The Buzzard's Roost — Hotel in Manuel Benavides

Holy moly. I don't know where to start. I guess the photo can be the jumping on point. Let me add a disclaimer. While I have the ROOMS a 5, understand this is a tipi. There is a hole in the top. If it rains, you will very likely get wet. That's why there is a tarp there. While you can zip the tipi up for the night, in the evening, small little field mice will enter your tipi just to get warm. THIS IS THE AMBIANCE of outdoor tipi living. There is an entirely beautiful skyline and gorgeous sunrises and sunsets right outside. Next disclaimer. There is no SERVICE. When you volunteer check-in, you'll have your towels, washrag, and bathrobes. That's it. This isn't a Marriott, but that's why you're here. We don't need no stinkin' Marriott.

LOCATION? Look at the photo. 'nuff said. If that isn't enough for you, then I would advise you to skip Big Bend altogether. You're here for the wrong reason. Oh yeah, there's one shared bathroom about 50-100ft from the tipis. 2 showers, both detached as well, one enclosed, the other not so much?

Have I scared you off yet? :) Good, you're still here. Guys and gals, this is an incredible experience if you'll have an open mind going in. To be able to hear the coyotes yipping at night, birds chirping. Feeling the cool air of the morning as the sun comes up. ALL THIS and we haven't even left Buzzards Roost yet.

The rest of the park isn't in this review. Just know that this place is awesome and definitely something we'd do again. I just can't think of a better way to start and end each day.

BONUS CONTENT: Did it rain on us? Oh, heck yeah. One night it was like a monsoon. Yes we had to sleep under the tarp. Yes, we got wet. MOST AWESOME NIGHT EVER, kinda. That's bonus right there folks. If you're more about the experience and less about the destination, this...

I have a very mixed bag of feelings on this one. The scenery was amazing. The tipi itself was cutely decorated and slept five comfortably (apart from the heat). Unfortunately due to the temperatures inside the tipi during the day it was uninhabitable. They provide you with a portable air conditioner but it is only to be turned on when it’s below 95 degrees outside. Let me tell you, that’s a very small window of ac time in the summer months 😅. We had to cut our trip short and asked for a refund for the nights we did not stay. The owner informed us that wasn’t possible unless someone else booked the tipi for the dates we had previously booked and paid for (annoying but understandable). We were able to get two nights back which was better than nothing. My husband and I take responsibility for only going off what the website told us and thinking it would be ok to bring our children. The heat is touched upon but there is no indication of just how hot it gets inside those tipis. I would suggest the owner take temperature readings and put them on the website so people can make more informed decisions. I would love to say that we look forward to visiting this site in the cooler months of the year but given the sour nature the situation was left in we will most likely book elsewhere. I think it would be a great place to stay but only when it’s cooler outside and only if you enjoy 120+ temperatures...

We really, really loved this place and hope to return maybe next year with more family. The place was beautiful. I did not get pictures of the inside because I was too excited to take them. They had heated blankets, which were great because it got down to the 40s at night and my kiddos were warm. The hammock was my husbands favorite thing. It was sturdy and held both of us just fine. Even my two boys were in there a few times. The bathrooms, although shared, were clean and smelled nice, and the outdoor shower felt like you were in a herbal essence commercial and it was lit up blue and the decor was beautiful. It was a little chilly, but it was ok, because as long as you were in the shower, the water was hot enough to make it comfortable. Also, it was really close to the Ghost town, which had cool shops and restaurants and a small drive to Big Bend. Beg Bend was beautiful. The only thing, I might say, is the sky does not quite look exactly like the pictures, but it was still gorgeous. It was also cloudy a couple days, which obviously is not the owners fault, she cannot control mother nature. All in all, my family had a blast and will return. If you are thinking about, just do it! You will not regret it. It would even be cool to book all your family in all 3 teepees if possible, that would be a fun time. (Side note, we could NOT find the Bluetooth speaker, but we did not do music...