WIMBERLEY — In an attempt to create a dream-like escape and private, secluded getaways, Onera, a landscape hotel, has opened its doors for Wimberley community members.
Onera began in November 2021 with a location in Fredericksburg, featuring treehouse and safari-inspired rentals, nestled within the natural forest. Though the location was beautiful, co-founder and creator Ben Wolff stated that opening in Wimberley was quickly in the works.
“Onera Wimberley has kind of been in the works for the past few years, even before Onera Fredericksburg opened. So, we bought the land in late 2021 and we spent about a year and a half planning and getting financing for it. Then, we spent the last 18 months building it. It is a considerable step up, in my view, from what we did there in Fredericksburg.”
The reason for the addition of Wimberley, which opened on Sept. 6, was because Wolff and his wife fell in love with the Hill Country after their move to Austin in 2019. Between the views, parks, such as Blue Hole Regional Park, and the general community that thrives there, Wolff felt as though the town was the perfect spot.
Compared to the eight units at Fredericksburg, the Wimberley location at 801 Buttercup Lane has 12 west-facing units, with some more than 30 feet in the air, to experience “exceptional sunset views overlooking the Texas Hill Country,” reads the website.
There are two options — Spyglass and Greenhouse — each with its own private jacuzzi tub with jets, a private deck, kitchenette, lounge area, walk-in rain shower, toilet and king-sized bed. According to the website, the Spyglass Treehouse provides an “unforgettable looking glass” of views, while the Greenhouse “evokes feelings of oneness with nature via its vegetated rooftop and floor-to-ceiling windows.”
Also onsite is an infinity pool and a 100-person event space, fixed with local limestone. Using local materials was an important part of the construction, explained Wolff, as Cypress, which is native to the area, was also used for the builds.
Because the natural landscape is such a big part of the experience, Wolff stated that the company has done what it can to be conscious about environment conservation: “We’re on 20 acres; we only built on five of it. Our impervious cover is well under 15% [and] we use gray water to irrigate our roofs. We use organic soap, shampoo, etc. … [and] all native plantings.”
Part of the allure to Onera is that there are several experiences available on the premise, such as The Cosmos of Wimberley, which chief of staff Tom Donahue stated is run by two astronomy professors from Texas State University. The experience is private, he continued, with the professor bringing a telescope to the property in the evening for a twohour experience of searching for constellations, planets and more. Other experiences are in-room massages, yoga, a private chef, a wine tour and a sound bath.
Although, historically, Onera has been a couple’s getaway, with events, such as anniversaries, proposals and birthdays, the company is taking a focus on groups at the Wimberley location. The event space is available to host corporate retreats, board meetings and executive meetings, said Wolff.
“We have one of the best west-facing views that I’ve seen in the Hill Country, let alone Wimberley. So, I think that we’re pretty unique and special on a number of dimensions,” Wolff concluded.
For more information, visit www.stayonera.com.
