La Palmilla Texas — Hotel in DeCordova

I saw this gem of a property on an Instagram reel and thought this would be the perfect little get away for my husband and I’s anniversary. We were actually able to sneak away for a couple of days and I thought the hour and a half drive from DFW made this the exact location I was in search of. I wanted somewhere with atmosphere and style, a pool and close to things to do! Before checking in at 3PM my husband and I did a drive thru at Fossil Rim, an absolute must when you stay here! I could go on forever about giraffes and such but that’s an entirely different review. Driving up to the property in late March was a sight to see, the green grass rolling down to the beautiful red Spanish tile… all tucked behind a gate with a code to make all guests feel safe & secure. Our room was modern and spacious, herbal tea for my husband when he wakes up around midnight and coffee for a late afternoon pick me up. The room was very clean and nicely decorated - large enough to spread out, a closet to hang out clothes and dresser to put items away out of sight. A little fridge to keep our bottled water we brought nice and cold throughout the stay. Dual sink vanity in the bathroom & spacious countertops! Unlike some hotels where we feel a bit cramped, there was plenty of room for us to spread out our bathroom belongings and not feel claustrophobic. One thing I was lacking was the little shower caps that come complimentary with hotel stays, as a short hair girlie I do not wash my hair every day and needed to be a little creative to save my curls. Other than that the shampoo, body wash and conditioner were the large normal size and I respect a property that saves on plastic and thinks of longevity - plus it allows us both to take realistic showers and not try to bathe with a pea sized amount sharing a tiny throw away tube. The nights were very quiet, you could hear the occasional conversation as other guests walk past but everyone seemed very respectful and we both had zero problems falling asleep tucked up inside the cozy comfortable sheets. The grounds keeper was very knowledgeable on plants arranged around the property, you could tell she has a passion for native plants and keeping the wildlife and pollinators happy. In the meeting house where breakfast was served I was very thrilled to see a water fountain where I could easily fill my emotional support water bottle - this will be extremely useful and beneficial during those triple digit Texas summers. We walked down to the river one morning, we were lucky to come at a time of year to see it fully flowing and take in the natural surroundings with our morning coffee. My husband and I did run into Andy while we were checking out the pool area and he was kind enough to locate a wine bottle opener for my husband and I. We did have one slight hiccup our first day, the room that ended up checking in next to us was filled full with tiny humans and definitely was not the ideal situation to celebrate a wedding anniversary get away. I texted the number provided and Mitch immediately responded & was extremely diligent in getting us a much quieter room and was extremely understanding. Once we settled into our new spot everything was back to picture perfect. The pool the next day made for a fabulously peaceful setting for sunning & reading, there were clean towels in great condition ready to use at our leisure. A fridge to keep drinks cold, a sink to wash up, and a grill to prep a fun outdoor dinner if you wanted. Breakfasts in the morning were simple, nothing extravagant but overall was a nice start to the day and the coffee was hot. I was so happy that we were able to stay at this property before the secret is out and all of Dallas keeps this place booked up for months! I have been telling all our friends about this new little gem and hopefully we’ll be able to visit...

Absolute best family getaway!! Every detail of this resort is immaculate - we had everything we needed for our family of four (kids are 3-year-old toddler and infant). The staff was incredibly attentive - Kimmie made sure our casita was stocked with a high chair and pack n play crib for our baby girl, which is SO helpful when traveling! There was a set of children’s dishes and utensils, too.

The rooms were some of the biggest we have ever stayed in in hotels! So nice when you have little kids so they can spread out and have room to play. They were beautifully appointed and every room was unique. We loved the desert vibes art, which the owner told me they found in Round Top, and especially the art installation of hanging cowboy hats.

