House in Lake Austin, TX
4 guests · 1 bedroom · 1 bath
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Top-tier experienceA high end property in this area
Book with confidenceWe partner with the top travel sites so you know you're getting a great deal on the perfect rental
About this house rental
Summary:
West Austin | Fairy Tale Escape | 1100 Sq. Ft. | Sleeps 4
Ever stay in a giant seashell unicorn? No, you haven’t, but now you can cross it off your bucket list. This magical work of art is part Willy Wonka, part Big Lebowski, and totally unlike anywhere else. Do it for the ‘gram, but also for your soul.
The Space:
Come take a vacation from the real world of right angles and ticky tacky boxes. Situated on a secluded lot and wonderfully restored, The Bloomhouse is a celebration of all things magical and mystical.
How the heck did this magnificent beast come to be? Like all the best things in Austin, it started with some hippies and a dream. See, back in the 70s, while Wooderson was wasting all his time away, two UT architecture students decided to build an escape from society that would become a monument to man and nature. Their goal was a home that would not only protect you from the elements but allow you to live in harmony with the environment. They wanted this quixotic vision to provide a place of peace and isolation, a place so far removed that for many years there was no physical address.
Then the hippie dream disappeared into the 1980’s Austin real estate boom, and there in the hills, the Bloomhouse waited. It would need just the right person who could see the home’s potential to bring this work of art back from the brink. And then the home’s fortunes shifted on a chance event. In 2017, Dave Claunch saw a real estate ad fall out of an Austin Business Journal for the Bloomhouse – a local legend he had learned about during his time as mayor. Claunch knew he had to save and preserve this one-of-a-kind place. Since buying the home, Claunch has spent over a year meticulously restoring the home with period-specific details to take it back to its original form.
When you drive away from the shores of Lake Austin through West Lake Hills on your way to the Bloomhouse, you don’t know exactly where you’re headed, but you know it’s up. Up, up, up, and up the high road (Bloomhouse is literally located off of High Road). With unbelievable views of downtown Austin receding in your rearview, you find the side street where the house awaits in a wooded valley. Traveling along the road, you see her—the fantastical beast in the clearing—and you laugh out loud at the ridiculousness, the joy, the sheer courage of a house built to bend the rules of what’s possible. Is it a white wolf in the clearing? A merengue sculpture? A mirage? You appear to have entered another planet’s architectural heritage, and you’ve arrived exactly where you’re supposed to be.
When you stay at the Bloomhouse, you are entering a place where magic can and will happen. Without one straight line or corner in the entire structure*, your thoughts are free of the constraints that our angular world creates. At the Bloomhouse, you leave behind the confines of modernity and the rules of logic, to live only in whimsy. We are alive in a fairytale of our own making. Let the story begin.
*Ok ok, the sliding back doors are technically rectangles, but you catch our drift. ;-)
NOTE: Due to the unique architecture, curves, pathways, The Bloomhouse cannot accommodate children under the age of 5.
Guest Access:
You have rented the entire home to yourself. A unique code will be provided a day prior to arrival.
The Neighborhood:
Welcome to Westlake Highlands neighborhood — a tucked-away spot in southeast Austin that offers peace and space while keeping you connected to everything the city has to offer. This neighborhood has a “local’s Austin” vibe, with nearby parks, family-friendly attractions, and easy access to downtown, the airport, and Hill Country adventures.
Eats & Drinks Nearby: You’re close to South Congress and South First — home to favorites like Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ, Radio Coffee & Beer, Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden, and The Little Darlin’, a laid-back bar with live music and a huge outdoor space.
Nature & Outdoors: McKinney Falls State Park is right around the corner for hiking, swimming holes, and picnics. Onion Creek Greenbelt offers quiet trails and shady escapes, while Roy Kizer Golf Course is minutes away for a relaxed round.
Attractions & Experiences: Only 15 minutes to downtown Austin for music, nightlife, and festivals. Just 10 minutes to the airport, making arrivals and departures a breeze. Easy access to Circuit of The Americas for Formula 1, MotoGP, and big concerts.
Shopping & Convenience: Southpark Meadows shopping center is nearby with tons of restaurants, shops, and a movie theater. HEB and local markets are just a quick drive for groceries.
Getting Around:
The nearest international airport is Austin (AUS) 16 miles | 23 km away. We recommend having a car to fully explore the plethora of nearby attractions. However, there is Uber and Lyft in Austin as well, if you prefer.
Other Things to Note:
Guests will need to sign a Rental Agreement upon booking confirmation.
We provide some bath essentials like soap, shampoo, conditioner, body gel, toilet paper, and some garbage bags. Please note that these are not replenished during your stay.
The Bloomhouse cannot accommodate children under the age of 5.
Daily house cleaning is not available however, if you would like a mid-stay cleaning, one can be arranged for a fee. Please let us know in advance.
We kindly ask all guests to abide by these HOUSE RULES:
- Travelers must be at least 25 years old or older to book.
