hill country escapes

Hill Country oasis makes list of best vacation rentals of 2025

An extraordinary resort-style home in the Austin-area suburb of Dripping Springs is the sole Texas property to make vacation rental company Vrbo's list of 2025 Vacation Rentals of the Year.

The fourth annual awards showcase 10 top vacation rentals in popular destinations around the country at various price points. More than 2 million U.S. properties were sorted based on their high ratings, positive guest reviews, standout amenities, and more.

This isn't the first time a Hill Country vacation rental has been featured; a breathtaking Dripping Springs riverfront hideaway was highlighted in Vrbo's 2023 list. In 2024, a modern retreat in Westlake (an Austin neighborhood) was the sole Texas property to make the cut.

Dripping Springs Social is a spacious nine-bedroom property located less than 250 miles south of Dallas, featuring panoramic views of the gorgeous Hill Country. The 6,070-square-foot primary residence can accommodate up to 20 people and includes luxurious amenities like a resort-style pool and hot tub, a grill, fire pit, three full RV hookups, a fully equipped kitchen, and much more.

Dripping Springs Social, Vrbo Vacation Rentals of the Year 2025, pool Watch the sun go down by the pool.Photo courtesy of Vrbo

The property has plenty of space for guests to stretch out by the pool, on one of the multiple balconies, or on the back patios.

"Laze your days away poolside or hang out in the beach cabanas for that extra touch of luxe," Vrbo says. "Enjoy almost 360-degree views of the wild countryside from the spacious back patio or the glorious hot tub."

The most impressive feature of the property is the dedicated entertainment barn. Guests can host movie nights or play video games using the built-in projector, play pool or shuffleboard, or play a round of poker at the convertible dining table. The barn also comes with plush seating areas, arcade games, a private kitchen and bar with a keg connection, a full-size fridge, and a separate ice maker.

The barn also contains a bedroom furnished with a queen-sized bed and XL twin bunk beds.

Dripping Springs Social, Vrbo Vacation Rentals of the Year 2025, aerial

Photo courtesy of Vrbo

The spacious property has a private pool and an entertainment barn.

Dripping Springs Social, Vrbo Vacation Rentals of the Year 2025, entertainment barn The swanky entertainment barn is the go-to spot for parties.Photo courtesy of Vrbo

The property is located less than half an hour away from popular outdoor Hill Country attractions like Pedernales Falls State Park and Hamilton Pool Preserve. Dripping Springs also boasts several breweries, wineries, and other fun vacation activities.

"Travelers love that our rentals look like designer hotels but offer all of the amenities they enjoy at home — and then some!" said property owner GuestSpaces Vacation Rentals.

The average nightly cost for the rental is $2,188, making it an ideal destination for large groups or a corporate retreat.

"The vacation rentals on this year's list reflect nearly 300 10/10 guest ratings, experienced and dedicated hosts, and stunning spaces that offer the most requested amenities on Vrbo from private pools to fully equipped entertainment rooms," said Vrbo general manager Larry Plawsky in a press release.

The full list of Vrbo's 2025 Vacation Rentals of the Year are:

No. 1 – "Domus Pacis" in Seagrove Beach, Florida
No. 2 – "Deep Water Days" in Folly Beach, South Carolina
No. 3 – "Dripping Springs Social" in Dripping Springs, Texas
No. 4 – "Scottsdale Luxury Family Estate" in Paradise Valley, Arizona
No. 5 – "Under The Tram" in Jackson, Wyoming
No. 6 – "Heaven's Crown" in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
No. 7 – "Luxury A-Frame" in Bethel, Maine
No. 8 – "Woodpecker House" in Jewett, New York
No. 9 – "Lake Michigan Beach Estate" in Saugatuck, Michigan
No. 10 – "Villa Fabulosa" in Temecula, California

vacations travel vrbo dripping springs hill country

Hotel News

Hotel Mockingbird checks in with speakeasy at primo Dallas location

Hotel Mockingbird

Hotel Mockingbird, now open near Mockingbird Station

The hotel formerly known as the Beeman Hotel, overlooking US-75 near SMU in Dallas, has changed identity: It is now Hotel Mockingbird, the latest addition to Tribute Portfolio, Marriott Bonvoy’s collection of independent hotels.

Located at at 6070 N. Central Expwy., the property has undergone a multimillion-dollar transformation that includes 296 refreshed guest rooms, plus new dining and social spaces inspired by the surrounding neighborhood — one that includes both Southern Methodist University and Mockingbird Station, making it a convenient stay for those visiting campus, traveling for business, or spending the weekend in Dallas.

It now falls under the hotel and restaurant management portfolio of Coury Hospitality, the Tulsa-based hospitality group that oversees more than 85 hotels and restaurants including Hall Arts Hotel in Dallas, Hall Park Hotel in Frisco, Hotel Vin in Grapevine, the Elmore Hotel in Southlake, and The Sinclair in Fort Worth.

“Hotel Mockingbird was designed to connect with the community around it,” says Coury Hospitality CEO Paul Coury in a release. "Its proximity to SMU allows us to welcome a diverse mix of travelers, from visiting families and alumni to locals and business guests, while creating a social, design-forward destination that feels authentic to Dallas."

The property features two dining venues, as follows:

Versus Kitchen & Bar. The hotel’s signature restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner with a menu of bold and approachable dishes such as Korean-style short rib sliders, cacio e pepe taglietelle, miso butter salmon, and chicken Milanese. There's an entire vegetarian menu with a harvest grain bowl, mushroom burger, and Thai corn fritters. Breakfast includes huervos rancheros, avocado toast, omelets, breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, and smoothies.

The restaurant will host Verse Vinyl Brunch, a music-driven brunch featuring playlists from local DJs; and a monthly series celebrating Texas’ creative culture via discussions with artists, chefs, musicians, and authors.

Tacos from Versus at Hotel MockingbirdHotel Mockingbird

Raven. This speakeasy-style lounge is open Thursday-Saturday nights, featuring dim lighting, refined drink menu, and an inviting ambiance. Specialty cocktails are $20 and include The Tequila Mockingbird, which contains Tequila Blanco, Cap Corse Rouge, lime, blueberry jam, and habanero shrub; and the Moto Taxi, featuring Trascendente Mezcal, Cappelletti, grapefruit, and Royal Combier.

Raven is designed as a velveteen hollow for craft cocktails, shareable plates, and late-night conversation. "Experiences" will include Cowgirl Confidential, a Dallas-inspired evening filled with live country music and local vendors; and Shaken & Stirred, a guided mixology experience led by the beverage team.

Hotel Mockingbird also offers flexible spaces for meetings and celebrations, along with hotel packages such as The Pony Express, designed for SMU visitors; and Awaken at The Woodhouse Spa, created in partnership with the nearby Woodhouse Spa. Other amenities include fitness center and indoor pool.

The property has changed hands more than once in recent years: Initially the Holiday Inn Dallas Central - Park Cities, it became a Magnolia property and sibling to the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Dallas in 2015. Then in 2019, it was taken over by Chicago-based Convexity Properties, who transformed it into The Beeman Hotel, named after one of the pioneering settlers of East Dallas, John Beeman.

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