Remarkable Rockport coastal condo sails to top of 2023's most hospitable Texas Airbnb list

stellar superhosts

Photo courtesy of Airbnb

Doug and Sandy, a Rockport couple who've been Airbnb-ing their condo since 2021, have been crowned the most hospitable hosts in Texas in Airbnb's nationwide report in 2023.

They received the award thanks to their 100 percent five-star ratings for top-tier cleanliness, check-in policies, and excellent communication skills at their Reel Paradise 507 condo. The couple has over 400 raving reviews between all three of their Rockport listings.

"Host hospitality can take many forms – a spotless listing, a quick response to a guest need, a seamless and straightforward check-in process that makes kicking off a vacation easy, and going above and beyond to prioritize health and safety," the report says. "Superb Hosts have always been what sets staying in an Airbnb apart from other travel experiences and it starts with the hospitality they provide their guests."

In their day-to-day lives outside of being Superhosts, Sandy is a special education teacher in Corpus Christi, while Doug is retired. The couple previously lent their condo to their friends and acquaintances prior to making the decision to list it on Airbnb.

"After a year of that and [those friends] telling us how wonderful it was we decided we could make more money and support our retirement by doing Airbnb," the couple said in a release.

Their breathtaking waterfront condo is an appealing getaway from Dallas' busy city living. The charming one-bedroom, two-bathroom home can accommodate up to four guests for a relaxing vacation with stunning panoramic views of Little Bay.

Rockport Reel Paradise Doug and Sandy Airbnb best hosts in Texas Watch dolphins from the deck. Photo courtesy of Airbnb

The listing says the condo is "perfect for outdoor enthusiasts," who can dock their own boat at one of the eight private boat docks offered on the property at no extra charge. Other outdoor recommendations include dolphin watching and fishing from the wraparound back porch, or kayaking to Rockport Beach.

With a typical price of $240 a night and being booked out until late August, it's safe to say this cozy condo is in high demand with Texans yearning for a beach trip.

Doug and Sandy said in the report that they don't just treat the money they make from their Airbnb as passive income, but as ways to improve experiences for their guests.

“We work hard to ensure we offer an experience that makes our guests want to return," they said. "We are constantly maintaining and upgrading. We don’t want our guests to arrive and feel they need to go to the store to get supplies that may be missing or forgotten at home (phone chargers, spices, cooking equipment, charcoal and grill supplies, plenty of towels, beach chairs and toys, plenty of coffee and tea selections).”

True Texas hospitality is not lost on Doug and Sandy. The couple added that they always try and meet their guests in person during their stay, as they only live 10 minutes from their Airbnb properties.

More information about Doug and Sandy's Rockport properties can be found on their host profile, and the full report of the best Airbnb hosts around the country can be found on news.airbnb.com.

Rockport Reel Paradise Doug and Sandy Airbnb best hosts in Texas

Photo courtesy of Airbnb

Have a drink and enjoy the sunset from the back porch at Reel Paradise 507.

Photo by Fallon Michael on Unsplash

Fort Worth visitors pay the least Airbnb surcharges in Texas, Forbes finds

FEES ARE MY ENEMIES

We’ve all been there: You find that perfect Airbnb with the right price for your travel dates, only to be deterred at the checkout page when you witness the total skyrocket to an incomprehensible amount after the cleaning and mysterious “service” fees.

In a new study called "Cities With the Worst Airbnb Fees In 2023," Forbes Advisor looked at 32,000 listings across 100 of the most popular markets on Airbnb to find common trends, and it's (relatively) good news for Fort Worth:

Visitors to Fort Worth pay an average surcharge of 33 percent -- making them the Texas city with the least amount of surcharges. Guests pay four dollars less in nightly rates for an Airbnb in the city, but pay 12 percent in cleaning fees, 15 percent service fees, and 5 percent in taxes.

Houston ranked as the Texas city with the highest fees, and No. 8 overall with their average surcharge at 45 percent. They pay 15 percent in cleaning fees, 15 percent service fees, and another 15 percent in taxes. That’s a good dent in your wallet.

