February may be the month of love, but you don’t need a far-flung getaway or grand expression of love to celebrate your sweetie this Valentine’s Day. If you’re looking to get away but only have a night or two available, here are some amazing Austin-area spots to consider.
Udoscape, Lago Vista
Experience life in a bubble at Udoscape, a luxury glamping resort in Lago Vista that features fully decked-out geodesic domes that offer panoramic views of the sprawling Texas sky. While the experience inside your dome is sure to be relaxing – think full kitchen, luxurious linens and a full bathroom – you’ll likely spend most of your time on the deck, soaking in your own private hot tub. No kids are allowed here, and personalized romance packages that include items such as flowers, cake, balloons and a message board are available.
Udoscape is a glamping resort in Lago Vista, Texas. Kristin Finan photo
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Info: https://udoscaperesorts.com/
FireSong Ranch, Spicewood
Home to three unique glamping properties – a safari tent, a casita and a barndominium – FireSong Ranch in Spicewood offers multiple ways to relax and rewind with your favorite travel partner. To walk through the sprawling and elaborately appointed 800-square-foot glamping tent, named NDotto after an orphaned elephant, at FireSong Ranch in Spicewood is to experience a type of “rustic luxury” that almost seems unreal in the heart of Texas. (Ndotto literally means “to dream” in Swahili.) From the panoramic deck that overlooks a babbling creek to the private hot tub to the kitchen that includes a dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave and high-end coffee maker, no detail, or amenity, was spared. There’s no TV, by design, but there is a record player and a collection of albums. Located in Spicewood about 30 minutes from Austin, FireSong Ranch is not only beautiful but also charitable—a portion of every stay goes to foster care-related charities.
FireSong Ranch is a luxury glamping resort in Spicewood, Texas. Contributed by FireSong Ranch
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Info: https://www.firesongranch.com
Four Seasons Austin Hotel, Austin
If I can only pick one place in Austin for a relaxing afternoon, it’s the lawn at the Four Seasons Austin Hotel – sipping a cup of coffee or a glass of bubbly while taking in the tranquil lake views (or, alternately, enjoying some top-notch people-watching) are among my favorite pastimes. Even if you can’t stay the night, the Four Seasons is an excellent place for cocktails or dinner; the on-site restaurant, Ciclo, is hosting a delectable five-course meal in honor of Valentine’s Day but is a great spot for a meal any day of the year. Various packages are available if you want to stay overnight, too.
Info: https://www.fourseasons.com/
Flophouze, Round Top
Flophouze is a shipping container hotel in Round Top, Texas. Contributed by Flophouze
This Round Top property consists of individual “houzes” created from recycled shipping containers and artfully adorned with reclaimed and salvaged items such as bowling alley floors that were discovered by owner Matt White during his travels around the globe. Each unit, all of which are air-conditioned, includes a fire pit, a mini-fridge with complimentary Topo Chicos and Mexican Cokes, a record player and vinyls, a hammock and a private porch that looks out across a tree- and cow-dotted countryside. Flophouze also has one of the most unique and fun hotel pools around – it’s also a shipping container, created by the company Modpool, complete with a clear side that provides endless entertainment and photo opportunities. While the six on-site shipping containers sleep between two and six guests, Flophouze also has a renovated 1900s farmhouse, called Farmhouze, that sleeps 10 and a mid-century, pond-side loft, Beachhouze, that sleeps up to eight. Rates start at $175 a night.
Info: https://flophouze.com/
