A World Away Is Only A Short Drive From Austin At Sage Hill Inn And Spa
A peacock, a doe with their fawn, a bunny, butterflies and a beautiful garden; a rushing river, rolling hills, green as far as the eye can see and nature filled quiet. This is how it all began.
To call Sage Hill Inn and Spa a hidden gem for Austin almost seems too passé. It feels like you've travelled to another world completely. Getting there is an adventure, turning off the main highway, travelling back-roads and then a few more miles down a narrow road. I started to fear I might start hearing banjos, but once we arrived my fears were settled. When I was younger I prided myself on how little I took time off from work. I've since learned how important it is every now and then to get away, relax and just stop for a couple days to enjoy life and my relationship with my wife of now over 20 years. When Sage Hill Inn invited us to be their guests for an overnight stay we welcomed the opportunity for a much needed respite.
The facilities themselves are rustic yet luxurious. We felt like everything was the perfect combo of the preservation of yesteryear with modern comfort in mind. Our room was beautifully appointed, from the heavenly comfort of the bed, to the spa like shower and tub along with the homelike atmosphere of the sitting room. The dining room made you feel immediately at ease and the included amenities like fresh baked cookies, brewed ice teas and homemade granola bars made us feel like any want we might have had been anticipated and amply provided for.
Though the luxury tempts you to just stay in, the most wonderful aspect of this place is the sheer beauty that calls you outside to experience the Hill Country. Situated on 90 acres and on the edge of Parks and Preserves, with miles of hiking trails lined out for you, the views are breathtaking and the sheer serenity of the place brings calm. We opted to take a quick trek to an overlook of a babbling Onion Creek and were both in awe of the allure and tranquility of the spot.
The Inn takes relaxation to an art form. From the hammock, to the hot tub, to the fire pit, to back porch off our room, to the pool with a splendid view; everything here whispers "Relax, take a moment, reflect, enjoy, be". We didn't take advantage of their on-site spa, but I'm confident it is every bit as wonderful.
One aspect we really enjoyed about the Inn is the dining. With an in-house chef selecting ingredients that are local and often from the on-site garden, the freshness and flavors of the food were truly enjoyable. Our stay included a 3 course gourmet meal, and that experience was superb. From the fresh salad, to the braised beef short rib, to the bananas foster napoleon our dinner was wonderful. Breakfast as well.
We ended our stay with a walk through the gardens. Such lovely flowers, vegetable, fruit trees, and more. I really enjoyed snapping pics and just enjoying the stillness and life of the garden. My wife was overwhelmed with memories of her childhood on a small family farm. She even plucked a few red ripe cherry tomatoes and popped them in her mouth.
To say we thoroughly enjoyed our stay is an understatement. This place was wave upon wave of enjoyable. From the grounds, to the facilities, to the food we recommend this place to anyone. We relish the opportunity to go again someday and suggest you take time to do the same.
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