Notes from the host
Magnolia Ranch SW Austin
If waterfront seclusion and privacy in southwest Austin and halfway to Dripping Springs (known as the Wedding Capital of Texas) are important to you, then this is your place. With a combination of woods and fields, hiking trails, a large pond, pergola, firepit with stone seating, and small orchard, this 36 acre gated private ranch is unique in that it is close in to downtown Austin with easy access from Loop 1/Mopac South. The large front porch is perfect for enjoying the birds, night frogs in the pond, and viewing the deer. There is also a detached outdoor entertaining area/carport, with lighting and electricity, for enjoying dinners, watching games, etc. Due to prolonged droughts in the area, the pond does not hold fish but does hold lots of frogs for the kids to catch and provides a source of water for area wildlife.
Privacy is also accessed through the design of this home, which we built just a few years ago. It is modeled after a Texas deer camp in a U shape, featuring a central main house with two separate bunkhouses, one to the left and one to the right of the main house, that are 12 feet away and all 3 buildings share a long, covered porch and roof. There are 2 roomy bedroom suites in one of the 2 bunkhouses and one roomy suite in the second bunkhouse. Each bedroom measures 21 x 18’. In total, 3 bedroom suites are detached from the main house with a total of 5 king beds and 1 sofa. Each bedroom has its own private bath with plush towels, AC/heating controls for individual comfort for each room, sun blocking drapes, and one (or two) king beds and/or sofas. Every room has its own tv with DirecTv satellite service and a mini fridge on the built in desk for water or beverages since it is 12 feet from the main house. Each bedroom’s built in desk with seating allows you to access your laptop in comfort. This house design affords family and friends togetherness time when you choose in the main house and on the porches and then private downtime in your bunkhouse just a few steps away.
Our home place is only minutes from Belterra Village shopping, restaurants, a movie theatre, several beer and vodka breweries, an olive orchard, swimming holes, hill country vineyards and wineries and only 25 minutes to Sixth Street in downtown Austin. There are touring limos that visit the local vineyards and wineries. All you need to do is Google them to book a trip.
Our living area in the main house has two leather reclining sofas and one large recliner with a 70” large screen HD television. Open to the living room is the kitchen which features quartz countertops and a 6 burner Wolf range, along with 3 stools at the island. Ceilings are 11'. There are 2 coffeemakers, a Ninja Coffee Bar and a Keurig. There are two ovens in the kitchen along with everything you need to prepare a meal. As your host is also a chef, there is a large variety of pots and pans along with most any other utensil needed to make a delicious meal with your family or friends. There is also a laundry room with an LG washer and dryer along with detergent. We are serious about your sleeping comfort and have been told that the beds are very comfortable. The sheets are high thread count. Each mattress and each pillow has a protective wrap ensuring cleanliness, also. We are clean freaks and work hard to make sure this place is ready for your visit. In addition to our cleaning it, we also have a professional service come in to clean prior to your arrival.
Wildlife is abundant on our ranch, particularly birds and deer. We would invite you to enjoy the fire pit outdoors under a vast Texas sky and roast hotdogs or make s’mores with the wood and roasting forks provided. There is a lovely small orchard at the opposite side of the yard with roses, peach, nectarine, apple, pear, and plum trees. It is fenced to keep the deer from treating it like a buffet. If you venture in there, please close the gate behind you and keep it closed or deer will find there way in there. You can also enjoy a walk in the morning or evening on the trails and in the meadows. The property measures a half mile from the front gate to the rear fencing with plenty of room to walk laps, if you choose. There is also a golf wedge range and hitting mat. You will have to supply your own golf balls, but we will supply a shag bag to help you retrieve them. There is also a basketball goal over the concrete driveway, so there is plenty of room for getting your game on!
The window of each bedroom looks out over the pond, orchard and fields. It is a lovely view to wake up to seeing the deer at the feeder across from the pond and all the wildlife coming to the pond for a morning drink of water. The front yard also has bird feeders for those who love bird watching and listening to all the song birds.
We truly want your visit to be wonderful and will do all we can to ensure that it is. If there is something special you would like, we will do our best to accommodate you. Thank you for looking at our listing and we hope you will choose us.
Thank you!
Additional policies to note:
A 3 night minimum stay MAY be required for weekends during high season. 5 night minimum stays may be required during events and event rates apply.
If for any reason you might want additional people to visit with you on our property, there is an additional flat fee of $250/day which we use to buy additional insurance and replacement supplies. We limit the size of this gathering to a maximum of 6 additional people and there can be no additional guests sleeping over. We would be happy to discuss this with you if this is something you would like to request. Failure to disclose additional people on the property may result in loss of your deposit.
An outside only pet is allowed but it must remain in a kennel unless you are attending it and a pet fee $25/night is charged. It is not allowed to chase deer. If you are planning to bring any kind of pet with you, please inquire about it with us before booking.
*There is absolutely NO SMOKING allowed indoors. If we find evidence of smoking indoors you will forfeit your deposit. Please enjoy your smoke outdoors and realize that in this part of the country fires are very serious and can ignite from the slightest spark when the grass is dry. Please extinguish your cigarettes or cigars responsibly and discard appropriately.
*If you're booking any time during SXSW, we have a zero cancellation policy. NO REFUNDS will be given after the booking is complete. Please do not make a reservation if you are not certain you will be staying with us.
*This property has a caretaker that is onsite much of the time. He has his own quarters elsewhere on the property located a few hundred yards from the house, so nothing will be shared and privacy is preserved. Please text me if any problem with the property arises.