Johnny Yurts — Hotel in Johnson City

I start by stating, our experience was unique and another party staying there did not experience the same thing as us. We were in the rodeo yurt. I also understand a yurt is essentially glamping, and it is not a hotel and should not have the same expectations.

My main problem with the yurt was water pressure. The water pressure was so low only 1/8 of the shower head had water coming out. The water trickled so low that the tankless water heater could not stay on and it was just a pure cold shower. In addition the shower leaked all over the floor, in a similar manner that is typical of an rv shower.

The second irritant was the skylight. Where it’s nice to have at night to see the stars (which are brilliant), it would have gone a long way if a cloth or a mechanism that could be drawn over skylight; like a blind.

the skylight can be used to see the reflection of everything a person is doing in the bathroom. 2 the sun came right down on my face through the skylight (this was also the day before the summer solstice, so it could be the angle for that time of year) while in bed .

No where else in the yurt did the sun shiner , but directly on my bed and face. So forget sleeping in; especially if you’re exhausted from having difficulty sleeping in the stagnant air. It actually felt better outside the yurt with the constant wind then inside where there was an a/c stating it was 74.

The remaining part of this review is me nit picking, and could be normal to staying in a yurt. As this was my first experience in a yurt my expectations could have been too high.

You cannot lower the a/c below 74 because the lines will freeze. Also the cold air condensates and drips in the middle of the night on the desk below splattering between the two beds.

Because the yurt is not a closed system like a tent, we had bugs constantly inside. In the two nights I caught a scorpion inside, two grasshopper (katydid).

Unlike a tent where if you zip up, the fabric fully closes you off and encapsulates you; unless the tent’s flap is open or there is a hole it’s not possible for bugs to get inside, but bug were coming up through floor and fabric or through the vented top where the roof and wall meet.

Last because the area was constantly and pleasantly windy, when the fabric would move, the canvas would slap the wooden lattice framing hard at time disturbing your sleep if you not use to this from a tent camping perspective. I say this because my wife and children were not, and did not sleep well.

The positives about the yurt are the beds were comfortable. The sky and location is undeniably gorgeous; in particular at night. The yurt was very clean, and had all the amenities to cook. I have a feeling if I would have gone to in the yurt during late fall or at a different time of the year my experiences may have been different.

So I end my review with stating again, my experience seems to be have unique as a couple that stayed there at the same time as us did not have water pressure issues, no issues with insects despite being near our location, and their yurt was very comfortable inside...

I have stayed in other yurts before and this one was very well-appointed, even an induction cooktop in the kitchenette. Very thoughtful guest amenities like a chit for a free drink at a local watering hole and a complimentary bottle of wine in the room with glasses. Super comfy beds and so many pillows. The weather was cold and windy, and the wall heater did a great job (which is hard in a yurt). There was a floor heater, perfect for the bathroom during a shower and also a floor fan.

We stayed in Bluebonnet. Everything in the unit was in working order. We never found a passcode for the internet so never used it so cannot comment on that. I am sure had I asked for the passcode via email, I would have gotten it, but it was not that important for our 1-night stay.

My email to request early check-in was answered in minutes...though was told that they were full for the weekend so the cleaning crew could not accommodate us. I was OK with that at first as I asked only about 30 minutes before the desired 2-hour-early check-in time which was 2 hours early...perhaps if I had realized more in advance that we would have an early arrival, it would have worked out better. But I became disappoined when we we stopped by on our way to meet friends at the park to identify the location of our yurt because without early check-in, we would be checking in late at night. We saw the cleaning crew on our walk down to Bluebonnet and found out the yurt was clean already...so at $270/night, I was disappointed that no effort was made to find out if our request could be accommodated.

All the yurts were booked, yet we had no noise problems with our neighbors...though if you are not an early riser, be aware that you may be disturbed by neighbors packing up and dragging suitcases and ice chests across rocks...but, this is how yurts are...they have cloth walls.

If you are a light sleeper, you may want to choose a different option as these yurts are not in the middle of nowhere...they are 1/4 mile off a major highway so a lot of road noise. And a neighboring home has a barking dog that on the morning we were there was up quite early and was incessantly barking for about an hour. Again...this is the nature of a yurt...any outside noise is heard. The other thing that drove me bonkers was the wall heater/AC has a digital thermostat that is a "night light" that you cannot turn off. I live in the boonies and have a completely dark room at home like I like it so I wished for an eye mask during my stay. With ear plugs and an eye mask, you will find the room very comfy.

The kitchen is suitable for a weeklong stay and for girls' weekends or a family of 4, they are quite roomy including the bathroom. A great location for exploring the charming town of Johnson City, surrounding area, or Pedernales Falls State Park.

Picking a number of stars for this one was hard because had the yurts been in a more remote location and a touch of effort to enable an early checkin was made, I would have...

My stay at Johny Yurts was a delightful experience, blending the essence of outdoor adventure with the comforts of modern amenities. Situated in a serene location, Johny Yurts offers a truly unique accommodation choice that stands out from the typical hotel experience.

The yurts themselves are wonderfully cozy and well-equipped, featuring an efficient AC/heater system that ensures comfort regardless of the outside temperature. Each yurt comes with a mini kitchen that, while compact, provides all the necessary appliances and tools for a pleasant cooking experience. The inclusion of a private shower within the yurt added a level of convenience and luxury that was much appreciated.

One of my favorite features was the outside area, complete with a fire pit. This became the perfect spot for relaxing evenings, enjoying the starlit sky while being warmed by the fire. It's clear that thoughtful consideration has gone into creating spaces that foster relaxation and a sense of community.

The security aspect of Johny Yurts also deserves a mention. The gated entrance, requiring a code to access, provided an added layer of safety and peace of mind throughout my stay, making me feel secure in this secluded setting.

However, there was one aspect that prevented me from giving Johny Yurts a perfect score: the hot water supply. Despite the many amenities that exceeded my expectations, the hot water seemed to run out surprisingly quickly. Especially after a day of exploring the surrounding area, this became a noticeable inconvenience, as I had to shorten my showers or wait for the water to heat up again before another person could use it.

In conclusion, my experience at Johny Yurts was overwhelmingly positive, offering a refreshing take on what a lodging place can provide. The blend of comfort, uniqueness, and a touch of adventure makes it a memorable stay. With a slight improvement in the hot water system, I believe Johny Yurts could easily become a flawless getaway destination. Nonetheless, it earns a solid 4 out of 5 stars from me, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for something a bit different...