Picking the perfect Airbnb takes work. Luckily, deep-diving into the thousands of Texas Airbnbs listings is one of my fortes. Sure, it takes time and effort but there’s no doubt that unbelievable accommodation can bring your travel experience to the next level. I’ve stayed in tons of Airbnbs across Texas - most terrific, but a handful terrible; those, I assure you, didn’t make the list. But hey, sometimes it takes a few weeds to help you appreciate the flowers.
From the urban getaways of Austin, Dallas and Houston to the rural escapes of Hill Country and beyond, these are the coolest Texas Airbnbs I’ve experienced to date (and the list is only growing):
The Whimsical Wimberly Cabin -
Wimberly, TX
This cozy, clean cabin is located in a rural spot right outside of the town of Wimberly. A quick thirty-minute drive outside of Austin takes you to this perfect Texan town complete with all the necessities. Hit Jacob’s Well in the summertime for the ultimate spring-fed swimming hole (that is legitimately a bottomless pit at points.) The town is under fifteen minutes from the cabin where you have plenty of cute shops and restaurants to explore, perched on the riverside. Grab a hometown breakfast or lunch at Wimberly Cafe for a dose of bottomless coffee and adorable old people watching.
Airbnb Pros: Rural spot for a shady, countryside escape, two-person hot tub and outdoor deck for evening wine. Easy, short walking trails to wander throughout the properties. The cabin itself was absolutely pristine with the perfect touches throughout. While tiny, it was all we needed for two people.
Airbnb Cons: The management property is in downtown Wimberly so you’ll have to head to town to pick up and drop of the keys which is a bit out of the way so plan accordingly. The hot tub also hadn’t been plugged in to heat up until right before we arrived so we weren’t able to use it until the morning of check out. Be sure to give them a call to nudge them to warm it up sooner than your arrival. They also advertised that the Blanco River went through the property which sounded like we could take a refreshing dip during our stay - the river was a dried up bed so don’t get hyped up like we did. No pets allowed.
THE HISTORIC SAN ANTONIO BED & BREAKFAST
San antonio, tx
Those in the market for a romantic, magical city getaway The O’Casey’s Boutique Inn in San Antonio is your sweet spot. This adorable historic home sits slightly outside the hustle and bustle of downtown, allowing for a city escape (without having to go far.) This particular bed & breakfast booking on Airbnb is for the Blarney Loft which was in the cottage back house of the property, but bookings are also available for the main house. I’m telling you, we could have took refuge in this romantic retreat for the entirety of our stay and been pleased - but we made the easy venture into San Antonio for an evening at the Majestic Theater and cocktails at Esquire Tavern.
Airbnb Pros: From the swinging benches on the front porch to the mood lighting on the back patio, the outdoor spaces are as enjoyable as those indoors. Our breakfast was delivered to our doorstep in the morning complete with a homemade quiche dish, fresh fruit, and a thermos filled with hot coffee. I was in HEAVEN. The Blarney Loft also provided a lot of privacy which was perfect for our weekend and kept things especially quiet in the morning hours.
Airbnbs Cons: Honestly, there weren’t any. For this price, to get breakfast included, complaining about anything seems insane. There was street parking but it didn’t prove to be an issue in the slightest. Love you, O’Casey’s Boutique Inn.
THE QUAINT AUSTIN CASITA
Austin, tx
Continuing with the trend of sitting slightly on the edge of Texas city limits, this Austin Airbnb at ‘Agua Dulce Ranch’ met (and exceeded) all of our expectations. Perched off a dirt driveway right off a main drag, you’d never imagine to be met by this cool vintage casita. It was the ideal location for going to float the river because it was slightly south of Austin allowing for a shorter commute - but only a 15 minute Uber ride into town.
Airbnb Pros: Smack dab in the woods, I picked this spot because it was awesomely dog-friendly with a little walking path along a river and a big ole’ backyard. The Airbnb is complete with a kitchen in a cozy studio setup with plenty of space for two. The design is boho meets mid-century modern with perfect touches throughout the property. The outdoor space is incredible with a deck to sip on your morning coffee or evening wine. There’s even a spot for a fire pit if you so choose.
Airbnb Cons: The casita is listed for up to 3 people, the couch didn’t see to make the cut for comfort but there is a full sized air-mattress with extra blankets for use. I’d probably still stick to two people for this rental just due to the size and space for a more intimate stay. Because the location is submerged in the woods and right near a river, there were a lot of bugs (see: chiggers - the worst type of bug bite) and the owners were going through a spray process to rid them from the property.
