Chisos Mountains Lodge
Nestled at an elevation of 5,400 feet in the Chisos Mountains, this lodge offers three types of rooms. They're not luxurious, but you probably won't be spending much time indoors anyway. The Rio Grande and Emory Peak rooms are no-frills, motel-style rooms with small refrigerators and microwaves. The Casa Grande rooms have a little more space and are located close to the main portion of the lodge (and the only restaurant within the park). The five Roosevelt Stone Cottages feature stone floors and can sleep up to seven people (they're often booked months in advance).
Chisos Mountains Lodge
Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
(877) 386-4383
chisosmountainslodge.com
Sauceda Ranch House and Bunkhouse
Built in 1908, this ranch house can accommodate up to eight people in three bedrooms. With vaulted ceilings and fireplaces, the house was formerly the headquarters of a sprawling ranch. The nearby bunkhouse, a former hunting lodge, offers a low-cost alternative, holding up to 30 people. Big Bend Ranch is the largest (300,000 acres) yet least developed state park in the state. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended.
Sauceda Ranch House and Bunkhouse
Big Bend Ranch State Park, TX 79845
(432) 358-4444
tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/big_bend_ranch/lodging/
Gage Hotel
Constructed in 1927 as a combination ranch headquarters and hotel, the upscale Gage Hotel was restored to its former glory in 1978. Comfortably appointed rooms include period antiques (many reflecting the region's Spanish heritage) and other historical artifacts. A small swimming pool is surrounded by lush landscaping. Large rocking chairs outside the courtyard rooms invite lounging at the end of a long day of exploring.
Gage Hotel
101 Highway 90 West
Marathon, TX 79842
(432) 386-4205
gagehotel.com
Hotel Paisano
The Paisano's claim to fame is that James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor stayed here during the filming of "Giant" in 1955. The two-story hotel, which opened in 1930, is built around a Spanish-style courtyard with a beautiful fountain as the centerpiece. The spacious lobby retains the original exposed-wood beams and tile floor. Rooms are somewhat small and pricey, but the hotel is an excellent place to enjoy a little luxury after an outdoor adventure.
Hotel Paisano
207 N. Highland Ave.
Marfa, TX 79843
(866) 729-3669
hotelpaisano.com
