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Hotel Paisano
Category: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Hotels [Edit]
207 N Highland AveMarfa, TX 79843
(432) 729-3669
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
16 reviews for Hotel Paisano
16 reviews in English
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Review from Sunny D.
Bethesda, MD
4/10/2012
We enjoyed four-week-nights. Quiet & clean. Lupita at the main desk is very helpful, and she's a native Marfan. We were able to walk all over town which was the best part. Laundry is around the corner...and so is everything else. We had a room with a kitchen, and balconies.
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Review from Maggie G.
Berkeley, CA
12/28/2011
This hotel was about what I was expecting from a historic hotel in an area where there aren't a lot of options. The public areas are beautifully restored & very inviting. The front desk staff was nice & efficient, though we didn't have any requests or questions. The rooms are adequate, but definitely show their age and could use some updating. I personally love old school bathrooms (though this one was particularly small, or so it seemed - and I'm not particularly big!), since the bathtubs are usually a lot better for soaking, but scrubbing the mildew out of the corners and replacing badly cracked tiles would go a long way to improving the looks. The balcony patio was nice.
If we were going to be back in this area & dead set on staying *in* Marfa, I'd come back - but we'll probably take a harder look at hotels in Alpine next time. -
Review from Emily F.
5/1/2011
Marfa was the last leg of our West Texas road-trip and we were sure tuckered out by this time. After spending quiet nights in Marathon and Terlingua, we were not excited to be immersed in the throngs of hipsterland for the Railroad Revival Tour, but we expected it none-the-less.
We drove in early and arrived around 1 p.m. hoping we could check in before the 3 p.m. designated check-in time. The woman at the desk was so kind and called housekeeping to ask if our room was ready. They were cleaning the room and it would be ready in 15 minutes. Perfect! We browsed through the cute shops and made quick friends with another staff in the boutique shop. She showed eager interest in our experiences in the hill country because she would like to move this way.
After dropping stuff off, taking a stroll around Marfa and happening across a cute photobooth set up outside an art studio, we headed to our room to lounge. Then, we boogied to get showered and ready for the concert at El Cosmico. I love the cute little bathrooms with vintage tiny sinks and wooden windows that open right up. [insert uber-fantastic, thrilling Railroad Revival Tour concert with Old Crow Medicine Band, Mumford & Sons, and Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros. I die.]
After a fantastic show, we brought a bottle of wine down to the patio and enjoyed the cool weather and beautiful lighting. Then, a strange and random occurance brought us to a party happening elsewhere in the hotel in the biggest room I daresay Hotel Paisano has. It included a kitchenette, grand living room with fireplace, huge terrace patio (bigger than our entire room), master bedroom, half bath, full bath and sun room turned into another bedroom with two full cots. Wow. That was fun! :)
Some other fun perks are the free coffee and apples set up in the lobby daily and an indoor pool. Loved my time here.Listed in: West Texas Takeover
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Review from Lauren A.
Los Angeles, CA
8/9/2011
The rooms were fine but I think it was overpriced. The staff was rude and not helpful.
Marfa overall was pretentious and kinda rubbed me the wrong way. -
Review from Jay K.
Carrollton, TX
4/17/2011
Stayed here for three nights in March. It is the only game in town, unless you don't mind outside entrances into hotel rooms. The hotel itself is beautiful - meaning the lobby, the floors, ceilings and the courtyard just calls you to sit for hours.
The room itself (we were in room 230 with a huge balcony) were only okay. The carpets were dirty as was the bedspread. The bed was comfortable, but has dirty as the carpet and bedspread was, we tried not to think about the bed.
We knew what we were getting into, that it was an old hotel and it was only desirable because the crew of Giant stayed there - which is why we decided to stay there - and in any minor or major metro area, they would be lucky to get $59 a night for their rooms. We paid $139/night. Again though, we wanted to stay there because of the history.
