Let’s celebrate the art of the weekend getaway! A night or two away with a change of scenery can be good for the soul. Choose a destination and plan a quick road trip within a comfortable driving distance. Possibly budget a little extra to staycation in unique accommodations while immersing in the history and local color of places not too far from home. This year, I want to focus on shorter trips, living more intentionally in the moment, and enjoying the journey!
First destination…Granbury, Texas! For the third consecutive year, this charmer won the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Travel Award for “The Best Historic Small Town in America”. One can easily see why Granbury is a favorite. Obviously rich in history, it is also well known for the Brazos River running right through the heart of town. The addition of Lake Granbury in 1969 brought even more attraction to the area. The downtown square is bustling! The majestic limestone courthouse commands attention. The beautiful, decorative clock tower is a Texas version of elegant French Second Empire architectural style. Granbury is named after Brigadier General Hiram B. Granbury, the Commander of the 7th Texas Infantry and Granbury’s Brigade. A statue honoring the General is poised next to the courthouse. Surrounding streets are lined with historical buildings of interest and Paramount recently chose this area to film scenes for their “1883” series. The buildings on the square are successfully filled. The stores, restaurants, wineries, coffee shops, and various businesses create the ambience of a healthy, energetic downtown.
Within walking distance from the busy square, you’ll find a magnificent boutique hotel. Hotel Lucy, in all of her opulent grandeur, sprawls gracefully over three meticulously developed acres on Pearl Street, directly across from Granbury City Beach Park. The hotel grounds include a group of several well-designed and visually cohesive buildings with various names, but all have surprisingly different interiors and rooms with incredible individual style.
Big Lucy is the main building and has seven private, gorgeous theme rooms. Each has its own luxurious bath. Sitting areas, balconies and patios are sprinkled throughout. In the front courtyard, there is a massive outdoor stone fireplace. As you cross the threshold of the inviting, vintage front doors, you enter the creative and glamourous imagination of entrepreneur and visionary Vicki Nivens. You are met with high-end finishes, tactile fabrics, textures and color pops. To the left is a luxe bar where guests may gather for a daily happy hour. Nestled in the center of Big Lucy is a dream kitchen and a designated common area that is anything but common. Two dramatic crystal and beaded chandeliers hover over a giant, antique wood top island that beckons a small gathering and good conversation.
Looking towards the center of the property from the upstairs back balcony of Big Lucy, an oversized white tent with Hotel Lucy’s pretty logo defines an outdoor space ready to accommodate up to 75 guests. There is also an adjacent designated indoor event facility. Need catering? No problem! Vicki is the owner of all five of the award-winning Hard Eight BBQ restaurants. Up the hill, past vignettes of pristine black and white umbrellas and white Adirondack chairs, sits one of three additional accommodation options, The Little Lucy. This two-story rental has three stylish suites and a retro kitchen common area.
The Vivi House is next door and has two bedrooms and overlooks the Hollywood-esque swimming pool. Located one block away, The Leona is also a two-bedroom home, and yet all of the hotel property perks are still included. So many choices! Being an artist who also enjoys theme decorating, perusing their website (hotel-lucy.com) is somewhat addictive and it was difficult to narrow down my suite selection. As pink tends to be my personal signature color, and having a designated pink room at home, I chose Hey Sugar…known as the crowning glory of Hotel Lucy.
I’m only offering a sneak peek into this one suite because I want you to go online and have fun dreaming of the eclectic aesthetics just waiting for your future getaway. I’m encouraging you to personally enjoy The Lucy Tribe’s attention to detail.
The experience of the various room themes, the impeccable hospitality and cleanliness, and the pursuit of excellence in branding are all just a short drive away.
Hey Sugar is LUSH. Just one of the focal points is the oh-so-glam sitting area. This vaulted space is illuminated by a cascading gold light fixture with nine dazzling porcelain and elongated glass globes. The sofa, drapes, and throw pillows are made of sensuous, soft to the touch, pink velvet. Gold hardware richly secures the drapes. Draw them open to expose the ethereal white sheers embellished with sweet, tiny pearls and enjoy a view of the lake. Imagine mirrored furnishings, gold gilt touches, and white Tibetan lamb accents. Picture yourself surrounded in layers of luxurious linens, whimsical art, and lots of pink! The elegance continues into the well-appointed bathroom. The custom millwork is accented with beveled glass knobs and thick white marble countertops. Enjoy ultra-soft robes, a large soaking tub, thoughtful little touches (even the blow dryer is blush pink!), and quality bath products. This suite has all the amenities for a perfect pampering retreat.
The alluring Hotel Lucy signature scent faintly dances throughout the hotel. Guests may purchase the room atomizer, the pale pink bath salts, or a double wick candle next door at Vicki’s gift shop, The Pearl. This playful boutique is stocked with all types of home and entertaining goods, clothing, jewelry, and lots of fun and flirty merchandise. I drove away relaxed and with a shopping bag of small treasures carefully wrapped in black and white striped tissue and handles delightfully tied in pink tulle.
Until the next adventure…live intentionally and in the moment with a bag packed and your heart full of gratitude!
