Vacation Rentals by Owner

Fabulous House

Guest: Kirste (San Antonio)
Date of Stay: 12/16/11 Review Submitted: 01/03/12

This is one of the loveliest vacation homes we have ever visited. We enjoyed preparing meals in the kitchen, time with the wonderful books and music, and the majestic scenery and setting of West Texas. Every aspect of the home is designed to make you feel welcome and relax. The decorating is incredible and we loved every detail of the house and our entire trip. Can't wait to return!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Peaceful Desert Oasis

Guest: pam (San Antonio, Tx)
Date of Stay: 11/17/11 Review Submitted: 11/28/11

We throughly enjoyed our stay at this house. Having rented many of the vacation properties in and around Marathon I can say this was our best experience. The house is very well cared for and is perfect for catching up on your reading, napping, cooking, painting, whatever floats your boat. The beds are great, and plenty of nice linens, pillows, and all the comforts of home. It's perfect.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

We hated to leave!

Guest: Melinda (Lubbock, Texas)
Date of Stay: 11/11/11 Review Submitted: 11/14/11

My writing partner and I spent a long weekend here, and could not have been more pleased. We loved everything about the house. The libraries - book, movie, music - were varied and fun to explore. The house's eclectic furnishings were charming and we found treasures everywhere. The screened porch makes a perfect place to sit and write. And to watch sunrises. The kitchen porch offers a great view of sunsets. We had everything we needed to make our stay perfect, and there was even a bottle of wine to welcome us to the house. Both of us are planning return visits. There is plenty to do in Marathon - wander around the Gage Gardens and the Gage Hotel. Have pizza at Guzzi Pizza. Have a drink (or several) at the White Elephant. Have a nice dinner at the 12 Gage Restaurant. Check out the town's cemetery. Or: don't do anything! It's a great place to relax in, to watch the sun and moon rise and set. To look at the stars. To listen to the birds, the trains, the wind.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway.

Memorial Day Weekend 2011

Guest: Frank (Austin, TX)
Date of Stay: 05/27/11 Review Submitted: 06/02/11

Our family thoroughly enjoyed our 4 day visit over Memorial Day weekend. We especially enjoyed the sunrises while drinking our coffee on the screen porch. The house is comfortable and quiet. We used Marathon as our base to explore Big Bend and Marfa, and it is our favorite place to stay in the area.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfect Getaway

Guest: none (Austin)
Date of Stay: 05/02/11 Review Submitted: 05/10/11

We had a wonderful time staying at this remarkable old house and seeing the Big Bend Country. There are so many charming things to appreciate at this house....our favorites being the extensive book collection and watching and noting the many varieties of birds at the pond. We look forward to going back again!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

So wonderful!

Guest: Whitney C. (Central Texas)
Date of Stay: 04/02/11 Review Submitted: 04/11/11

We had such a great time staying at La Esmeralda. The house was wonderful, the location is perfect and everyone in Marathon was amazing. We cannot wait to return!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Loved the house!

Guest: The Harris Family from Rockwall (Rockwall)
Date of Stay: 03/12/11 Review Submitted: 03/21/11

This house has so much character! All of us, my husband and our two teenage daughters looked forward to going back to the house each day to unwind. Our dinners on the porch were awesome. The selection of books kept us all entertained. We look forward to coming back. We would recommend staying here to anyone.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Loved the house!

Guest: The Harris Family from Rockwall (Rockwall)
Date of Stay: 03/12/11 Review Submitted: 03/21/11

This house has so much character! All of us, my husband and our two teenage daughters looked forward to going back to the house each day to unwind. Our dinners on the porch were awesome. The selection of books kept us all entertained. We look forward to coming back. We would recommend staying here to anyone.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

What a Dollhouse!

Guest: Marty (New Braunfels, Texas)
Date of Stay: 12/26/10 Review Submitted: 12/28/10

I loved, loved, loved this place. I cannot say enough great things about my stay at La Esmerelda! This house has everything and most of all, a wonderful sense by the art, books and personal touches that you are staying in the vacation home of someone really cool. I cannot wait to go back.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Peaceful reprive with distinctive aestetic sensibility

Guest: Sunshine (San Antonio, TX )
Date of Stay: 09/10/10 Review Submitted: 09/15/10

We didn't want to leave. For a busy and constantly 'connected' couple in desperate need of a vacation - this escape to isolation was perfection. The owners distinctive style and phenomenal library were a source of inspiration while completing our own home addition plans. Which, while not a planned activity for our time away - was easily completed while left with the time to reflect and be creative. La Esmerelda was good for the soul. Our lazy great danes happily lounged on the screened in porch where we both enjoyed talking away into the late evening. Thank you for sharing your home. It rejuvenated all my senses.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Dick & Janie
Date of Stay: 03/05/10 Review Submitted: 06/30/10

Loved the house, so comfortable and relaxing, our second stay and we will be back!

Recommended for:

Cute cowboys!

Guest: Tina (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/22/10 Review Submitted: 07/02/10

In this REAL little Texas town, this is the place to stay. Very quiet & relaxing. When things got too quiet, we headed to the nearby Gage Hotel for cocktails & cute cowboys!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Best little house in Texas!

Guest: Jen (Del Mar, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/13/09 Review Submitted: 07/02/10

Awesome house with tons of character, super comfy with everything you could want for a great Texas getaway!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great time!

Guest: John (Newport Beach, California)
Date of Stay: 10/02/09 Review Submitted: 07/02/10

Was there in October ... loved the feel of the house, great book & dvd collection. The Gage Hotel nearby was lots of fun. Can't wait to go back!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.