Round Top has a population of about 90, which makes it the smallest incorporated town in Texas. Twice a year, thousands of shoppers show up anyway. That means finding a place to sleep is one of the biggest parts of planning a trip, and it’s the question I get asked most. Here’s how to think about where to stay, plus some of the most popular options in and around town.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

First, Know the Lay of the Land

Round Top isn’t one tidy shopping district. The antiques show spreads along Texas Highway 237 for roughly 20 miles, from US-290 in the north down toward La Grange in the south. Along the way you pass through Warrenton, Burton, Carmine, Fayetteville, and Kenney, and you honestly won’t notice when one town ends and the next begins. On my trip, Junk Gypsy, Zapp Hall, Renck Field, and Blue Hills were all along that same stretch.

Two things follow from that. You will need a car (or a golf cart, if you rent one), and a place to stay doesn’t have to say “Round Top” in its address to be a great base. A rental with a Burton or Carmine address can easily be closer to the action than one with a Round Top zip code.

My Favorite Boutique Stays in Round Top

I love a hotel with personality, and Round Top has plenty. Every place below is a boutique-style stay that you can book online through Airbnb, Booking.com, or Expedia. Rates change a lot with the day of the week and especially during the shows, so check current prices and availability before you commit.

Hotel Lulu

This is the one for anyone who wants to walk everywhere. Hotel Lulu has restored a historic downtown landmark on Mill Street, and each of its one-of-a-kind rooms is decorated with antique and vintage pieces from the Round Top shows. There’s an outdoor pool, and Lulu’s Italian restaurant is right on the property. It’s also within a short walk of Henkel Square. It’s on the pricier side, with recent listings ranging from roughly $260 to $360 a night. Book here: Hotel Lulu

The Frenchie

A restored farmhouse with a modern, artful look, just outside downtown Round Top. It has a pool and a bar on the property, and it’s a short drive from the shops. Recent listings were around $300 a night. Book here: The Frenchie

Wander Inn at Junk Gypsy

Junk Gypsy was my first stop of the trip, so I’d love to wake up next door to the store. The Wander Inn sits on the back 60 acres of the Junk Gypsy property, surrounded by a working Longhorn ranch, and it’s only about a mile from downtown. Rooms are spread across the Star House and the Crown House, and there’s also a three-bedroom Gypsy Farmhouse and a suite called Thelma’s Garage. Guests can use the gas firepit and the stock tank pools, and some listings mention biscuits delivered to your door each morning. Book here: Wander Inn

Farmstead Round Top

A guesthouse-style stay a few miles from downtown, with a pool and a very high guest rating on Expedia. It’s a good fit if you want a quieter, countryside feel after a long day of shopping. Recent listings were around $250 a night. Book here: Farmstead Round Top

Flophouze

For something truly different, Flophouze is a collection of repurposed shipping containers turned into guest suites. It has an outdoor pool and a loyal following, including guests who come back every show. Book here: Flophouze

Look Beyond Round Top

When everything in town is booked, widen your search. Fayetteville, Carmine, and Warrenton are all right in the middle of the shopping, and towns like Bellville, Schulenburg, and La Grange are a short drive away and have more traditional hotels. Many people use La Grange as a home base and drive up each morning.

Tips for Booking

• Book as early as you can. Rooms fill up quickly during the shows, but it’s still worth calling, because last-minute cancellations do happen.
• Use the Chamber of Commerce. The Round Top Chamber of Commerce has a lodging request form. Member inns and rentals will contact you directly if they have an opening.
• Check Airbnb and VRBO for country houses and cottages, which are great for groups.
• Follow your favorite places on Facebook. Some post cancellations there before they show up anywhere else.
• Book your next trip while you’re there. Many regulars reserve their room for the following show before they head home.
• Consider an off-season stay. Round Top is open year-round, and a quieter visit is a totally different experience.
• Expect higher rates during the show. Prices change based on the day of the week and spike during the antiques shows, so check current rates before you commit.

My Pick

For a first-timer who wants to walk to dinner, I’d book Hotel Lulu. If you’re a Junk Gypsy fan, the Wander Inn is a must. For a quieter farmhouse feel with a pool, look at The Frenchie or Farmstead Round Top. And if you’re traveling with a group, search VRBO for a farmhouse or cottage rental so you can split the cost and spread out all your finds.

Planning a Round Top trip can feel like a part-time job. Which show? Which days? Where do you sleep, where do you eat before the food truck line gets long, and how many suitcases do you need for your finds? (Trust me, bring room.) The good news is that I’m a travel agent, and this is the fun part for me. If you’d like a hand, send me a note and I’ll sort out the details, so all you have to do is show up in comfy shoes with an empty trunk.