Taste of Salado History
Shady Villa Hotel offers relaxing atmosphere for drinks, food & fun
By LISA CARLISLE | Photos courtesy of SHADY VILLA HOTEL and COURTNEY MURPHY PHOTOGRAPHY
An oasis nestled in the Village of Salado since the mid-1800s, Shady Villa Hotel is steeped in history, local lore, beauty and all the key components that comprise a magical Texas summer experience.
Constructed during the country’s Gilded Age, completed in 1851, Shady Villa served as respite to weary travelers along the Chisholm Trail. Local lore adds to the charm, suggesting hidden Spanish gold beneath in a small secret cave. In 1861, early settler W. B. Armstrong transformed the building into The Stagecoach Inn.
Dion and Ruth Van Bibber, lovingly called The Vans, took on the renovations and transformation of The Stagecoach in 1943. The Vans brought classic charm as well as now-famous recipes. In 2019, the Bunkhouse Group took over the Stagecoach, oversaw renovations and updates while maintaining the originality. They honored history by rebranding The Stagecoach to its original name, Shady Villa Hotel.
The Modern Shady Villa Hotel features its traditional Stagecoach restaurant with gourmet cuisine, gorgeous guest suites, and three bars to suit any season — all in walking distance of the Main streets of Salado.
The first bar is in the main dining room and stays true to the origins, offering cocktails in many varieties. The classic nostalgia of Champagne fruit punch, the timeless bourbon old fashions and a variety of wines. This bar also features unique blends and flavors such as the lavender lemon drop, utilizing local Deep Eddy vodka, triple sec, lemon juice, lavender simple syrup and butterfly pea flower or the cactus pear punch with Deep Eddy peach vodka, rose wine, lemon juice, cactus pear puree and agave. Several drinks combine jalapeno for a Texas kick.
Move outdoors to bar No. 2; poolside, beneath large palm fronds and banana leaves. The poolside bar provides a large selection of canned beers, wines and the Shady Villa award-winning margarita to help combat the scorching heat and pair perfectly with the cool blue water. As the sun goes down, the pool illuminates with the glow of a Texas summer evening. Cool down with a spicy pineapple margarita with jalapeno-infused tequila, pineapple, lime and agave. Unwind with a refreshing rum-melon agua fresca with honeydew, cucumber, apple, rum and mint. Let the day melt away as the temperature drops.
The third option is the VIP members-only Bourbon Bar, which is also offered to overnight guests to enhance their stay. Members can access tastings from featured distilleries. This VIP area in the restaurant extends to a balcony where members are encouraged to enjoy cigars perfectly paired with the bourbon of the night. Old newspapers line the walls, leather chairs invite relaxation, and original woods give warmth to the historic space. To add to the local lore, it is rumored that Sam Houston gave a speech from this balcony to a mesmerized crowd.
Shady Villa Hotel invokes the essence of Texas with its history, beauty and perseverance. Shady Villa continues to evolve and grow, encompassing the Tex Appeal Spirit as it welcomes the community with events, exciting activities, and a variety of ways to relax in the heart of Central Texas.
