Cabin

COZY, RIVER-FRONT CABIN, GATED, PRIVATE, ROMANTIC AND UNIQUE

Photo gallery for COZY, RIVER-FRONT CABIN, GATED, PRIVATE, ROMANTIC AND UNIQUE

French Doors open fr living room onto 2 decks, 1 protected
w/sunshade, 1 open.
Too hot?  Too sunny?  This sunshaded Grdn Room w/tropicals is always just right!
Fill your pipe and your glass of wine and watch kyakers/wildlife on the River.
This yard is 100% private, filled with songbirds, eagles, pelicans, and more!
Livingroom abuts kitchen and cozy breakfast table.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 5100.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Austin, TX
  • Circuit of the Americas
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Lady Bird Lake
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Austin Convention Center
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Austin, TX (AUS-Austin-Bergstrom Intl.)
    ‪5 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Single Murphy Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Single Bunk Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

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

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

COZY, RIVER-FRONT CABIN, GATED, PRIVATE, ROMANTIC AND UNIQUE

PENNY RIVER is perched on a bank above the beautiful Colorado River with a million-dollar view of its wildlife and surroundings.. Happy families can be seen below picnicking, camping, fishing and boating. As though the view from the deck weren't special enough, the property is gated, privacy-fenced and located a mere 15-20 minutes average from every main center of north, central and south Austin.

You travel through 1 minute through an old trailer park to get to us, but as one guest recently noted, "Everything on the PENNY RIVER side of the entrance gate is a little paradise." We rigrously sanitize and disinfect the property inside and out. Kids love the 3rd bedroom (bunk bed) we just added and the ability to "camp out" on air mattresses (provided) in our small but cozy living room is welcomed.

Mom and dad get a master bedroom on a beautiful new Tuft N Needle King Size bed, along with their own private bathroom. A combination Guest Room/Study accommodates a single adult who also gets his or her own private bathroom. At the far end of the cabin is the all-new Bunk Room, accommodating a single child or adult, who shares the Guest Bathroom. We get lots of families with kids, so we've added air mattresses and put them in a cedar chest in the living room where the kids can access them and "camp out" at night. It's been a big hit!

KICK BACK...
in PENNY RIVER'S Athens Mountain Pine Cabin. It is super-efficient, comfy and features decor that leans antique. Hit the deck and take in the beautiful Colorado River with all its wildlife and hundreds of songbirds. Moms, pops, kids, seniors, friends, all welcome. Parties are allowed but please advise us at the time of the booking of your plans and the speicfic number of anticipated guests you will invite. and the expected duration of their stay and the duration of the party. . A huge plus at PENNY RIVER is that your cabin is basically 100% private; the owner lives on the property as well, but in a fenced-off, separated area. A reminder safety-wise is that the entire property is gated and fenced (except the side open to the river), adding a major degree of safety for you, your family, possessions and automobiles.

Management patrols the propertyseveral times daily at no extra charge. Night lights feature motion-detection activation. Management does not enter the cabin while rented unless some emergency prevails (issue with water or electricity, etc.)

Nights at Penny River can be nearly magical. An impressive 115' x 30' back yard, plush with St Augustine grass, opens to a huge night sky above. Moonlight lights are especially captivating. Grill on the new Mexican Brick Patio below, which in combination with the deck can handle up to a dozen bodies comfortably. A sliding glass kitchen window allows through-food-service to the deck for convenient serving and quick clean-up.

A traveler's bonus is that you do NOT have to go through Austin to get to PENNY RIVER. For just a few bucks, the 130 Toll Road will deliver travelers from the North and South to an exit mere minutes from the cabin; similarly, the all-new Highway 71 freeway allows East-West arrivals to skirt a bustling Ausin traffic. Both accesses can cut up to 45 minutes from your trip !

If it's a quiet, peaceful, secluded getaway you want, we can say with absolute certainty that you will NOT find anything in all of Austin at any price even remotely like PENNY RIVER. It is positively unique. You'll want to fill your pipe with your favorite tobacco, pop a favorite bottle of wine and never again move from your relazing chair on the deck. Promise. Kick back and drift off into the peace and quiet of our river retreat.

INSIDE THE CABIN:
Every attempt is made to stock the cabin with essentials (paper towels, bathroom tissue, mosquito spray, shampoo, charcoal starter, etc.). Should you throw a party for guests other than those booked, please give us a body county in advance and, most especially, AN AUTOMOBILE COUNT. This is to make sure you can advise guests in advance as to where on the street overflow parking is permitted, avoiding towaway.

If you do decide to explore downtown Austin don't miss beautiful Zilker Park, which abuts an amazing botanical garden. There are hiking trails everywhere. Ask locals what THEY like and don't be afraid to ask them what you'd like to see and explore. Austin is extremely friendly. There are dozens of pamphlets in the Cabin's living room that feature Austin and surrounding-area highlights.

Once again, as we are subject to scheduled and sometimes unscheduled maintenance (lawn mowing, a plumbing problem, an electric failure resulting from a brownout or blackout) we will always attempt to give you as much advanced notice as possible before accessing the general area of your cabin. If we can't reach you, we may need to access your area unannounced. Unscheduled maintenance emergencies may not allow much advanced notice and possibly none. Thank you for understanding. It is your safety and well-being that are front and center.

Property manager

Jim Lacey
Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 1:30 PM
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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
Principle may not rent for others; minor not allowed alone on property. Mandatory cabin tour. Advanced notice required for arrivals after 10pm.
Sorry, no pets. Smoking outside only. 2 autos max parking. No fireworks. Bunk Guard Rail must be used when bunk is engaged.
Your privacy is paramount, but alarms, sprinkler sys, night lights, gen. maint. and other unanticipated situations are attended unannounced.

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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Del Valle

Located in Del Valle, this cabin is in the city centre and on a river. Sixth Street and Rainey Street are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lady Bird Lake and Zilker Park. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Circuit of the Americas or Moody Center. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Austin, TX

What's nearby

  • Circuit of the Americas - 9 min drive - 12.0 km
  • Lady Bird Lake - 9 min drive - 11.3 km
  • Austin Convention Center - 12 min drive - 14.3 km
  • University of Texas at Austin - 13 min drive - 15.3 km
  • South Congress Avenue - 13 min drive - 17.2 km

Getting around

  • Austin Station - 23 min drive
  • Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) - 5 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Haymaker - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Salt Lick - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Whataburger - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Aust Second Bar - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Annie's Cafe & Bar - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is COZY, RIVER-FRONT CABIN, GATED, PRIVATE, ROMANTIC AND UNIQUE pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-out at COZY, RIVER-FRONT CABIN, GATED, PRIVATE, ROMANTIC AND UNIQUE?

Checkout is at 1:30 PM.

Where is COZY, RIVER-FRONT CABIN, GATED, PRIVATE, ROMANTIC AND UNIQUE located?

Located in the heart of Del Valle, this cabin is 1 mi (1.6 km) from Colorado River and within 9 miles (15 km) of Sixth Street and Austin Convention Center. Circuit of the Americas and Moody Theater are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.6

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. 101 out of 115 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 115 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 115 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 4 out of 115 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 115 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

2.0/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

8.6/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Karina R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Weekend away
We were giving a detailed tour of the place. Jim was very communicative and answered our questions. The beds were comfortable. The space was perfect for our group.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quaint and cozy, great communication with the host
Hubby and a co-worker had a job at Tesla for a few days. This property was literally 5 minutes from the airport and 5 minutes to Tesla - it couldn't have been more convenient. The host was very easy to communicate with, and we'll book again with him in the future if another Tesla job comes up for us
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Steven J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Good stay in Austin
Jim is a nice host, gated property. Good location to many parts of Austin.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Samantha W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Birthday Get-a-way
This property was just like the photos and better. The area is secluded and quiet with a nice view of the Colorado River. The property owner was communicative and responded promptly. The property offers a very functional kitchen to cook for a family and excellent washer and dryer to get your laundry done before you end your trip!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
A Nice Stay
My friends and I came for a bachelorette trip, and we enjoyed our stay. Everyone commented on how cute the cabin was and enjoyed the stay. Mr. Jim was very nice and accommodating. I apricated the tour of the property when I arrived to go over the rules and regulations of the cabin. We all had a great time and would book again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shannon M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Love this place!
Jim is a wonderful host and is always there to greet you. The home is so charming and is just as described. We’ve stayed here more than once and if we are going to COTA I look early so I can stay with Jim.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Scott R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quiet Home Base
My wife, a friend, and stayed at Penny River for 4 nights while we were in town for a multi-day event. It was perfectly located between the two venues we were attending. One near Manor, and one in SE downtown. With traffic it was about 20 minutes to each. The cabin was a great place to come back to after the day's activites and relax. The neighborhood may look a little scary to some, but it was nice, quiet, and peaceful.. Jim, the host was very attentive and took great care of us.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carey F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Austin Adjacent Property
Well stocked, conveniently located home with a very comfortable bed and sofas. Nice outdoor area with grill for outdoor living - weather permitting. Quick and easy access to the highway and Austin and an extemely amenable host who let us have a late check out because our flight out was delayed.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Randy J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Graduation weekend
We were in town for our daughter's graduation. The location was perfect for us as it was outside of town, but very close to the airport. The backyard view is beautiful, and the host was very helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kent W., Bryan, TX

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very nice hideaway!
We had a very enjoyable stay! The host (Jim) is a super nice guy who made our stay even better. The kitchen was very well stocked, which is important to us as we cook our own meals whenever possible on our trips. It is located very close to COTA so that made it very easy to get to the track and back.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

James W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Birthday Weekend
The property was exactly as pictured and described. Jim, the host, was very easy to communicate with and one could tell he is very proud of his home.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marisha G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Eclipse/birthday party stay
Jim is a great host, he’s super responsive and truly cares that you enjoy your stay and have a great time. If I’m ever back in Austin, I’ll look to see if Jim’s property is available first!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Scott H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Family Stay
Host was very helpful! Place was as described and worked out perfectly for our Thanksgiving visit.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lisa S.

Liked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Sister weekend
Jim was a gracious host who stayed in communication with us as plans changed!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deanne S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Great host, great patio, great property
We were in Austin for a week for our daughter's wedding. We had numerous friends and family visit us at the property. There is plenty of parking, plenty of chairs, great patio and a great view of the river. The host lives behind the property which was a great asset as he was always "on call" if/when we needed him. The property is close to the airport so that was also a plus for us as we had lots of folks coming and going. I highly recommend this VRBO for folks who want a quiet place with rustic beauty.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rochelle I.

We loved it! We would come back if possible.
We were I'm town for a wedding. It was so nice to be close to the airport. Lovely cabin! Great host.

10/10 Excellent

Laurie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Mom/Daughter Getaway
This property was a perfect location for our family time, trip to Waco and proximity to Austin airport. Jim was so extremely accommodating and even drove me to the airport early in the morning. If you are looking to getaway this place is perfect.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sherry W., Ranger, Texas

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Geocaching round up
We loved our stay here, just wasn’t near long enough. The house is great, everything we could want was there. Jim was on top of everything, making sure all was right. We would definitely stay here again if we come to Austin for a trip.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy Cabin
Wonderful little cabin. Jim was an awesome host.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

John W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful place, and amazing host
We had the best time staying at Jim’s riverside house! He was the most attentive and accommodating host I’ve ever had the pleasure to be around, and I’ve been to A LOT of vacation rentals. Don’t hesitate in booking, it was an amazing experience!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Patricia O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely property
This property is really lovely and the on-site owner is very responsive and hospitable. it was clean and just as advertised, the deck and garden below was especially relaxing and QUIET.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

8/10 Good

Mary M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Thanksgiving 2023
This property was just what I was looking for. Peaceful, homey, quaint with beautiful landscaping with view of the Colorado River. We were so close to San Antonio (1 HR) we took a day trip there. Will definitely return!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kevin S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cabin in the city
The house was very comfortable and well equipped. The host was very accommodating and made sure we had everything we needed.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen M., McKinney, Texas

Great weekend
We loved the place! The deck is amazing , birdsong fills the air and Jim was a wonderful host who helped us whenever needed. We all slept well while here and hated to leave on Sunday
Stayed 2 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

James H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A +
Great location for COTA Race. Easy to follow instructions for checking in. Would use again. Jim
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

About the host

Hosted by Jim Lacey

Host profile image
A native Texan of Laredo, Tx, and a Vietnam War Era vet, owner JIM LACEY is a pianist, guitarist, composer, artist and inventor, now retire. He proudly boats past recordings with major artists like Dusty Springfield, Dame Cleo Laine, JJ Johnson, Kai Winding, Georgie Fame, SONY films and numerous advertizers like WalMart and Paddington Beer. Always anxious to meet new folks and hear their stories, he understands many guests are renting Penny River for privacy, quiet and communing with nature. In all of Austin, regardless of what you're willing to pay, you will find nothing to match the breathtaking beauty of Penny River with its million songbirds, abundant wildlife and full moon nights, set perfectly along the beautiful Colorado River. ]
SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS INLUDE:
KING BED (2)....................................Master (has full private bathroom)
GUEST BED (1) .................................Murphy Bed (has full bathroom)
PORCH BED (1).................................Bunk (uses Guest Bathroom
LIVING ROOM (up to 5) (uses Gues Bathroom):
a. RECLINERS w/USB (2)
b, KIDS CAMPOUT FUN (2)....Air Mattresses
c, LEATHER SOFA (1).................NON-FOLD OUT

Why they chose this property

-Tucked into the far back corner of an old farming community, Pennyr River is east of Austin, meaning it catches the prevailing south-easterly winds and virtually zero pollution of a growing Austin. Nights on the deck are positively spectacular bathed in a choice of two different soft lighting options -- or no light at all, other than the moon. You won't forget Penny River, that's a promise.

What makes this property unique

No question about it, the QUIET out here is everyone's favorite thing.. The pure, clean air us unmatched. Sit on the deck with a glass of your favorite wine, roll your own and watch the pelicans and ducks and fish hawks for hours. Because it rests on a bluff 42 feet above the river while the far bank is only 25 feet above it, the far bank is in the flood plain and can never be built upon, locking in the amazing view that opens for miles and miles.

Within a very short drive there are numerous walking trails and retreats, Austin ranking among the top Greenway Belts in the nation. Trails here are extremely well marked and maintained, identifying length of walk to be expected and often include terrific photos of the wildlife you can expect to encounter. Histories, mating practices, eating habits and evolution are explained.

Once here the last thing you'll want to leave is the peace and quiet, but should your needs be to venture into Austin you'll be happy to learn that the cabin is situated mere minutes from the 3 main arteries into Austin that connect the North, Central and South sides, respectively. To give you just a quick idea, you are 3 blocks from toll road 130, connecting to San Antonio and the Mexican Border at Laredo; 4 minutes from Bergstrom Airport, 6 minutes from Circuit of the Americas Formula One racing track, 1 minute from the arterty connecting to Houston and the Gulf Coast and 2 minutes from connecting to Hwy 71 if the call you're hearing is "Go West young man, go West!". The one thing you can count on when it's time to leave Penny River is that you'll be back. That's a promise.

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests