Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access

Photo gallery for Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access

An outdoor seating area with chairs and a fire pit, surrounded by trees and a view of a river.
A kitchen with wooden cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a window with blinds.
A serene pond with lily pads surrounded by grass and trees.
A bedroom with a bed, a window with a view, a ceiling fan, and a white wall.
A compact kitchen with a sink, stove, and dishwasher, a black leather sofa, and a small table with a laptop.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Family fun awaits
    Top-rated for families.
  • Arcade/game room
    A rare find - fun for all ages with on-site arcade/game room.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to San Marcos River

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Kitchenette
  • Arcade/game room
  • Barbecue
  • Internet access
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View map
Martindale, TX
  • Place, San Marcos River
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Texas State University
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, San Marcos Premium Outlets
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Airport, Austin, TX (AUS-Austin-Bergstrom Intl.)
    ‪41 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Queen Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Living Room 1

2 Single Beds

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Number of living rooms
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

Add dates for prices

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Best Spot on the San Marcos River!
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  • Dryer
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10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (39 reviews)
Best Spot on the San Marcos River!

About the area

Martindale

Located in Martindale, this holiday home is near theme parks and on the waterfront. Commemorative Air Force Exhibit and Charles S. Cock House Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Hays County Historic Courthouse and Kyle Railroad Depot and Heritage Center. Consider Cheatham Street Warehouse for a night out or San Marcos Discovery Center if you're travelling with kids. Looking to get your feet wet? Power boating, fishing and swimming adventures can be found near the property.
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Map
Martindale, TX

What's nearby

  • San Marcos River - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Rio Vista Park - 8 min drive - 9.0 km
  • Texas State University - 9 min drive - 9.4 km
  • Strahan Coliseum - 9 min drive - 9.4 km
  • San Marcos Premium Outlets - 12 min drive - 17.2 km

Getting around

  • San Marcos Station - 14 min drive
  • Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪In-N-Out Burger - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪P. Terry's Burger Stand - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much does it cost to stay at Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access?

As of 30 October 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access on 4 November 2026 start from NZ$2,719, 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 Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access located?

This family-friendly Martindale holiday home is located on the waterfront, within 2 mi (3 km) of San Marcos River and Three Dudes Winery. San Marcos Discovery Center and Meadows Center for Water and the Environment are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 30 out of 31 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 31 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 31 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 31 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 31 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved our stay and would definitely book again!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This House had everything we needed. Great game room, lots of supplies to keep us busy. The kitchen was equipped with lots of dishes and cookware. The A/C was great and lots of fans. We had a great time and look forward to coming back
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The perfect place to stay for creating great family memories! So many fun activities for the whole family to enjoy!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place for a guy's weekend on the river.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great place!

We had great time, lots of fun stuff to do in a peaceful environment!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Hidden gem! On a great part of the river, plenty of space to hangout, cook out and play.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

4th of July family trip.

Had a great time. House was prefect for our large group and had everything we needed.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Family Vacation

This place was amazing. Perfect river location. We had a small issue with the AC but the owner came and fixed it promptly. Great space for a family getaway.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great getaway spot

We had a great time here! Everything was as described and host was very communicative. Beds were very comfortable and we enjoyed the activities/amenities on property.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great spot!

The property was beautiful and the game room and sports court were awesome!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was the perfect location for a group of friends to hang out and enjoy the river (just a few minutes away from Don's Fish Camp for river floating). The place had so many great extras, like the pickeball court and gameroom. It was comfortable, and the host was very friendly. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

TX State family weekend

We had a great time celebrating with our son, friends, and family. We enjoyed all of the amenities that the property had to offer.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great Place!

The property is in a great location if planing on spending time on the river. The barn are and patio are is great to spend time with friends, plenty of room. Takes a while for the A/C to cool off the house area, but would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Family Vacation

We had an amazing trip, the house was the perfect size for our large family. The house had a ton of activities for the kids to stay busy either inside or outside the house. We definitely be booking again with them next year.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great place to stay!

We stayed at the Riverbarn for a baseball tournament we had at Texas State. The house was conveniently located to every field we played at it was a no brainer to stay here. The property was absolutely perfect for our family. They had everything you needed to entertain kids. We will definitely be staying here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 13 July 2023
Thanks for staying, come back anytime!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Nice place!

