Notes from the host
Red Sands Ranch On a lake
PLEASE NOTE: CURRENTLY THE VRBO QUOTE SYSTEM WILL ONLY GIVE THE BASE RATE FOR THE RESORT AND THREE (3) CABINS WITH THE SELECTED NUMBER OF GUESTS (WHICH INCLUDES ANY EXTRA GUEST FEES). ANY EXTRA CABINS OR LISTED OPTIONS ARE NOT INCLUDED in the base quote but can be invoiced later when the final payment is due. Larger groups may want the optional extra cabins (all 4 for $295/nt) for a total of 7 units. There's also some optional recreational equipment (golf carts, Jeep, kayaks, mtn bikes, etc) which are priced near the bottom of this description, or you're welcome to bring your own.
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Imagine flying into your own private ranch resort with charming native-stone cabins, poolside cabana, 140' 4-story waterslide, lighted tennis court, 3000' airstrip, fitness center, full-court basketball, pickleball, game room, horseshoes, hot tub, river rapids, fishing, abundant wildlife, miles of trails, and plenty of other activities for all ages. Red Sands Ranch is located on the crystal clear Llano River between the towns of Mason and Fredericksburg and is the perfect spot for family or friends reunions, corporate gatherings, or even tennis team retreats. There are four self-contained rock cabins plus two separate bunk-type units, a vintage '68 Airstream, a Party Shed with TV/Video games, billiards and ping-pong, and a tennis/pickleball court, all surrounding a massive 53ft pool with spa and grotto. The main gathering area is an open-air Cabana with full stainless kitchen, WIFI, and 65in TV. The nearly 1/2 mile of fast-flowing, rock-bottom Llano River runs from the deep pools and spectacular 200ft red sandstone cliffs (featured on the cover of Texas Monthly Magazine) at the west end of the ranch, to more deep water and limestone bluffs to the east. A meandering path leads down to the perfect spot in the river to set a few lounge chairs and relax under an umbrella while the kids shoot the rapids in a tube or kayak. For fisherman or paddlers, there is an amazing 2-3 hour trip that terminates at the Ranch which is the highlight of one of the top ten paddling trips in the state of Texas. The ranch foreman lives on the property about a mile away and is usually available to assist with whatever arises. For horse owners, there is a corral, tack room, covered stall, and miles of trails. And of course there are plenty of lounge chairs around the pool with separate hot tub and a secret 'mine shaft' cave with a little surprise inside the kids will enjoy. Red Sands Ranch is a special place you'll want to come back to year after year.
Accommodations: Total of seven (7) separate units -- ONLY THREE (3) ARE INCLUDED IN THE BASE PRICE. All are air-conditioned with additional space heating, and hot water (plus spa heat) provided by one of the largest private solar heating installations in the Hill Country.
- There's a Bunkhouse with 4 twin beds, a Loft room with 4 full beds, a vintage Airstream with queen bed and 2 twins, plus four (4) self-contained rustic cabins that sleep from 6 to 8 (with additional cots and sleeping pads for kids), each with a wood fireplace*, full bath, stained concrete floors, covered porch, bedroom or sleeping loft, WIFI, satellite TV, and kitchenette (sink, microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, toaster oven and one-burner cooktop). *Sunday House sleeps two (adults only, no pets) in a king bed and does not have fireplace.
INCLUDED IN THE BASE PRICE (the following 3 units and up to 12 guests):
(1) The Fish Camp - a native sandstone cabin with local river-rock fireplace. The covered back porch includes a hammock and overlooks the river and huge pecan trees below. There is a full size pull-out futon downstairs and two full size beds in a sleeping loft -- accessible via ladder, plus an extra rollaway bed downstairs. The bath features an antique clawfoot tub and an outdoor hot shower.
(2) Lorenz House - the largest of the 6 cabins, named after the pioneer family that settled this section of the ranch in the mid-1800's. There is a queen futon sofa down and stairs lead to an upper loft with a queen bed and a trundle with two twin beds. This cabin is also built with local materials and sandstone walls inside and out from the century old rock fences found throughout the ranch, and includes a covered porch swing with views of the bluffs and mountains across the river.
(3) The Bunkhouse - 4 twin beds and a sink/vanity with beautiful views from a balcony cantilevered out over the pool. Note that access to the detached full bathroom is via lighted gravel pathway so this unit is best for older kids.
