Lazy Q Family Retreat Lodge

• A wonderful way to spend a long weekend

  A wonderful way to spend a long weekend

  • Guest iluvitaly (Austin, Texas)
  • Date of stay 04/11/08
  • Review Submitted 05/07/08
  A small group of my friends and I decided we needed a weekend away from it all. This property and home met all of our expectations and more. None of us wanted to come back home when it was time to leave. The home was exactly as described with no unwelcome surprises. The kitchen provided us the opportunity to cook to our hearts content. We brought along a friend of ours who is studying to be a chef and we were cooking and cleaning all weekend long. The kitchen was well stocked with all the utensils needed to cook our delicious meals. Stanley helped make our experience even better by giving us a ranch tour that gave us the opportunity to see the beautiful untouched land around the property, including an old hand-dug well! The area is so rich with history and Stanley told us of many historical things that happened on and around the property dating back to when the Indians occupied the area. There is even an old Wagon Trail that cuts through the property that was used by pioneers traveling around the Hill Country. So take a weekend and go visit Pontotoc Lodge. Its an easy and relaxing drive from Austin. My friends and I highly recommend this home.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, girls getaway, families with young children, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 19/19

• Best Vacation ever

  Best Vacation ever

  • Guest Don K.
  • Date of stay 08/05/11
  • Review Submitted 04/05/12
  I'll never forget how stunned I was when we drove over the small crest and saw the house at Pontotoc. My wife and I gasped at how beautiful and quaint it was. We chose Pontotoc since our extended family needed a lot of room for 14 people and we had a tight budget. This place was perfect! Now we want to go back with just us! We stayed in mid-August during one of the worst dry spells in recent memory. It was HOT, but we loved it. We entered the house and Stanley had the AC cranked. It was so comfortable and clean. The kitchen was stocked with just about anything we could ever need. The house kept going on and on. The back yard was lush with green grass. Our week at Pontotoc (pronounced Pawneytawk) was wonderful. Stanley (the owner) was always available to unclog a toilet or help change a tire, or give his famous ranch tour that all of us still talk about. He is one of the highlights of the trip. He has the house stocked with books on Texas History and one special binder of his family's history that I couldn't put down. Quiet mornings in the backyard before the heat set in was the best... Llano was about 30 minutes away. There was tons to do in town, but we couldn't wait to get back to the ranch and relax. If you are looking for a vacation where you can get away from it all, this is your place. We took several day trips to Llano, one to Fredericksburg, and even one to Austin. The best night we had was buying some steaks in Llano and grilling out in the backyard. I would definitely recommend this house and wish we lived closer. If you are planning a Texas trip I can't think of any other way to truly experience Texas. It is solitude at its greatest, but you certainly won't be roughing it. We saw endless deer, and the stars at night were a wonder to behold. Thank you Stanley for making this house available so us "cityslickers" can get a taste of Texas the way it should be. I wish we could get back again!

  Owner response: I would just like to email the guests and think them for appreciating the stay. My son is moving back to live in the house and I hope we can figure out how to utilize the ranch as a vacation spot for others.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Our Texas Sanctuary

