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. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite places to eat, drink, shop and stay. And every time we visit, there’s something new to discover.
Where to Stay
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-over-night-accommodations. What’s new at Flophouze ... a new Ranchouze located across from Marburger, with an east and west wing to accommodate large groups; on-site another addition is in the works, separate from the six flophouzes and the Farmhouze, which will add a 4-bedroom, 2-bath houze with kitchen and atrium; new pool; new shipping container spa for massage. Flophouze.com.
Hotel Lulu: The beautifully appointed Hotel Lulu feels secluded but is walking distance to many of our favorite places. The hotel’s main grounds include 14 rooms in six bungalows throughout the property as well as Lulu’s
restaurant, a bar, pool, herb garden and formal garden. Hotellulutx.com.
The Frenchie: The super chic, Instafamous Frenchie is best known for its pool, perhaps the most stylish place to beat the Texas heat. It also offers a cute retail space, the Poolhouse, for dining and drinks for hotel guests only, fire pits, a hot tub and more. Roundtoptxhotels.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 also 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 long-horns in the pasture and the sun hanging low in the sky. Choose from eight beautifully appointed rooms and Thelma’s Garage,
the newest addition, featuring floor-to-ceiling murals of images from the film Thelma and Louise, including a shirtless Brad Pitt.
Gypsyville.com/wander-inn.
The Vintage Hideaway: Located four miles from Round Top, in near-by Carmine, is The Vintage Hideaway. Choose from five two-person cabins out-fitted in a modern industrial style. We also love the beer and wine garden onsite; it’s the perfect little spot to come back to after a day of shopping. Thevintagehideaway.com.
Red Antler Inn: The latest addition to the art and design destination that is Round Top is Red Antler Inn. Located on the edge of town near Festival Hill along the banks of Boggy Branch Creek, Red Antler consists of three two-bedroom, two-bath bungalows, as well as the Branca Bungalow, featuring interior design by Alessandra Branca. Each bungalow appears to be the same on the outside, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts – and that makes each one unique. Redantlerroundtop.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. RoundTopInn.com.
The Glamp Inn
Located inside a former car museum, The Glamp Inn offers the fun of camping with the comfort of the great indoors. Choose from a fleet of 10 vintage campers and 18 themed teepees. Take a peek inside each glamper at Lonestarglampinn.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 built from reclaimed materials and vintage finds
creatively repurposed into light fixtures, furniture and decor. In 2016, they added the Boho, and since then, two studio-style cozy cottages: Pierce and Eisley. Each cottage can be booked separately or all together for exclusive use of the property at TheVintageRoundTop.com.
The 303: Open year-round, The 303 includes the best of both worlds — Round Top shopping and overnight lodging. The beautiful
historic buildings that comprise The 303 were discovered across Texas and have been lovingly restored and are ready for you to discover them. Onsite, the 303 shops — Worn & Weathered, Bombshell Betty, Age of Industry, Broke Jewels and People Will Stare Decor — are open daily during the show and Thursday-Sunday year-round. The303roundtop.com
