Historic Retreat | Barton Springs, Zilker Park

About this listing

Summary

Picture all of the things that make Austin such a magical place to visit and live: sunny days at Barton Springs, world-class tacos, live music, trails and paddle boarding on Lady Bird Lake. Now imagine staying in a home that’s just steps away. In this secluded tree top retreat, you’ll be able to relax in nature, experience the best of Austin, and leave feeling transformed.

Need more action? The place is perfect if looking to attend ACL Fest, SXSW, and F1 or visit the famous Umlauf Sculpture Garden right next door.

PLEASE READ THE SECTION “Other Things to Note section.

Space

Originally built in 1955 by local architect A.D. Stenger, this home doesn’t get any more quintessentially “Austin.” From the moment you pull into the driveway, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported. Each room has its own unique feeling, like capturing all the places you’ve traveled into one spot. Dreamy mid-century modern touches can be found everywhere, from the timeless Heath tile, to the iconic wood paneling lining the walls.

With three bedrooms and three full baths, this house is perfect for a family or group looking to explore Austin but also have a quiet space to relax. Cook a meal in the fully equipped kitchen and then take your pick of any number of great spots to hang out around the house. From the cozy couch to the outdoor terrace floating among the trees, there’s no shortage of inviting areas to explore.

Each bedroom reflects the unique natural habitat around it. Upstairs, you’ll find a queen bed with an Alpaca Mohair headboard, private en suite, and private entrance that leads directly to the patio. One bedroom downstairs is reminiscent of “Rock Island” in Zilker Park, with overhanging sunbeams, lush green hues, and a king bed, making it the perfect spot for an afternoon nap. The second bedroom downstairs is its own queen suite, including a lounge area with a sofa, TV & desk, and private entrance to an outdoor balcony.

Every detail of this home has been deliberately designed to accommodate our family and yours. During your stay, we hope you are able to experience the Austin we know and love and take a little bit of it back with you when you leave.

Also, please review the LONG-TERM STAY – ADDITIONAL FEES section below. Stays over 29 days are waived from paying the State and Local Hotel Tax. However, there are additional fees we need to collect for damage coverage and housekeeping.

LONG TERM STAY – ADDITIONAL FEES FOR STAYS OVER 29 days.

In compliance with our policies for long term stays, we need to collect a few additional fees from you before guaranteeing this reservation. Please see below and reply here with any questions. Your guest ambassador will reply shortly and be available to assist you where needed.

Trust & Safety Fee:

As part of our effort to help you relax and enjoy your stay, we have partnered with Safely.com to provide you with $1,500 of accidental coverage in place of a security deposit. A portion of the cost for this protection was included in your rental rate and fees and covers you for accidental damages during your stay. The Safely fee for nights over 30 days is $200, $50 of which was already collected. Please be on the lookout for a payment request or resolution request for the balance of $150 and ensure the balance gets paid and guarantee your reservation.

NOTE: The Trust and Safety Fee is refundable only if the reservation is canceled in writing at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the arrival date.

Additional Cleaning Fee:

We do require additional cleaning fees for guests staying longer than 3 weeks. Your Guest Ambassador will coordinate the cleaning schedule for a minimum of once every 2 weeks. You can request cleanings more frequently if desired. Additional cleaning charges will be sent using a payment request or resolution request, immediately following the cleaning.

Transit

Austin offers plenty of transportation options. Ride sharing, micro mobility, and mass transit are available everywhere.

20 minutes to the airport.

Notes

Prior to check-in, we will send you detailed directions to ensure a seamless arrival. Pack n Plays or High Chairs must be requested 48 hrs prior to arrival.

4 SUP Boards are available for use by all guests.

Parking enough for 2 cars in the driveway, and 1 curbside directly in front of the house.

No parties and no pets.

HOTEL TAX COLLECTION: Both the City of Austin and the State of Texas requires all hotel and vacation rental hosts to collect hotel tax. We collect these two taxes within the booking transaction. The state requires 6% and the city requires 11%.
YOU ARE HELPING: A portion of the city hotel tax helps support Austin’s musicians and related businesses.

Interaction with guests

Portoro offers self-check-in. As your hosts, Portoro will be available to answer any questions you may have about the home or the surrounding area.

Guests will have access via an electronic smart lock and the access code will be provided prior to your arrival.

NOTE: We follow the CDC and Airbnb Recommended Cleaning Guidelines. You can rest assured this property has been completely sanitized prior to check-in.

Neighborhood

You will be steps away from Barton Springs, Zilker Park (ACL Fest), and Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trails. The Zilker neighborhood is just 4 miles to downtown and .5 miles to S. Lamar. You will be in the center of everything, yet in a quiet neighborhood.

Just .25 mile or 5 minute walk to Lady Bird Lake and Hike and Bile Trail.

Also walkable to Barton Creek Greenbelt, Umlauf Sculpture Garden (just down Azie Morton), Zilker Botanical Garden, Austin Science & Nature center, Zilker park disc golf course and all the restaurants & shops on Barton Spring and S Lamar.

You can even walk to downtown via Lady Bird Hike and Bike Trails!

Head down Lamar towards 290 and you’re less than 20 minutes from the airport.

Access

Guests will have access to all areas of the home, as well as private paddle boards available for use during your stay. Google Fiber is also available throughout the house and patios.

We offer self check-in. All Portoro’s properties use smart locks.

•We cannot guarantee early check-ins or late checkouts in advance. If the house happens to be ready earlier than our standard 4pm check-in time on the day of your arrival, we, in most cases will allow an early check-in. If your need for an early check-in or late checkout is great, your best option is to book the night prior to or after your arrival/departure.

House Rules

**VERY IMPORTANT – All Guests must comply with our house rules. Not doing so will require loss of deposit and possible eviction.

1. Maximum Overnight Occupancy is 6 people. Please make sure you enter the proper number of guests that will be staying in the home when booking.
2. We love our neighbors! Quiet hours are from 10 PM – 8 AM daily. No outside noise after 10:00PM
3. No Smoking.
4. Pets are not allowed.
5. Except for families with children, ALL guests must be at least 25 years of age with photo ID proof of age for each guest.
6. Third Party Bookings require additional details and approval from Portoro before booking.
7. Small Gatherings and events with non-overnight guests require pre-approval, deposit, and additional contract.
8. Guest CHECK OUT considerations will be sent the day before departure.
9. Guests are expected to follow ALL check-out instructions as listed in the House Manual, including notifying the host at the time of departure.
10. To ensure your safety and proper access to the home and all of our guest features, ALL guests are required to read the house manual upon arrival, notify Portoro with any questions.

Known damages incurred during your stay (Stains and spills on linens, furniture, rugs) must be reported to the property manager immediately. Only artificial candles are allowed. No burning of natural candles inside or outside of the home. Closets and cabinets labeled as “Owner Use Only” are off-limits to guests. Please be respectful and never take items from these areas. Evidence of damage to the home will result in an additional cleaning fee of $250, plus the cost of damages to the home. Reservations made during Festivals and Conferences are non-refundable, i.e., SXSW, ACL, F-1, etc.

We cannot guarantee early check-ins or late checkouts in advance. If the house happens to be ready earlier than our standard 4pm check-in time on the day of your arrival, we will message you and let you know once it’s ready. Late checkouts are almost never possible. On the rare occasion that it is possible to check in early or checkout late, there will be a fee for anything outside of a one-hour window within our standard times. If your need for an early check-in or late checkout is great, your best option is to book the night prior to or after your arrival/departure.