When I stepped off the plane at Easterwood Airport, the Texas air felt crisp, clean, and just a little sweet, like spring had arrived early just to greet me. I’d traded Manhattan’s lingering gray for blue skies, wide-open spaces, and a calendar circled around one of the South’s most iconic events: the Round Top Spring Show. Long on my list and steeped in legend, Round Top was a place I’d heard whispered about in design circles and vintage forums, where Paris meets Texas, and every dusty tent hides a story. But the real surprise wasn’t in the antiques. It was in where I chose to stay: The Stella Hotel in Bryan, Texas, just a short drive from Round Top and a world away from the expected.
Just five minutes from the tarmac, The Stella didn’t try to impress me; it simply did. It’s that confident kind of luxury that doesn’t scream for attention. Think West Elm grew up, went to Marfa for a few summers, and opened a hotel. Understated elegance, modern Texas charm, and the kind of design moments that remind you you’re not in a chain.
My room? Spacious, warm, impossibly quiet. The bedding was what I imagine sleeping on a cloud feels like, if that cloud had access to turn-down service and Texas pecan caramels. The views stretched out to Lake Atlas, where paddleboarders glided by as the sun dropped behind live oaks.
But first, breakfast. Campfire, The Stella’s on-site restaurant, turned out to be an experience of its own. I opted for the avocado toast, yes, basic, I know, but it came with a poached egg that would make a Brooklyn brunch line weep. Coffee strong, service intuitive, and plenty of natural light pouring in from the oversized windows. The whole place glowed.
Knowing I couldn’t arrive in Round Top without some sartorial prep, I strolled over to 6Whiskey, the chic western boutique a short walk across the Lake Walk plaza. Picture: Lucchese vibes meets SoHo edge. I walked out with a pair of embossed leather boots, a vintage-washed denim western shirt, and a turquoise cuff that looked like it had a story to tell. I was officially “Round Top Ready.”
The drive to Round Top was scenic, think cattle grazing under endless sky, weathered barns that seemed straight from a Nancy Meyers version of a Texas film. Round Top itself? A fever dream of antique tents, curated vintage, and rustic Americana. I found a hand-painted silk scarf from a French vendor, a brass mid-century tray I had shipped directly to my apartment, and a worn-in leather belt that made me question every overpriced one I’d bought before. People were friendly in that sincere Texas way, and the whole town had a rhythm I didn’t know I’d been craving.
Back at Lake Walk, I stopped into The Board Room, a charming little boutique that’s equal parts wine shop and grazing board heaven. I picked out a bold red from the Texas High Plains, something full-bodied and a little flirtatious, and paired it with a small selection of cheeses, cured meats, and marcona almonds to enjoy later on the balcony back at the hotel. It was the kind of spontaneous luxury that just feels earned after a full day of antique treasure hunting.
That night, after a wardrobe refresh and an obligatory golden hour photo on the lawn (yes, they have one, and yes, it’s Pinterest-perfect), I made my way to Kanji Sushi, just across the street from the hotel. It’s the kind of restaurant that would hold its own in TriBeCa, clean lines, moody lighting, and fresh fish flown in daily. I sat at the sushi bar, ordered the omakase, and let the chef surprise me. Standouts included the Otoro Nigiri and the Dragon Fest roll that made me audibly say, “Wow.” Twice.
After dinner, I followed the sound of a guitar and the pull of an open-air Texas sky. The Lake Walk Pavilion, just steps from The Stella’s entrance, had transformed into a live music haven. A local Americana band played as couples danced under string lights and toddlers clapped to the beat in cowboy boots two sizes too big. It wasn’t staged, it was just Saturday. Turns out, Lake Walk has quietly become a hub for live music, hosting everything from bluegrass to soulful singer-songwriters, and I couldn’t help but think how rare it is to find that kind of magic outside a major city’s limits. I stayed until the final encore.
Still not quite ready to say goodnight, I ended the evening with a drink at Hershel’s, The Stella’s intimate cocktail bar that feels like a secret club for people who appreciate the beauty of a well-made Old Fashioned. I opted for a lavender gin fizz, Texas gin, of course, and sank into one of the low leather chairs as the live music faded into the warm hush of night. The bartender shared stories about the distilleries down the road and the fact that guests had been known to cancel flights just to stay one more night. I understood the impulse.
The next morning, I grabbed a latte at POV Coffee, a modern café just next door. It’s the type of spot you would expect to find in a neighborhood, which the Barista told me is in fact the case, as the entire town center is surrounded by the Traditions Country Club Community as well as several luxury apartment developments. I enjoyed watching the locals flown in and out with my latte. Slowly. Calmly. With a biscotti.
My final indulgence before heading home? A full-body massage and hydrafacial at Woodhouse Spa, tucked into the heart of Lake Walk. The space was serene, the scent was eucalyptus, and my stress genuinely melted. If I could’ve packaged that feeling in a carry-on, I would’ve.
With bags filled with Round Top finds, a bottle of Texas wine from The Board Room tucked carefully between a cashmere scarf and a too-good-to-leave-behind belt, I checked out of The Stella and headed back to Easterwood Airport. My time in Texas had been short, but thoughtfully luxurious. It wasn’t just about the shopping or the charcuterie. It was about the in-between moments, the hush of a lakeside morning, the strum of a guitar under the stars, the soft weight of a new adventure well spent.
The Stella wasn’t just a hotel. It was my Texas anchor. And if you ask me, every journey, especially one like Round Top, deserves a proper welcome, a little live music, and a glass of something bold at the end of the day. I found all three.