THE GLEN ROSE TREEHOUSE GETAWAY
glen rose, tx
Nestled in the tree tops, this Airbnb treehouse takes the cake for my top Texas stay to date. The town of Glen Rose is already enough to steal my heart, but throw in this thoughtful, one-of-a-kind getaway and I could stay forever. Just ten minutes from the town square, you’ll be staying in a tiny house that’s accessible by a swinging bridge. Head five minutes down the road and you’ll find yourself at Dinosaur Valley State Park, complete with dense hiking trails and a crystal clear river. I could go on forever so let’s just dive into it - or in this case, climb on in.
Airbnb Pros: For monkey-lovers like me, I felt right at home taking to the treetops for our Glen Rose stay. A beautiful balcony sits in the back, giving visitors a view of the rolling hills. Follow the custom, branch built staircase inside to find a mini-kitchen and bathroom of your dreams. The fridge is stocked with light bevvies and the counter has a basket of snacks and k-cup options. Every single touch in the treehouse was thoughtful. The property itself is home to a few different, unique Airbnbs and you can wander through out in hopes of spotting their free range horses and cows.
Airbnb Cons: This is certainly an Airbnb that’s built for people who are highly comfortable with each other. The door to the toilet is a sliding barn door so be sure you’re cozy with who you choose for company. Also important to note that this property is not handicap friendly. The path down to the treehouse is rocky and winding and the trek up is a steep staircase.
THE LOVELY LAKE TEXOMA CABIN
Whitesboro, TX
Sitting on the edge of the Texas / Oklahoma border is this beautiful Airbnb cabin - a true treat for the outdoorsy (and curious doggos.) The location is prime for all seasons as its pushed back in a more private, secluded neighborhood that touches Lake Texoma. Rent a boat in the summer months or take to the trails in the cooler months. Being 45 minutes from Winstar or Choctaw casinos was an added bonus for those interested in having a night out to breakup the quiet.
Airbnb Pros: While on the smaller side, this cabin has one bedroom and two loft areas over-looking the living room and kitchen, allowing for up to 8 guests. The property is a pretty big lot which gives the illusion that you’re in perfect isolation. Dogs were allowed which brought our pup so much joy as she explored the woods day and night. We went in the winter which led to the non-stop use of the fire pit (a rarity for Texans.) All and all the cabin was totally tidy and easy to find.
Airbnb Cons: The lofts are open-air so there isn’t much privacy when it comes to this cabin. It’s the perfect vacation rental for a group of friends or family. If you’re heading that way in the winter, there’s only an electric fireplace and a heating system in the bathroom so be sure to keep the doors closed and the heat running.
THE VINTAGE TEXAS TRAILER
Austin, tx
On the east side of Austin, you’ll find not one but two remodeled 1953 Spartan trailers-turned-Airbnbs unexpectedly tucked in the backyard of one of the many cool neighborhood homes. The property is private and mainly quiet, as you enter through a high, vine-covered fence. Staying in a remodeled trailer isn’t for everyone but dang was it for me.
Airbnbs Pros: I’ve been on the hunt for an Airbnb housed in a vintage trailer for quite some time - I know, I’m a unique brand. It just took the perfect timed trip and friend who was down to make it happen. The host’s backyard is essentially your entire front yard, complete with a sweet patio space to take advantage of the warm Austin weather. The inside of the Airbnb itself is totally refurbished with a cool vintage vibe to match. The living space has a couch (aka the third guest’s bed) and a chair so you probably won’t plan to spend too much time inside but, hey! there’s so much to explore in Austin anyway. We were only visiting Austin for the weekend, so that was the perfect amount of time to stay without feeling too cramped.
Airbnb Cons: Trailers are small. That goes without saying, right? And being trapped in a confined space with someone who say, you don’t know too well, isn’t ideal for this Airbnb experience. I mean, the bathroom door is a sliding piece of wood right next to the bed so you may want to rule out long romantic getaways too. Our trip was in mid-December which worked out pretty well weather-wise but it can get a little chilly inside (to which I might guess it can get hot, too.) Be sure to bring a sleeping mask because the morning light floods right on through the space.
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Got tips for your favorite Texas Airbnbs? Shoot them to talesofexploration@gmail.com
