swimming at the waterfall--clear water and frothing bubbles--very refreshing!
Location: Bandera, Hill Country, Texas, USA (Situated in One of the Naturally Beautiful Areas of Texas.)
Accommodations: Cabin, 4 Bedrooms + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 2 Baths (Sleeps 8-10)
Keywords: Cabin
HOLIDAY FLASH: New Year's Week has just opened up again after having been booked for weeks. The lodge is available Dec. 28-Jan 3, and there is no better place in the universe to celebrate New Year's! Eat, drink, party, play, and then fall into bed.....there are no nearby neighbors to disturb!.............Rustic stone riverfront lodge on a bluff above the crystal-clear Medina River, with steps winding down to the water. Fireplaces, sleeps 8, 3 acres. This is an old house with quirks and character—if you want hotel perfection, this isn’t it. Awesome Hill Country atmosphere…swim, tube, canoe, fish, or sit on the patio or in the river and watch the water roll by. Near San Antonio, Austin, Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld, Lost Maples State Park. Bandera is the 'Cowboy Capital of the World'...enjoy rodeos, horses, hayrides, and outdoor fun deep in the heart of the beautiful Hill Country.
Situated in one of the most naturally beautiful areas of Texas, Bandera County beckons visitors to share a taste of the Old West set against a backdrop of the spectacular scenery of the Texas Hill Country. Bandera's title, 'Cowboy Capital of the World' originated when it became a staging area for the great cattle drives of yesteryear. When ranching fell on hard times in the 1930s, an enterprising rancher decided to take in 'dudes' to help him through the depression. An exciting new industry was born!
It continues to flourish today with a number of excellent Dude Ranches operating throughout Bandera County, Texas. Confirming Bandera as the 'Cowboy Capital of the World', a bronze monument, honoring the many National Rodeo Champions who call Bandera, Texas, home, stands on the courthouse lawn. Enhancing the western character, a working blacksmith's shop on Main Street recalls the horse-and-buggy era when the forge was the center of every town's activities.
We want all our guests to be happy. Most people love our place, but the ones who do not.....are typically expecting a more upscale, updated facility. This is like going to Grandma's House. It is quite comfortable, but it is a charming and unique old house, and there will be 'issues' from time to time. So, we really love flexible people who will be cooperative and understanding when maintenance needs arise (rare but does happen)! We hope you'll become part of our extended Bander-family.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning : Main house has central air and heat; Annex bedrooms have space heaters and fans
- Off Street Parking : plenty of parking, but it's out in the open
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer : plenty of room
- Wood Fireplace (2) : 2 fireplaces, one in kitchen and one in living room
- Beds
- King Bed (2)
- Queen Bed
- Twin/Single Bed (4) : 2 trundle beds make out into 4 twins on the main house's enclosed sunportch
- Entertainment
- TV (No Cable/Satellite) : there is no TV reception at the house.....bring your DVD's and have a film festival!
- DVD
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : kitchen is fully stocked including condiments, pots and pans, coffee filters, etc. Just replace anything you use up the last of! And bring your own dishtowels....we don't provide linens.
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Catering Available : owners are caterers in San Marcos, about 1 1/2 hours east of Bandera. We can do weddings, reunions, and other large parties upon request.
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio : beautiful, spacious patio with lawn chairs sprawls along the top of a hill overlooking the Medina River. Built-in rock picnic table.
- View/Location
- Waterfront, not Lake/Oceanfront. Ask for details : We have a lot of frontage on the crystal-clear Medina River. It's fun to relax on the patio with a drink in your hand, watching tubes, canoes, and kayaks going by.
- Other Amenities
- This is a semi-rustic lodge 5 miles out in the country - no real amenities, guests bring their own! Lots of uneven steps, rock and concrete floors, so not ideal for crawling babies or the orthopedically challenged.
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly : Pets are fine, but we do charge a pet fee, and we beg you to keep them off the furniture and also to keep them from jumping on the window and door screens.
- Kid Friendly
- Not Suitable for Children : may not be ideal for crawling babies and toddlers. Concrete floors, rough rocks on patio, uneven floors, steep steps going down to the river. That said, this is a family-friendly place, and kids will love it.
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Antiquing
- Horseback Riding
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Museums
- Restaurants
- Rafting
- Hiking
- Other Activities
- Tubing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, snorkeling.....all things 'river'!