Here’s every Texas city that appeared in the top 100:

No. 8 – Houston: 45 percent total fees
No. 33 – Galveston: 39 percent total fees
No. 47 – San Antonio: 37 percent total fees
No. 67 – Dallas: 34 percent total fees
No. 69 – South Padre Island: 34 percent total fees
No. 71 – Austin: 33 percent total fees
No. 77 – Fort Worth: 33 percent total fees

Atlanta had the highest percentage in fees for the average Airbnb stay, totaling an unfathomable 48 percent. Surprisingly, an Airbnb stay in New York City will only come with 23 percent in total fees, making it the lowest percentage out of all the top 100 cities.

In the report, publicist Tracy Lamourie criticized Airbnb hosts and property managers for charging excessive fees, calling it "disingenuous."

“I’m old enough to remember when Airbnb was a more wallet-friendly alternative to hotels. That’s only rarely true these days,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dustin Abney, CEO of vacation-rental management company Portoro, defended Airbnb and praised the company's transparency around its listings with the fee breakdown. He noted that most guests are charged fees without knowing where that money goes.

“Most guests also assume that property managers or hosts are trying to price-gouge them, when this usually is not the case,” Abney said. “In reality, there are many hidden costs that go into running a short-term rental, and these costs fall on property managers to pay.”

Photo courtesy of Casa Kumwesu

Sweet Dallas-Fort Worth couple's new Waco Airbnb is an over-the-top ice cream dream

sprinkles of fun

A dynamic Dallas couple is promising some sweet dreams with their new dessert-themed vacation rental in Waco.

Jessica Serna and Ismail Mpiana, wife and husband behind My Curly Adventures travel blog and My Culinary Adventures food blog, respectively, have debuted an ice cream-themed rental home called “Casa Kumwesu.”

The name pays homage to Serna's Hispanic roots and Mpiana's Zambian-Congolese heritage. It roughly translates to “our place/our house/our village.”

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom house spans 2,300 square feet on several acres of land, and can accommodate up to eight guests.

Highlights from the listing include:

one king-sized bed, one queen-sized bed, and two single beds
kitchen with stainless steel appliances
formal dining table and long island with seating reminiscent of a soda fountain
coffee bar stocked with syrups and toppings in a nook with seating
large soaking tub
plush bedding in each bedroom
four parking spots
two outdoor security cameras

But beyond the nuts-and-bolts, it's the Instagrammy design details that make the house a whimsical wonder. It's sprinkled with ice cream decor throughout, from ice cream cone seating and bathroom wallpaper to dish towels and pulls on the kitchen cabinets. On the walls, bright pastel colors and quirky patterns (one looks like "melting" ice cream) would make Willy Wonka proud. A photo-worthy ice cream cart bearing the name "Casa Kumwesu" stands outside on the patio.

Other fun features include a full-size Ms. Pac-Man machine and a super trendy flower wall with neon sign that says, "Treat Yo' Self" over a bed.

Mpiana says the ice cream theme wasn't due to any great love of the frozen treat (although Serna did recently have an ice cream named after her at Picole Pops). It was essentially marketing presentation that came to life.

“Jessica was doing a keynote seminar to destinations about the importance of owning a particular niche and going all out with it,” Mpiana says. “She ended up using an example of an ice cream theme."

As she was researching, she ended up falling in love with the colors and fun of ice cream and "just ran with it,” he says, adding that they both ended up enjoying the design process.

It was important to them to fill Casa Kumwesu with pieces and products that support Texas businesses, they say, from beautiful custom artwork created by local artists to personal care items by H-E-B’s Field and Future line. Many items were sourced through Etsy and Instagram. For instance, kitchen towels were designed by artist Volta Voloshin-Smith (@colorsnack on Instagram), a fringe wall was done by Oh My Darling Party Co (@ohmydarlingpartyco); and Home Airbnb designer Erica Dike (@ericaoohdesigns) helped bring it all together, with a cherry on top.

But, why Waco? Serna says its proximity between Austin and Dallas made it the perfect location for them.

“We spend so much time passing through Waco on all our travels across Texas, and we just started to fall in love with it,” she says.

Photo courtesy of Casa Kumwesu

Guests can share a meal at the large island, which resembles an old-fashioned soda fountain.

The home is located minutes away from a few of Waco’s most popular spots: Magnolia Shops at the Silos, Lake Waco, and Baylor University.

