The Legendary Texas Polo Club- Boerne, TX
At only four rooms, the The Legendary Texas Polo Club might be more of an inn than a hotel, but it is certainly historic, and is by far one of the most unique places I have ever hung my hat. Not only is it located in just about the cutest town ever, but it manages to pull off the designer goal of being beautifully decorated and comfortable at the same time. A rare combination indeed.
A stunning Hill Country Limestone beauty, The LTPC is one of those buildings that has had many lives. Built as a single family house in 1866, it has served several functions over the years. It spent the last few years of its pre-hotel life as the Boerne Shooting Club, one of the oldest in the country. The real magic began when it was purchased several years ago, renovated, and transformed into the masterpiece of decor and hospitality that it is the Polo Club.
The building itself is absolutely wonderful. Several additions over the years have resulted in a maze of unique rooms. Some lined with windows that bring the outdoors in, such as the sunroom and the dining room, while others feel almost subterranean due to the thick limestone walls. Antiques blend with modern art seamlessly.
We stayed in the Roosevelt Room, the largest offered, which contains several paintings of Teddy, as well as some safari themed items. The room is huge. And it might be one of the coolest rooms I have ever stayed in. The bed is substantial. Multiple layers of sheets, quilts and comforters combine to create just about the most comfortable bed I have ever climbed into. It belongs on an Anthropologie photo shoot. An aromatherapy mister lightly scented the air, while a white noise machine had me convinced there was a trolley stop outside the door. I immediate bought both when I returned home.
The bathroom, beautifully done in natural stone, looked brand new. The shower, large with multiple sprays, is what I would install in my home if I won the lottery. The reclaimed wood paneling lent a rustic feel to the room. The only negative is the Roosevelt Room does face Main Street, which has a surprising amount of traffic for a small town.
Each of the rooms is connected to a communal balcony, either overlooking Main Street or their garden. Off the front balcony is a a lovely library that is just the about the perfect place to spend a rainy afternoon with a bottle of wine. Which we had to do when our kayaking trip was cancelled. It was a lovely place to weather the storm.
One of the architectural focal points of the hotel is the main staircase. It is a lovely one. It is just about the most graceful example I have ever seen, and you just feel fancy descending it. You also will return home with countless pictures of it, because you are taken by its beauty anew each time you pass by.
The first floor is a series of lovely rooms, filled with interesting things. An eclectic collection for sure, it is a far cry from the generic decorations of some hotels. There is even a record player and albums to enjoy during your stay. Additionally, a small pub is located onsite, open a handful of hours on the weekends.
As beautiful as the indoor spaces are, the grounds are positively dreamy. Several nooks are scattered around the property, providing a variety of private places from which you can enjoy their lawn, garden or koi pond. There is also a large terrace, with festive lights, that you will never want to leave. Actually, that applies to the whole property. You will curse check out time. It feels like being evicted from your home. Or a much nicer version of your home.
We may have lucked out, as we were the only people staying at the hotel during our visit. It lent a private, intimate feel, and was definitely an awesome experience. The name actually still remains a mystery to me. While I am aware that Polo has roots in the Boerne area, little suggests any connection to building that now houses The Legendary Texas Polo Club. Nevertheless, the hotel is most legendary, and I look forward to returning in the future.