Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabrina Thomas.
Hi Sabrina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey began long before I stepped into a professional kitchen or resort. I grew up in a large Italian family where the table was the heartbeat of the home. Every milestone, no matter how small, was an excuse to gather. From a young age, I learned that true hospitality isn’t just a service, it’s a feeling. It’s the understanding that anyone who walks through your door is family, greeted with a hug, a kiss, and a glass of wine.
After pursuing a degree in Therapeutic Recreation at Georgia Southern, I found myself interning at the Paralympic Training Facility in Birmingham. Then, the pandemic hit. Like so many others, I went home with a heavy heart and an uncertain future. That uncertainty led me to Driftwood, Texas, where my Uncle Damian offered me a seat at the table and a job at Trattoria Lisina.
What was intended to be a two-month stay turned into a two-year immersion back into my roots. I fell in love with hospitality all over again. That passion fueled my next chapters: opening The Supper Club of Wimberley and The Videre Estate.
Eventually, I felt the pull to explore a new side of the industry. That’s when I found Outdoorsy. When I first met the founders, Jeff and Jen, they showed me a raw, breathtaking 34-acre slice of heaven in Stonewall. They shared their vision, we immediately hit it off, and I knew I had found my next home as the General Manager of Outdoorsy Hill Country. Today, I’m proud to be part of bringing that “slice of heaven” to life, blending my lifelong love of gathering with the beauty of the Texas Hill Country. We have been creating lifelong memories for guests for over two years now!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The primary challenge, and the most rewarding one, has been the sheer pace of innovation. Working with founders like Jeff and Jen is an incredible experience; they are high-level creative visionaries who see the “what’s next” long before it exists. My role was to take those expansive dreams and execute them on the ground, and we did so at lightning speed.
In a little over a year, we transformed 34 acres of raw land into a world-class destination featuring 22 luxury tents, a 2,200-square-foot event center, and a full-service bar. Building a project of this scale from the ground up in such a short window naturally brings a unique set of pressures: logistics, timelines, and the inevitable surprises that come with developing land.
However, it was the “good kind of stress.” It’s the type of pressure that keeps you energized and constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. When you’re working with a team this passionate, the hurdles don’t feel like roadblocks, they feel like milestones. Seeing a raw “slice of heaven” turn into a bustling retreat in months rather than years is a testament to the power of a shared vision and a lot of Outdoorsy grit.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Success, for us, is about more than just a booking; it’s about becoming a landmark in our guests’ personal histories.
Outdoorsy Hill Country is a 34-acre “luxury glamping retreat” nestled in the heart of Stonewall, Texas. While our parent brand, The Outdoorsy Group, is globally recognized as the leading RV rental marketplace, this property is our first flagship luxury destination in Texas. We specialize in “slowcations”—immersive outdoor experiences that don’t require you to sacrifice an ounce of comfort.
What truly distinguishes us is the fusion of rugged adventure and refined Hill Country hospitality. We feature 22 all-season luxury canvas safari tents that feel more like five-star hotel suites than camping gear. Each tent is a sanctuary, complete with king-size beds, climate control, and private bathrooms featuring rain showers and custom premium products from the local San Saba Soap Company.
We’ve anchored the property with locally sourced Texas limestone and built it around a stunning spring-fed watering hole where guests can fish or simply watch the local wildlife. Whether you’re grabbing a latte at our on-site cafe, sharing a bottle of Hill Country wine at our outdoor bar under the live oaks, or hiking our private trails, every inch of the property is designed to help you disconnect from the noise and reconnect with nature.
Brand-wise, I am most proud of how we’ve managed to maintain a “raw” feel while providing an elevated experience. We are situated right on the famous Texas Wine Trail, making us the perfect home base for exploring Fredericksburg or Luckenbach, but many of our guests find it hard to leave the property at all.
What I want readers to know is that Outdoorsy Hill Country isn’t just a place to sleep, it’s a place to gather. From our Event Barn that hosts dream weddings up to 200 guests to our fire pits where families share stories under the stars, we are in the business of community. As I often say, we provide the “slice of heaven,” and we just keep adding seats to the table. Whether you’re a “bluebonnet hunter,” a “star-gazer,” or just someone looking for a restoration that only time in nature can provide, we have a spot waiting for you.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
In the world of luxury hospitality, there are countless metrics for success, but I’ve always found that the most meaningful ones can’t be found on a spreadsheet. In an era where travelers have endless options, I believe our success is best measured by the physical tokens of gratitude we receive like the handwritten cards, the personal feedback, and the guests who become regulars.
We greet everyone who steps onto our 34 acres with the highest level of Southern Hospitality, but the true ‘win’ happens in the quiet moments. It’s when a bride, at the end of a year of stressful planning, tells us our team made her wedding a day she will cherish forever. Or when a guest enjoys their stay so much they immediately book a family reunion for their grandfather’s 80th birthday. When someone trusts us with their most precious milestones, I know we’ve done more than just provide a service; we’ve created an experience they feel compelled to share. To me, that is the ultimate success: when a guest enters as a stranger and leaves as part of the family.
Pricing:
- $150-$450/per night
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hill-country.outdoorsy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdoorsyhillcountry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Outdoorsy-Hill-Country/61559355360555/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/outdoorsy-hill-country-stonewall