- No smoking of any kind (tobacco, cannabis, vaping etc.) inside the home, and the use of any recreational drugs on the premises is strictly prohibited.
- No parties, events, or illegal activities are permitted, and no excessive noise, especially between 10:00 pm and 7 am, will be tolerated. Please respect the neighbors.
- No more guests than those listed in your reservation are allowed.
- Photos & Videos: Commercial promotion (products, services, music videos, performances), content that is not family-friendly, or sharing the property’s exact location is NOT allowed. Please contact us before booking to discuss licensing/approval.
Interaction with Guests:
You will have the entire home to yourself and/or your group joining with you on your reservation however if you do need to reach us during your stay our staff is available to you by phone during your stay.
West Austin | Fairy Tale Escape | 1100 Sq. Ft. | Sleeps 4
Ever stay in a giant seashell unicorn? No, you haven’t, but now you can cross it off your bucket list. This magical work of art is part Willy Wonka, part Big Lebowski, and totally unlike anywhere else. Do it for the ‘gram, but also for your soul.
The Space:
Come take a vacation from the real world of right angles and ticky tacky boxes. Situated on a secluded lot and wonderfully restored, The Bloomhouse is a celebration of all things magical and mystical.
How the heck did this magnificent beast come to be? Like all the best things in Austin, it started with some hippies and a dream. See, back in the 70s, while Wooderson was wasting all his time away, two UT architecture students decided to build an escape from society that would become a monument to man and nature. Their goal was a home that would not only protect you from the elements but allow you to live in harmony with the environment. They wanted this quixotic vision to provide a place of peace and isolation, a place so far removed that for many years there was no physical address.
Then the hippie dream disappeared into the 1980’s Austin real estate boom, and there in the hills, the Bloomhouse waited. It would need just the right person who could see the home’s potential to bring this work of art back from the brink. And then the home’s fortunes shifted on a chance event. In 2017, Dave Claunch saw a real estate ad fall out of an Austin Business Journal for the Bloomhouse – a local legend he had learned about during his time as mayor. Claunch knew he had to save and preserve this one-of-a-kind place. Since buying the home, Claunch has spent over a year meticulously restoring the home with period-specific details to take it back to its original form.
When you drive away from the shores of Lake Austin through West Lake Hills on your way to the Bloomhouse, you don’t know exactly where you’re headed, but you know it’s up. Up, up, up, and up the high road (Bloomhouse is literally located off of High Road). With unbelievable views of downtown Austin receding in your rearview, you find the side street where the house awaits in a wooded valley. Traveling along the road, you see her—the fantastical beast in the clearing—and you laugh out loud at the ridiculousness, the joy, the sheer courage of a house built to bend the rules of what’s possible. Is it a white wolf in the clearing? A merengue sculpture? A mirage? You appear to have entered another planet’s architectural heritage, and you’ve arrived exactly where you’re supposed to be.
When you stay at the Bloomhouse, you are entering a place where magic can and will happen. Without one straight line or corner in the entire structure*, your thoughts are free of the constraints that our angular world creates. At the Bloomhouse, you leave behind the confines of modernity and the rules of logic, to live only in whimsy. We are alive in a fairytale of our own making. Let the story begin.
*Ok ok, the sliding back doors are technically rectangles, but you catch our drift. ;-)
NOTE: Due to the unique architecture, curves, pathways, The Bloomhouse cannot accommodate children under the age of 5.
Guest Access:
You have rented the entire home to yourself. A unique code will be provided a day prior to arrival.
The Neighborhood:
Welcome to Westlake Highlands neighborhood — a tucked-away spot in southeast Austin that offers peace and space while keeping you connected to everything the city has to offer. This neighborhood has a “local’s Austin” vibe, with nearby parks, family-friendly attractions, and easy access to downtown, the airport, and Hill Country adventures.
Eats & Drinks Nearby: You’re close to South Congress and South First — home to favorites like Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ, Radio Coffee & Beer, Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden, and The Little Darlin’, a laid-back bar with live music and a huge outdoor space.
Nature & Outdoors: McKinney Falls State Park is right around the corner for hiking, swimming holes, and picnics. Onion Creek Greenbelt offers quiet trails and shady escapes, while Roy Kizer Golf Course is minutes away for a relaxed round.
Attractions & Experiences: Only 15 minutes to downtown Austin for music, nightlife, and festivals. Just 10 minutes to the airport, making arrivals and departures a breeze. Easy access to Circuit of The Americas for Formula 1, MotoGP, and big concerts.
Shopping & Convenience: Southpark Meadows shopping center is nearby with tons of restaurants, shops, and a movie theater. HEB and local markets are just a quick drive for groceries.
Getting Around:
The nearest international airport is Austin (AUS) 16 miles | 23 km away. We recommend having a car to fully explore the plethora of nearby attractions. However, there is Uber and Lyft in Austin as well, if you prefer.
Other Things to Note:
Guests will need to sign a Rental Agreement upon booking confirmation.