We made this our daily launching point for visitst to Big Bend National Park and it was situation just right for that (assuming you like driving, which we were fine with). So we would stay there again, only for two reasons: 1 - the local restaurants (hard to believe, I know, but true) and 2 - location. There is a new Hampton Inn and Suites in Alpine, but we saw very few places to get a meal or go to a store if you needed something in Alpine.
If you don't care about these two things, you'll be sorely disappointed with the hotel. Oh, before I forget, the house cleaning. I think the maids are employed only to change the towels and make the bed. The bathroom itself wasn't cleaned while we stayed in the room, evidenced by spots and hair on/in the sink and towels left from that morning's showers. And, the hotel isn't staffed between 10pm and 7am. In fact, the doors were left wide open so anyone could access the hotel.
The pool - didn't get in it. The painting on the pool floor and the area looks great, but I can't say they were maintaining it. It was filthy. Having a pool at home I know how a well maintained pool should look - this wasn't it, so don't get your hopes up. -
Review from Kris K.
Fort Worth, TX
3/31/2011
Beautiful and charming hotel. I spent hours sitting on the patio! Quiet, out of the way, and a beautiful building, this hotel is right across from the courthouse and within walking distance of the bookstore, galleries, and an awesome bar. There's also a bar adjacent to the hotel patio.
The room was a bit rustic, but the balcony patio more than made up for it. A bit pricey for what it is, but I'd definitely stay there again. -
Review from Felecia I.
Austin, TX
7/18/2010
What a gorgeous old hotel! We didn't stay here, only stopped by for a look.
Their lobby has comfortable furniture for lounging on, making it a great place to escape from the summer sun. There's no air-conditioning down here so the windows and doors are wide open. With breezes coming in, it's really quite cool inside. The staff didn't seem to mind that we parked ourselves here to rest awhile.
Did you know that the cast of "Giant" stayed here during filming? The hotel has a whole wall of autographed photos. There's also a small room dedicated to all things "Giant": old press articles & photos, and souvenirs (mostly featuring James Dean) for sale. The absolute best part is the area set up like a screening room: you can turn on the "Giant" movie yourself, settle back on the leather chairs and watch the whole thing in comfort. It's free. And a fantastic way to spend a brutally hot afternoon while getting a taste of old West Texas. -
Review from Shelly L.
6/1/2010 1 photo
We stayed at Hotel Paisano after two nights of camping and it was a refreshing change of pace. The historic hotel has a charming atmosphere and the rooms are full of character. Most suites give you access to a rooftop patio the overlooks the pool or town. And, they have super comfy patio furniture.
We had a suite with a king bed and sleeper sofa. Be forewarned, their sofas need some TLC. Ours was actually duct taped on the bottom so it wouldn't collapse - not what I was expecting from a room I paid $200 for. My friend ended up folding up the couch and sleeping on the cushions instead because it just wasn't sleepable no matter how tired you were.
It's a cool hotel that's worth checking out - it just needs a little love. -
Review from Larry M.
Austin, TX
4/12/2007 6 photos
This restored relic from the 1930s is best known for where Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean lived while filming GIANT.
Partially due to its location in the center of town, partially due to its history, Hotel Paisano retains old-school chill better than the Thunderbird Hotel and all its hipness.
Excellent patio with fountain for drinks when the hot sun goes down, and during the day, the cold stone floor mixed with shadowy environs from the lobby to the rooms makes it a great place to get your nap on.
Jett's Grill, adjacent to the lobby, is a staple with a great bar when other restaurants are closed.
A nice step back in time. -
Review from Kelty G.
12/1/2008
Let's get this out in the open - the Hotel Paisano is a *historic* hotel. Usually when I say this, it means that the lobby is beautiful and grand, but the rooms are scary and old and the hotel is resting on its laurels. However, when I am referring to the Paisno, what this means is the hotel
has a cool lobby and courtyard and the rooms are slightly more modern than most historic hotels, but it's best not to go in with boutique hotel expectations. Let me explain:
The room we stayed in, a Mezzanine Patio Room, had its own patio with a fireplace. The furnishings in the room were modern, nice, and clean but the bathroom could use a little TLC to bring it up to speed with the rest of the room. However, assuming that you spend more of your time in the room and on the patio, the bathroom situation is not out of control, it's just out of date.
