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The Best Little Shorehouse in Texas

Lakefront cabin with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for The Best Little Shorehouse in Texas

Terrace/patio
Living area
Room
Private kitchen
Miscellaneous

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 462.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Volente, TX
  • Place, Volente Beach Water Park
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Lake Travis
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Place, University of Texas at Austin
    ‪29 min drive‬
  • Airport, Austin, TX (AUS-Austin-Bergstrom Intl.)
    ‪40 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Futon

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Best Little Shorehouse in Texas

Welcome to this early 1900's historical log cabin that was once owned by Judge Calvin R. Starnes (1885-1956).

“Starnes was an influential character in Texas politics in the 30’s and 40’s. He was an LBJ mentor and involved in the push for funding for Mansfield Dam along with Lyndon Johnson and US Senator JJ Mansfield...
It’s been said Johnson received the blessing of the Texas Democratic elites to run for a US Senate seat in Judge Starnes’ lakeside cabin in Volente.”
-Will Taylor

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the area

Leander

Located on the waterfront, this cabin is in Volente, a neighbourhood in Leander. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Travis and Lake Austin. Volente Beach Water Park and JumpStreet are also worth visiting. Looking to get your feet wet? Scuba diving, waterskiing and water tubing adventures can be found near the property.
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Map
Volente, TX

What's nearby

  • Volente Beach Water Park - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Lake Travis - 12 min walk - 1.0 km
  • University of Texas at Austin - 29 min drive - 35.9 km
  • Sixth Street - 32 min drive - 38.5 km
  • Austin Convention Center - 34 min drive - 39.6 km

Getting around

  • Austin Station - 30 min drive
  • Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) - 40 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Oasis on Lake Travis - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Oasis Texas Brewing Company - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Infamous Brewing Company - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Saigon Cafe - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Beachside Billy's Restaurant & Bar - ‬1 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is The Best Little Shorehouse in Texas pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

How much does it cost to stay at The Best Little Shorehouse in Texas?

As of 17 December 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Best Little Shorehouse in Texas on 18 December 2025 start from NZ$493.23, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at The Best Little Shorehouse in Texas?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Best Little Shorehouse in Texas?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Best Little Shorehouse in Texas?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Best Little Shorehouse in Texas located?

Located in Volente, this cabin is within a 15-minute walk of Volente Beach Water Park and Lake Travis. Cypress Creek and Hippie Hollow are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 24 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 24 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 24 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 24 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 24 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Leslie R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cute little space!

Very rustic cabin with an elevated feel. It was perfect for the short stay we needed.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julie A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A short get away

My husband and I enjoyed our stay here. The house was so cute and cozy. Everything was as described and we felt like we were hidden from view. The mattress could have been a little softer but that is just a personal preference. Marcia was very hospitable and responsive to questions. Would definitely like to return!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sarah D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place!

We loved this place so much! Enjoyed a little pre Christmas getaway! We will definitely be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dak P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Review

The cabin is a very romantic and rustic spot. Great location close to lots of activities. Would recommend and do again
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kris W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great little cabin

We enjoyed our stay. Cute cabin. We would love to come back another time
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ashley B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great vibes

The house was great, extra attention to the little details which made it really cozy.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tim C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Anniversary Getaway

We had a great visit at this very charming and unique property. We live in Austin so it wasn't a long drive and it was worth it. Very quiet, well stocked and clean.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet & cozy

Nice getaway. Simple and relaxing.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peace and Tranquility

This cute quaint property was the best way to wine down from a Company Meeting. My friend and I loved the area. I am a sucker for a sunrise/sunset. The view allows a beautiful peak of this on the lake.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alejandro R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good experience

Nice house, Marcia is aware and answer fast.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl F., Harrison Township

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quaint, Unique and Very Clean!

We are so glad we found this cabin. Loved our evenings around the firepit! Marcia a wonderful host. She is determined to make your stay perfect ! We will be back !
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nauman S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A wonderful place for a perfect getaway

We had a very comfortable stay at this little cottage just close to the lake. The view was beautiful, the place was very clean, we enjoyed lighting up the fire pit and sat outside for hours. Marcia was very helpful and quick to respond to our queries. The small details to the cottage gave it a unique touch and my kids absolutely loved every bit of the stay as well. Will definitely visit again.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Chris B., Lake Charles, LA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Everything was wonderful.

There wasn't a single detail that was overlooked. I can't even list all the things we liked about "The Best Little Shore House in Texas" and there wasn't anything we didn't like. We were on a trip to scope the Austin area before our kids moved there. We will definitely stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amber P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Getaway

Marcia is gifted with hospitality. She included so many details that made for a lovely atmosphere and a peaceful weekend. She was very helpful in giving us information leading up to our stay when the area was affected by an unexpected ice storm. We also walked the very short distance to Billy's and enjoyed their food immensely. It was a gem, and we would love to return at a future date.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Conner V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just what we were looking for!

