Lucky Us

New Hill Country retreat hits bull's-eye with stylish cabins, yurts, and more

For those looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country, this new Dripping Springs hideout hits the bull's-eye.

Located about three-and-a-half hours from Dallas, Lucky Arrow Retreat is a tranquil spot nestled on 15 acres, complete with an event center, beer garden, and on-site swimming pool and bathhouse. And with the hotel's prime location, there are also plenty of nearby activities for those traveling solo, in groups, or just in need of some family-friendly fun. (As a fun bonus, Lucky Arrow's nine-seat Land Cruiser Troopy is also available for excursions to wineries, breweries, Pedernales Falls, or to the Hill Country’s best barbecue joints.)

For owner Mike Paclik, Lucky Arrow is a place where “guests can have a unique and memorable experience they can't get anywhere else in the Hill Country.” Plus, it fills the much-needed gap of “more lodging to accommodate the influx of people visiting for weddings in the area,” he adds.

Lucky Arrow offers an array of room options including the Courtyard Cabins, which cluster around a communal courtyard with fire pits and hot tubs. Additional accommodations include five 372-square-foot Porch Houses and four stand-alone 395-square-foot Breezeway Cabins. There’s also the larger Ranch House on the property, which can sleep approximately 16 and is ideal for those traveling for weddings or bachelor and bachelorette parties.

For those looking for something a bit more usual, Lucky Arrow also has 10 secluded 200-square-foot yurts. “Fun fact, we have the most yurts in the state of Texas,” Paclik says.

To execute the project, Paclik, who has a background in large-scale residential new construction and renovation projects, turned to Jeff Krolick of Maker Architects and Austin interior designer Laura Britt. But, he also made his own mark.

“I edited the site planning for the yurt and cabin locations, selected the interior decor, designed the cabin accent walls, found and purchased the Troopy, and designed the pool. I even carved out the wall decor you'll find in our Courtyard and Breezeway cabins with a chainsaw cut from a Spanish Oak tree on the property.”

And when it came time to name the new retreat, the name Lucky Arrow seemed almost fateful.

“It was a funny story actually,” Paclik says of the name. “I was interviewing Butler Bros as our marketing partner, and Adam Butler came out to see the property pre-development. Apparently, Adam is into finding buried treasure and asked if he could look around the property. Adam returned and managed to find a rough-looking arrowhead.”

Opened officially on April 26, Lucky Arrow is already getting booked for the summer months.

“Our guests are mostly active adventurers looking for an authentic, luxury experience,” Paclik says. “Our venue also allows our guests to come together to celebrate or for reflection, and [we have] weddings, church groups, men and women’s retreats, and corporate events.”

In the future, Paclik and his team also plan to host community events, the first being a wedding open house on July 27. And, as more and more guests come to Lucky Arrow, he plans to make further changes to the property.

“The artist in me is always thinking about ways to improve it that’s also practical,” he says. “Additionally, we have a top-secret plan to add a few extra lodging options that currently don’t exist in the area and will be great for families.”

Many of the cabins are clustered around firepits.

Lucky Arrow Retreat/Facebook

Many of the cabins are clustered around firepits.

Checking in

Clara Hotel debuts in Plano with chef-driven dining and late-night lounge

Photo by Dan Padgett

Cocktail and food offerings at the Archer.

A newly reimagined hotel in Plano aims to be as much a dining destination for locals as it is a place for visitors to stay: The Clara Hotel has officially opened in the Legacy Corridor with a chef-driven restaurant and chic new cocktail bar - all part of a $4 million transformation of the former NYLO Dallas/Plano Hotel.

Located at 8201 Preston Rd. on the Plano-Frisco border, The Clara remains part of Hilton's Tapestry Collection but has been overhauled by Dallas-based investment firm NewcrestImage, which acquired the property in 2025. The company has refreshed nearly every guest-facing space, from the hotel's 176 guest rooms to its food and beverage offerings.

