Just outside Marfa, Texas lies a group of campers that have be renovated into laid-back, hipster lodging. Owner Liz Lambert worked with architect firm Lake Flato and Jack Sanders of Design Build Adventure to create an escape that's miles away from any Hampton Inn.
In the words of Lambert, "El Cosmico is part vintage trailer, yurt and teepee hotel and campground, part creative lab, greenhouse and amphitheater — a community space that fosters and agitates artistic and intellectual exchange."
Beyond sleeping under the Texas stars, guests can partake in classes like art, cooking, sewing and writing workshops.
What's more, prices are incredibly affordable. Trailers run an average of $100 a night with toilets and showers outdoors. Homes have been fully restored with stoves, small refrigerators, fans, floor heating and hot water.
Or that's not minimal enough for you, consider renting a Tepee for just $75 a night.
For information on lodging and more pics swing your lasso over to El Cosmico.
100 DIY Ideas for the 3-Day Weekend
Danielle's Charming, Classic Walk-Up
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
White Enamel Flatwa...
How To Cook Fluffy, Tasty Quinoa
Perfect Summer Cocktail Recipe: Honey Bourbon Lemonade
?????
i don't get it. the tepee looks cool though. not sure that i would to shell out $75 to sleep in one.
Outdoor toilets and showers? In West Texas heat? No thanks.
Has anyone been to Marfa I have been intrigued about this area, might be a fun road trip. I keep hearing Wall of Voodoo when I think about Marfa.
We went to Marfa in 2004 when we were evacuated (8 months pregnant) from Katrina and Rita on our way to New Mexico. It was the week before the Prada Marfa opening.
Granted, I was way too pregnant to walk around to see the Donald Judd stuff, but we thought it was mostly smoke and mirrors... a disappointment given how long the drive is. We stayed at the cool motel and had the lattes the the hip bookstore/coffee place... but the rest of the art was pretty crafty and not that fabulous. And Prada Marfa was clever, but didn't rise above that.
If you are driving through, great... if not... don't bother. Go to Naoshima Japan for serious, amazing, mind-boggling modern art.
but don't stay in the Yurts at Naoshima either!
Marfa exists to give hipsters from Austin a place to which they can migrate to get away from the influx of Brooklyn hipsters into Austin. (And the Brooklyn hipsters are just moving to Austin to escape from all the people from the Midwest who move to Brooklyn). That's my hipster migration theory. you're welcome.
When I was in high school, the only thing Marfa was known for was the Marfa lights, which are supposed to be caused by aliens.
but $100 to stay in an RV with an outdoor toilet and a shower made out of a pipe and a tarp? I just really don't get it.
I went to Marfa between Christmas and New Years - it's a different sort of place. It's not the art mecca some people think it is, but it's not without its charms - the scenery is beautiful, the people are nice and it's beautiful in it's own way.
Something about those mountain vistas, the clean air and how freakin' far from a real city you are is really refreshing! I'd visit this place - I think it would be a unique experience :o)
came back to this post to show my hubby. it's still mind boggling to me! yeah i'm sure it's a nice place to visit (being a miami native, and having lived in barcelona, sanfran, and nyc--not sure that i would specifically go there to see art). however, what is really irritating me is the cost. if you want to create something new and innovative in this economical climate, why not charge less for it? wouldn't there be more integrity in that? it is essentially camping decorated with some thrift store stuff that someone finds "cool". it's insane to me that someone would charge $100 to sleep in an old camper and $75 to sleep in a tepee. to top it off, the writer insists that these are affordable prices. "hipster lodging" for dumb people who actually call themselves "hipsters" and spend their money on trying to be cool. AT, you actually have some readers with intellect. why would you insult your readers by insisting that it is cheap? btw, should i call myself a hipster because i listen to indie music, own authentic mid century furniture, have a pretty substantial art collection, and have travelled the world? does this mean i'm the targeting population that you assume would spend this kind of money to pee outside?
I now live close to Marfa.....guess I need to chek it out. Roadtrip!!!
So we're supposed to be judging this getaway in Marfa solely on price? How about we judge it based on the unique experience or obvious beauty you're surrounded by? Some people, and I'm guessing by the author's comments some of the readers on this site, place value on the overall experience vs. the lack of a toilet in the room..or the fact you're sleeping in a tepee (which I might add seems pretty awesome).
Perhaps the reason it is 'affordable' is because it is. $100/night is hardly excessive pricing. In fact, that is actually pretty cheap. I don't know where some of you are used to staying but even Holiday Inn's are $70-$80 or so. And I'll take a memorable stay in a beautiful setting over a bad continental breakfast any day.
But then again I don't own that much mid-century furniture so what do I know.
I suppose you can look at it whichever way you like, i.e the influx of hipsters, the prices, the mid-century "hipster lodging", but what about Marfa just being an enjoyable place to visit? Beautiful sunsets and a lot of peace & quiet for miles upon miles. I have had the pleasure of staying at El Cosmico and enjoyed what they have created there. And for people (NORMAL people, not "hipsters" - don't be so quick to judge & assume) to get out there and enjoy semi-camping, fun people, great music and an awesome town - what more do you need?
It's pretty simple: don't whine about it and just don't go! Keep it to those of us who enjoy it! Isn't the point of AT showcasing various hotels and such, just that?...Showcasing interesting/unique/cool/different places here & there, throughout our little old country. Lighten up, people. Isn't there more to life to worry about than paying $75 to stay in a yurt or camp in an airstream? Let them do their thing and you just keep doing yours! :)
No one mentioned the Thunderbird Motel. It was completely renovated also by Lake Flato. It's pretty fab at least the last time I stayed there about a year and a half ago. At that time there were not many places to have dinner, lunch or breakfast for that matter. Marfa has a long way to go before being a tourist mecca but it's worth a one time trip.