Spend the Night in a Dome Under the Stars at This Texas Retreat

Most hotel rooms advertise their thread counts or their view of the pool. The Stardome Suite at The Retreat on the Hill—formerly known as Hozhoni on the Hill—advertises something different: a five-billion-star view.

The transparent dome sits 101 feet above Horseshoe Bay, offering 360-degree panoramas of the Texas Hill Country and unobstructed access to the night sky.

It’s glamping taken to its logical extreme—sleeping under the stars without actually sleeping outside.

It’s the kind of place where you can watch the Milky Way wheel overhead while technically being indoors, where sunrise and sunset become the main event, and where “unplugging” doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort.

For couples seeking romance, astronomy enthusiasts chasing dark skies, or anyone who’s ever wanted to fall asleep watching meteors streak across the heavens, this translucent bubble delivers something genuinely rare.

Where The Retreat on the Hill Is Located

A Hilltop Between Two Lakes

The Retreat on the Hill occupies what may be the best vantage point in the Highland Lakes region.

Located in Cottonwood Shores, a small community between Marble Falls and Horseshoe Bay, the property sits on the tallest hilltop in the area, providing unobstructed 360-degree views of both Lake LBJ and Lake Marble Falls.

The drive from downtown Austin takes about an hour, heading northwest through the Hill Country. San Antonio is roughly the same distance.

For visitors from Dallas or Houston, it’s a few hours but still easily manageable for a weekend escape.

The address is 4325 Cottonwood Drive, Cottonwood Shores, TX 78657.

The Glampominium Concept

The property’s signature structure is the “Glampominium”—a three-story complex built from stacked shipping containers supporting multiple luxury accommodations. The Stardome Suite perches at the very top.

Designer Marley Porter—former tribal architect to the Navajo Nation and creator of Austin’s One World Theatre—designed the on-site wedding chapel, a fabric and steel tipi hovering over a stone monolith called The Rock of Faith.

Beyond the Glampominium, The Retreat has expanded to include cliff houses, tipis, a mirror house with one-way glass walls, and an A-frame called “Wings.” But the Stardome remains the flagship experience.

Inside the Stardome Suite

Sleeping Under a Transparent Canopy

The Stardome is exactly what it sounds like: a clear geodesic dome positioned for maximum sky exposure.

The transparent panels provide unobstructed views of the night sky, the surrounding Hill Country, and spectacular sunsets over the lakes below.

Inside, a king bed with luxury linens sits positioned for stargazing without leaving the mattress.

Climate control keeps the space comfortable year-round—critical in Texas, where summer temperatures can make any enclosed transparent structure dangerously hot.

(Pro tip from experienced guests: keep doors closed during the day to maintain AC efficiency, and match interior temperature to outdoor temperature at night to prevent condensation on the dome panels.)

The suite includes WiFi, an Amazon Alexa speaker for music, a telescope for serious sky-watching, and complimentary snacks and drinks.

A mini-fridge, microwave, and Keurig coffee maker handle basic food and beverage needs.

The Private Deck and Outdoor Amenities

Perhaps the most impressive feature isn’t inside the dome at all.

The Stardome comes with a 700-square-foot private deck—substantial outdoor space with a fire pit, two lounge chairs positioned perfectly to catch the sunset, and what the property calls an outdoor “star-soaking” tub.

The private bathroom includes both an indoor shower and an outdoor shower, allowing guests to choose their level of exposure to the elements. A yoga and exercise deck provides space for morning stretches with lake views.

The effect is a self-contained retreat within the larger property.

Guests can spend an entire stay without seeing another person if they prefer, watching the sun set from the fire pit, soaking in the outdoor tub under the stars, and sleeping in the dome as celestial events unfold overhead.

Planning Your Stay

Rates and Reservations

The Stardome Suite rates start at $295 per night on weekdays and $375 on weekends.

Given its popularity—it’s the most sought-after accommodation on the property—reservations should be made well in advance.

The property’s entire booking calendar is typically released for the year, and popular dates fill quickly.

Check-in is at 4:00 PM, allowing arrival in time for sunset. Check-out is at 11:00 AM. Early check-in and late check-out options are available for additional fees.

The property is pet-friendly (confirm specific policies when booking) and provides basic toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, along with complimentary snacks and water.

Accessibility Considerations

The Stardome deck is elevated, accessed via approximately 30 steps.

Guests with mobility concerns should inquire about other accommodation options on the property, several of which offer ground-level or easier access.

A Five-Billion-Star View

The Retreat on the Hill has expanded significantly since its original Hozhoni incarnation, adding cliff houses, mirror houses, and various other unconventional lodging options.

But the Stardome remains the heart of the experience—a transparent bubble where the barrier between indoor comfort and outdoor wonder disappears.

It’s not camping, but it’s not exactly a hotel either.

It’s a place where watching the sky becomes the point, where sunset and sunrise frame each day, and where the stars serve as nightly entertainment.

For those who’ve always wanted to sleep under the stars but prefer a king bed and climate control, this translucent dome delivers—no tent stakes required.