A secluded retreat in the heart of Hochatown
By Natalie Embry
Spring is a magical time of year that draws us outside as flowers bloom, trees come back to life, and nature reawakens from its winter hibernation. With that reawakening, spring brings an intensely busy season filled with school trips, baseball tournaments, dance recitals, and hectic end-of-school-year events. Though summer break is close, sometimes a quick getaway is needed to take a deep breath of fresh air. While North Texas likes to show off with gorgeous blooming wildflowers and beautifully warm days as springtime rolls around, there’s nothing quite like spring in the Broken Bow and Hochatown area of Oklahoma.
Right at three hours from Frisco, nestled in the foothills of Southeast Oklahoma’s Kiamichi Mountains and surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest, the Broken Bow and Hochatown area is among this part of Oklahoma’s most popular destinations. To clarify, Hochatown is a short ten-minute drive north of Broken Bow on Highway 259, so the area is often simply referred to as “Broken Bow.” However, visitors will find most of the area’s most popular activities and cabins in the immediate Hochatown area.
With majestic pine trees, rolling hills, and (multiple!) pristine bodies of water perfect for fishing, boating, canoeing, and swimming opportunities – it truly is an escape. In addition, the area’s camping, golfing, hiking, and trail riding attract some 2,000,000 visitors annually. As this destination has grown increasingly popular in recent years, many discover that the most popular accommodation sought in Broken Bow is a rental cabin of your own. Visitors often find there’s never a shortage of things to do in this small slice of outdoorsy heaven, though if you find the right cabin – it might just be so good you might not want to leave at all during your stay.
Does such a place exist, though? Oh yes, my friends, it certainly does, and the best part is that you can reserve it for you and your spouse alone or invite three to four more families to experience an unforgettable weekend with you in a little (ok, big) slice of heaven called The Vineyard.
Owners of Glamcations luxury properties, Marty and Monica Wood of Frisco began building luxury cabins (homes) in Hochatown in 2010 and have since perfected their style. They fully understand that creating a getaway surrounded by nature doesn’t mean sacrificing style and luxury. The Woods have spent time perfecting every detail, from the sketches to selecting every piece of furniture that goes into the homes they build, and their cabin, The Vineyard truly is one of a kind.
My best friend and favorite travel companion Hannah and I recently headed northeast to experience The Vineyard for ourselves. From the time we entered the gated property and drove down the private road to the secluded cabin, we knew this wouldn’t be a typical Broken Bow experience. One of the best things about this area, though, is that you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, but in reality, you’re about five minutes from “town.”
We were absolutely in awe of The Vineyard’s grandeur as we drove up. Even from the car, the oversized glass and wrought iron front doors offered a glimpse into its opulence. Every aspect of every room in this custom-built and designed haven was designed to bring the outside in, and the Woods knocked that aspect out of the park in every way possible. As we entered, we were enveloped in The Vineyard’s luxurious and tranquil atmosphere, complete with sweeping views of the piney woods through the three huge vertically sliding glass doors that line the back wall of the main living space.
When we could finally take our eyes off of the incredible view in front of us, we were greeted with complimentary champagne and a welcome placard with instructions and tidbits of information for our stay on the expansive bar in the chef-inspired kitchen. Did we add a floating charcuterie board to our booking? Why, absolutely, we did, and it was so gorgeous we hardly wanted to even touch it! (Visitors can add this fabulous addition to their booking as part of a concierge service.) In that incredible kitchen, a custom brass range steals the spotlight, and the space is outfitted with top-of-the-line commercial appliances and a spacious sub-zero fridge.
Guests often pack groceries to stock the kitchen during their stay, make a grocery run on the way to Broken Bow, or they can even have groceries and meals delivered as part of that above-mentioned concierge service. Adjacent to the kitchen lies a dreamy pantry and laundry room, where the chore of laundry becomes a breeze with two sets of HE stackable front-loading machines.
The indoor living area is incredibly inviting and comfortable, with ample seating centered around a stunning, design-forward fireplace. Those floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors are the star of the show in this space, seamlessly merging the indoors with the outdoors and all but pulling us outside, allowing us to take in the breathtaking view of the pond out back.
