Being the second largest US state and the fourth most visited, Texas offers some of the best Airbnbs nationwide. With thousands of Airbnb listings, The Lone Star State is home to some of the most unique, interesting, and attractive vacation rentals across the country.
Here are the 10 best vacation rentals in Texas for different types of guests and stays:
- Delightful flat in the heart of Uptown/Oaklawn: Best Historic Flat in Dallas
- Serine Bungalow 1.5mi to DT w/ private pool: Best Quiet Getaway in San Antonio
- The Retreat on Rainey Street: Best Condo in Austin
- Alexander Guesthouse in the Historic Houston Heights: Best Guesthouse in Houston
- The Urban Barn (Tiny Home): Best Tiny Home in Houston
- Vacation home on a golf course. POOL and SPA: Best Mansion
- Lakefront Guesthouse: Pool, BBQ, Bike: Best Lakefront House
- “ Coastal Castle of Galveston “ HEATED POOL & SPA!: Best for Spa Activities
- Newly Renovated A-Frame with Private Pickleball: Best for Lake and River Activities
- Naturalist Boudoir, Romantic Cabin: Best for Honeymooners
How We Selected the Best Vacation Rentals in Texas
With thousands of viable options, it’s hard to choose the top 10 Airbnbs in Texas.
We applied strict criteria to make the selection process as fair and objective as possible:
- Location: As always, we started with the best locations in the vast State of Texas, including both major cities like San Antonio, Dallas, and Austin; as well as quieter and more secluded destinations hidden in nature.
- Property type: We looked for different property types including luxury mansions, flats and apartments, tiny homes, and more to fit the preferences of various types of travelers and guests.
- Design: We focused on vacation rentals with unique designs that are guaranteed to help you find your home away from home.
- Amenities: We prioritized listings that offer not only the basic Airbnb amenities such as toiletries and fully equipped kitchens but also more exciting options like swimming pools, hot tubs, and games.
- Host: The hosts whose properties we selected have long experience and are highly ranked on Airbnb, with many of them being Superhosts.
- Guest reviews: We chose Texas vacation rentals with hundreds of positive reviews by guests and rankings above 4.8 stars. Many of them are “Guest Favorite”, which marks the most loved-by-guests homes on Airbnb.
- Value for money: While the daily rates of selected short term rentals vary widely, we made sure that each ranked property provides real value for its price.
1. Delightful flat in the heart of Uptown/Oaklawn: Best Historic Flat in Dallas
- Location: Dallas
- Guest reviews: 4.99 stars from 506 reviews
- Price: Starting at $110
This 1-bedroom flat is part of a historic building which hosts a warm, little community but has its own entrance for guests who value their privacy. This Dallas flat can comfortably host up to 5 guests and is frequented by couples, families, and friends, with and without pets.
Dallas is one of the most popular destinations in Texas, and being located in the heart of the upscale district of Oak Lawn, this vacation rental offers excellent access to the best of what Dallas has to give to its visitors.
The home is positioned within a walking distance from top-rated restaurants, specialty grocery, and the Katy Trail. Moreover, it is just a short drive from the Dallas Arts District and the nightlife of Cedar Springs.
One of the best things about this delightful flat is the host. Teresa has been hosting on Airbnb for 8 years and has been able to maintain a Superhost status for her commitment to providing only the best for her guests.
She owns the building, lives in the unit above this vacation rental, and works in the hair salon in the building, so she’s always only a call away to help guests with anything they need.
This property has an impressive rating of 4.99 stars based on over 500 guest reviews. Rates start at $110/night.
2. Serine Bungalow 1.5mi to DT w/ private pool: Best Quiet Getaway in San Antonio
- Location: San Antonio
- Guest reviews: 4.86 stars from 535 reviews
- Price: Starting at $92
This 1-bedroom historic guesthouse provides all that’s needed for the comfortable stay of up to 4 guests. The home is equipped with central heating/cooling and a fully furnished kitchen for guests who like to prepare their own meals. By far, the best amenity is the private outdoor pool that is available all year.
With its rich history and multiple landmarks, San Antonio attracts visitors year-round. What makes this one of the best vacation rentals in San Antonio is the quiet location, away from the noise and the craziness of the city.
The proximity to tourist attractions make it an ideal place to chill after a tiring day of exploring San Antonio and the neighboring areas. Meanwhile, this bungalow has everything to spend a quiet, fun-filled day on site.
The host, Sandra, has 6 years of experience and has achieved the Superhost status for the excellent stays that she provides to guests. She is a local San Antonian who loves to show the city’s beautiful culture and friendly community to its visitors. Sandra is assisted by two co-hosts.
This bungalow has 4.86 stars based on over 500 guest reviews. Nightly prices start at $92, making it an affordable option for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.
