A Slice of Europe in the Heart of Texas: Hotel Lulu, Round Top

Tucked away in the tiny yet enchanting town of Round Top, Texas, there’s a place that feels as though it was plucked from the pages of a romantic European novel. Hotel Lulu is not just a hotel—it’s a timeless retreat where old-world charm meets quiet Texas countryside, and every detail feels drenched in story.

Walking through the garden gates, you are instantly reminded of an Italian villa—aromatic herbs spilling over stone planters, a serene pool surrounded by greenery, and a pace of life that begs you to linger. The six historic bungalows, lovingly restored, transport you to an era where hospitality was intimate, personal, and imbued with artistry.

Inside, each room is a love letter to European refinement: crisp linens, Le Labo touches, and soft hand-woven blankets reminiscent of treasures found in a tucked-away Parisian market. Morning light spills through gauzy curtains, inviting you to slow down and savor the quiet beauty of Round Top.

And then there is Lulu’s restaurant—a rustic-elegant dining space where the flavors evoke the heart of Italy. Imagine starting your evening with a glass of wine and handmade pasta, followed by a nightcap in Il Cuculo, the hotel’s intimate cocktail bar. Its walls bloom with surreal, hand-painted jungle murals, as if Fellini himself had imagined the space.

Yet the true romance of Hotel Lulu lies beyond the architecture and design—it’s in the way the property makes you feel. Like a Tuscan summer night under string lights, or a Sunday stroll through Provence, Hotel Lulu reminds you that travel is about immersion, connection, and slowing down. It whispers the European art of dolce far niente—the sweetness of doing nothing—right here in the Texas countryside.