offering multiple levels of care on one campus
  • Outdoor heated swimming pool and whirlpool (uncommon in many senior communities)
  • Resort-style amenities and services
  • Higher staff-to-resident ratios in skilled nursing (4.2 hours daily per resident)

Conclusion

Brookdale Westlake Hills offers a comprehensive senior living experience with options spanning from independent living to skilled nursing care. The facility stands out for its resort-style amenities, continuum of care options, and strong reputation as evidenced by its numerous awards and positive reviews.

While pricing is higher than some alternatives in the Austin area, the extensive amenities, variety of care options, and quality of services justify the cost for many families seeking a community where their loved ones can age in place as care needs change.

For families considering Brookdale Westlake Hills, the combination of luxury amenities, comprehensive care options, and positive resident feedback makes it a worthy option to explore. The facility’s strengths are particularly notable in its dining services, activity programming, and the ability to transition between care levels without changing communities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. Q: Where is Brookdale Westlake Hills located and how do I arrange a tour?
    A: Brookdale Westlake Hills is at 1034 Liberty Park Drive, Austin, TX. To schedule a tour, contact the community’s admissions office by phone or through the Brookdale website inquiry form.
  2. Q: What levels of care are available on the Brookdale Westlake Hills campus?
    A: The community offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Skilled Nursing care-including short-term rehabilitation programs-allowing residents to move between levels as their needs change.
  3. Q: What is included in the monthly fees and how is pricing structured?
    A: Monthly fees cover housing, utilities, housekeeping, two or three meals daily (depending on care level), scheduled transportation, access to all amenities and activities, and personal care services appropriate to the chosen level. Exact rates vary by apartment size and care level.
  4. Q: What amenities and activities can residents enjoy?
    A: Amenities include an outdoor heated pool and whirlpool, fitness center, arts & crafts studio, library, salon, game rooms, private dining room, and landscaped walking paths. Activities range from fitness classes and social gatherings to cultural outings, gardening clubs, and holiday events.
  5. Q: What makes Brookdale Westlake Hills unique compared to other Austin communities?
    A: Its Continuing Care Retirement Community model offers seamless transitions across three care levels, resort-style amenities with downtown views, high staff-to-resident care ratios, and multiple awards for dining, activities, and friendliness.