This was a perfect place to spend time during the dog days of summer in Texas. We enjoyed the pool several times a day. The tanning ledge with bubbler was perfect for my baby to splash around, and the depth of the pool is perfect for my toddler. He actually learned how to swim without floaties while there! There are plenty of umbrellas to cast shade on the pool to keep kiddos out of the sun, too. The fence/gate around the pool is secure and requires a code to get in, so that also helped put my mama mind at ease, knowing that there was an added layer of protection for my kids. They also supplied sunblock and cute water guns! The beverage fridge by the pool was stocked with waters, which was helpful to keep us all hydrated, and pool towels were supplied. Just a perfect pool!

The kitchens in the casitas are totally stocked with everything you need for an extended stay. We like to have home cooked meals, and every tool I needed was there (even miscellaneous stuff like a peeler - they thought of everything!). The refrigerator and microwaves were spotless, which I consider to be a sign of really good housekeeping. One thing I also loved is that they thought to include some acrylic wine glasses to take to the pool. We cooked almost all our meals and had everything we needed. They supplied olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sugar, and salt/pepper. There was also delicious coffee supplied by a local company called El Toro Bravo, brewed specially for the resort. Better than the H-E-B stuff we brought from home. I brought groceries with me, but made several trips to Brookshire’s grocery store right down the road, so next time I will probably just get groceries when we get there.

We spent some time with friends and there was plenty of room to host 3 families for a meal in the casitas, but for larger groups we just had meals in the gorgeous cantina! It was such a beautiful and festive setting with tons of seating and places to lounge. Even the bathrooms were gorgeous!

Definitely recommend going on a chapel tour with one of the owners if you can! The stained glass is incredible and it’s so interesting to hear how intentional they were with every design detail. Gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes. Speaking of owners and staff, everyone we ran into was so friendly and helpful. They would always make sure we had everything we needed and were so kind and fun to talk to.

Also loved picking the master gardener, Renae’s brain on the absolutely beautiful gardens. They had the most gorgeous desert plants and palms everywhere. Definitely gave Mexico vibes.

There was a golf course right next door for dad, mom enjoyed shopping in Granbury (which is a short drive away), and my toddler loved Dinosaur Land and Fossil Rim Park, which is basically a drive-through zoo where the animals literally eat out of your hand. We also went to a really cute soda shop in downtown Glenrose and had ice cream with the kids.

This was literally the best vacation we’ve ever had. It can be hard to travel with little kids but we were so set up that it was like home away from home. We can’t wait...

From the moment we arrived at La Palmilla, we knew we had found something truly special for our wedding. This stunning venue offers a breathtaking backdrop that is perfect for any couple looking to tie the knot. The picturesque landscapes, elegant architecture, and charming details make it one of the most beautiful wedding venues I have ever seen.

The stunning views outside provide a perfect canvas for wedding photos, capturing the essence of love in every shot ( did i mention that they have a gardener to retouch/replant all florals so it is constantly fresh and breathtaking). The indoor spaces are equally impressive, featuring tasteful decor and ample room for guests to celebrate in style.

What truly sets La Palmilla apart, however, is the astonishing staff. From the very first meeting, the team was incredibly attentive and accommodating, ensuring that every detail of our wedding was tailored to our vision. Their professionalism and warmth made us feel like we were in the best hands possible. They were always available to answer questions, offer suggestions, and provide support throughout the planning process. I did not have a wedding planner for our special day, but was never nervous or not confident in how things were going to be due to having such an astonishing staff team!

On the big day, the staff executed everything flawlessly. They coordinated the timeline seamlessly, allowing us to relax and enjoy the moment without any stress. The attention to detail was impeccable, from the setup of the ceremony to the delicious catering and the smooth flow of the reception. It was evident that they genuinely cared about making our day perfect. They even stayed later than their contracted time to prevent us from dealing with any clean up stress (which should have been our responsibility, they just never stop going above and beyond)

In summary, La Palmilla is a hidden gem that combines natural beauty with exceptional service. If you’re searching for a wedding venue that offers both elegance and a personal touch, look no further. I wholeheartedly recommend La Palmilla to any couple looking to create unforgettable memories on their special day. Thank you to the entire team for making our wedding dreams come true! We cannot wait to visit again! - Much...