  Our Texas Sanctuary

  • Guest Shanon V.
  • Date of stay 07/23/11
  • Review Submitted 08/11/11
  Married last August, our blending family decided to make Pontotoc Lodge our first real extended family vacation location. Out of the six of us, EVERY ONE of us proclaimed this the "best vacation we've ever had!" The lodge is found in a remote and rustic location. The Texas Hill Country landscape was picturesque and peaceful. Even with the extreme heat, there was always a steady breeze to cool us as we sat out in the yard. The lodge was perfect for we newlyweds to take long strolls or just sit together in the yard and connect as we watched the sunsets. It was also perfectly suited for our children (ages 25, 17, 16 and 15). There were no complaints about missing the internet or having to share a television! Instead, they went walking and exploring. They sought US out to sit in the yard with us and talk or play board games. We enjoyed fishing until the sun set. We bought corn and protein pellets for the deer and instead of watching tv in the evenings, we settled into a routine of scattering the feed and watching the wildlife that came to dine well into the night. The home, itself, was spacious and rustic and had everything we needed to accommodate our family and even extra room for our friends who came to visit us from surrounding areas. Stanley's tour was quite interesting. The children enjoyed exploring the canyon while I was captivated by the settlement ruins. Stanley was just a phonecall away for any questions we had or ideas for daily adventures. We did our shopping in the town of Llano (about 25 minutes away). The staff at the Super S grocery store was so helpful and friendly that if felt even MORE like home. While we went for groceries, the children looked up recipes and became quite adept at preparing dinners. We were within 2 hours of everything we wanted to do and people we wanted to visit or have come visit us. I don't believe you could find anything as perfect for such a reasonable price. Each child wanted to make sure that we were going to come back again! In this age of technology, that's saying a lot!There is so much history and modern attractions in the area, there's no WAY we could have seen or done everything we wanted to even though we were there a week! I was surprised by the somber mood the children were in as they loaded our belongings into the van to leave. I even wanted to cry. Yes. We WILL be back! I wish I could post pictures. My words can't do it justice. Thank you for the memories!

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, girls getaway, families with young children, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

  Owner response: I appreciate the review. I am glad you enjoyed your stay. I was born there and it is a part of me, and I get to enjoy it every day of my life. It has been Gods gift. I enjoy giving a tour for the lodgers and seeing them enjoy the ranch. Thanks.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• We had a BLAST! :)

  We had a BLAST! :)

  • Guest nadia m.
  • Date of stay 07/14/11
  • Review Submitted 07/28/11
  Our week stay at pontotoc lodge was wonderful and the kids had a great time. The ownwer gave us the tour of the ranch and it was one of our favorite memories there!! The owner was also very friendly and made sure all was ok in the home. We enjoyed hiking, making smores,feeding the deer everyday, and fishing.The home was clean and very comfy, felt like home.It really is a home away from home so relaxing and very secluded and private. We definitely will be coming back to Pontotoc Lodge soon. We miss it already! ...The Maldonado's

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, girls getaway, families with young children, pet owners, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, families with teenagers.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Our third time at Pontotoc, and the best!!

  Our third time at Pontotoc, and the best!!

  • Guest Jennifer (Kingwood, TX)
  • Date of stay 03/12/11
  • Review Submitted 03/23/11
  Wow! What a great week at Pontotoc! This was our third week to spend at the Lodge and the best yet! All of us (family of 6 with four kids) had so much fun, and there was so much to do: Fishing in the pond, ranch tour, feeding the cows, feeding the deer, campfire and smores every night, Cooper's BBQ, Enchanted Rock, Colorado Bend State Park ...so much to do!! It was nice on a few days to just let the kids play in the yard or go exploring while we relaxed in the backyard. Our 11 year old actually cried when it was time to come home. The house and property are far away from the hustle and bustle of town, but we always felt safe. We had my mother-in-law come up for a few days and she loved it as well. And Stanley, the owner is always great! I would recommend Pontotoc Lodge to anyone looking for a great vacation in any season (we have spent 2 weeks here in August, and it is very pleasant, with no humidity). Thanks again Stanley for keeping such a great place for our family to enjoy year after year!! Jennifer Dalby Kingwood, TX

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, girls getaway, families with young children, pet owners, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

  Owner response: Its hard to communicate in words exactly why guests find this to be such a special place. This family allowed me to put them on you tube, so you can see some of their adventures for your self. Look under Pontotoc Lodge.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• The Ryans

  Guest comment entered by owner

  The Ryans

  • Guest Ryan and family
  • Date of stay 07/21/10
  • Review Submitted 09/17/10
  Dear Mr. Miller, We had the most wonderful time this summer at your lodge. What a perfect place it was for our family to get away from it all. When we came home we asked the children what the best part of the vacation was. All of them loved your tour of the ranch--it was a highlight. Thank you. I thought that you might be interested in our church's web site which has the best family history files--lds.org and familysearch.org. Your love of family history was inspiring. Best wishes, Ryan

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Amazing getaway in the Hill Country

