The Inn at Dos Brisas, Washington
Photograph by Kenny Braun
This secluded country escape roughly halfway between Austin and Houston should have a warning posted at its entrance: “Caution: Guests may become incurably spoiled. Stay at your own risk.” Once inside its gates, you’ll wend your way along a narrow road through acres of bucolic farmland, passing organic gardens, pastures of grazing horses, and a sizable pond encircled by white Adirondack chairs, two of which are so laughably oversized they’d make Shaq look like Edith Ann. At the reception center, where a member of the Dos Brisas staff will be standing outside to greet you, you’ll be checked in as the bartender pours you a champagne cocktail and another staffer whisks your luggage away to your room. In addition to the resort’s four original casitas (each a “modest” 730 square feet), six larger haciendas were built last year. Try to keep your squeals to a neighborly decibel as you’re shown around your 2,950-square-foot Spanish Colonial Revival hacienda away from home. The architectural details (arched doorways, French oak floors, vaulted wood ceilings) and rustic-chic decor (hammered copper tables, crimson-and-sage plaid curtains, a mahogany leather sofa) lend a warm grandeur, but it’s the luxurious conveniences—a private plunge pool, a fireplace at the foot of the king bed, an array of bath salts next to a capacious whirlpool tub, a fridge stocked with homemade iced tea and simple syrup, an outdoor shower—that will permanently elevate your vacation expectations. (Of course, you will pay for these perks; during the high season, casitas start at $655 and haciendas at $995.) And yes, the golf cart parked outside is all yours too. It will come in handy after you’ve eaten your way through either the three-course or eight-course tasting menu served in the formal dining room, which is anchored by a French fireplace that dates to the 1760’s. (You’ll need a designated driver if you decide to partake in the wine pairing.) So what else is there to do at Dos Brisas besides be waited on hand and foot? You can go horseback riding or mountain biking. You can shoot skeet or catch fish. You can take a cooking class or a carriage ride. You can borrow a book to read or a telescope to go stargazing with. Or you can simply do nothing, which may be the greatest luxury of all. 10000 Champion Drive, 979-277-7750, dosbrisas.com
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