We provide some bath essentials like soap, shampoo, conditioner, body gel, toilet paper, and some garbage bags. Please note that these are not replenished during your stay.
The Bloomhouse cannot accommodate children under the age of 5.
Daily house cleaning is not available however, if you would like a mid-stay cleaning, one can be arranged for a fee. Please let us know in advance.
We kindly ask all guests to abide by these HOUSE RULES:
- Travelers must be at least 25 years old or older to book.
- No smoking of any kind (tobacco, cannabis, vaping etc.) inside the home, and the use of any recreational drugs on the premises is strictly prohibited.
- No parties, events, or illegal activities are permitted, and no excessive noise, especially between 10:00 pm and 7 am, will be tolerated. Please respect the neighbors.
- No more guests than those listed in your reservation are allowed.
- Photos & Videos: Commercial promotion (products, services, music videos, performances), content that is not family-friendly, or sharing the property’s exact location is NOT allowed. Please contact us before booking to discuss licensing/approval.
Interaction with Guests:
You will have the entire home to yourself and/or your group joining with you on your reservation however if you do need to reach us during your stay our staff is available to you by phone during your stay.
Amenities at The Bloomhouse | Iconic Austin Sculptural Stay
Air conditioning
Non-smoking
TV
Coffee/tea maker
Refridgerator
Kitchen
Balcony/Terrace
WiFi/Internet
Microwave
Dishwasher
Washing machine
Dryer
Kitchenware
No pets allowed
Garden
Oven
Stove
Laundry services
Ironing facilities
Hairdryer
Map of Lake Austin, TX
Ratings and reviews
10.0 / 10.0Outstanding·Jul 2024
This was the perfect getaway! As a woman, solo trips can sometimes be a little daunting but this stay was a perfect balance of being peacefully secluded yet close to others. I went to college in Austin, stayed a year after, then moved away and yet despite being familiar with the city, staying in this home felt like I was visiting a place I’d never been before! Highly recommend. It was beautiful!
10.0 / 10.0Outstanding·Sep 2023
The Bloomhouse is the most fun and interesting home I’ve ever visited. We admired the builders creativity. If there is one down side to the Bloomhouse it is the multi levels and long winding walk down to the house with luggage, etc. very steep. But once you open the door it removes that memory and you enter fantasy.
10.0 / 10.0Outstanding·Apr 2023
We loved staying here! It was one of the most unique properties I've ever seen. The house was clean, welcoming, peaceful and in a gorgeous area. Every nook and cranny of this 1200-square-foot property is very well thought out and no space is wasted. The sound system hooked up was much appreciated!
6.0 / 10.0Average·Nov 2019
PROS: A very interesting structure! This is a one-of-a-kind experience and opportunity. A very cool house indeed. Easy keyless/hostless access. Full kitchen. Climate control. Comfortable (albeit small) bed and seating. Easy communication with rental agency. Private. Views of mostly nature.
CONS: Remote (no where near town, which can be good if you’re looking to get away.) Broken, and nearly dangerous dirt/rock road that can’t handle smaller cars and will dirty up even the biggest SUV. *Very* steep, windy, narrow path with sparse and dim lights is the only way to access the property. No driveway access (off limits for being even steeper than the path, but not by much.) The house has a very chemical smell (probably from all the sprayed on ceiling and plastic foam) that can be very unpleasant if you are sensitive or have allergies. Not at all quiet during the day. Major construction going on nearby means constant beeping and rumbling from industrial trucks coming in and out of the shared road and building the nearby houses. We had hoped to get away from the city noise and couldn’t even keep the windows open because it was so disruptive. Which means we were trapped in the closed up house with the irritating plastic smell. This was a big downer for us because we were looking for a little peace and quiet and fresh air while on vacation. There is a small detached utility shed nearby that gives off a whining hum constantly, which can be a nuisance if you have good hearing or are sitting on the patio.
TIPS: Arrive in daytime when you can see where you’re going. Drive a vehicle capable of navigating off road, not a cute convertible rental that will get damaged from flying rocks and debris. Grocery shop before getting there because stores are not nearby and once you get all your stuff carted down from the access road above you’re definitely not going to want to go all the way back up the hill and out again. Make sure to bring all the food and ingredients you want, as the property does not provide even simple basics like sugar. Pack light or you will be carting big suitcases up and down this dangerous path, possibly in the dark. Ask manager if the construction has been completed before renting if you are concerned about ambient noise.
The house is totally unique. Aside from the above mentioned issues, we were generally comfortable and enjoyed the ‘experience’ of staying in such a special place, but we just cannot give it a full 5 stars.
$$$$
Top rated by guests
9.7Outstanding
(14 Ratings)
"This was the perfect getaway! As a woman, solo trips can sometimes be a little daunting but this stay was a perfect balance of being peacefully secluded yet close to others. I went to college in Austi..."
Tirsa B.Don't miss out! Price and availability may change