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Jan-Dec .. $175/night .. $400/weekend .. $900/week
Tax Rate: 12%
Cleaning Fee: $25
The house actually sleeps 10, not 8...but we charge extra for any number in
excess of 8.....and 8 is more comfortable than a larger number.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Credit Cards Accepted:
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Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 1980
Mike and Cathy Dillon use the Bandera Riverside Hideaway as a beloved family getaway, and rent it out in between personal uses. They have had it since 1980, and raised their kids going there for birthdays, summer vacations, holidays, and pretty much any time there is opportunity to get away. In real life, Cathy is a nurse and Mike does real estate property management, but since 1984 they have owned and operated the Crystal River Inn Bed and Breakfast in San Marcos.
Why the Owner Chose Bandera
We love the Hill Country, and love anything related to the beautiful white-water rivers in the Hill Country. We found the property while canoeing and camping on the Medina River.
The Unique Benefits of this Cabin
This property is peaceful, secluded, and downright inspirational IF (as we do) you like the country. It is rustic and charming, but a very vintage place. That's what we like--a place to get away from the high pace of city/work life. There is no phone and no TV reception (there is a TV and DVD player, so we encourage guests to bring their own movies to enjoy). It's made for good conversation,good cooking, floating down the river, and watching the stars.
Property Photos
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- swimming at the waterfall--clear water and frothing bubbles--very refreshing! - Bandera, Texas Riverfront Lodge with Fishing and Canoeing
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- living room with sunporch to the left and river just beyond the windows - Bandera, Texas Riverfront Lodge with Fishing and Canoeing
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- Patio overlooking Medina River, reached via winding stone steps down a hill - Bandera, Texas Riverfront Lodge with Fishing and Canoeing
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- master bedroom, main house
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- The Medina River behind the house, which is to the left and up the hill
Traveler Reviews (26)
Great Time with Family
Guest: Gabe
(Austin)
Date of Stay: 01/20/12
Review Submitted: 01/23/12
We had a blast! My family and I (all 7 of us) had a wonderful time exploring the river, roasting marshmallows, and seeing all the wildlife. My 4 year old and 7 year old even went swimming.....in January! We rode into Bandera for the day on Saturday and did some shopping and saw the old west gun fights. The cabin was just what we were looking for, cozy and rustic, it was clean and the beds were super comfortable. We spent every night around the out door fire place enjoying the stars and sounds of the river. We will definitely be coming back this summer.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
A warning
Guest: Debbie O.
Date of Stay: 06/26/11
Review Submitted: 07/12/11
I grew up spending my summers in a tent at camp in Maine or in cabins on Twin Lakes in northwestern Conn., so I know and love rustic places. But my family did not enjoy this rustic rental because it was filthy and obviously is never cleaned. The icebox was disgusting and the dirt and gargage left by other renters was everywhere, under beds, left in closets. I also think that not having a working shower and toilet in the main house bathroom is unexcusable. It's a shame that such a charming place has to endure such neglect. Debbie O'Brien
Owner response:Wow. It hurts to read things like this because the place is normally neither "filthy" nor "disgusting" nor "neglected". We have a hardworking caretaker who does a great job ordinarily, although as I've said before one of the reasons our rent is so reasonable is that it's more a shared home than a professionally-maintained hotel. Guests are expected to clean up after themselves. If housekeeper Randi arrives with only 3 hours to turn the place around, and the folks who just departed left a horrible mess, she sometimes can't pull off the level of success we would all wish for. All I can say is, Ms. Debbie's experience is not the norm, and we feel badly that it happened. Two weeks later, I received a frantic note from someone who had read this review online, and was having second thoughts about coming. But she did decide to keep her reservation, and sent me this note from her iPhone: "We got here around 5 and everything looked clean. We don't have any complaints. (The review doesn't match our observations.) I walked down to the river and that was quite an adventure!! I'm sure it's half the walk on high water years. We are all enthralled with the charm and rusticness of the place. Do you know when it was built? Enjoying ourselves in Bandera!! We will definitly come back here. Thanks, Denise" So, dear guests, I am sorry. You didn't deserve such a negative experience. I wish Bandera could have worked its magic on you. Sent from my iPhone
Recommended for:
a great family vacation
Guest: Jon
(Arlington, TX)
Date of Stay: 11/21/10
Review Submitted: 01/01/11
A wonderful cabin in a great location! We had our family of 5 (plus a small dog) for Thanksgiving week at this great vacation spot. As noted in the information, it is a bit rustic but we found that to be part of the charm. The cabin is certainly clean and in good condition. Some of the amenities have their quirks (a 35 year old microwave with instruction that make you feel like you are about to launch missiles - that was a surprise!) but with the right sense of humor and adventure, those became part of the family fun and make for stories that we are still having fun relating. The river was a little chilly but we all swam (including the dog) every day. The waterfall is a great picture spot and my boys swam over and behind it. We also canoed quite a bit. We had a great time. Thank you for sharing your cabin.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Time Stood Still
