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The Birdnest, Views, Hike, Bike, Walk, See The TX Mountains

Photo gallery for The Birdnest, Views, Hike, Bike, Walk, See The TX Mountains

A house with a balcony, surrounded by snow-covered plants and trees.
A narrow corridor with wooden chairs and a table, large windows, and a door with a yellow handle.
A living room with two sofas, a coffee table, a TV, and a ceiling fan.
A compact kitchen with a dining area, a ceiling fan, and a window.
A two-story house with a garage, a covered porch, and a driveway.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Games
    A rare find - enjoy a variety of games available on-site.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Walk to Sul Ross State University
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Balcony

Explore the area

View map
Alpine, TX
  • Place, Sul Ross State University
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Museum of the Big Bend
    ‪15 min walk‬
  • Place, Alpine Municipal Pool
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Airport, Marfa, TX (MRF)
    ‪39 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Futon, 1 Single Bed, 1 Double Bed and 1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Birdnest, Views, Hike, Bike, Walk, See The TX Mountains

This comfortable second story flat provides spectacular views of the mountains and is walking distance to the Museum of the Big Bend which is on the SRSU campus. Sit on the ample porch deck and view the frequent wildlife that visit the large front yard. College and City pool near and the Theater of the Big Bend with live supper Performances, hike up SR hill or Mountain bike trails to the east, road ride to Marfa, Fort Davis, Marathon, Ornithology abounds either nearby or a day run to the Big Bend National Park. Lounge on the Shaded South Porch for a breeze and book. Sit on the West “tiny” porch for sunrise coffee or tea; or, an afternoon libation and generally incredible sunsets, or the occasional rainbow or lightning storm.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 13–17
Due to top story dangerous for young children and
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
ID Verification necessary before booking (DL, Phon

Important information

You need to know

Property # 894047vb
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Alpine

Located in Alpine, this holiday home is in the mountains. Kokernot Municipal Park and Shipman Park reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Wassermann Wranch and Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Garden. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and snorkelling nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours and hiking.
View more Holiday homes in AlpineOpens in a new window
Map
Alpine, TX

What's nearby

  • Sul Ross State University - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Kokernot Municipal Park - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Museum of the Big Bend - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Alpine Municipal Pool - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Kokernot Field - 3 min drive - 1.9 km

Getting around

  • Alpine Station - 19 min walk
  • Marfa, TX (MRF) - 36 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Sonic Drive-In - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Subway - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Line Thai Cafe - ‬2 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Birdnest, Views, Hike, Bike, Walk, See The TX Mountains pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at The Birdnest, Views, Hike, Bike, Walk, See The TX Mountains?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Birdnest, Views, Hike, Bike, Walk, See The TX Mountains?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Birdnest, Views, Hike, Bike, Walk, See The TX Mountains?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Birdnest, Views, Hike, Bike, Walk, See The TX Mountains located?

Situated in the mountains, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Sul Ross State University, Museum of the Big Bend and Kiowa Gallery. Sul Ross Desk and Big Bend Regional Medical Center are also within 1 mile (2 km). Alpine Station is 19 minutes by foot.

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 21 out of 25 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 25 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 25 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 25 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 25 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Edward D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place!

Clean and great location. Everything as advertised.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Apr 2023
Edward and his team were a pleasure! They are welcome back anytime! The location (a block North) was great for their week helping "Museum of the Big Bend" to continue projects in the new expanded facility.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Carla G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bird Nest View

Wonderful place to stay and a host that makes doubly sure you are comfortable! The home was SUPER clean and everything is there to make your stay comfortable. I HIGHLY recommend!!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

James P.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice views; convenient

Place is a throw back to the 70’s? It’s cute if you can enjoy that style. We enjoyed our time sunsets were great..beautiful. Host was very informative and helpful. Don’t expect luxury just enjoy relaxing! Close to so much west Texas has to offer!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Gary W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Dark Sky Stay

Although I had to change my reservation twice qa
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Feb 2023
Gary and his dark sky team were great guest!! We were able to slide his stay and prevent either from incurring additional booking or cancellation fees or losses. Looking forward to hosting again! Possibly during a meteorite shower! TexSkyIP_SB
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Bonnie M.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

