In West Texas, visitors’ accommodations are as memorable as the destination’s beautiful landscape. The free-spirited Big Bend region, often called “The Last Frontier,” brims with unique lodging options perfect for your next getaway.
MARFA
In Marfa, El Cosmico is an 18-acre nomadic hotel and campground that blends hip, spare amenities and a freewheeling vibe. Founder and area native Liz Lambert bought the land in 2006, transforming it with her eye for boho-chic style.
Among the most popular of the rentable units are seven vintage trailers, each with a different aesthetic. The Imperial Mansion is a 45-foot-long suite decked out in amenities including king and twin-size beds, a full bathroom, a full kitchen, AC/heating and a Cedar deck, while the Little Pinky is 18-feet-long, cute, cozy and, of course, hot pink.
Visitors looking for glamorous camping, or glamping, can stay in one of El Cosmico’s tepees. Spanning 22 feet in diameter, each tepee features a queen bed, a love seat, a daybed, a lamp, electrical outlets and speakers. Other lodging units include a yurt and safari tents, and those who bring their own tents can camp out on the grounds.
In addition to unique lodging, El Cosmico amenities include a hammock grove perfect for an afternoon snooze, a communal kitchen for guests to
cook, bike rentals to cruise around town and Wi-Fi in the lobby area.
TERLINGUA
Ghost towns have an undeniable mystique, which can be eerie,sad, peaceful and exciting all at once. Visitors to Terlingua, a ghost town just outside of Big Bend National Park, know the feeling as they walk through the ruins of a mercury-mining community that went bust in the 1940s. Dilapidated buildings, vestigial mine shafts and rocky ruins make the town a fascinating place to explore.
For those that prefer peace and quiet, Terlingua is a great place to stay. Villa Terlingua, a 90-year-old ruin refurbished into a quaint house, offers stunning views of the sunrise over the Chisos Mountains and is the only home rental in the ghost town. The escape is located on a spacious 15 acres of land, and guests have access to an on-site telescope perfect for stargazing without the distraction of ambient city lights. Villa Terlingua offers short term rentals by the room or the entire house.
MARATHON
The Gage Hotel in Marathon is one of a kind, with big-city amenities in a pocketsize town of 430, architecture steeped in history and photo-worthy surroundings.
Since 1927, the Gage’s yellow-brick facade has ensconced vacationers. Its main building was designed in Spanish Colonial Revival style by El Paso architect Henry Trost, and a newer collection of adobe-style rooms called Los Portales are flanked by shady porches perfect for a lazy afternoon.
The hotel’s award winning 12 Gage Restaurant serves Texas specialties with a gourmet twist and the menu changes seasonally. The restaurant utilizes ingredients grown from its own garden as well as locally sourced beef, poultry and wild game. The adjoining White Buffalo Bar was named one of Texas’ best hotel bars by Texas Monthly, and its signature cocktails and extensive tequila selection are sure to leave visitors refreshed. Guests can also enjoy eats such as the White Buffalo Burger and a Mexican shrimp and crab cocktail while they linger to enjoy live music on the patio.
CHISOS MOUNTAIN LODGE
Five-star hotel balconies don’t compete with the views at Chisos Mountains Lodge. Nestled in Big Bend National Park, the hotel is privy to nature at its grandest while amenities include astonishing sunrises, proximity to hiking trails and canyon-side meals. Chisos Mountains Lodge is the only housing in the park, but its accommodations provide modern comforts combined with Texas hospitality.
From hip hideaways to lavish hotels, destinations in the Big Bend region offer plenty of personality. In the midst of the outdoor mecca that is West Texas, these accommodations are as unique as their surroundings and guests will feel as if they’ve truly escaped from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Marfa is a West Texas hidden gem, complete with entirely unique attractions that have helped garner worldwide recognition. There, you can visit famous art galleries, cosmic conspiracy sites, and even take a short trip out to the stunning McDonald Observatory. Visit West Texas today and redefine your view of the Wild West.
