A Preview · The Island Local Guide
Every guest who books direct with North Shore Vacation Rentals receives the complete Island Guide — pools, spa, marina, dining, sunset views, and every insider tip for the only island address on Lake Travis.
The full Island Guide covers every amenity, pool, boat ramp, dining option, and practical tip. These are the eight pieces of insider knowledge that change how guests experience the property.
Two outdoor pools — but Pool #1 has the superior lake view and afternoon light. Confirmed by multiple TripAdvisor reviews. The indoor heated pool with sauna makes The Island a legitimate winter destination — "very nice, with sauna and gym — I should have spent more time there." Monthly winter rental rates are available, and Texas hotel tax exemption kicks in at 30+ nights.
Local TipNot all Island units face the lake. Some face the pool courtyard; others face open water toward Pace Bend. For the best sunset, request floors 3–4, west-facing. Verify with your host before booking — this detail isn't always in the listing. The pool deck also faces the lake — position yourself there 30 minutes before sunset for the full golden-hour progression.
Ask Your HostThe island's courtyards and BBQ areas become a gentle wildlife encounter every evening around sunset. This is the moment guests mention most as a surprise delight. Evening walk → fire up the grill → sunset over Pace Bend → deer in the courtyard. The perimeter path along the west shore is the most photographic walk on the property. Stargazing from this path is exceptional — 40+ minutes from Austin's light pollution.
Local TipThe Island is 30–45 minutes from major grocery. Guests who stock their kitchen on arrival day describe the isolation as a feature. Guests who don't find it limiting by day two. Stop at H-E-B in Lakeway or Leander on the way from the airport. Brookshire Brothers in Lago Vista covers basics (their deli's fried chicken and Heavenly Bread Pudding are worth knowing about). CVS is 5 minutes outside the gate.
CriticalThe beloved local coffee shop closed permanently. Its replacement (Sticky Fingers Cafe) also closed. The best morning coffee is now Solstice Coffee + Cocktails in Jonestown (~10 min) — from the team behind Austin's Odd Duck and Whisler's. Craft coffee by day, cocktails by night, rotating food trucks, design-forward space with a second-story patio.
Updated 2026Rebranded under new ownership (2022) with a Michelin-trained executive chef. Tuscan-inspired farm-to-table at an 80-acre winery estate with 400+ awards. Wood-fired pizza, lasagne, bacon-wrapped quail, estate wines. Reservations recommended for the dining room. Thu–Sun only. Also: 18-hole disc golf through the vineyards, picnic packs ($65), and a butterfly garden. ~18 minutes from The Island.
Updated 2026"The layout of the property is confusing — rooms don't seem to be in numerical order." Multiple guests confirm this. Study the complex map in your check-in materials when you arrive during daylight. The elevator bank is your primary landmark. Coded door locks throughout — no physical key needed. Underground parking keeps your car cool all week. Glass elevators from the garage to every floor.
Arrival TipBoth boat ramps have strict lake level requirements. The main ramp operates between 666'–679' MSL; the low water ramp is usable below 658'. When the lake drops significantly, "the lake around The Island was about dry." Always verify at LCRA.org before hauling a trailer or booking a boat rental. Water shoes are essential — zebra mussels on all submerged surfaces can cause serious cuts to bare feet.
Check Before You Go"Great condo with everything you could ask for and the absolute perfect sunsets. The physical separation from the mainland creates a psychological reset that other lake properties don't quite replicate."Combined guest reviews · TripAdvisor & Vrbo
The complete Island Guide — with every pool, spa, boat ramp, dining review, and the insider knowledge that took years to learn — is included free with every direct booking.
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