The Wayback Might Be Austin’s Cutest Hill Country Weekender
It seems as though half my Los Angeles friend group has moved to Texas in the last few months. Although it’s always tough to lose your favorite people, there’s also the silver lining of another reason to take more trips. In anticipation of my own personal Friends-esque reunion special, I’ve been scouring the internet for places to stay in and around Austin.
One place that has been heavily bookmarked in my web browser is The Wayback. Located west of downtown Austin, The Wayback Cafe and Cottages is a boutique hotel nestled on three acres under live oaks. Surrounded by Texas Hill Country, The Wayback houses eight vintage-style cottages for nightly rental.
Although I’m a writer by day when it comes to hotel bookings, I’m definitely more of a visual learner. Fortunately, a quick peruse of their Instagram account confirms that the cabins are as visually rustic as they sound in their review descriptions.
The Wayback also delivers on location. While you can enjoy its gorgeous farm stay feel, it’s also only a short 15-minute drive to downtown Austin — and that’s not a coincidence. Mother-daughter team, Vicki Bly and Sydney Sue, envisioned The Wayback as a place close enough to the city but far enough away to experience the beauty of the hills. “Our original idea was to open a small coffee shop, but while planning, The Wayback evolved into a much needed farm-to-table cafe, cottages and grounds for private events. The property and views are beautiful. We want this to become a neighborhood place where our Westlake community can gather with friends and enjoy the natural beauty of where we live.”
The other string to The Wayback’s bow is its bountiful cafe, serving up incredible dishes, drinks and vistas. Quietly famous for its Southern homestyle cooking meets farm-to-table fare, the menu is fueled by The Wayback’s new executive chef, Richard Roettgen, who relocated to Austin and whose background includes leading multiple fine dining restaurants across the country including Girl and the Goat, Alinea, and Bavette’s.
If you’re looking for a slightly more private dining experience, grab a picnic lunch and a drink at the cabana, relax by the saltwater pool, or warm up by the stone fire pit on a cool night.
And if you’re just passing through town and in need of a pit stop, The Wayback’s drive-thru coffee hut provides espresso drinks and food on the go, which is far more elevated than your average roadhouse.
After losing myself in an IG scroll fest titled #TheWayback, and imagining myself at their Tuesday Happy Hour with a perfectly crafted cocktail and a side of their Texas caviar, I’m starting to feel less melancholy about my smaller social circle and a little giddy at the thought of our next rendezvous. Book your next stay at The Wayback here.