Not quite ready for visitiors

On arrival the house was stuffy and warm. Took long time to cool down. Front door screen was torn. One person was stung by bee when we first arrived. Bee nest on porch. We sprayed to get rid of bees. Was asked if wanted twin beds and extra bed. Responded yes. No twin beds or extra bed. Beds not made. Bathroom toilet slow to flush. Coffee pot was not clean. No lights in kitchen. Left over food in frig. We cleaned out. We were all disappointed in house. Found out he had lost his house cleaner. So understandable but he should have let us know. Could have offered discount. Didn't.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Mar 2020
Bonnie, Please review the correspondence below I sent you April 22nd when you requested booking for a group of 4 or 5. Possibly you are mistaking my place for some other booking you were attempting? April 22nd to Bonnie- The Birdnest #894047 is more pleasant to put 2 (or 3) in the King, and if you like one on the full and one on the trundle.... or if someone is less than 5'5" bring an extra sheet or summer sleeping bag and let one couch surf versus the hassel of making the Sleeper sofa up and down. If you add more to the group there will be additional occupancy fee. Please let me know when you figure out. Check in is 4pm. I allowed your group access just after 2pm. With 2ac units and ceiling fans in every room the house can be comfortable in a reasonable time. The west Texas breeze and abundance of Windows allow airing out naturally quickly. Locals try and minimize environmental impact airing houses out at night July 24th Alpine had a high 84°F low 57°F a 4-26mph NE breeze After notification of the screen and bee issue handi-man arrived that afternoon Handiman said you dismissed him on issues. I told you I lost my preferred cleaner because of health issues I was in the process of establishing a new service (which came with good references). Before your arrival I asked cleaner " a good cleaning make all beds with clean sheets, clean toilet, mirrors, windows, window inside seal, clean inside fridge and freezer . check fans and dust , fill ice tray" The cleaner finished cleaning July 22, and the house was vacant until your arrival I generally have new items in the fridge for a quick breakfast or snack. There are 4 lights in the kitchen - light for the four top kitchen table - light over the sink, - light over the stove (in the vent-a-hood), - the internal oven light Bonus... an automatic light in the walk in pantry that comes on when the door is opened. I am hope you give Alpine another chance. Alpine is truly a gem in Big Bend, the state of Texas, and Southern US. I can offer a great monthly rate! Thanks for staying, TexSkyIP PS From my cleaner: Hmmmm.... I should say the beds were clean and made... We had already discussed the coffee pot. That was my bad, I did not check it. There was eggs in the fridge, and ice in the freezer. West Texas, so of course the house was hot and needed to have the A/C ran when they arrived. I feel like she is finicky and probably has something bad to say about every experience she has anywhere she goes.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lucy J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Bird's Nest

The property is a nice place to stay, right across the street from Sul Ross, and conven/nient to just about everything in Alpine. There is a nice upstairs, outdoor deck that is a great place to drink coffee and watch the day start. We did have a plumbing issue, but out host spend Saturday afternoon fixing the problem himself, for which we were grateful. I recomment the Bird's Next.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lami Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice stay

Our place was nice and clean. Mark was very informative and friendly. Big Bend ( about an hour or so away ) is Gorgeous and an amazing place. We also enjoyed hanging out in Marfa ( about 20 mins away ). I wish we could have checked out the Davis Mountains and the observatory (need to book Night Star tickets way in adv) but we were only there a few days and ran out of time. It was a great time still!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ryan N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Alpine Stay

We had a great experience. Property owner was awesome. Very insightful and really helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lisa P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Vacation Spot

The neighborhood is very quiet. We started each day of our vacation sitting on the front porch drinking coffee and taking in the beautiful view. Mark had lots of great suggestions for fun things to do in the area. While I expected that there would be a lock on the front door, I was pleasantly surprised to find that there was also a lock on the entry door to the porch. (Security is extra important when you're in an unfamiliar area.) We stayed in June - temps were really high that week - the front bedroom was too warm for the kids to sleep in. Fortunately, we brought a queen size air mattress, which came in very handy. (And since the master bedroom is so large, we had plenty of room for the air mattress.) Would definitely stay at this property again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

troy c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Southwest adventure

Mark was a gray host, very attentive, we didn’t meet but was always available and had a vast knowledge of the area and its history. The front porch and the side porch were great for morning coffee and sunsets/sky gazing.. Location was central for visiting all the many sights in the area. Thank you Mark for a great stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Dec 2021
come again and a stay a while... great group welcome back anytime!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jerrell P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay at a very nice and cozy rental.

Enjoyed the location, very cozy accommodations, property owner exceptionally helpful and friendly, highly recommended.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Jan 2021
Jerrell and his were son were excellent guest and respected house rules... looking forward to hosting them again
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Adam W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great time in west Texas

We enjoyed our time in the Birdnest. The front porch is awesome, and I also enjoyed drinking coffee and looking out at the mountains in the side porch. The house was cozy and had everything we needed.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2020
Verified review

8/10 Good

Joshua K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great little place!