This is a very unique property and we enjoyed every minute of it. This property truly makes you feel like home and just about everything is provided by the very accommodating host. My wife and I were impressed with the cleanliness and the coziness of The Best Little Shorehouse in Texas. One of the best overall experiences we have had on VRBO! Marcia is a top notch host and this is a fantastic property to visit with a spouse or for a weekend getaway by yourself. We definitely would come back without hesitation.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kaci S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Romantic 2nd Anniversary Weekend

We l totally loved & enjoyed our October weekend at this home! We had easy access in/out, had lunch and drinks next door and even rented jet skis. It was a blast. We enjoyed nightly fires and cooked dinner off the grill both evenings! This home doesn't provide charcoal so if you plan to grill then be sure to grab some before making a 20min drive back into town. Overall a fantastic way to spend our 2nd wedding anniversary weekend!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kristina L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Romantic!

Me and my fiancé booked this place as an anniversary get away. The property and house was beautiful. So sweet and romantic. The host was very responsive. The house. . . I could have stayed there all day. The shower is a bit small for bigger people. But. . . I LOVED IT!! We would book this place again for sure.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful

This property is beautiful! Decorated perfect with twinkling lights everywhere!! I would suggest trying to get a speed bump put in to slow the traffic down a bit! I pray for rain for the lake to raise!! But it was still a nice time renting a pontoon from VIP rentals and spending time on the water!!! We bought corn and bird seed and the deer came right up to the door to eat!! Would definitely come back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Debbie G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location, cozy

Enough only for 2–makes it cozy. It stayed warm, but the have a floor fan we used and we travel with one. Stayed 74 from 4-9pm even though we lowered the thermostat to 69. So in total, we had three fans on us for night time to sleep. (Including ceiling fan). Cooled down sometime later while sleeping. Still would recommend!!’ Quiet and cozy and close to lake.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022

6/10 Okay

Quincy and Shamarion W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication

Bitter Sweet Stay

There’s a lot to like about this 1900's cabin with walls made of cement and wood. I emphasize this because in the listing, the photos look a bit fuzzy and a little animated and left room for questioning what I was really seeing. On arrival, we found the cabin to be in a high traffic area, depending on the time of day, and sits close to the street. You park in a narrow space in front of the house parallel to street. When you get out of your vehicle, you may even step onto the street. We stayed on a weekend. Parking was a concern because during the late afternoon/evening hours, traffic increased, and cars and motorcycles would come barreling through. Across the street is a row of bungalows. Guests got pretty noisy with music during evening hours but usually quieted down in the late evening. This was ok. Noise from loud vehicles was more irritating because we were so close to the street. In fact, thankfully, the host left ear plugs on our bed. You enter the cabin through the patio, my favorite area. Spent a lot of time sitting outside. There is a small opening through the trees where you can see the lake. Really nice. Cabin was clean, although scent of air freshener or maybe products used for cleaning was a bit overwhelming. We left the back door open until the scent settled down. The kitchen area was nice with multiple windows which allowed lots of natural light. What I most dislike about the property is the shower connected to the tub. In addition to the shower curtain clinging to my body every time I turned, the water was not hot. It was very warm at best. Also, take towels. Three or 4 bath towels and 2 wash cloths were provided. On the morning of checkout, you will likely get a message, "Please remove all sheets, pillow cases, duvet cover and used towels and leave them in the laundry hamper in the corner of the bedroom. Please leave the kitchen and bathrooms clean: Wash dishes and place them in the rack. Please throw away all trash into the trash cans." Although I was surprised to receive the note, considering what we paid, these expectations are not totally unreasonable. However, I do believe expectations should be part of the prebooking info so I have the option to decide on a different property, maybe a room that doesn't require a cleaning fee or some place without expectations that require me to wake up earlier on checkout day to do cleaning. Overall, we had a pleasant weekend. The cabin served its purpose for us.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hidden Gem!!!!

Wow!!! This place was amazing in location. Quiet neighborhood at night. It’s like stepping back in time. Can seriously unplug there and have a relaxing time. Would love to have this type of cabin again when coming to Volente. GREAT HONEYMOON cabin after wedding before flying out to main honeymoon destination.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

tracey g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spring Break Family Trip

The cabin was beautiful and well decorated. It was in a nice location close enough to explore the area without too much driving. It was very well stocked and had everything we needed. We enjoyed our stay and would highly recommend this cabin to others looking for a getaway in the area.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brandy F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A total gem in Volente!

I don't know how Marcia managed to make a historic cabin from the early 1900s feel like a high-end hotel, but she absolutely did! It was beautifully decorated with tons of little details that really elevated the experience. LOVED the touches of Austin culture sprinkled all through the cabin, and in such a fun, tasteful way. The lighting throughout the cabin was so beautifully curated (I couldn't have asked for more fairy lights!) - that and the Alexas in every room just set the perfect vibe. It even smelled amazing. Within walking distance from the cabin there's a beachy restaurant (Beachside Billy's) where you can enjoy some great food, take a walk on the lakeside beach (nice and sandy), and with tons of room to play games and there's even a whole waterpark attached! Very family friendly. We went on karaoke night and had a blast! Communication with the host was quick and she answered all my million questions, gave recommendations, and made our mommy retreat really special. I will definitely be back!!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tyler

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

About the host

Hosted by Marcia Kim

Host profile image
Hospitality is what I strive for when hosting guests in our home. We want you to feel welcome, comfortable and special during your stay. If there's anything that you need,
please don't hesitate to reach out to us and we will respond to you as quickly as we can.

Languages:

English

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