Terrific river front property. In the country but close to nearby amenities. Very nice.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great Guy's Weekend

I stayed at the Converted Dairy Barn with a group of 10 guys and the place was great. Plenty of room to spread out, the big room with the pool table was a great evening hang out area, the basketball and pickelball court kept us busy, and it was easy to take a quick dip in the river to cool off from the hot Texas summer heat. Great place.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Texas State Graduation

Our family stayed here to attend our son’s graduation. It was great to stay away from the busy San Marcos area but still just a short drive away. Loved the peaceful portion on the river. The house is well equipped and very cute. Lots of fun and perfect for our needs.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful Home

This home is beautiful and has so many amenities. We stayed the weekend since my Goddaughter was graduating from Texas State and it did not disappoint. Everything is as pictured and there was plenty of room for all of us. We really enjoyed our stay and the owners were very responsive. Loved it!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect for our river trip!

This property was absolutely perfect for our weekend river trip! I traveled with a couple of my best friends, my husband, our son and my dad and it was wonderful. The possibilities of things to do are endless from the pool table, dart board, to the beautiful river flowing at the bottom of the property. We had so much fun and will definitely be renting this property again next year when we take another trip! Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Fun place to stay!

We loved the place. From the decorations to the enginuity in construction, we thought it was great. Quiet BUT close to everything BUT still feels like you are in the country. Fun spacious place with a lot of genuine character. Only good things to say about the place. We will find a reason to stay there again! Bryan & Crew
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wedding On The River

This property was beautiful and exactly what we needed to host our wedding party for our ceremony on the river. It was perfect and Brian was very very helpful in the planning process.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect Birthday and Anniversary River Trip

This property was absolutely perfect for our multiple age groups get away! There was plenty of indoor and outdoor space and amenities for our active group of teens and kids to roam and play freely while the adult group relaxed in the shade. The serenity of the scenic views made for great social media backgrounds in the tons of photo shoots our teenage and young adult children shared ... AND provided the much needed relaxation the adults came to experience. #PerfectRiverTrip
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The host was responsive and the location is fantastic, right on the river with beautiful views and plenty of activities nearby. This is a much older, very eclectic property with lots of character, not a modern or newly renovated rental, which worked well for our group.The large, well-equipped gathering room was perfect for our extended family gathering, and we made great use of the extra kitchen, pool table, darts, and pickleball. There’s also plenty of outdoor space to enjoy, including a firepit, which was a highlight for us.Kayaks are available, though the river current moves quickly in some areas, so plan for a downstream paddle and arrange pickup rather than expecting to paddle back upstream.With the home’s age and unique setting, occasional extra attention to deep cleaning would further enhance the experience. Overall, this place is ideal for guests who value space, activities, and a great river setting and are comfortable with an older home that has a lived-in, rustic feel.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 13 February 2026
Thanks for the review! So many comments are left in the guest book about how much guests have enjoyed the place. Yes, when we redid the place we tried to capture and leave as much of the original dairy barn (mainly exterior), raise the roof rafters inside while keeping salvageable original wood that was resanded and some painted. We were even able to take an original door, and place historic pictures and make a table out if it. It was a fun project that started in 2020 when we could not work our normal jobs. We continue to add more entertaining items. Its so much fun at the place. wild life (hawks, herons, other birds, turtles, even a occasional otter sighting. We have a large retention of guests coming back. We will share with the cleaning crew the "good" grade of 8, which is the lowest rating we have received in a long time. They are human and make mistakes but they really want guests to enjoy their stay for sure. Thanks!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Fun for all

We have stayed at several vacation rental properties throughout the years and the converted Dairy Barn in Martindale TX is one of the best. We had 10 people stay for 4 nights. Ages 5 to 73 and we all had a great time. We tubed twice at the house to the Scull Rd. bridge and it took about an hour. The first 10-15 mins were small rapids (FUN) mostly shallow. After that it was a nice slow tube ride. Maybe the best thing about tubing from the house is we were the only ones on that part of the river. We played in the water at the house everyday and also at Scull Rd. bridge. Did a little fishing as well. The best way to describe the house itself is pretty COOL. I (45 yr old Male) barely even hung out in the living room. There is a nice size pool/bar room in the back that has two large bay doors and two double doors that look out to the pickle ball court. Yes pickle ball court. Speaker system inside and outside, all kinds of games, kitchen area.... Nice covered back porch.... We spent most of our time in the pool/bar room or the back porch. Everybody played pool. Even my youngest two, 5 & 8. My only small cons: We could not find a toaster and please check for wasp in the outside bathroom. I know this is Texas in the summer and wasp are part of it. Just be on the look out and have some spray. And yes there is an outside bathroom. I dont remember seeing that on the property description. If you like having fun, playing in the river, being close to San Marcos & New Braunfels, ..... I w
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
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