The beautiful thing about small bed-and-breakfast style boutique inns that are near a big city – especially a fun, happening “it” city like Austin, Texas – are that they make the perfect overnight or weekend getaway. You don’t have to go very far, whether you are a resident of said city or visiting there and looking for an “outside the city limits” area experience.
Such is definitely the case with Sage Hill Inn Above Onion Creek. This perfectly situated little inn is only a 20 minute drive south from Austin, one of the country’s most popular cities to move to and visit. Yet it feels much further, as if you’ve really made it into the famed Texas Hill Country. The Inn sits atop a hill on 88 acres above Onion Creek, with sweeping views of the Hill Country to the West. Inhale the clear country air. The wide-open spaces. The walking trails and wildlife. The views.
Sage Hill Inn is celebrating its 20th Anniversary on January 14, 2014, with an open house from 2-7 pm. The inn provides a nearly perfect close-in retreat, with so many things going for it:
1. A Stunning Setting
It hardly gets much better than this. Once you turn off the main road, you meander for a while up the country lane until you finally reach the inn…a beautiful little country drive that lets your mind settle into its new mode of relaxation and removal from civilization. The landscape is very pretty, the skies and sunsets to die for, and the grounds themselves are delightful. I couldn’t stop myself from wandering through the gardens that beckoned, before I even checked in or saw my room.
The main house and common areas are nice, too – every amenity and comfort is thought of, yet it has a more upscale than down-home feel. The dining room where meals are taken feels like attending a dinner party at a friend’s house; and the library across the breezeway is eclectic, with retro chandeliers and interesting artifacts everywhere.
2. Gorgeous Rooms Where Everything is Thought Of
The inn consists of the main buildings with 15 individual rooms and several luxury suites, as well as four private cottages set back a bit from the other buildings. Like the rest of the place, guest rooms are chic and stylish, without traces of the traditional “country inn” kitsch. Yet your every need seems to have been predicted. A luxurious, sink-into-them pallet bed; deep soaking tubs lined with candles, artisan bath salts and lotions; hiking and birding guides along with accoutrements of walking stick, binoculars and sun hat. Cozy fireplaces, stocked drinks, homemade cookies, relaxing balconies, hammocks, DVDs, books and games, and more. You probably won’t want to leave.
3. Delectable Dining
Several tables fill the dining room, from four-tops to eight-tops. This means that guests can enjoy a more intimate breakfast or dinner, or be more social with several other groups if they feel like it. I was there by myself, for some personal rejuvenation and was looking forward to solitude; still, it was nice to sit down to dinner with two lovely, interesting couples and have engaging conversations and laugh together, over Sage Hill Inn’s delicious three-course meal and our own bottles of wine that we brought. Which brings me to…
4. Nearby Wineries
Sage Hill Inn is one of those places where you can do as much or as little as you like. If your goal is to completely unplug and destress, then maybe all you want to do is stay at the inn, hiking the grounds and getting massages, reading in a hammock while butterflies flit around nearby flowers, and enjoy a glass of wine with a bubblebath or sitting next to the pool or firepit as you watch the sun set.
But there’s also plenty to do; this “country inn” is close to Wimberley – an delightful Hill Country town that is full of art galleries and wineries. Taking a day drive to town, gallery hopping and a couple of vineyard tastings is a fun way to spend the day – and you can bring back a bottle or two of your favorite wine, to accompany your dinner.
The inn staff can also recommend/arrange other activities such as golf, fishing, helicopter tours, horseback riding, skydiving and more.
5. Top Notch Service
The people here are great. Friendly and extremely service-oriented, yet also low-key and unobtrusive. From check-in to a chat about your day, the staff are knowledgeable and genuinely interested in the quality of experience that their guests have. The spa staff are exceptional, and I would urge any guest to take advantage of the wonderful treatments offered in the small on-site spa with a very relaxing atmosphere, situated in the middle of the garden.
Other things to know about Sage Hill Inn Above Onion Creek:
The inn has one of the largest grounds of any Texas hotel, resort or bed and breakfast. They recently added a large limestone-bordered Bocce court with a great sunset view, and are adding Horseshoes and Washers in February of 2014. With miles of hiking and biking trails to explore, including the “overlook” which sits atop a cliff side eighty feet above Onion Creek, there are endless stunning views of the hills surrounding the Sage Hill Inn.
The recently renovated 25 yard-long pool and spa, partially shaded by large native oaks, is another great place to relax and take in the beauty of the Hill Country or swim a few laps. The large outdoor fire pit is perfect for relaxing under the stars.
Sage Hill Inn offers event hosting such as weddings and corporate retreats, and often has specials and packages. The 3 Bedroom Ranch House and Thelma’s 2 Bedroom Cottage are the perfect retreats for friends or family looking to spend some quality time together.
Girlfriend Getaway Packages including room accommodations, breakfasts and dinners, a two hour spa treatment and a spa lunch. Packages begin at approximately $400 per person. Pricing is based off a two-night weekend stay in Thelma’s, for a group of four people, but the Girlfriend Getaway Package is also customizable.
Contact Details:
4444 W. FM Highway 150
Kyle, TX, 78640
Toll Free: 1-800-579-7686
Phone: 512-268-1617
Fax: 512-268-1090
Email: info@innaboveonioncreek.com
Website: http://www.sagehill.com/
