Summary:
Authentic 1BR/1BA Cottage • Highland Neighborhood • Where Art Meets West Texas
Casita Escondida is a one-bedroom cottage in Abilene's Highland neighborhood with butterfly-themed decor and a private patio. Built for two guests who want to stay somewhere with character instead of a cookie-cutter hotel room..
The Space:
The House
Living Room: Tan sofa with red paisley and blue butterfly pillows, feather artwork on the walls, and a wood coffee table. Windows let in plenty of natural light.
Bedroom: Your private sanctuary showcases coordinating butterfly textiles that flutter across crisp linens. A ceiling fan whispers overhead while bedside lighting creates the perfect ambiance for reading or quiet conversation.
Kitchen: This galley kitchen means business with white cabinetry, rich butcher block counters, and everything a cowpoke or city slicker needs to rustle up a meal. The Kitchensmith coffee maker stands ready for those early morning adventures.
Dining Nook: An intimate table for two sits beneath the morning light—perfect for planning your day over breakfast or sharing stories over a nightcap.
Bathroom: Clean lines meet Western comfort with herringbone tile work and thoughtful storage. Fresh towels in desert blue await.
The Patio: Your private outdoor haven features covered seating, a gas grill for authentic Texas BBQ, and a clay chiminea that'll have you sharing stories under a blanket of Hill Country stars..
Guest Access:
The entire cottage is yours to command:
Full kitchen stocked for cooking adventures
Laundry room with washer/dryer
Private covered patio with grill
Your own parking spot
High-speed internet for when the outside world calls
The Neighborhood:
Casita Escondida, your “hidden little house,” is tucked away on Highland Avenue in the heart of Abilene. It’s in the established Sayles Boulevard area, one of the city’s most central neighborhoods, with mature trees, classic homes, and quiet streets, all just minutes from everything you’ll want to see and do.
Getting around: The central location makes it easy to get anywhere in Abilene quickly, whether you’re headed downtown, to campus, to the hospital, or to the base.
Nearby:
McMurry University: less than a mile away, perfect for visiting students, graduations, and campus events. Hardin-Simmons and Abilene Christian universities are a short drive.
Shopping and dining: several shopping centers within walking distance
Hendrick Medical Center: about 7 minutes, ideal for traveling nurses and medical stays
Abilene Regional Airport: about 12 minutes
Dyess Air Force Base: about 14 minutes
Abilene Zoo and the Abilene ISD Planetarium: just a few miles away
SoDA District and downtown Abilene: local shops, restaurants, and breweries, plus Frontier Texas!, the Paramount Theatre, and the Storybook Sculptures
The Abilene Experience
Casita Escondida places you dead center in the "Friendly Frontier" and "Storybook Capital of America." Explore museums that rival any big city, taste flavors that define Texas, catch live music at the historic Paramount, or join the famous Abilene Food Tour. Whether you're here for work, learning, or pure wandering, this little hideaway serves as your perfect headquarters for conquering the Big Country.
Whether you’re a traveling professional, a couple on a weekend getaway, or a parent visiting campus, Casita Escondida is a quiet, private hideaway close to everything Abilene has to offer. Reserve Casita Escondida and discover why this hidden refuge is becoming Abilene's most treasured destination.
Getting Around:
Casita Escondida: A Hidden Gem Steps from McMurry University
Casita Escondida is a cozy hideaway in a quiet pocket of Abilene. McMurry University is 1 minute away and Oscar Rose Park is 2. Downtown’s restaurants, museums, and theaters are within about 4 minutes.
🍽️ Restaurants
Cypress Street Station - 3 min
Joe Allen’s Pit Bar-B-Que - 3 min
Vagabond Pizza - 4 min
Aperitivo - 4 min
Beehive Restaurant - 4 min
Lytle Land & Cattle Company - 7 min
Taylor County Taphouse - 7 min
Blu Barrel Bar & Grill - 8 min
Little Italy Pizza & Pasta - 8 min
Texas Flaming Grill - 8 min
Copper Creek Restaurant - 8 min
Cork And Pig Tavern - 10 min
Twisted Root Burger Co. - 10 min
The Shed Market - 16 min
Perini Ranch Steakhouse - 33 min (Buffalo Gap; well worth the drive for an excellent steak)
🎭 Culture & Family Attractions
12th Armored Division Memorial Museum - 3 min
The Grace Museum - 3 min
The Paramount Theatre - 4 min
Frontier Texas! Museum - 4 min
Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden - 4 min
Abilene Zoo - 9 min
PrimeTime Family Entertainment Center - 9 min
🎓 Universities
McMurry University - 1 min
Hardin-Simmons University - 8 min
Abilene Christian University - 9 min
🏆 Sports & Events
Abilene Convention Center - 4 min
Red Bud Park - 5 min
Shotwell Stadium - 8 min
Taylor Telecom Arena - 8 min
Dodge Jones Youth Sports Center - 9 min
Recreational Outdoor Complex (The ROC - Soccer Complex) - 10 min
Wylie Little League Fields - 11 min
🌳 Outdoors & Parks
Oscar Rose Park - 2 min
Grover Nelson Park - 8 min
Abilene State Park - 40 min
✈️ Getting Around
Hendrick Medical Center (North) - 7 min
Hendrick Medical Center South - 11 min
Abilene Regional Airport - 11 min
Dyess Air Force Base - 15 min
Whether you’re here for a quiet weekend, a family visit, or a trip to campus, Casita Escondida gives you a peaceful retreat with downtown Abilene minutes away.
Other Things to Note:
Perfect For:
Romantic escapes from city life
University visits (ACU, HSU)
Art and history seekers
Business travelers wanting character over corporate
Anyone hungry for authentic West Texas hospitality.
Pet-Friendly Accommodations
We love welcoming well-behaved dogs to this property! Just a few things to know before you book:
• Pet fee: $75 per pet, per reservation (a one-time flat fee, no matter how long you stay)
• Dogs only, please — we're not able to accommodate cats at this property
• Let us know ahead of time: Please mention your pet(s) when you book so we can prepare properly
A Few Guest Responsibilities
• Please keep an eye on your pet and avoid leaving them alone in the property for long stretches
• If your dog will be alone at any point, they'll need to be crated
• Pets should stay off furniture and beds unless we've said otherwise
• We ask that you cover the cost of any damage your pet causes (charged to the card on file)
• Barking that disturbs the neighbors may lead to extra fees or an early checkout, so please help us keep the peace
Pet Waste
We ask that you clean up after your pet promptly — both indoors and in the yard — throughout your stay. Please do one final check before you check out: any pet waste left in the yard, on patios, or anywhere on the property will result in a significant additional cleaning fee charged to the card on file, so we really appreciate a thorough sweep before you go.
A Couple of Important Notes
We're not able to accommodate cats or exotic pets at this property — if one is brought without approval, it will result in a substantial fee in addition to any repair and cleaning costs. Small dogs can be requested and approved case-by-case before check-in, but unfortunately, we can't approve dogs over 100 lbs (this includes Emotional Support Animals).
*Registered and papered Service Dogs are always welcome.