Awesome access to big bend as well as Alpine. Far enough away from the center of things that it's not super loud. Ample parking for a trailer and motorbikes.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Amanda L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice West Texas stay

We came out for a short trip to see the Neowise comet and needed a place to stay. The Birdnest fit the bill for what we needed. The place was clean and Mark supplied some kitchen goodies which was a nice treat. Communication was excellent and he sent us many things we could do in the area. We needed to be able to work and the internet was in good order. The view from both porches, the tiny porch in particular are lovely. Overall a great stay and would stay again if we are in the area. Thanks for having us!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Helen M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The location was great for day trips to Big Bend etc. The place was comfortable and cozy and safe.

The Birdnest was great! I will definitely be back and tell anyone who asks me about accommodations in Alpine, about it. The upstairs of the duplex was the perfect place for my get away.
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Maria V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect stay in a cozy house

I loved the property. Beautiful sunsets. The owner was so kind to us, he help us a lot! Very recomendable!!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Eddie F.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Check-in

Home Coming Weekend

We were given the wrong entry code but the property manager was easy to get hold of. The toilet is not made for a tall person, not much leg room. Otherwise, a very pleasant stay.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Nitin S.

Wonderful experience at the Bird's nest

Lovely quaint place in the heart of the city of Alpine. Not only is the place great, but also Mark was extremely helpful with planning our entire trip, providing valuable suggestions regarding food and activities. We will surely be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Shelby C.

Great Home Base to Visit Big Bend Area

Nice location. Comfortable place to stay. Worked well as a home base to explore Big Bend, Terlingua, Marfa, Ft. Davis, and the rest of the Big Bend area. Great communication by host. Would stay here again. Thanks for everything!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2019
Verified review

8/10 Good

Steven N.

Quaint & Clean

Had a great time in the area. The property was quiet, and very clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Mar 2020
Steven and family were great guest and looking forward to their return! Maybe for the Cowboys baseball season, summer theater, Viva Big Bend, the Art Walk, or just a little get away...
Verified review

8/10 Good

Roger G.

A Fine Stay

The apartment is convenient and the facilities adequate. The furnishings are left from the former residents who made choices to suit them. We found them quaint. Overall the apartment suited us just fine for a month of sunshine in a very interesting part of Texas. We enjoyed exploring Big Bend National Park, the McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis, the Marfa courthouse, and Alpine itself. I enjoyed a wonderful glider ride with Bert Compton in Marfa and lots of walks around Alpine and several trails in the area. A good stay. Thanks.
Stayed 27 nights in Feb 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Dorothy K.

Best view we've seen -- great porch!

This place is worth it for the porch alone, which looks out from the edge of Sul Ross into and over Alpine, among other places. As with other places we've stayed in Alpine, the accommodations are just a bit on the rustic side -- the building has been around for a while, but is kept clean and in good working order. We would say, overall, that you get more than what you pay for. The kitchen is roomy and very workable. The porch and the front door have good security (not that we had any concerns -- but we're big city people). There is good walking nearby, including hikes at Sul Ross, and you're very close to most everything you could want. We will be back.
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2018
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Mary Beth B.

Cozy getaway in the Texas mountains

This sweet vacation home was perfect for our family of 4. The kitchen was well-stocked, the beds were comfortable and the views were great! We loved The Birds Nest. It was a perfect homebase for our West Texas adventures. We will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Amy B.

Great location with everything you need!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving here with family visiting. Had our feast on the porch since the weather was so mild. The Bird’s Nest is conveniently located with easy access to Big Bend, Marfa, and Ft. Davis. With so many things to explore, we will definitely be back!!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth I.

Nice retreat with gorgeous views

We had a wonderful stay at The Birdnest! Very peaceful with lots of charm.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2017

About the host

Hosted by Mark Houston

Host profile image
I am a world traveler, foodie, people lover and boating enthusiast. I am always on the move, making things happen. I enjoy bringing people, food, beverages and recreation together.

Why they chose this property

My Friend Emmy, now at her home in Eleuthera, with Captain Ron, suggested I acquire this property near her family home and friends, and I could lease the lower for long term and keep the top for her to have a place when she came back to Alpine.

What makes this property unique

This is a pretty amazing spot. as I was working to get this property ready I have seen many deer, a fox, chaparral's courting, the current tenants said a javelina came through. There is also an abundance of dove and songbirds. Nestled on the Mountains to the East and Kokernot Park to the North West, the University a short walk away. The views from the tiny porch and the front porch are stellar.

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English
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