Why you should make the trek to Marathon, TX
To say I didn't book this trip to the Big Bend region solely based off of the Gage Hotel would be a lie. I did and I have 0 regrets. Imagine driving through the absolute middle of nowhere. Flat, Texas plains turns into hilly, dry, desert. Cactus surrounding you, scarce buildings and cattle (which in Texas, especially out west, shows how dry it is when cattle is scarce), you start to see a few mountain ranges along the horizon. Not like the Rockies, but still beautiful. You still haven't seen signs of civilization for about a good hour and a half, and you're praying to God you don't have to break in to that emergency gas can in the truck bed. (Bring an emergency can please, this trek isn't for the weary). All of sudden, along the highway that you're traveling at minimum 80mph on, you see some signs on the side of the road. Looks like a ghost town ahead. A pizza place, a gas station, and a few more empty buildings. Then, you're there. On the side of this desert highway is a 1927 hotel that has all the charm that the west has to offer.
Front porch
Main lobby of the hotel
The hotel offers a pool, spa, a fabulous restaurant called the 12 Gage, and the White Buffalo bar. The pool is a true Oasis in the desert while the White Buffalo bars feels as though you stepped in to the past when walking in the doors. The hotel guests and even locals meet up at the bar and is a great way to spend an evening meeting new people and drinking amazing cocktails. Their spicy margaritas were to die for and their wine menu is just as impressive. The White Buffalo reminds me of the bars in the Fort Worth Stockyards, but without all the tourists of the big city, it feels like you've stepped back in time.
Drinks by the pool
White Buffalo Bar
Their restaurant, the 12 Gage prepared one of the best steaks my husband and I have ever had. We still talk about it to this day! Paired with jalapeno creamed corn and collard greens, it was to die for. The next night we had their chicken fried steak. Talk about mouth watering. So yummy!
This was the SPLIT portion of steak and sides!!
The hotel also offers a fire pit where you can roast smores, in premade kits that the hotel provides (so cute!) in the evenings. Now I know what you're thinking... sit around a fire on a Texas summer night?! Not a chance! However, in the Big Bend region the weather gets nice and cool at night, even in August! It was around 60-65 at night which was perfect spent around the fire looking at the stars!
The rooms are super cozy and thoughtfully decorated. They are on the small size due to being original to the hotel.
Queen size room
Look at the DETAIL on these handles!! I was obsessed.
I hope you venture out and explore this little West Texas hidden gem and enjoy it as much as my husband and I did! We got engaged at Big Bend on this trip so this place will always hold a special place in our hearts!
xoxo- Victoria
The adorable bathroom with terracotta tile and blue tile in the shower. The sink was a beautiful silver tooled bowl