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With the arrival of March, we could all use a vacation. Although Spring Break season is around the corner, the pandemic at hand has made traveling and vacations challenging.
If you're looking for a mini staycation this month, look no further than at some of Austin's most beautifully decorated and acclaimed Airbnb Plus locations that will have you wondering if you're still in town.
Airbnb announced the hotel-like service of "Airbnb Plus" in 2018, offering guests with a one-of-a kind experience in extraordinary locations. According to the service, you can still feel safe at these locations knowing they are 100% well-maintained and hosts are taking extra precautions at cleaning and providing a COVID-19 safe space. Airbnb Plus hosts are known for great reviews, attention to detail and thoughtfully designed homes.
House in Travis Heights
Listed at a rental rate of $153 per night, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom house is a perfect getaway for a relaxing weekend and ravishing aesthetics. With a beautiful heated saltwater pool and a carefully decorated bedroom, you can have your own private resort outside of the city. This property does not have a kitchen, so plan to order takeout from some local places around town for a true staycation experience.
Cottage in East Austin
Listed at a rental rate of $151 per night, this signature East Austin cottage should be your next staycation location for a cozy weekend. Originally built in 1930 by the Calcasieu Lumber Company, the cottage has custom woodwork, hardwood floors, vaulted pine ceilings and carefully detailed decor. Alleviate all your stress by visiting this two-bedroom, one-bathroom beautifully designed cottage.
Tiny house in East Austin
Listed at $119 per night, The Tiny Shiny is a tiny house with a lot of personality and a perfect secluded location for relaxation. If you've ever been curious about tiny house living, visiting The Tiny Shiny is a must to understand the coziness of the small, studio-like establishment. Although near Central East Austin, this unique tiny house will give you the privacy you need and a perfectly cozy experience while walking distance from Austin life.
Guest suite in Barton Hills
This private getaway will trick you into thinking you actually left the city. Listed at a rental rate of $108 per night, the one-bedroom, one-bathroom modern guest suite has great features such as a walk-in rain shower, a queen-size Murphy bed, a gas stove and a perfect location walking distance to South Lamar.
Remodeled trailer in Ford Oaks
Listed in Architectural Digests as one of the best Airbnb's in Austin, this remodeled vintage Spartan trailer is the perfect Austin getaway as sunny and warm weather returns to town. One hundred percent custom build and with new amenities, you will forget you're even in Austin by staying in this secluded, cozy trailer. The property is listed at a rental rate of $131 per night and is the coziest location you'll find for your staycation.
Guesthouse in Bee Cave
Although we wish we could vacation in Spain this year, this beautiful Spanish-style guesthouse is as close as we can get with COVID-19 safe precautions. The four-bedroom, one-bathroom house is a perfect spot to enjoy a relaxing weekend with friends. With a private pool and spa, high ceilings and astonishing decor, you will feel like you're spending the weekend in Spain without having to leave Austin. Listed at a rental rate of $282 per night, the guesthouse can accommodate five people.
Bungalow near Dripping Springs
Looking to get out of the city—but not too far—for your staycation? The Airbnb Plus listing is only a few miles out of the city and right in the Hill Country. Listed at a rental rate of $157 per night, this two-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalow is the perfect country tranquility getaway. Located on a ranch minutes from Dripping Springs and the Austin area, the bungalow features a shaded porch and natural beauty you can only find in this part of Texas. Did we mention the bungalow is in a perfect location if you're looking to visit some wineries and breweries around the Dripping Springs area while cozying it up country style?
Guesthouse in Mueller
Enjoy a relaxing staycation without having to pay a fortune with this Airbnb Plus listing. Listed at a rental rate of $88 per night, this cozy modern guesthouse has all the amenities you need to decompress for a staycation. With one-of-a-kind detail, a private nook to spend your time and a location close to all things Austin, this relaxing guesthouse has everything you need to relax.
Guesthouse in Brentwood
Listed at a rental rate of $130 per night, the two-bedroom, one-bathroom upscale guesthouse can accommodate four guests and is listed as an enhanced clean location, proving to be a COVID-19 safe environment. With a private balcony, beautifully decorated interior and great location in Central Austin, this guesthouse is a must-visit if you're looking for a relaxing and fun time.
Townhouse at Zilker
Nothing says Keep Austin Weird better than this quirky Zilker townhouse. With so many colorful touches and carefully decorated rooms, this one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom townhouse is packed with vibrant colors, patterns and thoughtful decor for a true Austin experience. Only a short walking distance from Zilker Park, this listing has a rental rate of $138 per night and can accommodate four guests.