The Paisano has an awesome courtyard that adjoins the main lobby and the hotel restaurant (Jett's Grill). The courtyard boasts lots of seating, chimineas so you can have your own personal fire, and wireless internet access. The hotel is in close proximity to two popular Marfa restaurants - Maiya's (about three doors down) and Squeeze Marfa (around the corner).
While I have not stayed there, I assume that the Thunderbird Hotel may be more modern than the Paisano, but the Paisano is steeped in history, gives you the option of your own personal fireplace, and is located a little closer to all of the action. I would definitely stay there again. -
Review from david k.
Los Angeles, CA
12/14/2009
I went to Texas to get away. This was sort of the town to do it in. A sort of Carmel of Texas; lots of art galleries, top shelf restaurants, and scenery.
The hotel is a historical landmark most famously filmed in "Giant". Its all over the lobby, James Dean, L. Taylor, Hudson and cowboys. I didn't see any cowboys there.
The rooms are kept in an original state. So be ready for some charm. All the bed sheets are clean and furniture new and artsy. Sort of Texan modern. Lot of raw steel being used. I got to know the maintenance guy a bit, as its an old building. No big surprises, but if you're not a handy person, its a put off. Luckily, I travel with my multi tool. As for the bed, it was way too soft for me. It was like sleeping on tofu, but a caveat to my opinion on beds. I sleep on Asian style mats, which is built like a boxing mat. So, any bed giving an inch is soft ...
There is a nice pool, good restaurant, free wi fi, small flat screen, and very nice outdoor patio. The summer nights everyone can enjoy live local music. Staff was very helpful and friendly.
For a first time visit, the Paisano was fun. I think there are other places in town that could use a try as well. -
Review from Kristin F.
Austin, TX
7/17/2009
Hotel Paisano was a great experience. As you walk in you see the mosaics on the walls, old saltio tile on the floor and many pictures of James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor from a movie shot decades ago.
It almost feels kind of like a giant bed and breakfast. You pick up an "old fashioned" key at the front desk when you check in (I can't remember the last time I used a real key at a hotel). The doors are similar to old bedroom doors, with little sound proofing. I can't remember if there was a TV or not, but you don't need it with a fireplace on the patio, says the pyromaniac.
There is a restaurant and bar with a great patio with a fountain and wonderful chimneys. It was a little challenging to get more wood from the staff, but again this is coming from a semi-pyro.
All and all this was a wonderful night stay. Very romantic and relaxing.Listed in: West Texas
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Review from James C.
San Francisco, CA
11/16/2007
Beautiful hotel with a rich and interesting history. We stayed here after the Thunderbird screwed us over by losing our reservation and going home early.
One note: The patio room we stayed in had a nice patio with a fireplace and firelog, but no way to light it. We had no matches, no lighter, and most of Marfa closes around 9pm. I even searched through the hotel lobby and lounge cabinets; found lots of candles, but no fire. We didn't get to enjoy the fireplace, but the rest of the stay was quite pleasant. -
Review from Robin C.
Austin, TX
Updated - 7/16/2008
Okay, so after 3 nights at the Paisano, I feel bad about the "cuter town" comment. I still give the Paisano 3 stars because I think it's just average, but wanted to add that having a drink in the courtyard at twilight is a definite must.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/12/2008
Straddling the fine line between "vintage" and "run-down". Tiny bathroom has cool vintage details… Read more »
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Review from Snowden B.
Austin, TX
8/19/2010
Not impressed; won't be back.