Guest: Jay-Are
(New Braunfels TX)
Date of Stay: 03/06/10
Review Submitted: 03/11/10
Cathy, I can not thank you enough for saving this past weekend. I had planned a nice little camping get away for my wife and some of her friends when rain cancelled that. I called you on a Friday evening, around 7:30 and explained my situation and that i would only need a place for one night. I guess the stars were in line, cause as it worked out, the place was available, and only for that night. So, the five of set out to Bandera TX for a weekend to remember. Upon arriving at this little nestled secret in was apparent that we had came to a place where time hadn't touched. We were all in amazement as to how old this place was, it was like traveling back in time....but please do not let that fool you. This place is beyond relaxing.........its more like an escape. Every square inch of this place has history. We had no problems with any thing there at all. No circuit breakers popped, all the plumbing worked great, and loads of hot water. Now, go out back and take a little stroll down to the river and be ready to fall in love. The views of this crystal clear river are simply breath taking. The water was a little cold, but after taking a little stroll up river to see the falls, i just had to get it. Cold? yes! Amazing? Beyond!! We had a fantastic time and can not wait to return this summer to be able to really relax in the river. Again, Cathy, thanks so much for letting us enjoy this piece of history, our only regret is not being able to stay longer. To anyone thinking of coming here, understand, this is a piece of timeless history.....so start a fire, set back, relax, and take a journey back in time......you'll love it.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with teenagers.
Great getaway!
Guest: Had a Blast
(Corpus Christi, tx)
Date of Stay: 08/16/09
Review Submitted: 08/26/09
My family and I had a great time out here. Just what the kids needed before heading back to school. The guest house had no a/c, but most of the time was spent swimming in the water holes or grilling. At night time though, it is very cool and comfortable with the windows open. We are in a drought, and the river is low, but there are a couple of water holes deep enough to swim in and even jump off of a rope with. We had a blast in the water, as we spent most of the time out there. Its a nice little walk, but it is beautiful, with large trees giving off shade. At night time, we all sat around the picnic table and observed the deer in the yard. Overall , we had an awsome time and would love to go back.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers.
Another Great Stay!
Guest: Beautiful Week
(Brownsville, Texas)
Date of Stay: 07/26/09
Review Submitted: 08/04/09
We enjoyed another great stay this summer at the Bandera House! The river was a little low, but we still spent many hours exploring and playing. Most evenings we simply grilled outside and watched the deer. We love the rustic and quirky house! It was a beautiful week. Thank you!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Barely Habitable
Guest: YIKES!
(Stillwater, Oklahoma US)
Date of Stay: 07/15/09
Review Submitted: 07/28/09
Our experience was very much like that of "Female Sherry": we found that the place needed some serious attention. The day before we drove to Bandera, Cathy informed us that the shower in the main house should not be used. When we got there, we found that the toilets had serious limitations. The "Annex" is not air conditioned, and that means that in summer heat, no matter what the myth is about the Hill Country being cooler, no one can sleep in it. A hundred-dollar window unit would have gone a long way in making the Annex livable. The kitchen in the main cabin was grimy. We had reserved the place for a week, but fled after one night. -- Perhaps this could be made into a charming vacation cabin if the owners invested a little money and elbow grease, but as it now stands I would encourage people to look elsewhere.
Recommended for:
Bandera house
Guest: amyrvw
(Buda)
Date of Stay: 05/03/09
Review Submitted: 07/05/09
What a wonderful place! My husband and I took our 2 and 4 year old children to this magical little cabin. The kids had the most amazing time exploring every inch of the grounds. We had our breakfast with the deer every morning and spent most of the day down by the water. With nothing more than a basic cane pole and some leftover hot dog, my 4 year old caught over a dozen fish:) We will be coming back every year. This place is truly special and the owner is a real gem. It is not a 5 star hotel and does not claim to be. Perfectly quaint and quirky. My kids will remember playing in the water and watching the wildlife. They could care less about the funny shower....me too.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Fantastic river getaway
Guest: Frequent Flyers from FL
(Safety Harbor, FL)
Date of Stay: 06/14/09
Review Submitted: 07/02/09
While visiting my sister in the Texas Hill Country, she recommended a rustic, river getaway. She had sent me the website and many photos so I felt like I knew the place before we arrived for a two night retreat. What I didn't expect was the overall tranquility I felt getting away from home and the phones, computers and the overall hectic-ness of life. The house had everything we needed and was very comfortable. We, my sister and her husband, my 14 year old son and I had a blast in the river. The waterfall and the rope swing was all the entertainment we needed for daytime. We talked and play games in the evening. We definitely plan to return.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with teenagers.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #267691
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