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Hostie, a luxury vacation rental business, set up shop in April 2021 when the Round Top boom started echoing throughout the international luxury travel market. Today, five years later, it has emerged as the region’s premier short-term rental property management company boasting a portfolio of 78 extraordinary homes, from boutique cottages to grand farmhouses to magnificent ranch estates.
The boutique properties (most in Round Top but also including Burton, La Grange, Fayetteville, Carmine, Chappell Hill, and now Wimberley) exude the charm and style that has made Round Top a destination for elite travelers. And Hostie is there to meet that demand, not just with boutique properties but services including transportation, concierge services, and personalized experiences – all stamped with the company’s meticulous attention to detail.
So how does one become the Hostie with the Mostie in a town that caters to the whims of the most discerning travelers? We spoke to Hostie owner and founder Lindsey Pleasant:
Why are people coming to Round Top and why has it been “discovered” as a vacation destination?
Round Top today is very different from what it was even five years ago. It has always been known for the Antique Shows, but it used to feel much more seasonal. Outside of those weeks, it was significantly quieter.
Since COVID, there has been a clear shift. People began prioritizing slower weekends, open space, and meaningful time with family and friends. Round Top naturally fits that desire. At the same time, the town itself has evolved.
There are now more luxury accommodations, more thoughtfully designed homes, more year-round events, and a growing number of weddings and private celebrations hosted here.
It is no longer just a place to shop for antiques a few times a year. It is a destination where you can host a wedding weekend, celebrate a milestone birthday, plan a corporate retreat, or simply unplug in a beautiful setting. That evolution is what has elevated Round Top from a niche seasonal market to a recognized luxury getaway.
When you're selling potential visitors on Round Top, what are the key things you stress about vacationing here?
One of the things I tell people is that in Round Top, you really do not have to do much at all. You can simply relax. The setting does the work for you. Wide open land, beautiful homes, quiet mornings, long dinners outside. It naturally slows you down.
At the same time, most people are not coming here randomly. They either have a reason for the trip or they have heard about Round Top before. It might be the Antique Shows, a wedding, a girls’ weekend, or friends who own property here.
I stress that it can be whatever you want it to be. It can be a full itinerary weekend, or it can be doing absolutely nothing and feeling completely restored when you leave. That flexibility is part of its charm.
How would you describe the people who use Hostie?
Our guests are frequent travelers who understand that you truly get what you pay for. They value quality, communication, and consistency.
The Hostie brand signifies personalized stays. From the moment a guest steps into one of our managed properties, they can feel the difference. Cleanliness is a priority. Communication is proactive. The home is exactly what was promised.
Our guests appreciate luxury, even in a rural market. They may be used to staying at high-end properties in larger cities or resort destinations, but they still expect that same level of service and detail when they come to Round Top. They are experience-driven, thoughtful about where they spend their time, and willing to invest in comfort and privacy.
What are your typical customers looking for when they choose your site to book a vacation?
They are looking for safety and comfort paired with a luxury stay.
Many of our guests are traveling with friends, children, or extended family, so feeling secure and well cared for matters. At the same time, they do not want to sacrifice design, quality, or elevated finishes just because they are in a rural market.
They want a home that feels clean, thoughtfully prepared, and exactly as represented. Comfortable beds, beautiful common spaces, and outdoor areas that allow them to gather and relax.
Ultimately, they are looking for a stay that feels easy and refined. Something that allows them to unwind while still feeling like they chose something special.
Of those guests, how many take advantage of the added concierge services?
About 35 percent of our guests take advantage of concierge services in some capacity.
The most popular requests are private chefs, grocery delivery prior to arrival, and curated charcuterie boards waiting in the home when guests check in. These details allow guests to settle in immediately and begin enjoying their time without running errands.
For milestone celebrations and higher-spend bookings, that percentage increases significantly.
Any idea of how luxury travelers are hearing about Round Top?
Most luxury travelers hear about Round Top through word of mouth. Someone has been before, often during the Antique Shows, and they tell their friends. That ripple effect is powerful.
