Why We Built a Non-Toxic Retreat in Austin
Updated: 1 day ago
Looking for a non-toxic hotel in Austin? The Wayback is a collection of 8 private cottages in Westlake Hills, 15 minutes west of downtown, rated GWE Gold Star by Girls Who Eat, their top tier for non-toxic hotels. Water is filtered across the property, the sheets are organic cotton, the pool is saltwater and the café cooks with Texas olive oil and butter.
Most guests never ask what laundry detergent we use, whether the water is filtered, what kind of paint is on the walls, or where the olive oil in the kitchen comes from.
What they do tell us is that The Wayback feels different. More comfortable. More restorative. More health-conscious.
These are all connected.
From the very beginning, our goal wasn't simply to build a beautiful place to stay. We wanted to create a place that felt good to be in. That meant paying attention to details that many guests may never consciously notice, but experience all the same.
Rated GWE Gold Star by Girls Who Eat
Girls Who Eat vets hotels against 12 non-toxic standards. The Wayback earned their GWE Gold Star, the top tier, meeting 10 of the 12:
No synthetic fragrance in the cottages or common spaces.
No synthetic fragrance in the bath products. Cottages stock San Saba Soap Co. soap, shampoo and conditioner.
Natural fiber bedding and towels. Organic cotton sheets, linens from Under the Canopy and Honest Cotton robes.
Non-toxic cleaning products. Natural, eco-friendly detergents for laundry and housekeeping.
Water filtration. Filtered water across the property.
A natural, low-tox pool. Saltwater instead of a traditional chlorine pool.
A seed-oil-free kitchen. The Wayback Café cooks with Texas olive oil and butter.
Seasonal, local food. Farm-to-table menus built from Texas farms.
Refillable, plastic-free amenities.
Sustainable practices. Including more than 300 heritage live oaks kept on the property.
Every Decision Matters
When we started designing The Wayback, we found ourselves asking questions that didn't always have obvious answers. What should our guests sleep in? What products should we use to clean the cottages? How should we filter our water? What ingredients belong in our kitchen? How could we preserve the natural beauty of the property while building something that would last for generations?
Each answer led to another thoughtful decision. Over time, those decisions became the foundation of what The Wayback is today.
A Different Way to Think About Hospitality
The word "non-toxic" means different things to different people. For us, it has always been about intention. It means choosing natural materials whenever possible, filtering the water across the entire property, using thoughtfully selected cleaning products throughout our cottages, opting for a saltwater pool instead of a traditional chlorine pool, cooking with Texas olive oil and butter while sourcing ingredients from farms across the state, and preserving more than 300 heritage live oaks because they are part of what makes this place feel special.
None of these choices happened by accident. Each one reflects the kind of experience we wanted our guests to have.
Luxury Lives in the Details
Real hospitality isn't defined by one grand feature.
It's found in the feeling of climbing into crisp cotton sheets after a long day, filling your water bottle before heading out to explore Austin, sitting beneath the oak trees with a glass of wine as the sun begins to set, and enjoying a meal at The Wayback Café made with ingredients that were thoughtfully sourced.
Individually, these moments may seem small. Together, they shape an experience.
Built With Care
In May 2026, Non-Toxic Travel Made Simple, a travel publication dedicated to non-toxic living, featured The Wayback and called it one of the most intentional stays they have reviewed.
We were honored by the recognition, not because it highlighted a list of products, but because it recognized something we've believed since day one.
Hospitality is an accumulation of small decisions. The guest may never notice every one of them. They shouldn't have to.
Our job is simply to make each stay feel effortless, comfortable, and memorable. That's the kind of place we've always hoped to build.
And it's the kind of place worth returning to.
FAQ
Is The Wayback a non-toxic hotel?
Yes. Girls Who Eat rated The Wayback GWE Gold Star, their top tier for non-toxic hotels, meeting 10 of their 12 standards. Water is filtered across the entire property, cottages have organic cotton sheets and San Saba Soap Co. products, the pool is saltwater instead of chlorine, the café cooks with Texas olive oil and butter, and the rooms and bath products have no synthetic fragrance.
Where is The Wayback?
9601 Bee Cave Rd, Austin, TX 78733, in Westlake Hills. It is about 15 minutes west of downtown Austin.
Is there a pool?
Yes. The Wayback has a saltwater pool with a cabana, set among the oaks and the lawn.
Is breakfast available?
Cottage Breakfast Delivery is $26 (plus tax and 20% gratuity), Wednesday through Friday, delivered 8:30 to 9 am: quiche Lorraine, a Greek yogurt parfait and a sweet treat. On weekends the café serves breakfast and brunch from 9 am.
Which cottage is best for accessibility?
Cottage 7 is ADA accessible with a walk-in shower.
Stay at The Wayback
The Wayback has 8 private cottages plus the Nook, a café and craft bar, a saltwater pool and an oak grove, 15 minutes from downtown Austin. Condé Nast Traveler named it one of the best boutique hotels in Austin. Cottages 5 through 8 have Hill Country views, and Cottage 8 has a gas fireplace and kitchenette. Planning the trip? Start with our guide to a Hill Country getaway near Austin.
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