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Rancho Villa! Authentic Adobe Ranch House Near Big Bend Park!

Photo gallery for Rancho Villa! Authentic Adobe Ranch House Near Big Bend Park!

Outdoor Dining
Outdoor Living Area 1
Outdoor Living Area 2
Front Porch Sitting Area
Entrance

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Marathon, TX
  • Sul Ross State University
    ‪32 min drive‬
  • Big Bend Regional Medical Center
    ‪33 min drive‬
  • Kokernot Field
    ‪35 min drive‬
  • Alpine, TX (ALE-Casparis Municipal)
    ‪37 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Single Bunk Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

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

Bathroom 2

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

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Rancho Villa! Authentic Adobe Ranch House Near Big Bend Park!

Experience true relaxation while enjoying the wonder and adventure of Texas' Big Bend Country. Home to Big Bend National Park (the least visited national park in the country!), Big Bend State Park, old forts, historic sites and a scattering of small towns and the genuine folk that inhabit them. Known as the Gateway to Big Bend, the town of Marathon is the last established sign of civilization before entering this geological wonder; making it the perfect location for your vacation headquarters. Better fill up the tank!

Established in 1882 as a railroad stop, Marathon is home to a mix of folks and structures that embody the spirit and authenticity of this remote area. From the historic Gage Hotel with it's fine dining and congenial White Buffalo Bar, to the slowly deteriorating building scattered throughout town, you know you are somewhere very different. With a population of @400 and not a single traffic light, don't let the tiny town fool you.

You can grab breakfast at the Oasis Café, watch the evening show (the sunset) while sipping a beverage at the Brick Vault BBQ and Brewery, and pick up some extraordinary art and photography from the numerous galleries. That's just for starters; you never know what you'll stumble onto. Live music, frequent events and festivities or a spontaneous gathering around a fire pit.

RANCHO VILLA is located on the southwest edge of town with unobstructed mountain views. During your stay, you may not even want to leave the property! The mountain views are mesmerizing and with numerous porches and patios, we've made sure you'll catch a breeze and a view no matter where you land. You may eventually want to go into the house though!

An old adobe ranch house, built from the earth around it by a gentleman named Juan Villa, RANCHO VILLA has been consciously renovated to maximize comfort while retaining the authentic features common to this remote country. Amenities include 3 bedrooms with comfortable beds and custom bedding, a full kitchen (stocked with cook and dinnerware, dishwasher, disposal), a spacious bathroom with both a large walk in shower and cast iron soaking tub with a view.

There is a 47" flat screen with an eclectic movie collection (cable and Netflix included). Unfortunately, cellphone service is good and if you need to get a little work done (such a shame) there is wireless internet.

Large double doors opening to patios and porches will lure you back outside where the mountain and sunset views are textbook. I won't even get started on the stars, because part of the adventure is discovering the magic for yourself. So what are you waiting for? Your biggest problem at RANCHO VILLA is not wanting to leave!

Keywords: Large ranch style house w/ mountain views!

Property manager

Laura Day-Wickham
Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue grill
Mountain view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
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

No pets allowed
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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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Marathon

Located in Marathon, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Marathon, TX

What's nearby

  • Sul Ross State University - 32 min drive - 47.4 km
  • Big Bend Regional Medical Center - 33 min drive - 49.3 km
  • Museum of the Big Bend - 34 min drive - 50.0 km
  • Kokernot Field - 35 min drive - 50.5 km
  • Kokernot Park - 36 min drive - 50.4 km

Getting around

  • Midland, TX (MAF-Midland Intl.) - 174 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Brick Vault Brewery and Barbeque - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Oasis Cafe - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪White Buffalo Bar - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Los Muertos Mexica - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Marathon Coffee - ‬17 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Rancho Villa! Authentic Adobe Ranch House Near Big Bend Park! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Rancho Villa! Authentic Adobe Ranch House Near Big Bend Park!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Rancho Villa! Authentic Adobe Ranch House Near Big Bend Park!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Rancho Villa! Authentic Adobe Ranch House Near Big Bend Park! located?

Situated in the mountains, this holiday home is within 32 miles (52 km) of Sul Ross State University, Big Bend Regional Medical Center and Kiowa Gallery. Museum of the Big Bend and Kokernot Park are also within 32 miles (52 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 18 out of 20 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 20 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 20 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Scott M.

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

Great stay while visiting Big Bend

Ranch Villa was a wonderful place to call home during our visit to Big Bend! The home was clean, spacious, and looked just as advertised. Great views, great location, and great experience!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katelyn H.

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

Beautiful views, awesome house

This was our 2nd time staying at Rancho Villa- the new bathroom and bedrooms make it even more amazing. The property and views are spectacular - perfect spot for sunset and the stars.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael B.

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

Big Bend Trip

House was well stocked for the stay and accommodated our families needs for trips to Ft Davis, McDonald Observatory, and Big Bend.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lara A.

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

Great place

It was a great place for a small group of friends visiting Big Bend. The house was clean and well laid out. The place is well decorated and comfortable.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

josh b.

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

Marathon Stay

The rental was very rustic and spacious. It had everything we could have needed during our stay. We would definitely come back again!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shana M.

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

Cozy and Clean!

We loved our stay at Rancho Villa. The house had plenty of bedrooms/beds, a fully stocked kitchen and tons of character.If you’re wondering whether to book, go for it! We would happily rent this one again.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anne C.