The shopping during the two major shows is still a primary draw. Designers and collectors come for sourcing, and many return outside of show season once they realize how special the town is.
We continue to see a strong Houston presence year round, along with Austin travelers looking for a slower weekend escape. Outside of show season, it is very much a repeat guest and referral-driven market, especially among out-of-state visitors introduced to Round Top by someone they trust.
There are many Texan cities and towns that claim to offer a quintessential Texas vacation experience. What makes Round Top unique and special?
Round Top is unique because it does not try to overwhelm you. Sometimes when you travel to a small town, it can still feel busy or overly programmed. Round Top is different. There is not an endless list of attractions competing for your attention. The luxury here is in the space, the quiet, and the landscape.
The rolling hills, historic buildings, and wide skies create a setting that feels authentic. The people are welcoming, and most of the shops and businesses are independently owned. You find unique mom and pop stores and very few chains.
It feels genuine rather than commercialized. That simplicity is what makes it special.
Any concierge request that you were especially proud to make happen?
We hosted a well-known guest over the summer last year, and one of the requests was coordinating daily mail delivery to the property. It was not extravagant, but it required consistency, privacy, and discretion.
Moments like that reflect what we value most. Luxury service is often about the details that feel seamless and behind the scenes. Being trusted to handle something personal quietly and professionally is something we take pride in.
If you were going to describe vacationing in Round Top in a sentence or two, how would you put it?
To vacation in Round Top, you should choose your lodging with intention. There is not a long list of attractions pulling you in every direction, so where you stay becomes part of the experience.
If you are a couple, book something secluded on land next to a pasture of cows and wake up to quiet mornings and wide open views. For girls’ weekends or group gatherings, choose a property with a pool, hot tub, and inviting outdoor spaces so you can create your own atmosphere without ever needing to leave.
That way, even if you decide not to go out and explore, you can simply enjoy the charm of rural Fayette County. The sunsets and sunrises alone are worth the trip.
Hostie, a luxury vacation rental business, set up shop in April 2021 when the Round Top boom started echoing throughout the international luxury travel market. Today, five years later, it has emerged as the region’s premier short-term rental property management company boasting a portfolio of 78 extraordinary homes, from boutique cottages to grand farmhouses to magnificent ranch estates.
The boutique properties (most in Round Top but also including Burton, La Grange, Fayetteville, Carmine, Chappell Hill, and now Wimberley) exude the charm and style that has made Round Top a destination for elite travelers. And Hostie is there to meet that demand, not just with boutique properties but services including transportation, concierge services, and personalized experiences – all stamped with the company’s meticulous attention to detail.
So how does one become the Hostie with the Mostie in a town that caters to the whims of the most discerning travelers? We spoke to Hostie owner and founder Lindsey Pleasant:
Why are people coming to Round Top and why has it been “discovered” as a vacation destination?
Round Top today is very different from what it was even five years ago. It has always been known for the Antique Shows, but it used to feel much more seasonal. Outside of those weeks, it was significantly quieter.
Since COVID, there has been a clear shift. People began prioritizing slower weekends, open space, and meaningful time with family and friends. Round Top naturally fits that desire. At the same time, the town itself has evolved.
There are now more luxury accommodations, more thoughtfully designed homes, more year-round events, and a growing number of weddings and private celebrations hosted here.
It is no longer just a place to shop for antiques a few times a year. It is a destination where you can host a wedding weekend, celebrate a milestone birthday, plan a corporate retreat, or simply unplug in a beautiful setting. That evolution is what has elevated Round Top from a niche seasonal market to a recognized luxury getaway.
When you're selling potential visitors on Round Top, what are the key things you stress about vacationing here?
One of the things I tell people is that in Round Top, you really do not have to do much at all. You can simply relax. The setting does the work for you. Wide open land, beautiful homes, quiet mornings, long dinners outside. It naturally slows you down.