3. The Retreat on Rainey Street: Best Condo in Austin
- Location: Austin
- Guest reviews: 4.97 stars from 214 reviews
- Price: Starting at $130
This condo features a clean, modern design that provides the feel of a luxury resort, all this in the heart of the City of Austin. Guests get to benefit from all the condo amenities, the best of which is definitely the rooftop swimming pool with a breathtaking skyline view as well as view of Lake Austin.
Other amenities include indoor and outdoor gyms, a yoga studio, a clubhouse with ping pong, a chef’s kitchen, and premier valet service. This studio can comfortably host two guests.
This vacation rental is centrally located in the city, offering easy access to everything that visitors have to enjoy in Austin, whether it be historic sites, restaurants, or shopping.
This Texas vacation rental is offered by Samantha, a Superhost, and her co-host, Alex. She is an artist originally from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, who now calls Austin her home. She’s been hosting for two years.
This condo retreat has an amazing average rating of 4.97 stars based on 200+ reviews from guests. The pricing starts at $130 per night.
4. Alexander Guesthouse in the Historic Houston Heights: Best Guesthouse in Houston
- Location: Houston
- Guest reviews: 4.99 stars from 441 reviews
- Price: $78
This 1-bedroom guesthouse offers the ideal retreat location for up to 4 guests, be it families with children, couples, friend groups, or solo travelers. Pets are more than welcome so that Houston visitors don’t have to leave their furry friends behind during their vacation.
The kitchen is fully equipped, and the furniture is modern and comfortable. Some of the most worthy amenities include a full-sized bathtub, a backyard, a fire pit, and a propane-powered barbeque grill.
As the fourth largest city in the US, Houston is a cosmopolitan city with endless, world-class entertainment opportunities that attract visitors during all seasons. This listing is positioned in the historic neighborhood of Heights, within a few short minutes from local eateries, shopping opportunities on 19th street, small antique shops, and art galleries. It’s also a few blocks away from a hike and bike trail.
The host, Brad, got inspired from his own travel experiences and stays at Airbnbs to give Houston visitors a great experience in his hometown. He is a Superhost with 7 years of experience hosting on the platform who works with a co-host, Noel.
This welcoming Houston guesthouse has an impressive rating of 4.99 stars resulting from over 400 reviews by guests. Nightly rates start at around $80.
5. The Urban Barn (Tiny Home): Best Tiny Home in Houston
- Location: Houston
- Guest reviews: 4.95 stars from 527 reviews
- Price: Starting at $66
This tiny home presents a unique design and offers a one-in-a-lifetime experience as it constitutes a little barn that the wife and husband hosts remodeled into a livable space. This urban barn combines a cozy living space with efficient design.
The furniture is a mix of custom fixtures and hand-made items. The tiny home is equipped with a mini-kitchen, a full-size shower, a queen bed, a sofa bed, and open living space. It can welcome two guests.
Unlike our previous pick, this one is located in a more secluded area, making it a perfect choice for couples or friends who value peace and quietness. This place is a 20-30 minute car ride from Memorial City Mall, China Town, the Galleria, and most downtown destinations.
The host, Leo, is a real estate professional who, together with his wife and co-host, Jenny, wanted to provide a unique and awesome space for those staying in Houston, and they have definitely succeeded in their mission. Leo is an Airbnb veteran with 10 years of hosting experience and a Superhost status.
This Houston urban barn has gained an average rating of 4.95 stars. This is a top destination that has generated more than 500 guest reviews.
6. Vacation home on a golf course. POOL and SPA: Best Mansion
- Location: Spring
- Guest reviews: 4.94 stars from 161 reviews
- Price: Starting at $295
This 6-bedroom mansion is simply magnificent and can easily host up to 14 guests, making it an ideal vacation spot for big families and group travels. Both adults and children can have fun over the weekend or during their summer vacation.
The list of indoor and outdoor amenities that come with this luxury property simply doesn’t end, including a private swimming pool, a private hot tub, a spa, a golf course, a private backyard, a private patio, an indoor fireplace, a fire pit, a barbeque grill, an outdoor kitchen, a refrigerated wine cellar, and an air hockey table.
This outstanding vacation rental is located in Spring, a census-designated place in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro area. The property comes with extensive outdoor living space, hosting a backyard and a patio with beautiful landscaping featuring rich vegetation.
This property is hosted by Kurt, who’s been listing on Airbnb since 2022. He lives in Houston.
This best luxury vacation rental in Texas has an excellent average rating of 4.94 stars, the result of more than 160 guest reviews. Daily rates start at $295, which is very competitive considering the size of the property, the guest capacity, and the available amenities.
7. Lakefront Guesthouse: Pool, BBQ, Bike: Best Lakefront House
- Location: The Woodlands
- Guest reviews: 4.89 stars from 175 reviews
- Price: Starting at $129
This 1-bedroom guest suite provides ample space to host up to 5 guests. The guesthouse has a luxury feel for the perfect vacation by the lake. Guests can relax inside while enjoying the ping pong table and the fireplace.