OPTIONAL UNITS ARE $95 per night OR ALL FOUR MAY BE RENTED FOR $295/nt):
(4) Riverside Cottage - This Fredericksburg limestone cabin is the most private and has the best views of the river from inside the cabin or on the covered back deck from the hammock, rocking chairs, or cedar porch swing. There is a large masonry fireplace and the unit sleeps 6-8 with a queen bed and futon sofa down and a full bed in the upstairs bedroom, along with two twin beds.
(5) Sunday House (adults only, no pets) - an updated historic representation of the quaint Fredericksburg homes built by the German pioneer ranchers for weekend stays when they came to town for church and supplies. This luxury unit features a king bed with full ADA compliant (wheelchair accessible) bathroom and covered porch with swing and easy wheelchair access to the pool area and Cabana.
(6) Sunday Loft - this bunk-style unit is located on the upper level of the Sunday House (with a separate entrance) and sleeps up to eight with four double beds and a half-bath.
(7) The 'Sixty-Eight' - Beautifully renovated (retro-modern) vintage airstream with a queen and two twin beds plus a kitchenette and full bath.
The cabins are situated around a poolside cabana and a beautifully landscaped grilling area which includes a large charcoal grill, picnic table, smoker, firepit, and covered 'cantina' with four lounge chairs.
Common Area:
- Striking 53' free-form pool and poolside open-air cabana with full kitchen constructed of old barn wood ceilings supported by huge hand-made wooden trusses. There is an over-sized gas grill, 2 small ovens, dishwasher, two refrigerator/freezers, built-in microwave, two sinks, soapstone countertops, marine-grade mahogany cabinetry, WIFI, 65in LCD satellite television, BluRayDVD, and BlueTooth/iPod/Aux inputs with speakers located throughout the pool complex. In the wintertime or during inclement weather, the unique steel and glass doors can be lowered to fully enclose the room.
- 'The Shack' Party Shed. A favorite hangout area for the kids, features a flatscreen TV with Wii game console, billiards with a competition-grade, removable top for table tennis, and lots of eclectic neon lighting and decor.
- Fitness Center with commercial elliptical machine and recumbent bicycle, universal weight machine, sit-up bench, and pull-up/dip bars -- satellite TV, and workout towels provided.
- The fully lighted tennis court includes a practice wall, pickleball lines, and full-court basketball.
EXTRAS:
- Pair of off-road golf carts $375 per stay
- Recreation Pkg (4 kayaks, 3-4 mtn bikes, 4-5 tubes) $375
- All of the above for $695
- NEW: 'The Whole Enchilada' ($1595) includes all of the above plus a red 1948 Willys Jeep (std transmission) with an 8' trailer for ‘hayrides’ and hauling gear/umbrellas/coolers to the river or shuttling kids to tube the rapids. Also included is a pair of Standup Paddleboards (SUPs) and a bag full of RS logo gear (t-shirt/lantern/tumblers/stickers) and more.
Property:
- Rolling hill country terrain with large stands of Live Oaks hundreds of years old and mountain views in all directions. At the ranch entrance you'll notice the Simons House, built in 1860 by Conrad Simons and currently occupied by the ranch caretakers, Danny and Becky. It's a classic German story-and-a-half structure with 2ft thick sandstone walls and hand-hewn oak beams and is beautifully restored to much of its original character and charm. In addition to horses and Angus cattle, wildlife is abundant and includes whitetail and axis deer, antelope, turkey, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, quail, dove, roadrunners, ducks/geese, eagles and more. The breath-taking stretch of river on the ranch includes everything from fast-moving rapids over a solid rock bottom for most of the length (where hard-fighting Guadalupe Bass are common) to slow, deep water at either end (where catfish as large as 35 lbs have been caught). Note: river activities may be affected by drought conditions.
Disclaimer: Red Sands is a working Texas cattle ranch with inherent risks and hazards including, but not limited to, rough terrain, heavy equipment, deep and/or fast-moving water, wild animals, livestock, etc. and may not be ideal for vegetarians or poorly supervised children.
Note: Privately owned family-oriented resort. No Youth groups, grad, Rave, or keg parties. Minimum age of 30 required to register your group. Absolutely NO diving or doubles/headfirst sliding allowed. Slide security camera may be active.
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