Casa Kumwesu has quietly opened for reservations via Airbnb and Vrbo. According to the booking sites, pricing starts around $550 per night (before cleaning and service fees), with a two-night minimum.

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'Yellowstone' stars to greet fans at Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Yellowstone news

Yellowstone fans, get your comfy shoes ready - there'll be a long line for this one. Cole Hauser a.k.a. "Rip Wheeler" on Yellowstone, and Taylor Sheridan, the show's co-creator, executive producer, and director of the series, will meet fans and sign autographs at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

The event will take place from 4:30-6:30 pm only on Friday, February 3. Location is the 6666 Ranch booth near the south end of Aisle 700 in the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Exhibits Hall.

According to a February 2 announcement from FWSSR, "fans will have the opportunity to snag an autograph as well as purchase some distinctive Yellowstone and 6666 Ranch merchandise while also enjoying all the features the Stock Show offers."

The event is free to attend (with paid Stock Show admission) and open to the public.

It's the second year in a row for Hauser to appear at FWSSR; in 2022, he and fellow cast mates drew huge crowds.

Sheridan, a Paschal High School graduate, is no stranger to Fort Worth; he lives in a ranch near Weatherford and filmed 1883, the prequel to Yellowstone, in and around Fort Worth. Currently, another spinoff, 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, is filming in North Texas.

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is winding up its 2023 run on Saturday, February 4.

Denver pizzeria to debut in Fort Worth with New York pies and craft beer

Pizza News

A pizza concept from Colorado is coming to Fort Worth. Called Parry's Pizzeria & Bar, it's a Denver-based restaurant group known for its New York-style pizza and commitment to craft beer, and will open its first Fort Worth location at the Victory Shops at Heritage development at 2801 Heritage Trace Pkwy.

It's going into the former Rachel's Mediterranean Grill, the New York-based chain that opened there in 2022 and which closed in July.

According to a Parry's spokesperson, the pizzeria will open in spring 2024.

Parry's was founded in 2007 outside Denver by David Parry, a native of New York who wanted to bring a New York-style pizzeria to the Denver suburbs. They currently have 21 locations in Colorado, Texas, and Arizona, with additional coming-soons slated for Las Vegas and Houston.

Though Parry's started out as a small New York-style pizza joint with wings and beer, their menu has expanded to include sandwiches, appetizers, and more. Fans love their wings and fried dough.

Dishes at every location differ but might include curly fries, fried mac and cheese bites, calamari, and bruschetta.

Pizzas include familiar combos with a twist such as pepperoni with jalapeños and cream cheese; a white pie with steak, peppers, mushrooms, onions, and garlic; buffalo chicken with blue cheese crumbles; and a "loaded potato" pizza with potato, bacon, cheddar, and green onions.

There are calzones, wraps, and sandwiches including chicken parm, cheesesteak, meatball sub, sweet Italian sausage, fried chicken, and a huevos rancheros steak sandwich with green chili and fried eggs.

Desserts include fried dough, cheesecake, churros, and cannoli.

They offer a daily special as well as lunch deals with combos such as a personal size pizza or sandwich with choice of wings or a salad. A happy-hour-style deal from 3-6 pm features wings, pizza, and other items for $10.49.

Parry's is also heavily into craft beer, with lots of fun beer events. At their location in The Colony, which opened in 2019, they feature more than 75 taps, including numerous local Texas brews. They also have a location in McKinney, plus two in San Antonio and two more in South Texas.

These are the 8 best food and drink events in Fort Worth this week

This Week in Gluttony

Outdoor events are prominent this week just in time for the arrival of fall (-ish) weather. There’s a rooftop luau for a good cause, a patio clam bake, a stadium-size barbecue, and an outdoor cooking competition featuring a slightly scary main ingredient. Also on the list – one more opportunity to partake in Oktoberfest-themed fare and fun.

Wednesday, October 4

Ohana Luau Fundraiser at Rooftop Cinema Club
Enjoy dinner and a movie at The Worthington Renaissance Hotel’s Rooftop Cinema Club and help support Maui fire relief efforts. Guests will partake in a Hawaiian-style barbecue dinner before an outdoor movie screening of 50 First Dates. Tickets are $25 per person, $10 of which will be donated to the Marriott Disaster Relief Fund. Additionally, 50 percent of all alcohol sales will go the fund. Doors open at 5 pm before the 7:15 pm movie start time.

