This self-described hipster hotel embraces Marfa’s reputation for minimalist art by eliminating all non-essential items from its rooms. What’s left is presented in a spare and clean space that will leave you wondering why we surround ourselves with so much clutter at home. Rooms can contain a queen bed and a single day bed, a chair, two tables, and little else. The walls are bare, the bathroom simple, and the concrete floors have one small rug near the bed. There’s no TV or phone. Yet it all somehow works if you know what to expect. Two very simple amenities are free Wi-Fi and an outdoor pool. The hotel offers bikes to rent for $10 a day. You can also rent an antique typewriter if you think that would be more fun.
The Thunderbird Hotel is located in the middle of the small town of Marfa. There are restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques next door and across the street and, really, all over town. Every other building is a gallery of some sort, so you’ll never run out of places to contemplate art as you walk its streets. Other attractions are a short drive away, like the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and the Fort Davis National Historic site. In the evening, head 8 miles east of your hotel, park your car, and wait for the otherworldly Marfa Lights to appear in the distance. It’s a natural atmospheric phenomenon, but let your kids think it’s UFOs. With its convenient downtown location and unique decor, or lack thereof, the Thunderbird Hotel will be a place to remember during your family vacation to Marfa.