Full disclosure: The Vineyard’s outdoor living area was where we spent most of our time during our stay, as this beautiful space was the prime spot for both relaxation and entertainment. With the plush seating area complete with a TV, an extra-long gas fire table, a giant life-sized chess board, a grilling area, and a dining table with seating for ten, there’s literally something for everyone. Oh…and? There’s a pool…and a hot tub. And it’s gorgeous. (Cue floating charcuterie board!) Just down from the pool is a fire pit area with chairs perfect for a late-night s’more after an evening’s fun winds down.
That gorgeous pond I mentioned earlier is stocked, so be sure to pack your fishing pole while relaxing on the dock and enjoying those views. If it’s more your style, you can grab one of the yoga mats inside and take it to the dock to relax, breathe, and take in the beautiful scenery around you. The outdoor living area and back of the property are truly a haven for guests to do as much or as little as they please amidst the incredibly scenic backdrop of Broken Bow.
Though we spent plenty of time outdoors while there, The Vineyard’s indoor entertainment options are plentiful as well. It offers multiple areas for everyone to gather together or do their own thing! Everyone will have something to do indoors, whether the group decides on movie night or game night. The cinema-designed media room with a popcorn machine is the perfect place for a movie, or guests can spend an evening hanging in the adult game room, complete with its own big-screen TV, shuffleboard table, ping pong table, and full wet bar.
Designed with families in mind, boasting five oversized primary bedrooms, The Vineyard’s accommodations leave nothing to be desired, offering unequaled comfort and luxury. Four king en-suites on the ground floor provide sanctuaries for rest and relaxation, no matter which you choose for your own. We called one of the downstairs primary suites home during our stay, and the linens and towels at The Vineyard are as luxurious as the design of the cabin and rivaled those of any fine hotel in which I’ve ever stayed.
An additional king primary bedroom upstairs boasts a daybed next to a bunkroom adorned with three queen beds and three twin custom-made trundle beds. The home has five full bathrooms and one half bathroom. The upper level also features a ping-pong table, an arcade gaming system, and plenty of space for the kids to hang out, offering even more entertainment options for everyone. The bunkroom’s private balcony is the perfect vantage point for witnessing mesmerizing sunsets over the horizon.
While it seems impossible to imagine leaving such a serene and secluded paradise to seek further adventure, as I mentioned earlier, the area is teeming with activities and plenty of restaurant options should your crew decide to venture off property during your stay. A highlight of the area is Beavers Bend State Park – a gorgeous state park surrounding the southwestern end of Broken Bow Lake full of outdoor fun where visitors can hike, fish, and rent kayaks or boats. The lake has crystal clear water and coves great for exploring. Whether it’s a Tiki Boat Tour on Broken Bow Lake, a zip line adventure at Rugaru Adventures, or hanging with furry friends at the Hochatown Petting Zoo, The Vineyard has a guidebook visitors can reference, complete with suggestions of things to do in the area, great restaurants, and other helpful information.
The Vineyard, nestled in the prestigious development of Woodland Hills, stands in a league of its own when it comes to luxury with a contemporary yet comfortable and design-forward style. There really aren’t enough words to describe its magnificence, comfort, and levels of convenience, entertainment, and true relaxation. We started planning our next trip the second we turned off the property as we sadly said goodbye and truly can’t wait to return with our families as The Vineyard promises a staycation experience like no other.
Many visitors visit the Broken Bow/Hochatown area a couple of times a year, though some choose to make it a more permanent part of their lives by purchasing or building a cabin or home in the area. Such an endeavor can prove daunting, which is why Ms. Woods can serve as an incredible resource for anyone considering a Broken Bow oasis. A Real Estate Broker who specializes in the Hochatown area, Ms. Woods has the knowledge and proven experience to build from the ground up and puts her expertise to work while guiding and helping others duplicate such experiential cabins and homes in the area.
The Vineyard is managed by The Hills Cabins – a luxury portfolio of custom cabins. For more information or to book your stay, visit glamcations.com.
Natalie Embry is a photographer at Frisco STYLE Magazine who is obsessed with her black Labrador furbaby Goose and traveling any time she can.
