Hotel Lulu
Nestled in the heart of downtown Round Top, Hotel Lulu is the perfect escape for road-trippers interested in a well-mixed cocktail after a day spent shopping in the picturesque town. Good for couples or friends traveling together, the atmosphere is quiet and luxurious – the perfect place for relaxation.
In 1978, long before Chip and Joanna Gaines and the biannual antique markets made Round Top into a shopping mecca, Houston restaurateurs Armando and Cinda Palacios bought a property in the small rural town. After watching Round Top swell from 90 permanent residents to hundreds of thousands twice per year, the duo realized the town needed more lodging and decided to transform historic Bybee Square into Hotel Lulu. A 15-month renovation restored the property to its Gilded-age glory, adding modern comforts, stunning art, and opulent design touches.
Hotel Lulu boasts Round Top's only pool, an herb garden, a formal garden, the hotel's restaurant, Lulu's, and a cocktail bar, Il Cuculo (the Italian word for Cuckoo bird). Shaded by stunning old-growth oaks and ensconced by a wall of jasmine, there are fourteen rooms spread across six bungalows on the one-acre property. Guests will find themselves meandering on the property's crushed granite paths with a drink in hand, surrounded by details from the 1800s. Much of the footprint of the original Bybee Square was left intact.
Although there is plenty to do in Round Top, Hotel Lulu is the kind of place where doing nothing is enough. Visitors can relax in their sumptuous beds, rock on a porch swing, or lounge by the pool to decompress from the flurry of city life.
The Details
Art, texture, and textiles play a significant role in the hotel's ambiance. The team at Hotel Lulu partnered with artists from all over the world to bring the culture and vibrancy of the property to life. Each room is outfitted with a blanket handmade by Houston-based Studio Imli. The owner, Sanna Sahi, works with artisans in the Cholistan desert of Pakistan to bring the blankets (available for purchase) to Hotel Lulu. The accent pillows and shams found in the rooms are from Tribute Goods, whose owner, Karen Pulaski, collaborates with linen purveyors and graphic designers in Italy to create colorful themes for her pieces. Much of the abstract art found in the rooms are from Benjamin Edmiston, whose geometric paintings add an unexpected touch to the style of the hotel. And, in the hotel's bar, Il Cuculo (the Italian word for the Cuckoo bird), the wallpaper is a reproduction of the oldest painted panels in the world.
Eat
Lulu's restaurant serves classic Italian dishes like bolognese made with slow-braised beef tips, meatballs over polenta, grilled Caesar salad, and decadent lobster ravioli. The bread service, which consists of freshly baked focaccia slices and mini loaves served with whipped honey and olive oil spread, is a must. Lulu's signature dessert, bomboloni, is served with a sweet dipping sauce – the perfect way to end a meal.
Drink
Il Cuculo, Hotel Lulu's intimate bar, is legitimately stunning. Guests are greeted by a whimsical hand-painted mural, bright colors, a glass-backed bar, and plenty of delicious cocktails. The bar's signature drinks, the Negroni and Aperol Spritz, add to the Italian ambiance. The VIP area of Il Cuculo transports visitors to a dimly lit bar in Italy – the details and decor are exquisite.
Stay
There are so many reasons to stay at Hotel Lulu. On-property food and drinks leave little reason to leave, but if exploring is a must, its location makes walking to many top attractions in Round Top quick and easy. Each room offers top-of-the-line amenities like Le Labo toiletries, flat-screen televisions with streaming capabilities, luxury linens, complimentary WiFi, plush robes, and slippers – all with Texas-sized views of Round Top. hotellulutx.com