At the same time, most people are not coming here randomly. They either have a reason for the trip or they have heard about Round Top before. It might be the Antique Shows, a wedding, a girls’ weekend, or friends who own property here.
I stress that it can be whatever you want it to be. It can be a full itinerary weekend, or it can be doing absolutely nothing and feeling completely restored when you leave. That flexibility is part of its charm.
How would you describe the people who use Hostie?
Our guests are frequent travelers who understand that you truly get what you pay for. They value quality, communication, and consistency.
The Hostie brand signifies personalized stays. From the moment a guest steps into one of our managed properties, they can feel the difference. Cleanliness is a priority. Communication is proactive. The home is exactly what was promised.
Our guests appreciate luxury, even in a rural market. They may be used to staying at high-end properties in larger cities or resort destinations, but they still expect that same level of service and detail when they come to Round Top. They are experience-driven, thoughtful about where they spend their time, and willing to invest in comfort and privacy.
What are your typical customers looking for when they choose your site to book a vacation?
They are looking for safety and comfort paired with a luxury stay.
Many of our guests are traveling with friends, children, or extended family, so feeling secure and well cared for matters. At the same time, they do not want to sacrifice design, quality, or elevated finishes just because they are in a rural market.
They want a home that feels clean, thoughtfully prepared, and exactly as represented. Comfortable beds, beautiful common spaces, and outdoor areas that allow them to gather and relax.
Ultimately, they are looking for a stay that feels easy and refined. Something that allows them to unwind while still feeling like they chose something special.
Of those guests, how many take advantage of the added concierge services?
About 35 percent of our guests take advantage of concierge services in some capacity.
The most popular requests are private chefs, grocery delivery prior to arrival, and curated charcuterie boards waiting in the home when guests check in. These details allow guests to settle in immediately and begin enjoying their time without running errands.
For milestone celebrations and higher-spend bookings, that percentage increases significantly.
Any idea of how luxury travelers are hearing about Round Top?
Most luxury travelers hear about Round Top through word of mouth. Someone has been before, often during the Antique Shows, and they tell their friends. That ripple effect is powerful.
The shopping during the two major shows is still a primary draw. Designers and collectors come for sourcing, and many return outside of show season once they realize how special the town is.
We continue to see a strong Houston presence year round, along with Austin travelers looking for a slower weekend escape. Outside of show season, it is very much a repeat guest and referral-driven market, especially among out-of-state visitors introduced to Round Top by someone they trust.
There are many Texan cities and towns that claim to offer a quintessential Texas vacation experience. What makes Round Top unique and special?
Round Top is unique because it does not try to overwhelm you. Sometimes when you travel to a small town, it can still feel busy or overly programmed. Round Top is different. There is not an endless list of attractions competing for your attention. The luxury here is in the space, the quiet, and the landscape.
The rolling hills, historic buildings, and wide skies create a setting that feels authentic. The people are welcoming, and most of the shops and businesses are independently owned. You find unique mom and pop stores and very few chains.
It feels genuine rather than commercialized. That simplicity is what makes it special.
Any concierge request that you were especially proud to make happen?
We hosted a well-known guest over the summer last year, and one of the requests was coordinating daily mail delivery to the property. It was not extravagant, but it required consistency, privacy, and discretion.
Moments like that reflect what we value most. Luxury service is often about the details that feel seamless and behind the scenes. Being trusted to handle something personal quietly and professionally is something we take pride in.
If you were going to describe vacationing in Round Top in a sentence or two, how would you put it?
To vacation in Round Top, you should choose your lodging with intention. There is not a long list of attractions pulling you in every direction, so where you stay becomes part of the experience.
If you are a couple, book something secluded on land next to a pasture of cows and wake up to quiet mornings and wide open views. For girls’ weekends or group gatherings, choose a property with a pool, hot tub, and inviting outdoor spaces so you can create your own atmosphere without ever needing to leave.
That way, even if you decide not to go out and explore, you can simply enjoy the charm of rural Fayette County. The sunsets and sunrises alone are worth the trip.