Leading the debut are Field & Vine, the hotel's signature restaurant, and Archer, a new day-to-late-night cocktail lounge.

The Clara Hotel is now open at 8201 Preston Rd., Plano.Photo by Greg Ceo Studio

"The Clara was always envisioned as more than a hotel," says Mehul Patel, managing partner at NewcrestImage, in the release. "We wanted to create a place that locals would visit whether they were staying overnight or not. Field & Vine and Archer are central to that vision. Together, they create an experience that evolves throughout the day, from breakfast meetings to date nights, celebrations and late-evening cocktails."

Field & Vine is led by executive chef Daniel Armand, whose nearly four-decade career has included restaurants in Haiti, France, New York, Nantucket, the Hamptons, and Dallas before joining The Clara.

His menu blends French technique, Haitian influences, Texas ingredients, and seasonal produce. Highlights include:

Clara Ceviche with Gulf shrimp, citrus, and coconut water
Harissa Honey Wings with Texas honey
Steak Frites with herb butter and truffle fries
Heritage Chicken with roasted root vegetable purée
French-style Braised Short Rib
Citrus Shrimp Linguine
Wild Mushroom & Truffle Risotto
Herb-Crusted Salmon with citrus-sage beurre blanc

Field & Vine, Clara Hotel Clara ceviche at Field & Vine.Photo by Dan Padgett

The all-important hotel breakfast ranges from avocado toast and smoked salmon plates to Belgian waffles, breakfast tacos, fresh-pressed juices, overnight oats, and brioche French toast.

A distinctive feature is the hotel's on-site herb garden, where rosemary, basil, sage, thyme, and other herbs are harvested for both the kitchen and bar.

"Some of my earliest memories are in the kitchen with my mother, learning that food has the power to bring people together," says Armand. "Field & Vine is a reflection of that belief. We want guests to feel welcome whether they are joining us for breakfast, a special dinner or simply gathering with friends. The menu is personal to me, but ultimately it is designed to create memorable experiences around the table."

The cocktail program incorporates fresh herbs and housemade syrups with drinks such as the Clara Bloom, Rosemary Paloma, Smoke & Sage, and Garden Spritz.

For evening drinks, Archer offers a dramatically different atmosphere.

Replacing the Library concept originally announced during the renovation, Archer is a moody cocktail lounge with dark woods, leather seating, and low lighting. The space was inspired by celestial navigation, with signature cocktails named for stars, landmarks, and journeys.

Featured drinks include:

Polaris with vodka, elderflower, lemon, and sparkling wine
The Meridian with reposado tequila, Yellow Chartreuse, lime, and honey
Clara After Dark with bourbon, Amaro Nonino, honey, lemon, and black tea
Fixed Point with bourbon, black walnut, demerara, and bitters
Western Sky with rye whiskey, amaro, sweet vermouth, and chocolate bitters
Long After Sunset with vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, and vanilla

The Archer, cocktails, Clara Hotel Cocktails at The Archer.Photo by Dan Padgett

The lounge also serves shareable bites including lamb chops with mint chimichurri, tuna tartare, margherita flatbread, ancient grain hummus, and cinnamon pretzel bites.

"Archer was designed to feel like the room the evening finds after sunset," says Patel. "It offers something different from the traditional hotel bar experience. It's intimate, atmospheric and intentionally designed for guests who appreciate great cocktails, thoughtful conversation and a place that encourages them to stay awhile."

Originally opened in 2007, the property was the first hotel launched under the NYLO Hotels brand and is widely credited as the country's first loft-style lifestyle hotel. Under NewcrestImage's ownership, the hotel has introduced a warmer aesthetic with natural textures, wood finishes, greenery, and a more residential feel throughout its guestrooms and public spaces.

The renovation also refreshed the hotel's heated outdoor pool, landscaped courtyard, and meeting and event spaces, positioning the Clara for weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings.

Reservations for dining and hotel stays are available through The Clara Hotel's website.

Photo by Dan Padgett

Cocktail and food offerings at the Archer.

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