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

Hidden Gem Easy Big Bend Access

Roomy rental with comfy beds. Showers were spacious. Rental is well stocked and convenient to gas station and big bend. As others mentioned the initial neighborhood view makes property an oasis in West Texas.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah S.

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

Such a gem!

We were in town for a wedding at the Gage Hotel. Guys, the pictures DO NOT do this adorable place justice! This was such a great hidden gem. The master bed is extremely comfortable, and the Mountain View’s are spectacular. It was very clean and had plenty of towels. The outside patio is HUGE and so relaxing! It feels very private. Also, very little check out tasks which I always appreciate. If I ever find myself in the area again, we will 100% stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katherine F.

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

Comfortable stay in Marathon

This house looks like the listing. It is spacious and was clean. We were in town for a family wedding, and our group had plenty of room. Beds were comfortable, and the kitchen was extremely well stocked. The house was close to everything in Marathon and a good place for day trips to Big Bend.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lindsay H.

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

Cozy house with amazing views

This house was a great find in Marathon! Pictures don’t do it justice. It’s very clean, cozy, and the beds were so comfortable. It’s more spacious than I expected, and had tons of outdoor space. Beautiful sunset off the back porch. A great place to stay for our family of 5.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rosemary R.

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

Extraordinary home

Fabulously appointed- masterfully decorated combining old and new elements. Cozy- large kitchen, great location, close to everything in marathon- Make sure to read instructions carefully to get to Rancho Villa. Nice neighbors.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary K., Fairbanks, AK

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

Perfect Family Basecamp

This beautiful desert refuge had ample room for our family to spread out and come together after long days exploring Big Bend. The neighborhood is classic West Texas Eclectic, and we had no concerns as some others have noted. The outdoor spaces were lovely, interior well appointed, beds comfortable. Host was immediately responsive to any questions. We would not hesitate to book this for a family trip out west.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kevin J.

Cozy and Relaxing Stay

After a few days of hiking in Big Bend, this was the perfect place to unwind. The living room is very comfortable and several of us fell asleep on the couch and chairs! The outdoor space was great and had great views of the desert and mountains. The only downside was that it was a little bit hard to find at first. It's located off of Lee St down a short gravel road. Overall, I would highly recommend Rancho Villa.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019

8/10 Good

diane s.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, listing accuracy

Peaceful stay in a truly small town

We weren't able to get in the house at check in time but that was quickly resolved. The neighborhood doesn't look like much, but once on the property you don't even notice. The view is beautiful and there is plenty of outdoor seating to relax and enjoy the view. The beds were comfortable and the home was nicely furnished with vintage furniture. It was very welcoming, it felt like my grandma's house. Only other issue was the middle bedroom stayed a little warm. Would recommend bringing groceries with you. The French grocer in town actually had a good selection but was a little pricey. All in all we had a wonderful stay in Marathon.

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy H.

Big Bend getaway

Great house, & very comfortable! We were a little surprised by the neighborhood and nervous when we pulled up, but once we settled in to the house we loved it! We had a great family getaway and the house had everything we needed!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019

8/10 Good

Mary C.

Great house!

We have a wonderful time celebrating a family members 80th birthday! Great house with a lot of outdoor sitting areas.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Almost Perfect!

The photos of this home don't do it justice since there are more furnishings in the LR etc. than shown online. We loved the texture of the old adobe brick walls, the eclectic western decor, the cleanliness and the comfortable beds. It is so quiet here you can't help but relax and let the worries of life fade away. The views are enjoyable and while here we experienced a dust storm which blotted out the mountains and scenery for miles, an interesting phenomenon. The neighbor's dog came over just to make sure we were "okay" and even the hammering on the new construction nearby felt normal. As an update to the VRBO description, there is cable TV here as well as internet. The only minor drawback for us was that the laundry facilities were under lock and key and not available to the guests. We were on the last five days of a 2 1/2 week road trip and found this to be a big negative - although ingenuity did prevail! When traveling we always stay in cabins/homes and this is the first one we have found that does not offer its guests laundry facilities. Be sure to bring loads of groceries, milk and water as there is only one very small grocery in Marathon. This is a wonderful place to access Big Bend or just chill. You can't help but fall in love with this place.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kurt K.

Wonderful Marathon House

We very much enjoyed our stay here. The inside of the house is well decorated, and the kitchen is large and well-stocked for cooking a nice meal. The tub, extra large shower, and outdoor shower were welcome additions after we returned from hiking the South Rim Trail in Big Bend. The huge back patio provided an excellent vantage point for the spectacular sunsets and the the dark, star-filled nights.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sophie P.

Perfect Place in Marathon with beautiful views

We stayed there last Thanksgiving and had a perfect time. Close enough to Big Bend, great views and great sitting areas all around the house. I also liked the feel and the tasteful decoration of the house. The views from the back of the house are wonderful as the pictures show and the best view is from the bathtub at sunset: priceless !
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Great Place to stay in Marathon

We stayed in the Rancho Villa for a week between July 14- and July 21. We had the most amazing weather for July (overcast and 75 oF for the entire week). The house is neat and very tastefully decorated.The photo on vrbo are accurate. There is 3 bedroom, two with large queen size bed and the third one with 4 bunk beds for kids. There is a folding baby playpen/beds. The house was very clean. The back patio and the outside dinning area are very pleasant. We had a few game of horseshoe in the back at sunset. The outdoor shower is a plus! It was very easy to communicate with Laura, the owner. Overall a great experience. We'll definitely stay again there soon.

About the host

Hosted by Laura Day-Wickham

Host profile image

Why they chose this property

What makes this property unique

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests