Colonial style brick home used as hunting lodge, bed & breakfast & venue for wedding, family reunions & corperate retreats. Lodge has 4500 square feet of living space as well as 5 covered patios & two uncovered patios, three car garage & more. Lodge is complete with all the luxuries such as two dining areas, large kitchen with double oven & island glass cooktop, central heat & air, 5 bedrooms & 4 bathrooms. Located in a beautiful remote area but only 15 miles south of Merkel Tx & Interstate 20. The lodge sits atop Buzzard Peak on 1327 acres of oaks & the deep canyons of the northwest part of the Edwards Plateau commonly refered to as the Texas Hill Country. Property has numerous White-tailed deer, wild Turkey & various other native wildlife & offers both deer hunting & African Safari style hunting of over 12 species of exotics from Africa, India, Asia & New Zealand. So reserve your spot to relax in luxury while experiencing some of the most beautiful scenery in Texas.
Property manager
Jerry Wayne Beaird
Premier Host
Languages
English, Spanish
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Gym
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Hiking is allowed except during deer season. This is a hunting ranch & cameras are at feeders & trails so get directions before venturing out.
We keep our minimum price low for couples & etc. so if extra bedrooms & or beds are used then a $35/night per extra guest charge will be added.
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 indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
About the area
Merkel
Located in Merkel, this villa is in a rural area and in the mountains. Buffalo Gap Historic Village and Paramount Theatre are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Prime Time Family Entertainment Center and National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Big Country Race Way or Taylor County Expo Center.
Merkel, TX
What's nearby
Dyess Air Force Base - 50 min drive - 42.6 km
Mall of Abilene - 51 min drive - 43.4 km
McMurry University - 52 min drive - 45.2 km
Hardin Simmons University - 53 min drive - 48.1 km
Abilene Christian University - 55 min drive - 50.7 km
Getting around
Abilene, TX (ABI-Abilene Regional) - 60 min drive
Restaurants
Coronado's Camp Store & Grill - 24 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is A luxury hunting lodge pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at A luxury hunting lodge ?
Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.
What time is check-out at A luxury hunting lodge ?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is A luxury hunting lodge located?
Situated in the mountains, this villa is 14.2 mi (22.9 km) from Abilene State Park and within 32 miles (52 km) of Abilene Christian University and Buffalo Gap Historic Village. Big Country Race Way and National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature 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.
This was a great location, beautiful views. The house was absolutely beautiful. It needs a few updates (paint, baseboards, water faucets) but it did not detract from our stay.
This property worked perfectly for our family of 12 to spread out and celebrate Christmas. Large, well stocked kitchen and ample living room space. Even with 4 kiddos it was quiet. The property manager was helpful with all questions. Great experience!
My wife and our two children and their spouses and young children spent two nights. We loved the house. Lots of room for us. The location of the property was perfect for us. Remote enough so it’s away from town and quiet but close enough to Abilene to make a day trip. Very quiet and great for some morning and evening walks as well. We struggled a little to make meals because only 2 or the burners on the stove were working. Other than that it was a great stay and our family loved our time there.
The property was beautiful, loved the location, property owner was swift and courteous on anything that was needed or needed to be done. Home was roomy enough and plenty of room for all of us to stay. Had plenty of dishes and everything they offered.
It needs a little up keep and bushes trimmed down. And I’m sure they will get that handled.
Would definitely like to come back.
Loved the house and views!
The Christmas tree at the house was beautiful!!!!
We drink a lot of water so did take our own water and had our son bring his dispenser. There was a dispenser in pictures but not at house. Kitchen needs more dinner forks.
Well stocked, lovely home with plenty of room to gather with family/friends! The owner was attentive and quick to respond to all of my questions. The view was amazing!
Staying at the game ranch was wonderful. It is the perfect place to get away from everything and still feel like you never left home.
The lodge was almost as beautiful as the hill country overlook that could be seen from its numerous balconies. Star lovers will enjoy the breathtaking views of the night sky and limited light pollution.
Outdoor lovers will be amazed by the types of terrain and animals that surround the house.
Jerry was super attentive and made sure our stay was the best West Texas could give. I can't wait to come visit again!
Our group of 10, a mixture of adults, teenagers and children felt it could not have been more of a hit. The home is beautiful, every detail was taken care of, and we can't wait to come back. As we were leaving, Ben, a 7 year old asked if we could please stay 2 more weeks. He summed it up for all of us!! Thank you Jerry for providing sure an amazing adventure.
A Beautiful ranch whose ranch house sits on a plateau with beautiful views.
The property is well stocked, clean and very spacious. Every person in our group has asked to return for next years trip which breaks a very long tradition of seeking out new places in Texas. Jerry did a great job of communicating and was very accommodating. This is a hidden gem in Texas that is a must visit.
Family Christmas from young to old in our family loved this place. The owners were helpful and communicated with us any time we had questions. Would highly recommend if you want to take family away to spend time together.
Our family of five met grandparents and an uncle here for an early Thanksgiving & hunting trip. The house was perfect for our needs. Spotless, all beds were very comfortable, plenty of room, kitchen well stocked plus the awesome views from the property. No steps on entry level & walk-in shower made it easy for the grandparents. Hope we’re lucky enough to return as it is a great place!
We had to come to west Texas for a funeral. We had 12 family members coming from all over the US and we wanted a place with plenty of room with comfortable beds and space to relax and eat. This place was definitely an adventure loved by all the family. It is at the top of a hill but we had no trouble getting up there with 4wheel drive. Jerry, our host, drove us in when we arrived to make sure we found it. There is a gate with a code. There are lots of animals, and there are cows up around the house at times. They didn’t come near us but there are cow patties. The house is very nice, all the basics are provided. One of the coolest experiences was all the windmills around the property, and the view is so great from up there. Windmills can be seen all over. Master suite is downstairs and all the remaining rooms are upstairs. Lots of space to relax indoors and out. Merkel has a good little grocery and couple places to eat. Abilene is not such a bad drive and a great place to visit. Jerry was very responsive and helpful. It was exactly what we all needed and so much better than a bunch of hotel rooms. Great stay! Thanks, Jerry!
This was truly the most beautiful VRBO that we’ve ever rented. The house was out in the country on a safari ranch (we aren’t hunters) but it was off season so we just had peace and quiet. Jerry Wayne and his wife were so welcoming and even followed up with us to see how we had done in the dog show (reason for our visit). I can’t recommend this place enough.
The house is beautiful and immaculately clean. Clean, clean, clean. Very well furnished from comfortable beds to well stocked kitchen. Separate heat/air in the top floor bedrooms is a huge plus. Perfect space for group gatherings. Plenty of beds and bathrooms. Great for family reunion or group retreat. Good internet service despite remote location.
The view is amazing! The property is huge. There are some walking trails.
But, there are some things I must point out.
This house is a solid 45 minutes from Abilene. Definitely a remote location and getting there is not easy with several turns on back country roads.
The driveway is long and very steep. Could be treacherous in bad weather. Property manager does try to keep the road graded, but I would hate to be here after a rain storm or in icy conditions. Was happy to have 4WD even in dry weather.
Only one bedroom is downstairs. Just keep that in mind if you have older folks in your group who hav issues climbing stairs.
There are some repairs needed and manager was in the process of staging several of those when we checked out.
If you are looking for a place with some space and the ability to get away from people and "city life" this is it! Gorgeous house, LOTS of room. Jerry was so very nice and spent quite a bit of time with the kids telling them about the animals and the ranch. He was a super responsive host, and the place was exactly as described.
The Windmill Game Ranch is an exceptional place to spend a weekend. The house is incredibly beautiful with more than enough space and comfort for a large group. The only thing more impressive than the house is the incredible views of the ranch from the balconies. Jerry was an incredible host and we enjoyed getting to know him. We will definitely be planning more trips to the area just to stay there!
Jerry was raised in Merkel Tx, and always loved roaming these hills south of Merkel. He graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelors degree in Animal Science, but spent most of his career as a Jeweler. Nela grew up in the beautiful country of Costa Rica, but moved to the states in her late teens, first to Bay Saint Louis Mississippi , then later to Abilene. Both Jerry & Nela love the outdoors & settled in this area due to its outdoor beauty & serenity.
Languages:
English, Spanish
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests