Weekend Getaway: The Hideout on the Horseshoe, New Braunfels

Hometown: New Braunfels

Filed Under: Why only float the river, when you can sleep there, too?

Awesome: Eighteen-cabin resort located just steps from the scenic Guadalupe River and mere miles from historic Gruene, Texas, providing you and your tubing companions a comfortable, luxurious headquarters from which to launch a memorable weekend of floating and post-floating merriment

Appreciate: The ability to make an entire weekend out of what would otherwise be a day-trip to float the river. Tubing is usually a guaranteed good time with your friends. But the reality is, you'll be cooked by the end of the day. Rather than sit in a wet bathing suit in a hot car for a long ride home, retire instead to the well-appointed confines of your very own cabin at The Hideout, overlooking the cool green river from which you just emerged. Enjoy a hot shower, hill country and water views from your very own porch, a cold one pulled from a full-sized fridge, and just a few steps back out to the river in case you want to start the day all over again

Know: The Hideout is located on the downriver end of what's called the Horseshoe Loop, which is a u-shaped jaunt of The Guadalupe River north of New Braunfels and just east of Canyon Lake. Because it's outside the city limits, this stretch of river is not subject to the stricter new imbibement rules that apply to tubing further downstream. Just up and across the river from The Hideout is Whitewater Sports, where you can rent all the tubes you need and tailor just the right river trip to suit your style. And on the same property as Whitewater Sports is the Whitewater Amphitheater, where throughout the summer musical acts like like Willie Nelson, Reckless Kelly, and Ghostland Observatory perform riverside under the night sky. Is there a more perfect day than floating the river, napping in your cozy cabin, then listening to Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain while eating a Hat Creek burger (which are sold on site)? No. No, there is not. But be warned: if you want to stay at The Hideout as part of your concert plans, book early, as with only 18 cabins, they sell out quick for the summer

Special Comments: There is, of course, much more to do from your home base at The Hideout than float the river and listen to live music. Natural Bridge Caverns are nearby, as is the historic town of Gruene--where you can eat, shop, and hear even more live music. And if you are a total water rat, Schlitterbahn Waterpark is also just down the road from The Hideout, and will have you shaking water from your ears for days

Cost: In-season, weekend rates start at $299 per night for a standard cabin, and range to $369 for the luxury loft (sleeps 6 people), and $529 for a 3-bedroom (sleeps 8). Two-night minimum applies

See it: Here (*Caution: website plays automatic audio)

(Guy's) Weekend Getaway: Picosa Ranch Resort, Floresville

Hometown: Floresville

Filed Under: It's like Disneyland and Las Vegas got together and made a baby Texas ranch playland.

Awesome: Working South Texas ranch (near San Antonio) that doubles as a working South Texas luxury resort. Ideal for a reunion weekend with just the guys, or as a family spot if your buddies have other plans, or as an intimate retreat for couples if you have no family, or even if you have a family but need to get away from the kids. You get the point: Picosa Ranch Resort is a little of everything, for everyone, depending on the occasion  

Appreciate: That you'll be exhausted (in a good way) at the end of each day.  Available activities include riding ATV's; skeet or wobble trap shooting; fishing in any of the 8 stocked ponds; hunting; horseback riding; swimming in the pool (with swim up bar, and flat screen tv's); archery; tossing horseshoes or shooting pool or shuffling on the shuffleboard; tennis; volleyball; or sitting around the fire pit looking up "what is wobble trap shooting" on your iPad. You'll need energy for all of these activities, which is why they have a gourmet chef available to prepare meals for you. And if you're overwhelmed by all of these options, and just want to do nothing, you're sure to find a rocking chair somewhere. It's just a rocking chair kind of environment

Know: Picosa Ranch Resort has two separate accommodation areas (it's a big place): a main ranch house called The Oaks, and a newer, converted barn area called The South Range Lodge (pictured above). The South Range Lodge is probably best for a guy's weekend. For the ultimate luxury, or if you have a large group, consider renting the entire ranch. If you do, you'll have access to a private airstrip located on the property, free range of the entire 2,500 acres, and 24-hour concierge & food and beverage service. You'll also be shuttled about (if you go anywhere) in a Bentley Continental Flying Spur, or an Escalade if you have an entourage

Special Comments: Picosa Ranch is the former private ranch of past Texas Governor John Connally, who served as Secretary of the Navy under President Kennedy, and as Treasury Secretary for President Nixon. The Ranch therefore has a rich history of past visits by world leaders, celebrities, and other dignitaries. You'll have something on them, though: there were no outdoor 60" flat screen tv's by the pool back then

Cost: Varies depending on the nature of your stay; call for details, or complete a quote request using their online form

See it: Here.

