stellar superhosts

Remarkable Rockport coastal condo sails to top of 2023's most hospitable Texas Airbnb list

Rockport Reel Paradise Doug and Sandy Airbnb best hosts in Texas

Photo courtesy of Airbnb

Doug and Sandy, a Rockport couple that have been Airbnb-ing their condo since 2021, have been crowned the most hospitable hosts in Texas in Airbnb's nationwide report in 2023.

They received the award thanks to their 100 percent five-star ratings for top-tier cleanliness, check-in policies, and excellent communication skills at their Reel Paradise 507 condo. The couple have over 400 raving reviews between all three of their Rockport listings.

"Host hospitality can take many forms – a spotless listing, a quick response to a guest need, a seamless and straightforward check-in process that makes kicking off a vacation easy, and going above and beyond to prioritize health and safety," the report says. "Superb Hosts have always been what sets staying in an Airbnb apart from other travel experiences and it starts with the hospitality they provide their guests."

In their day-to-day lives outside of being Superhosts, Sandy is a special education teacher in Corpus Christi, while Doug is retired. The couple previously lent their condo to their friends and acquaintances prior to making the decision to list it on Airbnb.

"After a year of that and [those friends] telling us how wonderful it was we decided we could make more money and support our retirement by doing Airbnb," the couple said in a release.

Their breathtaking waterfront condo is the ultimate getaway from Houston's busy city living. The charming one bedroom, two bathroom home can accommodate up to four guests for a relaxing vacation with stunning panoramic views of Little Bay.

Rockport Reel Paradise Doug and Sandy Airbnb best hosts in Texas Watch dolphins from the deck. Photo courtesy of Airbnb

The listing says the condo is "perfect for outdoor enthusiasts," who can dock their own boat at one of the eight private boat docks offered on the property at no extra charge. Other outdoor recommendations include dolphin watching and fishing from the wraparound back porch, or kayaking to Rockport Beach.

Doug and Sandy said in the report that they don't just treat the money they make from their Airbnb as passive income, but as ways to improve experiences for their guests.

“We work hard to ensure we offer an experience that makes our guests want to return," they said. "We are constantly maintaining and upgrading. We don’t want our guests to arrive and feel they need to go to the store to get supplies that may be missing or forgotten at home (phone chargers, spices, cooking equipment, charcoal and grill supplies, plenty of towels, beach chairs and toys, plenty of coffee and tea selections).”

True Texas hospitality is not lost on Doug and Sandy. The couple added that they always try and meet their guests in person during their stay, as they only live 10 minutes from their Airbnb properties. It just goes to show how above and beyond Airbnb hosts can go to make a vacation more memorable.

More information about Doug and Sandy's Rockport properties can be found on their host profile, and the full report of the best Airbnb hosts around the country can be found on news.airbnb.com.

Photo courtesy of Airbnb

Have a drink and enjoy the sunset from the back porch at Reel Paradise 507.

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New Parks

54,000-acre Hill Country ranch to become Texas' 2nd largest state park

Photo from property listing by Icon Global

Silver Lake Ranch adds 54,000 acres to Texas' public lands.

Texans will soon have a massive new state park to explore, second only to Big Bend Ranch State Park in size. Silver Lake Ranch, the 54,000-acre plot of land spanning Edwards and Kinney counties, was owned by the Moody Foundation, and now, largely thanks to a major philanthropic gift, it's headed into public hands.

The Moody Foundation gifted its 87.5 percent ownership interest in the ranch to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), with TPWD purchasing the remaining interest for $11.85 million. The funds come from the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund and Sporting Goods Sales Tax — both approved by Texas voters.

“The Moody Foundation is proud to help preserve this remarkable stretch of Texas Hill Country and make it accessible for generations to come,” said Ross Moody in a press release. “Silver Lake Ranch represents the natural beauty, history, and spirit of our state, and we are honored to make this gift to Texas Parks and Wildlife to ensure it remains protected and enjoyed by all Texans for years ahead.”

The property will officially become Silver Lake State Park, named for the spring-fed 30-acre lake at its heart. Sitting roughly 350 miles west of Houston, nestled between Rocksprings and Uvalde, the land is home to some beautiful hill country wildlife and nature at a Texas manageable drive of about two hours from San Antonio.

Currently the park is in its most rugged and undeveloped form: steep limestone canyons drop into rolling hills lined with live oaks and juniper trees, with miles of river frontage tracing the West Nueces River. Several creeks wind through the property, including Sycamore Creek, Lost Creek, and North Spring Creek, along with Blue Waterhole and Dutch Waterhole.

Caves and other landmarks dot the landscape, and wildlife includes white-tailed deer, turkey, javelina, and dove. Portions of the property have even been identified as a potential habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.

According to the press release, this land, previously used for sheep and cattle ranching, will be developed in phases over the next several years, also using the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund. Initially, access to the park might look like guided tours and limited day-use opportunities while planning and infrastructure are underway. Later, trails and basic visitor facilities will be added, and ultimately, the park will include expanded recreational amenities like camping and paddling access.

Now that the acquisition is complete, TPWD staff and private contractors plan to gather feedback from the public and surrounding communities to help map out recreational opportunities. This may take "many months to complete," says the press release. TPWD will communicate any upcoming milestones, including a potential opening date, at TexasStateParks.org

"This is an exciting addition to our state park system, and we are grateful to our partners at the Moody Foundation for their philanthropy and for bringing this slice of the hill country to the people of Texas," TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz says in the press release.

And as folks are pointing out on TPDW's reel announcing the new park: it's "Better than any subdivision."

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