Sleep In The Trees With Expansive Views Of Texas Hill Country At This Futuristic Treehouse

They call it a "spyglass" design, and you can immediately see why. The structure is a cylinder, with one end aimed at the horizon. After a tranquil sleep inside, you step through a door onto a spacious deck, which is suspended 35 feet above the rust-colored caliche soil. These balconies have their own chairs and cedar hot tubs, so you can relax outside as the sun eases across a boundless blue sky. All around you spreads the rolling forest of the Texas Hill Country, and it's hard to imagine a better view. After nightfall, the cosmos is startlingly clear, and you feel like you're actually residing inside a gigantic telescope. You could easily add this spot to a list of best places to stargaze in Texas.

This is Onera Wimberley, an innovative new resort about an hour south of Austin. The 20-acre property has long been covered in native trees, and the hotel cleverly integrates its architecture into the natural landscape: The 12 spyglass structures are referred to as "treehouses," as their balconies are at about eye-level with the surrounding canopy, and their wood-covered interiors reflect the sylvan atmosphere.

Onera pioneered its experimental concept in Fredericksburg, Texas, about 80 minutes away from this second location. The first Onera site flaunts several architectural styles, including the tent-like Sage Safari, the geodesic Lantana Dome, and the Walnut House, a squared-off structure with wraparound windows and a rooftop patio. Each design is unique, but they all share an earth-toned aesthetic and seamless fusion with the natural landscape.

This second Onera location in the foothills of Wimberley expands on these themes: The lodgings are simple but elegant, and the attached decks are large enough to fit one or two yoga mats. It may be hard to imagine sleeping in a big tube, but each unit is well equipped with a king-sized bed, kitchenette, and walk-in shower. Texas is a state that's renowned for its national and state parks, and Onera combines this rich habitat with state-of-the-art accommodations.

If you're looking for something a little more down-to-earth, Onera Wimberley also hosts guests in its "greenhouses," which have whole walls of windows and grass-covered rooftops. Geometrically, these buildings look much more traditional, but they adhere to the same design philosophy: scenic views, a modernist look, and harmony with the terrain. Bookings generally cost the same for spyglasses and greenhouses, and the amenities in each are similar — including decks and small kitchens — so it's a matter of what kind of roof (literally) you want over your head.

The Onera grounds have walking paths, a swimming pool, and an event center, and management is planning to host weddings and receptions there as well. The Wimberley Valley has art galleries and municipal parks, and wine lovers can sample four local vineyards. You're also a reasonable drive from the state's fun-loving capital; here are 25 reasons we love Austin, Texas.