Deciding on the “right” unit design for your unique stay can be a daunting task.
Do you go hard sided or soft? Which layout will guests enjoy? What amenities should you include? Is it unique enough?
There are hundreds of potential questions.
And while I can’t give you the one design tactic that will help you totally avoid these decisions, I can show you our thought process behind one of my favorite units– Spyglass.
The design decisions, challenges and considerations that went into adding our Spyglass unit to Onera Wimberley, all to help shed some light on your own design process.
It starts with the land…
The Onera Wimberley land was unique.
Our most amazing sunset views were tucked away on an upper elevation hillside– steeper and narrower than the rest of the property.
This made unit selection a challenge.
We wanted to avoid having large, boxy units even though it would have opened up endless design possibilities.
This was for two reasons:
- Minimize Viewshed: Larger units would have blocked the views from other units.
- Increase the Number of Units: Skinnier designs would allow us to fit more units in a tight location on the property.
There was one unit that immediately called to us– Spyglass.
A long, skinny design that could be elevated into the treetops, protecting the views and maximizing our unit count without giving up uniqueness.
It could also be cantilevered to make building on the steep hillside more achievable.
While Spyglass was one of our top units at Onera Fredericksburg, the first iteration was designed to be tucked away in a secluded forest.
The Wimberley property required a more upscale, view-centric design.
And so…
Spyglass 2.0 was born.
There were five key improvements that we made to the original design in order to bring in the character of Wimberley while still paying homage to one of our most popular units.
1. More Spacious Units
The Fredericksburg Spyglass unit was tight.
Narrow, slightly crammed and the opposite of the luxury experience we were going for.
So, we added both width and depth, creating a more comfortable experience for guests while also improving the “grandness” of the unit.
2. Larger Lounge Area
A spacious lounge is a signature at every five star accommodation that I have been to.
It offers guests a daytime retreat separate from their sleeping space, allowing them to enjoy their morning coffee (or afternoon wine) without resorting to the bed.
In our first Spyglass unit, the lounge area was cramped.
For Wimberley, we expanded it significantly, resulting in a space more reminiscent of a five star stay and a true place for relaxation.
3. Elevated Interiors
Increasing the quality of our interiors gave us a chance to impress guests while also bringing the character of Wimberley into the units.
Wimberley's centuries-old cypress trees that line the creek became our interior inspiration, allowing us to infuse this local charm into our design.
Cypress was used in all of the wood paneling on the walls and the live edge shelving in the kitchenette, which is from a local carpenter who specializes in cypress millwork.
This helped us give an ode to the town of Wimberley within each unit.
4. Custom Hot Tubs
We loved the cedar style hot tub of the original unit but there was one problem…
It lacked jacuzzi jets.
This issue affected both guest experience and maintenance, as the stagnant water was harder to keep clean without circulation.
We worked with the manufacturer to create a custom hot tub that retained the cedar style but incorporated true jacuzzi features, enhancing the guest experience.
All with a design that allowed every component to be contained within the unit so that the hot tubs could be elevated up to 35 ft off the ground.
5. A Larger Deck Space
The original Spyglass unit had small decks on both the front and back.
In Wimberley, we realized the front deck was “lower value real estate” – all of the action was going to be on the back.
So, we cut most of the square footage of the front deck and added it to the back.
This gave guests extra space for morning yoga, enjoying the hot tub and comfortably lounging while taking in views of the Wimberley valley.
My Main Takeaways:
- Find features you like from other properties and make them your own.
- Find ways to incorporate the local culture into your designs.
- Make sure your unit compliments the land it is going on.
- Always iterate, even on your favorite units.
- Maximize “high value real estate” spaces.
Most importantly… There’s not a “right” unit type for your property.
Take your time, enjoy the process and find unique ways to blend your personality with the vibe of your location. I can’t wait to see what you all build!
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See you guys next week!
-Ben Wolff
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