Situated on about 640 acres, smack dab in between Houston and Austin, is Round Top, Texas (population: 90), the state’s tiniest incorporated town. What’s interesting is that for a place this small, it continues to see new development – lots of it – including new restaurants, a brewery, a boutique hotel, and other creative concepts. Like the saying goes, if you build it, they will come, and people are coming, not just on the weekends or for Antiques Week, but year-round. For most big-city visitors, they may not be expecting much, and that’s okay, because that’s part of the allure of Round Top – the discovery. For that reason, we won’t show everything here, just a short list of places we like to stay when we need to get away from it all and enjoy the small.
Flophouze
Old and new combine in a mix of antiques and modern art at Flophouze, where Matt White and his team, Recycling the Past, offer funky little outposts made of old shipping containers-turned-overnight-accommodations. What’s new at Flophouze is the installation of six murals on the flophouzes. The project is in collaboration with HOPE, an Austin-based outdoor gallery group that Flophouze hosted in an artists’ retreat to bring street art to the Round Top countryside. HOPE and Flophouze will continue to work together to build Austin’s first outdoor art park. Learn more at Flophouze.com, and follow along on Instagram @flophouze and @hopeoutdoorgallery.
The Glamp Inn
Located inside a former car museum, The Glamp Inn is an indoor “glampsite” that offers the fun of camping with the comfort of high style. The place sleeps up to 56 people in two separate buildings and includes 10 themed vintage glampers and 18 teepees. Take a peek inside each glamper at Lonestarglampinn.com.
The Raleigh
Shane Brown of Big Daddy’s Antiques offers this 2,650-SF 1890s Victorian farmhouse with a new 30-foot pool and huge deck; a full kitchen; four bedrooms (including a master suite); and two bathrooms. It sleeps nine people. The interior design is exceptional throughout with a beautiful mix of modern and antiques and a Paul Michael Company piece or two. Book your stay on VRBO.com.
Round Top Inn
The history of this place is evident in its many existing structures, including the only remaining building from the state’s once-thriving cigar industry. Three of the guest cottages are 1880s originals built by prominent Round Top resident Charles Henry Schiege of Schiege Cigar Factory. The property includes the gate house, a collection of farm houses, the little cottage, the loft and other rooms for rent. Explore it for yourself at RoundTopInn.com.
The Vintage Round Top
Paige and Smoot Hull developed The Vintage Round Top in 2012 when they opened their first renovated cottage, No. 1450. The 2,400-SF home was designed with sustainability in mind and is comprised of reclaimed materials and vintage finds creatively repurposed into light fixtures, furniture and decor. In 2016, the second cottage named Boho was built in the style of an industrial farmhouse. Both properties are available for rent at TheVintageRoundTop.com.
Wander Inn
Junk Gypsies Amie Sikes and Jolie Sikes-Smith welcome all to Wander Inn, a luxurious experience that’s not about luxury. It’s about the land, the road, the magic of Round Top and the feeling of arriving at a place, taking your boots off and staying awhile. Designed with comfort in mind, you can sink into a velvet sofa or slide into a rocking chair on the porch for views of longhorns in the pasture and the sun hanging low in the sky. Choose from eight beautifully appointed rooms at Gypsyville.com/wander-inn.
The Vintage Hideaway
Located four miles from Round Top, in nearby Carmine, is The Vintage Hideaway. Choose from five two-person cabins outfitted in a modern industrial style each with amenities like keyless entry, central heat and air, TV, mini fridge, stand-up shower, Keurig, and all the essentials. It’s the perfect little spot to come back to after a day of shopping. Coming later in 2020, The Vintage Hideaway will add a wine and beer garden with local and imported wine, craft beer, and a food truck available seasonally. Book online at thevintagehideaway.com
In Nearby Brenham
Ant Street Inn
A beautifully appointed, 15-room boutique hotel, Ant Street Inn is in the heart of downtown Brenham, walking distance from everything in the historic district. Choose from classic, deluxe or premier rooms, each combining traditional décor with modern comforts and amenities. The inn also includes the Brenham Grill with a fabulous breakfast menu available to guests, and open to the public on Saturday and Sunday. Book your stay at Antstreetinn.com.
Main Street House
A sister property to Ant Street Inn, the stately brick house is almost 100 years old. Art is inspiration inside, as each of the five guest rooms is inspired by the colors and textures of the artworks within. Just like the Ant Street Inn, it’s just a short walk from the great restaurants, shopping and entertainment venues of historic downtown Brenham. See more at Mainsthouse.com.