We stayed for a Monday and Tuesday night in August, which is definitely Marfa's off-season--lots of local attractions closed either for that part of the week or for much of the month--so weren't expecting much. Unfortunately, we got even less. We had a second-floor room with a shared veranda that overlooked the courtyard (nice spot for the morning coffee, and the sound of the fountain below helped offset the train noise at night, which no place in town can do much of anything about). The only thing we asked for when we booked was peace and quiet, and the manager who took our reservation assured us that the adjoining room was unbooked for the nights we'd be there, so we wouldn't have to actually share the veranda and we'd have the privacy and relaxation we were looking for.
Sadly, our fellow guests had other ideas. On the first morning, someone thought it was a funny joke to pound on a neighboring door shouting "Housekeeping" at 7:00 am, sending us scrambling for the "Privacy Please" sign and giggling "Sorry, just kidding" when we hung it out. We'd have gone right back to sleep if it weren't for the fact that a scaffolding was soon being assembled in the courtyard, with attendant clanging and banging--wakey, wakey! On the second night, we were kept up past 2:00 am by guests in two neighboring rooms who somehow mistook Marfa on a Tuesday in August for South Padre during Spring Break--loudly conversing and drinking on the balconies, despite our repeated requests to keep it down; leaving hallway doors open and walking back and forth between rooms while making no attempt to keep their voices down. When we confronted the other guests again at 1:00 am and asked them to please, for the love of god, cut it out, the response was (in one room) a nasty denial that they were doing anything objectionable, and (in the other) "Oh, sorry dude" followed by no actual change in behavior. (They still had beer left, so I guess that means they were required by law to keep partying.)
No phone in our room meant we had to get dressed to walk down to the lobby and find there was no night manager on duty, just a sign with "emergency numbers" next to the phone. The voicemail we left at the front desk contact number was neither returned, nor acted on, nor acknowledged when we checked out the next day. (Which we did on the early side, having been woken by the handyman using a power sander on another neighboring room's doorframe at 8:00 am.) It was only when we said we'd had a horrible night that the manager checking us out said "Oh, that message was from you, then." At our insistence, she discounted the room, but no apology of any sort was offered, and we left feeling like they couldn't have cared less that we'd been there in the first place, or that we wouldn't be coming back.
The other amenities don't make up for the bad attitude of the management, either, by the way--let me enumerate a few: The smallest TV I've ever seen in a hotel room and the lack of power outlets in the closet-sized bathroom and tiny bedroom are not surprising for a historic hotel, but might dissuade some prospective guests. There was a sandwich bag actually floating in the pool, plus (bonus!) a waterlogged used bandage sitting on its edge. A hotel employee swimming in it at the time freely admitted to having just tossed his friend's soaking-wet dog into the pool for a laugh. The day and early-evening desk staff could hardly be bothered to provide directions or details on local attractions when those were requested--a lot of shrugging was involved--and the in-house restaurant waitstaff must require a cash advance to crack a smile. An older couple checking out around the same time as us said they'd been given a room at the far end of the hall, hadn't heard the noise, and had enjoyed a quiet stay. Guess they got the room we were hoping for when we originally called.
Honestly, we don't expect a ticker-tape parade for booking a weeknight stay during the dog days of summer, and we take no joy in leaving such a cruddy review. But we do so in the hope that future visitors will adjust their expectations, and that maybe the owners will consider just shutting down for the month of August if they've got maintenance to do and can't muster the energy to be cordial to their guests. -
Review from STEVE C.
Seattle, WA
1/24/2010
If this place did not have an old shell around it, it would be a one-star hotel, which is actually what it is once you leave the lobby. Staff are not helpful. It is really physically hard to carry luggage up the stairs and all the way down a long hall, only to reach a very ordinary room for $135 per night. It turns out that the night I wanted to have a drink and eat dinner in their restaurant, they were closed for a private party and would not serve me. Marfa is an interesting artistic stop in West Texas and some of the overpriced shops were worthwhile perusing, but I would recommendn staying in Alpine instead.