Meanwhile, outside, they benefit from a private outdoor pool available throughout the year, a water fountain, a fire pit, a patio, a barbeque kitchen, and a basketball court.
This short term rental property hits all the right places in terms of location. It is positioned in the heart of The Woodlands, in the peaceful and quiet neighborhood of Lake Paloma. The strategic location secures private access to the beautiful Lake Paloma, making this the best lakefront vacation rental in Texas.
This wonderful property is listed by Rashmi, who lives across the main building and is happy to share with guests anything which they might need that’s missing in the guest suite. She has two years of Airbnb hosting experience and has gained a Superhost status due to her exceptional service to guests.
This lakefront house has an average rating of 4.89 stars based on 175 reviews by guests.
8. “ Coastal Castle of Galveston “ HEATED POOL & SPA!: Best for Spa Activities
- Location: Galveston
- Guest reviews: 4.95 stars from 192 reviews
- Price: Starting at $350
This historic home was built in the early 1920s and features 3 bedrooms that can easily host up to 12 guests, making this an ideal destination for vacationing families or friends. Guests get impressed as soon as they enter the property, with the grand majestic entrance worthy of a true coastal palace.
The ample, fully fenced backyard offers a beautiful, heated swimming pool and hot tub for a luxurious spa experience that guests can enjoy privately and safely. The large cabana patio also hosts a fire pit, a barbeque grill, and a seating/dining area.
This dreamy home is located in the coastal city of Galveston, on the Gulf Coast of Texas. The location and the historic facade offer guests a true island paradise experience, resembling a fairytale.
Gloria, the host, aims to provide a beautiful, fun, and safe home to families and friends where they can forge even deeper bonds and create amazing memories while vacationing. She’s been hosting on Airbnb for 3 years.
This Galveston coastal castle has an average rating of 4.95, based on 190+ guest reviews, testifying to the amazing home and experience delivered by the host.
9. Newly Renovated A-Frame with Private Pickleball: Best for Lake and River Activities
- Location: Canyon Lake
- Guest reviews: 4.95 stars from 352 reviews
- Price: Starting at $236
This A-Frame cabin was fully remodeled in 2020, turning it into a modern industrial farmhouse. This 2-bedroom cabin can host up to 6 guests. The fully stocked kitchen, the bathroom with a rain shower, and the remotely controlled heating/cooling guarantee a comfortable stay for different types of guests, including families, couples, friends, and solo travelers.
The backyard features a charcoal barbeque pit and a fire pit with seating. There is a pickleball court. However, the main attraction of this Texas vacation rental remains the easy access to the lake and the river.
This vacation home is located in Canyon Lake, a census-designated place in the San Antonio metro area. The location provides access to both Canyon Lake and the Guadalupe River, making this home the ideal basecamp for lake and river water activities.
Rachel co-hosts the place together with Randy. She is a Superhost with 4 years of experience on the platform.
This Galveston A-Frame cabin has a great average rating of 4.95 stars coming from more than 300 guest reviews.
10. Naturalist Boudoir, Romantic Cabin: Best for Honeymooners
- Location: Lumberton
- Guest reviews: 4.90 stars from 613 reviews
- Price: Starting at $295
This romantic Cabin provides everything that couples need for a relaxing time within nature. Some of the most unique amenities include an outdoor hot tub, an outdoor shower, fire pits, hammocks, sun loungers, a barbeque grill, an outdoor dining area, and even a kayak.
Despite the focus on nature, the property offers all the basics and the extras that guests would need for a comfortable stay, such as heating, cooling, an equipped kitchen, appliances, wifi, and toiletries.
This romantic getaway is located in the woods of the Big Thicket National Preserve, close to Lumberton. The nature around makes this the perfect location for nature-loving couples looking for a quiet place for their honeymoon or a romantic weekend.
The host, Alina, is a nature-loving, outdoorsy lady who would like to share the beautiful place where she lives with others. She is a Superhost with a 4.92-star rating based on nearly 2,000 reviews. Alina hosts a total of 8 similar properties.
This naturalist, romantic cabin has a rating of 4.90 stars, resulting from more than 600 guest reviews. The pricing starts at $295/night.
Bottom Line
As one of the top US markets for Airbnb, Texas offers thousands of vacation rentals for families, couples, friends, and solo travelers looking to enjoy a week in the busy city or a weekend in a secluded natural gem.
Whether you are looking for exquisite dining options, unique shopping opportunities, outdoor sports, or a relaxing spa, you are guaranteed to find it in The Lone Star State. But if you’re searching for a truly unique, elevated experience secured by the reputation of the host and the reviews of previous guests, you should choose one of these 10 best vacation rentals in Texas.
