As Round Top’s reputation grows within the luxury travel market, Hostie has been there to meet the expectations of some of the world’s most discerning wanderers.

The luxury vacation rental business, founded by Lindsey Pleasant, has increased its inventory of boutique, short-term rental properties in the area, it also has bolstered its concierge services. Available only to Hostie guests, these services (transportation, cooking classes and private chefs, private yoga and pilates sessions, massages and spa services, hands-on classes, and event planning) are tailored for each client so that visits to Round Top are even more memorable.

We chatted with Taylor Schneider, guest and owner relations manager, about Hostie’s concierge services:

Q: Could you tell me a little about yourself — how long you’ve been with Hostie, whether you’re a local, any previous hospitality experience?

A: I’ve been with Hostie since December 2024, and I was born and raised here in Fayette County. I didn’t have a background in hospitality before joining Hostie, but growing up locally has given me a lot of knowledge of the area and the people and businesses within it. I met Lindsey through our moms, who previously worked together and became good friends. When you grow up in a small community, you also naturally get to know a lot of people!

Q: We noticed that the company has added new concierge services. Are you constantly upgrading your offerings? How are those services determined?

A: We’re always looking for ways to expand our concierge offerings. We consider what is trending, but we also think about what we would enjoy during a stay and what could make the guest experience more special.  Since Round Top is such a rural area, visitors may not know what services are available or who to contact. We want to make those connections easier for them while also supporting local businesses and vendors.

Lately, we’ve also seen more guests looking for ways to surprise their partners or add a romantic touch to their stay. One request that has become especially popular is having a partner’s name spelled out in flower petals on the bed before they arrive. It’s a small, personalized detail, but it’s exactly the kind of special touch we love helping create for our guests.

Q: How does customer feedback play into how the services are determined, what is offered, and how they are presented?

A: Guest feedback and requests play a large role in determining what we offer. If we begin receiving the same request consistently, we look for a trusted local provider who may be a good fit for future guests. Even when something isn’t listed as one of our concierge services, we still try to help guests find what they need.

Guests can view our concierge services on our website and submit a concierge request form. We also let them know after booking that they can reach out to us directly if they are interested in a service or need help coordinating something. Coordinating services are exclusive to Hostie guests.

Q: Did you ever try a service and decide that it was beyond your means to produce?

I haven’t come across a service that we tried and then decided was completely beyond our means. Most of our concierge services are performed by local vendors rather than handled in-house, so our role is largely to make the connection and help coordinate the details. Because we’ve built strong local relationships and are good at finding new resources, there are a lot of possibilities.

Q: What’s the largest group you’ve organized services for? Do you cap services at a particular group size? How do you tailor services for maximum customer satisfaction?

A: Our properties have supported services for events up to 40 to 50 people. We don’t have one set group-size limit, but we stay within what the property and service provider can safely and comfortably accommodate.

Our concierge services are exclusively for Hostie guests. We can recommend local caterers and other vendors for events they may be hosting off-site, but they must be staying at a Hostie property. Some services, such as in-home massages, naturally depend on the number of providers available. We’ve also had some pretty large grocery orders for groups through our grocery-stocking service.

We tailor each request based on the occasion, group size, property and what the guest is hoping to experience.

Q: Is there any effort to make the services “Round Top-ian,” meaning invested with a Round Top flavor? Or do guests simply want to feel pampered regardless of where they are?

A: I think guests want both the Round Top experience and the opportunity to feel pampered. Many are visiting for a special occasion, while others come for a quiet getaway and a chance to relax. Helping coordinate these services elevates their stay, while working with local chefs, massage therapists and other providers gives the experience a true connection to the area.

Q: Are your services limited to the workforce or goods and provisions that are only available in Round Top? How do you accommodate that or work around it?

A: Most of our concierge services are provided by people in Round Top and the surrounding area. Supporting local businesses is important to us, and we prefer recommending people we have met and feel comfortable trusting with our guests. We do sometimes expand our network beyond the immediate area to give guests more options when local providers are unavailable, especially for highly requested services like private chefs. Even if something isn’t included in our regular concierge offerings — for example, a mariachi band — we’re resourceful and will do our best to find the right local connection. As the area continues to grow, we continue meeting new vendors and building those relationships.

Q: Your clients deliberately choose Round Top for a getaway or holiday retreat. What do you think brings people to Round Top initially, and why do they want to come back?

A: I think people initially come to Round Top because it offers an escape from the city without being too far away, making it an easy weekend getaway. It’s a small, charming town where guests can enjoy shopping, dining and the countryside. They come back because they enjoy the small-town atmosphere, meet local people and businesses they love, and often find a property that feels like their place to return to. Having a great place to stay and people available to help with their visit elevates the entire experience.

Q: Is there something extravagant you’ve accommodated or a request that went above and beyond that you were proud of?

A: We do our best to accommodate every request and go as far above and beyond as we possibly can!