Havenwald is a dreamy 6-acre property in Dripping Springs, Texas. Havenwald means “Haven in the Woods” which makes for a perfect description of these fairytale-like cottages. Spread across the grounds, each cabin has their own unique theme. I stayed in Robin Hood’s Hideout, a cottage that felt straight out of a storybook. The cabin tells the story of Robin Hood through whimsical details and is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
What you need to know:
- Typically around $150/night
- Located 40 minutes from Austin and 12 minutes from the town of Dripping Springs
- You can book this cabin or the Victorian cottage through Airbnb
You will arrive at the cabin after driving up a windy road with incredible hillside views of the area. There is a mailbox marked ‘Havenwald’ at the entrance. It is a bit hard to find at night, but Michelle, the host, gives detailed directions. Michelle will greet you upon arrival and show you to your cottage.
Inside the cabin, you will have everything you need for a comfortable stay, including fluffy towels, local coffee and heating and air conditioning. The focal point of the cottage is the spiral staircase, which leads up to a cozy bed.
The windows are all beautifully crafted with stained glass and the ceilings are made with reclaimed cedar wood. In the kitchen, you’ll find giant mugs that fit right into the story of Robin Hood, along with chalices and decorative metal pots hanging from the wall.
The cabin is also equipped with wifi! It was a little slow but worked well considering its remote location.
The living room is the perfect place to turn on the colorful stained glass lamp, cozy into the vintage couch and read one of the books provided. You’ll see Harry Potter novels along with a photography book of cottages around the world. The room is tied together with peacock feathers hanging from the chandelier, remote operated candles and wall hooks that double as medieval shields.
Outside of the cottage, nearby is an outdoor patio with a gorgeous chandelier where you can relax or have a snack. You will likely come across Munchkin or Kristoffe, the two friendly cats that live on the property. Down the hill from Robin Hood’s Hideout, a future castle accommodation is under constructor. From the castle, there is a beautiful view of a bluff and Hill Country.
I had an incredible stay at Havenwald and would recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and peaceful stay in Texas Hill Country.
Things to do During your stay at Havenwald
Visit Texas Hill Country Olive Co
Texas Hill Country Olive Co is a working olive vineyard and olive oil mill. The farm is located 10 minutes from Havenwald and offers a variety of tours and tastings. I went on the Orchard tour and followed it up with a guided olive oil and balsamic tasting. During the tour, you can even try an olive straight from a tree. You can also visit for lunch or to shop and the vineyard is open to walk around on your own.
For a perfect afternoon, buy a bottle of wine and a crostini board and bring it out to the picnic tables in the vineyard; they are shaded and surrounded by olive trees. The olive orchard is a nice change of pace from the countless wineries in the area.
I learned so much about olive oil while visiting and it helped me gain a new appreciation for the oil that I cook with everyday.
The Best Food to Eat in Dripping Springs
There are plenty of restaurants in downtown Dripping Springs that you should visit during your stay. For breakfast and coffee, visit Mazama Coffee, an adorable local coffee shop that also serves breakfast pastries and breakfast tacos. For a larger brunch, check out Rolling in Thyme and Dough. The restaurant has a huge outdoor seating area and is known for their freshly baked bread. The croissant sandwich with pesto is incredible!
For a higher end dinner experience, visit Tillie’s, a gorgeous restaurant that is housed in a former Vietnamese town hall. The architecture of Tillie’s really sets it apart, you will enter through turquoise doors and eat in a chapel-like space. The food is as elegant as the architecture, they serve brunch and dinner with an extensive cocktail menu.
Looking for more places to visit in TX Hill Country? Check out my guide to visiting the German town of Fredericksburg.
Springs and Swimming Holes near Dripping Springs
Texas Hill Country provides multiple beautiful swimming holes, caves and waterfalls surrounding Havenwald. To the north, visit Hamilton Pool Preserve or West Cave, both about a 30 minute drive. Hamilton Pool Preserve has a large cave and waterfall that empties into a swimming hole. This is my top recommendation, just be sure to make a reservation in advance.
Right down the road from Hamilton Pool Preserve is West Cave, another oasis that is smaller with a lot more greenery. At West Cave, you must go on a guided tour, no swimming allowed. About 30 minutes south of Havenwald, you can visit Jacob’s Well or Blue Hole. Jacob’s Well is a particularly famous swimming hole and submerged cave. In the summer, you can jump into the deep bright blue well towards the depths of the cave.
Blue Hole is a much larger swimming area with beautiful cypress trees and bright blue water. Each of these spots is incredibly beautiful. If you visit, be sure to make a reservation and check current conditions.
Did you know many incredible natural places there are to discover in Texas? Check out my Texas nature bucket list to explore more!
Hiking near Dripping Springs
Pedernales Falls State Park is an incredible state park 30 minutes from Havenwald. The focal point of the park is a 300 million year old limestone ‘waterfall’. The limestone rocks slope downward and collect pools of water. You can walk across this rocky area and climb all over to explore.
Also in the park, there are miles of hiking trails and swimming spots. If you are exploring south of Havenwald, the climb to Old Baldy in Wimberley is a short hike with a great view. This viewpoint is about a half mile climb up steps and provides an amazing view of the Hill Country scenery.
If you are planning a trip to Pedernales Falls, be sure to read my guide on visiting the park!
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