The New Beaver in Town

Buc-ee's is ready to debut its new San Marcos travel center

The new travel center on I-35 will open August 12. (Pictured: A Buc-ee's location in Katy)

Getty Images

Road trips through San Marcos will be changing a lot for some snack-obsessed drivers. The iconic roadside gas station and store Buc-ee's will open its new San Marcos travel center on Wednesday, August 12.

The 74,000-square-foot travel center is located at 3245 N. IH 35 — technical in San Marcos, but right on the edge of Kyle. The public can stop by starting at 6 am, and a ribbon cutting with San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson and County Judge Ruben Becerra marks the occasion at 10 am.

Like other Buc-ee's locations, this one will sell Texas barbecue, kolaches, fudge, fresh pastries, and packaged snacks like the famous Beaver Nuggets, made from puffed cornmeal. There are also 128 fueling positions, and the business will employ more than 200 workers with above-minimum starting pay, benefits, and paid vacation, a press release says.

"The Buc-ee's mantra is 'exceed expectations,' and this San Marcos location is a special step for us in that regard. The San Marcos store will help us provide the ultimate Buc-ee's experience to all I-35 travelers, north and southbound!" said Stan Beard of Buc-ee's.

Buc-ee's, which started in the Houston-area town of Lake Jackson in 1982, is a Texas icon. It has a total of 57 stores in 13 states including Texas.

The San Marcos opening is a bright spot in Buc-ee's current media coverage, which is currently fixated on a lawsuit. Buc-ee's has sued an Ohio mini-mart for an alleged trademark infringement. The spat even caught the attention of comedian and talk show host John Oliver, who discussed it in two episodes of Last Week Tonight With John Oliver that aired July 26 and August 9. Oliver's remarks focused on the store logos, but an official Buc-ee's statement takes issue instead with an Ohio Trade Name Registration.

buc-ee's openings road trip

LUXE VACATIONS

Luxury hotel brings 'Resort Home' travel trend to Barton Creek

Courtesy of Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

One of the Resort Homes at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa features an open-concept living area with views of the surrounding Hill Country.

Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa is bringing a growing luxury travel trend to Austin, introducing six standalone Resort Homes designed for multi-generational vacations, golf getaways, wedding parties, and corporate retreats. Reservations are now open for stays beginning in September, with rates starting at $1,500 per night.

Demand for residential-style lodging is growing as more families, friend groups, and business travelers opt for larger accommodations instead of booking multiple hotel rooms, according to Preferred Hotels & Resorts' 2025 Luxury Travel Trends Forecast. The report also identified wellness travel, immersive local experiences, and slower-paced itineraries among the year's emerging luxury travel trends. In response, luxury hotel brands are increasingly expanding villas, private residences, and other home-style accommodations for travelers seeking more space and flexibility.

Omni's answer comes in the form of six standalone, two-story Resort Homes located less than a mile from the main resort, a 4,000-acre Hill Country property featuring four championship golf courses, the Mokara Spa, and more than 75,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Guests can travel between the homes and the resort using a complimentary six-seat golf cart while enjoying access to the golf courses, restaurants, spa, pools, and other resort amenities.

One of six Resort Homes at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa. The homes, located within the Hill Country resort, start at about $1,500 per night.Courtesy of Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

Each Resort Home offers approximately 2,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space with four bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms, a chef's kitchen, covered patio with barbecue grill, and room for up to 10 guests. Every stay includes a dedicated Resort Home concierge, while optional upgrades such as private chefs, stocked groceries, beverage packages, and celebration décor allow guests to tailor the experience.

The Resort Homes are the latest addition to the Barton Creek property. The property was originally home to the Barton Creek Country Club before Barton Creek Resort was added in 1987. Both the private country club and resort continue to operate today. Omni Hotels & Resorts acquired the property in 2013 and completed a $150 million overhaul in 2019, adding a new hotel tower, expanded meeting space, and additional pools. The updated and expanded Mokara Spa is open to the public and does offer both individual treatments and day passes.

Omni joins a growing list of luxury hospitality brands embracing residential-style accommodations, including Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Auberge Resorts Collection, and Montage.

vacation vacation homes hotels