Piroshky Piroshky Bakery Pop-up at Martin House Brewing
Bakery founded in Seattle will stop in Fort Worth on a Texas-wide tour, offering their signature Russian hand pies in delectable fillings such as beef & cheese, cabbage & onion, and vegan-friendly mushroom & potato. The full menu is online, and pre-ordering is required by October 2 at 4 pm. There's a minimum order of $50. Pickup at the brewery is 5-7 pm.

5-Course Whiskey Pairing Dinner at B&B Butchers & Restaurant
A powerhouse lineup of premium whiskeys will be served at this five-course pairing dinner at B&B, including brands like WhistlePig, Horse Soldier, and local Blackland Distilling Rye. Menu highlights include baked oysters with truffle butter and Roquefort crust, Colorado lamb lollipops, and 28-day dry-aged A5 Japanese ribeye. Dinner is $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity, and will begin at 6:30 pm.

Thursday, October 5

Clam Bake at Grace
Grace’s annual outdoor clam bake is back. Set to take place on the fine dining restaurant’s streetside patio, the menu will feature a selection of littleneck and chowder clams, Diver scallops, Maine lobster, jumbo prawns, Moosabec mussels, and king crab. Save room for New England apple cider doughnuts. The $195 per person ticket price, plus tax and gratuity, comes with a reception of bubbly and canapes starting at 6:30 pm. Dinner will start at 7 pm and is expected to sell out.

Port Tasting at Texas de Brazil
Savor the Brazilian steakhouse’s signature churrasco bites paired with an array of ports during this tasting for a good cause. All proceeds from the $54.99 per person ticket price will go toward Warrior Rising, an organization that helps mentor and coach veteran entrepreneurs. Guests will start with a reception cocktail followed by four ports, including a 20-year tawny. The tasting starts at 6:30 pm, and those who stay for dinner afterward will receive 25 percent off the regular dinner price.

Friday, October 6

Rattle Battle hosted by Tim Love
Chef Tim Love is hosting a cooking competition in the Fort Worth Stockyards featuring one of his signature ingredients: rattlesnake. A who's who of Fort Worth chefs will compete, and guests judge whose bites are best. Participating chefs include Jon Bonnell (Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine, Waters), Graham Elliot (Le Margot), Blaine Staniford (Grace, 61 Osteria, Little Red Wasp), Rodrigo Cardenas (Don Artemio), Juan Rodriguez (Magdalena’s), and Travis Heim (Heim BBQ). Tickets are $125 per person and include open bars and a token for voting. The Rattle Battle will take place in Mule Alley from 3–5 pm in conjunction with PBR Rattler Days to be held at Dickies Arena and the Fort Worth Stockyards.

Saturday, October 7

Q BBQ Fest at AT&T Stadium
Arlington will get a little smoky when more than 30,000 pounds of brisket, chicken, pulled pork and ribs are dished out over two days at AT&T Stadium. Hosted by the Dallas Cowboys and Miller Lite, Q BBQ Fest will feature pitmasters from across Texas and throughout the nation. Indulge in all-you-can-eat with tickets starting at $69 (alcohol not included). Or go VIP ($129) and enjoy an open bar along with access to exclusive lounge areas and VIP-only pitmasters. Tickets are $35 for young adults ages 13-20, and children under 13 get in free. The event runs Saturday 11 am-8 pm and Sunday 10 am-2 pm. Note that tickets are sold in three- and four-hour time blocks.

Oktoberfest at Rusty Nickel IceHouse
The South Fort Worth indoor-outdoor restaurant, beer garden, and live music venue keeps the Oktoberfest celebration going with a party on the patio. Patrons can purchase a table ($180 for a six-top and $240 for an eight-top), which comes with food and drink for everyone. Each person will receive brats, sauerkraut, and potato salad along with a beer-filled stein and two buckets of Alstadt’s or Shiner Variety for the table. Games with prizes will include stein-hoisting, Dachshund races, and a bratwurst-eating contest. Table reservations will be good from 3-10 pm for the duration of the event.

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