  Amazing getaway in the Hill Country

  • Guest Shawn (Austin, TX)
  • Date of stay 07/09/10
  • Review Submitted 07/11/10
  I found Pontotoc Lodge here on Homeaway, looking for a rental for a long weekend and birthday party. This place is even better than it's described. There's plenty of room for a big group, and a nice fire pit out back for a campfire. Stanley (the property owner) even gave us a really interesting tour of the ranch's local history, where we saw some old homesteads and some amazing natural scenery of the Hill Country. If you're looking for a secluded getaway in a beautiful location, this is the place. Stanley was always helpful, answering questions and offering suggestions for local eats. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, romantic getaway, age 55+.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Home Sweet Home

  Home Sweet Home

  • Guest T from Tx (Millsap, Tx)
  • Date of stay 01/11/10
  • Review Submitted 04/05/10
  My husband is a concrete contractor. We live outside of Fort Worth but my husband had a job in Fredonia. Instead of the crew staying in motels, I thought it would be a great idea to find a vacation rental due to the considerable time it was going to take to complete the job. I found Stanley's place online and " Man, Did I hit the Jackpot ". It was just 15 or so miles from the job. There were 7 men total. Everyone had their own bed. Plenty of hot water for showers due to " two " instant water heaters. I got the opportunity to go spend a couple of days with my husband when most of the crew went home. I was amazed at the entire setting. The kitchen was completely stocked with everything I needed to cook. My husband was thrilled to have a place where he could watch his sports with a nice fire going in the fireplace. I have too much to say about Stanley and his wonderful Hill Country Hide Away. While speaking to Stanley I mentioned that there was another crew of Eight men who were also from my part of Texas and that it would be wonderful if I could find a place for them. This is how truley great he is. He told his cousin, who also had vacation rentals about the other crew. His cousin took the time to go to the job site and make arrangements for the other crew. These people Stanley and his Cousin, made all 15 men feel at home. They told them of all the good eating placing in the area in case they didn't feel like cooking. You'll never meet more gracious and open hearted people who made everyone feel like they were at home. The stay was awesome ! The listing was everything it said it was plus more. I thank God that he led us to Stanley and would recommend this place for a very clean, peaceful , and relaxing time out from the noise and hustle and bustle of every day life. It's true, the stars shine extra bright, you can hear all of the birds serinating you in this serene country atmosphere. I will definately come to my new Home Away from Home again...

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, girls getaway, families with young children, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Great relaxing getaway

  Great relaxing getaway

  • Guest Mike Mercury (Houston)
  • Date of stay 03/13/10
  • Review Submitted 03/21/10
  During a beautiful week in early spring, our family of 5 (three children) plus dog really enjoyed the peace and solitude and chance to experience the wide open space of a large Hill Country Ranch. Looking out beyond the fenced yard from the windows or at the comfortable chairs placed under the shade of large oaks all you can see is trees and pasture extending beyond. We had many funny visits from the cattle, and the children and dog enjoyed running free to explore the landscape and pond. The house and furnishings are very comfortable and roomy yet attractively rustic. The kitchen had everything we needed for cooking. For a busy family from the city, we really enjoyed the time relaxing at this fine country home, reading the many books on Texas history and nature (and the stars!), baking an apple pie and cookies and preparing dinners, sitting by the fire both inside and out, and playing a few of the games and watching movies (the DVD library was extensive). Although the ranch is remote, the owner lives down the road, and it is only about an hour's drive to Enchanted Rock or Fredericksburg and minutes from downtown Llano. Check out the famous Cooper's BBQ in Llano and the fine Llano historical museum. If we had more time, we could have checked out the antique stores too! We really enjoyed Stanley's tour of the surrounding thousand acre ranch lands, which included dramatic southern views off the escarpment. What a wonderful getaway!

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, girls getaway, families with young children, pet owners, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Great time in the country

  Great time in the country

  • Guest Fam with children (Houston, TX)
  • Date of stay 08/15/09
  • Review Submitted 08/25/09
  We had a great time away from the city lights fishing, hiking, bike riding and just relaxing. Very nice accomodations and exactly as advertised.

  Recommended for: Families with young children, age 55+.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Additional information about rental rates

On weekend stays the 4th night is free.