Blue Jay Yurt

A family yurt a block off Main Street

The Blue Jay sleeps seven across two bedrooms, which makes it one of the few places in Bandera where a whole family can stay together without splitting across hotel rooms. You are one block from Main Street — a quarter mile past the Beverage Barn — and a short walk from the Medina River.

Inside

High ceilings show off the wood frame and pull daylight through the yurt. The open-concept living space centers on a queen sleeper sofa and a smart TV. Streaming only, no cable — bring your own account.

The master bedroom has a queen bed and its own TV. The clear dome overhead lets light in during the day and shows the stars at night. Rainy nights in a yurt are unlike anything else.

The second bedroom has a twin-over-full bunk, which works as well for adults as it does for kids. All linens and pillows are provided, and we keep a stack of card games on hand.

The kitchenette

Close to a full kitchen. A Galanz retro refrigerator and freezer, a Nostalgia retro microwave, a toaster, a toaster oven, a double-skillet portable cooktop, and a Keurig with starter pods, sweetener and creamer. Utensils, cups, wine glasses, plates, pots and pans are all here, along with a dining table with benches. Everything you need to cook a full meal and bring it out to the grill.

Outside

A large palapa-covered porch runs along the deck, with wicker hanging swings and Adirondack bar stools. String lights come on in the evening. The Argentine gaucho grill is the centerpiece — it is a conversation starter as much as a cooker, and it sits under a canopy of oak, pecan, cypress, mulberry and cedar.

Your own cedar hot tub sits in the trees. Not shared, not a spa you book. Yours for the stay.

The river

The Medina River is a short walk away. Steps lead down to the swimming hole among the cypress trees, and the water is good for wading, kayaking or floating. Note that the yurts have river access rather than river views — the water is close, but it is a walk, not a window.