Summer Staycations Close To San Antonio
Summer is so close you can feel it, literally. With the end of the school year, or just the hot temperatures making you daydream about vacation, you don’t have to go far to get away for a staycation close to San Antonio. We’ve got three luxury locales including a hill country retreat, a quaint town chic escape, and a historic south Texas ranch. Ready, set, go!
Hilltop Resort Escape in Kyle
Sage Hill Inn above Onion Creek feels like you’re far removed, especially after the one-mile drive from the entrance, but in fact it’s just a little ways down the road in Kyle. A total escape of the city life yet close enough to the draw of entertainment and recreation in Austin, San Antonio and New Braunfels. While all that fun is close by, it’s entirely possible you’ll want to just stay and immerse yourself at the Inn.
The highly-regarded boutique hotel has the luxury style of a retreat on a vista overlooking the beauty of the Texas Hill Country. There are a variety of accommodations encompassing 16-rooms on the nearly 90-acre property, befitting everything from a couple’s romantic escape, a girlfriend getaway or a staycation away from the daily grind. The Inn caters to adults only, with the minimum age of 16 for guests.
A recent property-wide renovation included the newly-built, 2000 square-foot, three bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, luxury, stand-alone, Ranch House with a gourmet kitchen, and dining room. There’s vast outdoor space that includes a private, 8-person, cedar hot tub, and fire pit. Ideal for a family reunion or extended stays for up to 6 guests, the house is outfitted with modern and rustic furnishings and art, and has its own driveway and covered parking area.
Thelma’s Cottage, one of three cottages can also accommodate a large group and there are also suites, king and queen rooms. All accommodations include a 3-course dinner and full breakfast each day in the dining room from the kitchen of Chef Kristen Abram, whose menu is sourced by farm to table suppliers.
You’ll find miles of hikes, a picturesque pool with a large deck, a new limestone-rimmed bocce court, abundant wildlife and spectacular sunset views, but do make time to indulge in the Garden Spa with relaxing treatments like a full body herbal massage and a bamboo facial.
French Quarter Style and More in Boerne
Of course New Orleans is a wonderful getaway, but if you can’t get there this summer you can find yourself in French Quarter-style in historic, downtown Boerne. Newly renovated, The William is the sophisticated sister property of the Ye Kendall Inn and has the Crescent City feel with its iron railed verandas overlooking Main Street. The upscale lodging is distinctively appointed with cosmopolitan décor. Each room features chic lighting fixtures, high ceilings, plush seating and sumptuous bedding.
As hard as it may be to leave the luxury of your room, there’s plenty to do in town. Over the summer you can catch events like Abendkonzerte in the Main Plaza where the German-music Boerne Village Band performs. Grab a blanket and enjoy a picnic with the locals.
There’s also plenty of great shopping to enjoy. In particular, ladies will enjoy the boutique Celeste with fashions, shoes, handbags and jewelry. Housed in an old train depot, the Nic Campbell Studio and Gallery showcases the works of many artists. Some are large scale paintings suspended in mid-air from the rafters.
If you’re seeking outdoor adventure you will want to visit Boerne’s 300-acre City Lake Park where you can enjoy fishing, paddle boating, kayaking and even sailing. Feeding ducks at River Road Park is a fun activity for locals and visitors alike.
With a view of the ducks, is a fine dining restaurant not to be missed, Little Gretel with authentic Czech and German cuisine. Their outdoor beirgarten offers German beer, sausage plates and monthly, live polka music. While the standard menu is enticing with everything from pastries to wild game, if you plan your visit well, you can partake in the summer scheduled charcuterie week or the spit-roasted, grilled and served outdoors lamb dinner.
Floresville Vacation Fit For a President
Picosa Ranch leaves no doubt, this is how you do luxury in Texas. Set at the edge of the Texas brush country in Floresville, it was the 2,800-acre homestead ranch of native son “Big John” Connally who served as Texas Governor, Secretary of the Navy under President Kennedy and Secretary of the Treasury under President Nixon. Over the years it hosted multiple U.S. Presidents, Vice President and businessman Nelson Rockefeller, movie stars, and world leaders. Now you can enjoy the property dotted with majestic, century Oaks yourself for a luxurious ranch, all-inclusive resort getaway. Drive in easily just 45 minutes southeast of downtown San Antonio or fly in with your private aircraft to their airstrip.
The 8,200-square-foot Main House features three bedrooms, four bathrooms, an office space, a dining room, a top-of-the-line country kitchen with walk-in refrigerator, grand main living area den and an upstairs library full of memorabilia. The Guest House, designed by O’Neil Ford has four suites within its 3,400 square feet. Both homes have access to a beautiful swimming pool and limestone deck perfect for time in the sun or spectacular stargazing beneath the big Texas sky.
There’s a lot to do at Picosa and fishing is one of guests’ favorites with eight fishing ponds stocked with catfish, bass and perch. Some ponds are remotely located and accessed by ranch vehicle. In addition to hunting opportunities you can also shoot skeet. Ranch staff will take you on scenic tours of the ranch where you can view over 250 exotic animals like oryx, zebra and eland in breathtaking landscapes. If you’d rather go it by foot, there’s plenty of hiking opportunities. One of the best ways to see the majestic property is by horseback, while hay rides are a special way to tour.