Guesthouse in East Austin
Listed at a rental rate of $125 per night, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom guesthouse is a true charm in East Austin. With a perfect location for anything you might need, this small "Casita" will provide you with tranquility and relaxation for an ideal staycation without being far from home. The property is secluded and surrounded by trees to ensure you have a quiet, peaceful time, and the wonderfully bright and carefully decorated interior will have you wishing you booked to stay more nights.
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Popular
Austin FC defied the odds in a 1-0 win against CF Montreal Saturday night. (Austin FC/Twitter)
After a sluggish start and first-half red card, Austin FC beat the odds with ten men to beat CF Montréal 1-0 Saturday night.
Even with Dani Pereira's fateful red card and a resulting one-man deficit on the pitch, the Verde and Black won in its first MLS match in three weeks thanks to a former Montreal striker—Austin FC's Maxi Urruti—who scored against his old teammates in the 67th minute to win the match.
The club remains at third in the MLS West as it nears the halfway point on its second season.
Here are three takeaways from the match:
One too many tackles
i just wanted to apologize to everyone, got to be more responsible than that and not let the team down the way i did again, i apologize to the fans, teammates, coaching staff and everyone that’s part of this organization🖤💚
— Daniel Pereira (@danipereira121) June 19, 2022
Fans breathed a sigh of relief—and surprise—when Pereira was first spotted on the CF Montreal pitch for his first match on international soil. The 21-year-old starter arrived from Venezuela as an asylum seeker when he was 15 and has been unable to play in games outside of the U.S. since.
But for the second time in two months, Pereira was forced to the bench as his wayward tackle earned a red card before the end of the first half. With ten men left on the pitch, Austin FC was left with no Pereira, 11 opponents and an entire half left of play.
In a tweet, Pereira apologized to fans after the match as the team celebrated its victory. The game marks the first win in a red card match in Austin FC's history.
An Urruti goal
Amazing set up, smart finish! 😤@AustinFC take the lead! pic.twitter.com/cBYmThYB4P
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 19, 2022
Austin FC took its furthest road trip to date as it ended its hiatus with the Montreal match, and the visitors seemed to still be shaking off the three-week-old dust in the first half of the match. And while Montreal racked up higher possession, shots on goal and more across the stat board, Urruti's second-half goal sealed the deal for the unlikely Austin victors.
Urruti, who spent time with Montreal for the 2019 and 2020 seasons, tapped a big Jon Gallagher pass over his former team's goalie in the 67th minute to secure the win. Urruti has scored five goals this season and is behind just Sebastian Driussi as the team's top goalscorer.
Stuver's key saves
Stuver will make the silliest mistake playing out the back one minute and then bounce back with a crucial save like this... we got lucky here.#AustinFC#Verdepic.twitter.com/iuDAJW9tt6
— WeAreAustinTV (@WeAreAustinTV) June 19, 2022
Austin FC's unlikely win could've ended much differently without the usual heroics from keeper Brad Stuver.
While Stuver hasn't had to make the same rapid-fire saves as last season, he's still proved crucial in Austin's closest games. Such was the case when the keeper made a cheeky last-minute grab for the ball while sitting on the ground to keep Montreal's Kei Kamara from scoring in the first half.
Stuver made two other saves in the match to complete his fourth clean sheet of the season.
BONUS: Fagundez's near-miss
Building momentum. 😤 pic.twitter.com/wXMHSF8xgz
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) June 19, 2022
Midfielder Diego Fagundez's enemy isn't always his opponents.
Fagundez attempt at Austin's first goal was stymied by the post as his shot ricocheted back to Montreal in the 58th minute of play.
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(ATCEMS/Twitter)
The pilot of a small plane is now in the hospital after crashing into Lady Bird Lake Thursday afternoon.
The plane, which was being operated by a Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden, only had the pilot in it when it crashed just west of I-35 in the lake around 2 p.m. Nearby paddleboarders are seen taking the unidentified pilot to Austin-Travis County EMS in a video.
The pilot was then transported to Dell Seton Medical Center with potentially serious injuries.
UPDATE: #ATCEMSSPARTAN drone video showing the aircraft submerged just below the surface. pic.twitter.com/wexI9MqpQS
— ATCEMS (@ATCEMS) June 16, 2022
Texas Parks and Wildlife said the plane, a 2009 Cessna T206, was on a test flight after routine maintenance when the pilot reported mechanical issues and then crashed.
As of Thursday afternoon, it is not known when the plane will be removed from Lady Bird Lake.
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