My siblings and I rented this property for an extended 90th birthday celebration for our mom (10 adults in all). The house provided all the space and amenities we needed to have a great time. The house is quite quirky in its layout and furnishings, but that is part of its country charm. The caretaker came by and introduced himself the first day, which we appreciated. The only time we called on him was when he brought over some spray to deal with ants.
Pluses:
- Plenty of space and seating to spread out, inside and out
- 4 bedrooms on the main level
- Plenty of kitchen tools, dishes, cookware (blender would have been nice)
- Mini fridges in both bar areas
- Extra freezer in one of the 2 laundry rooms
- Plenty of bed and bath linens, including beach towels
- Veranda and smoker
- Hummingbird watching around the flowering vines on front patio
- Huge carport providing protection from the hot Texas sun for at least 4 cars
Minuses:
- Dining space is limited if your large party wants to eat together, but plenty room of room to spread out if that is not a priority.
- Uneven cooling was an issue. During a very hot spell in TX (well over 100 degrees each day), ceiling and floor fans everywhere along with the a/c units kept it comfortable in most of the house. However, the bedroom at the rear of the main level was quite warm. Also, the 2 loft areas, one of which is the fifth bedroom, were too warm to use.
Needs Attention:
- The house has several 1-2 step elevation changes on the main level and outside. Most of our group was 60+, so those spots became hazards – even when we remembered they were there. The one that was easiest to forget and that got us the most was a drop of maybe 3” from the entry foyer into the kitchen/dining area. Recommend adding some bright yellow paint or something similar to make these spots more visible.
- Recommend a deep, top-to-bottom cleaning to address things like spider webs in deer/elk antlers and elsewhere, crumbs in kitchen drawers, dirty plaster (bathroom walls in rear bedroom), dirty vents and air returns, etc., and having the house exterminated. House is not filthy or anywhere close to being overrun with bugs, but addressing these issues would add to the enjoyment of staying here.
Summary: Provided the two items mentioned above receive attention, I would recommend this property if you have a large group and value space, comfort, and quiet solitude in a beautiful setting over a highbrow, citified experience.