Weekend Getaway: Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin

 

Hometown: Austin

Filed Under: Soul.

Awesome: Stylish, comfortable, quiet boutique hotel in the most entertaining district of the live music capital of the world, Austin, Texas. Its name honors the patron saint of music and poetry, and it just so happens that "poetic" is how you will describe your stay there

Appreciate: To say every room is well-appointed is an understatement. In addition to "insane" (their words, not ours) mini-bars, Anichini towels, Rivolta Carmignani sheets, and turntables (classic vinyl records can be found in the hotel library), every room features Geneva sound systems (!) and Hästens handmade beds, all the way from Köping, Sweden. The Hotel Saint Cecilia is apparently the only hotel in North America with these remarkable beds in its rooms

Know: Hotel Saint Cecilia is dog-friendly, and bikes are available to guests for exploring the always-lively and always-rewarding South Congress shopping district 

Special Comments: If it's all booked, consider staying at the nearby Hotel San Jose, a product of the same talented folks behind the Saint Cecilia. Even if you score a room at the Saint Cecilia, visit the San Jose anyway for evening drinks in the courtyard

Cost: Rates start at $400 for a studio; in the $5's for a poolside; and north of $600 for a suite

See it: Here.

Weekend Getaway: Upstairs at the Mansion, Terlingua

*EDITOR'S NOTE, MAY 2012: We regret to share that as of May, 2012, Upstairs at the Mansion is closed indefinitely for reorganization and renovation. We will update our visit to Upstairs at the Mansion when we know more details about their future plans. - Vincent, Senior Editor

Hometown: Terlingua

Filed Under: Spend just one night in this ghost town mansion, and you'll be asking: Why on earth did everybody leave?

Awesome: Former residence of Howard Perry, owner of the Chisos Mining Company; built in 1909, later abandoned, and remade in 2008 into an unforgettable desert boutique hotel

Appreciate: Only two rooms are available (read: exclusive), and they are well-appointed, cozy and comfortable. The left side of the mansion remains in charming disrepair; on the right are the rooms (one upstairs, one down), plus an amazing porch where you likely will spend most of your time

Know: Terlingua is an authentic West Texas ghost town near Big Bend National Park. You can read about the history of the region in the Mansion's private library, before you head out and explore the majestic landscape 

Special Comments: Proprietor Kaci Fullwood accepts reservations on your word, not with a deposit, as it should be. Honor the honor system, and her hospitality, by showing up like you said you would

Cost: $112 for per night for one room; for both rooms, $220 per night

See it: Here.

Weekend Getaway: Sinya on Lone Man Creek, Wimberley

Hometown: Wimberley

Filed Under: The body of a tent, the soul of The Four Seasons.

Awesome: Single structure, safari-style luxury retreat amid the treetops, made from a safari tent imported from Africa, modified for Central Texas, and fronting 300 feet of beautiful Lone Man Creek

Appreciate: How proprietor Lynn Gallimore has created a peaceful hideaway destination unlike any you'll encounter anywhere--unless, perhaps, you visit Africa. That's where Lynn was inspired to import to Texas an actual Kenyan tent, sell everything she owned, and put her resources toward merging the more civilized luxuries of the indoors with the rougher elements of outdoor living.  Consider the contrasts: You can rest on the king-size bed with goose down pillows inside, or on the balcony hammock outside; bathe in the century-old clawfoot tub in, or enjoy a heated shower (or, jacuzzi tub) out; and stay cool via air conditioning while admiring the creek from up high, or by swimming in the creek, itself, below. At Sinya on Lone Man Creek, contrast means harmony, not conflict

Know: You can provision for the whole weekend at Sinya and never leave, thanks to the suite's kitchenette, fully appointed with a fridge (think peaches, not watermelons), freezer, microwave, and induction cooktop. For breakfast, there's a toaster oven and coffee maker, or you can order a delightful breakfast for two and enjoy it out on the balcony while you browse the headlines on your iPad, thanks to high speed Wi-Fi. Better yet, leave the iPad at home, and browse some birds, instead

Special Comments: Sinya on Lone Man Creek is comprised of just one well-appointed, highly coveted suite, so there's not much to go around. This adds to its overall appeal as an exclusive, special place, but it means you should book well in advance of your travel, to ensure availability for your dates of stay

Cost: $245+ per week night, $275+ weekends; two night minimum, which is fine, you'll want to move in and stay forever anyway

See it: Here.