Historic Borden Retreat: 6BR|Hot Tub|Sauna|Pets OK

Historic 6BR/5.5BA Galveston compound located on the Gail Borden farm site in the Kempner Park neighborhood. The 1895 Borden House & 2023 Carriage House sleeps 16. 8+ vehicle parking.

Private hot tub • Wet/dry sauna • Pets stay free • Level 2 EV charger

Ideal for large families, corporate offsites, church & academic retreats, group vacations, and reunions.

You are 6 blocks from the beach and a short drive from the Strand. Need fewer bedrooms? See our Borden House or Carriage House listings.

The Space
This listing is both homes on one fenced lot: the historic 4-bedroom Gail Borden House (renovated 2023) and the new 2-bedroom Carriage House (built 2023). Each home has its own kitchen, living room, and entrance. You book the entire property.

Step Inside
• Gail Borden House living room with a grand piano
• Classic front porch swing
• Upstairs Living Room/Game Room with board games & poker table
• Full kitchen with premium appliances in each house
• Bathrooms with soaking tubs and walk-in showers
• Carriage House with two ensuite bedrooms and a modern kitchen
• Three living rooms, so the group can split when you want quiet

Step Outside
• Fully fenced resort-style backyard shared by both homes
• 6-person hot tub
• 8-person wet/dry sauna
• Outdoor shower after the beach
• Vision kamado grill — runs on the propane tanks on site or on charcoal — plus a fire pit,
• Two patio seating areas plus a high-top table

Sleeping arrangements (sleeps up to 16)
Gail Borden House (4 bedrooms)
Bedroom 1 (First Floor): Queen bed with ensuite bath
Bedroom 2 (Upstairs): Queen bed
Bedroom 3 (Upstairs): Queen bed
Bedroom 4 (Upstairs): Two twin beds
Upstairs living area: Queen sleeper sofa + Air mattress available on request

Carriage House (2 bedrooms)
Bedroom 5: Queen bed
Bedroom 6: Queen bed
Living room: Queen sleeper sofa

Work & Stay Connected
• Fast WiFi in both homes
• Dedicated workspace
• Level 2 EV charger in the driveway

This stay fits large families, reunions, corporate offsites, church and academic groups, and multi-generational trips. Well-behaved dogs are welcome — up to 2 total.

Your hosts, Terry, Alma, and Eduardo, are Galveston locals. They reply fast and a digital guidebook lists restaurants, beaches, walking tours, and island tips.

Extended Stay Bonuses
We love longer visits and reward them:
7+ nights: $25 gift card to Mario's Ristorante (per guest)
14+ nights: $50 gift card to Rudy & Paco (per guest)

Need a Different Size?
• 2–6 guests who want a standalone cottage: see the Borden Carriage House
• 2 Ensuite bedrooms inside the historic house: see the Borden Ensuites
• Up to 12 guests who want only the historic house: book the Borden House

Pets Welcome
Up to 2 well-behaved dogs stay free. They can use the fully fenced backyard. Please read our pet rules before you book.

Peace of Mind
Booking during hurricane season? We have you covered.

If the National Hurricane Center issues a Tropical Storm Watch or Hurricane Warning for Galveston County within 7 days of your arrival, contact us. You can:
• Move your stay to new dates within 12 months, based on availability. Every payment you made, including your deposit, moves to the new reservation.
• Get a full refund of what you paid (Airbnb processing fees are not included).

This only applies to a watch or warning issued within 7 days of arrival. Long-range forecasts often change. For any other cancel or weather issue, the standard Airbnb policy applies.

Registration Number: GVR-09307

What’s Included
• The entire property — both homes and the shared backyard
• Gail Borden House (4 bedrooms) and Carriage House (2 bedrooms)
• Both full kitchens and both living rooms
• Fenced backyard with hot tub, sauna, outdoor shower, grill, and fire pit
• Private driveway parking for 6+ vehicles
• Level 2 EV charger

What’s Not Included
This is the combined booking. You receive both homes. Other Borden listings are not rented separately while you have the Retreat.

Check-In
Check-in is self-service at both homes. You will get smart lock codes and instructions before you arrive.

Driveway Note
The property sits on a one-way street. Arrival notes will show the right way to reach the double-wide driveway and the Carriage House parking area.

Our level of interaction is up to you. We are always available through the Airbnb App, text or a call away!

Borden Retreat sits in Galveston’s Kempner Park / Midtown Historic District — two homes on one fenced lot. Quiet streets, historic homes, and a short walk to parks make this a calm base for a large-group beach trip. You are minutes from the Seawall, Pleasure Pier, The Strand, UTMB, Moody Gardens, and many restaurants.
Distances
Beach: About 6 blocks (10-minute walk)
Historic Pleasure Pier: About a 15-20-minute walk
The Strand (shopping, dining, nightlife): About a 5-minute drive
Restaurants and bars within half a mile: Brick House, The Spot, and others
Getting There
Galveston is about a 1-hour drive from downtown Houston via I-45 South. The closest major airport is Houston Hobby (HOU), about 50 minutes away. George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) is about 75–90 minutes away. Your exact address is shared after booking, and smart-lock self check-in means no meet-up is needed on arrival.
Major Annual Events
Galveston hosts festivals and events all year. Here are some of the biggest:
Winter
Galveston Museum Weekend — January
Mardi Gras! Galveston — February (Texas's largest Mardi Gras celebration)
Spring
FeatherFest — April (birding and nature photography festival)
Galveston Historic Homes Tour — May (guided tours of private historic homes)
Summer
Juneteenth Festival & Celebration — June
Galveston Island Steampunk Festival — June
Galveston Restaurant Week — dates vary by season
Fall
Galveston Island Shrimp Festival — September
ARToberFEST — October (fine arts festival in the historic downtown arts district)
Galveston Island Greek Festival — October
Winter Holidays
Dickens on The Strand — December (Victorian-era holiday festival)
The Polar Express Train Ride at the Galveston Railroad Museum — mid-November through late December

Parking
Private off-street parking for 6+ vehicles in the double-wide driveway and the dedicated Carriage House parking area. A Level 2 EV charger is in the driveway. The property sits on a one-way street; arrival notes show the correct approach.

On Foot
The neighborhood is easy to walk. The beach is about 6 blocks away (about a 10-minute walk). Parks, coffee shops, and several restaurants are close.

By Car
The Strand is about a 5-minute drive (1.5 miles). Uber and Lyft are easy to find. The Island Trolley runs in peak season.

Is this pet-friendly? YES
Up to 2 well-behaved dogs are welcome with no pet fee. The fenced backyard gives pets room to roam safely.
Are all the home's bedrooms included in this listing? YES
This listing includes the 6 bedrooms, 3 with a private ensuite bath, in both Bordon House and Carriage House. The other 2 bedrooms are locked and reserved for guests booking the full Borden House.
What outdoor amenities are included?
A Sundance 6-person hot tub, a Redwood Outdoors 8-person wet/dry sauna, an outdoor shower, Vision kamado grill — runs on the propane tanks on site or on charcoal — plus a fire pit, and a fully fenced, mud-free synthetic turf yard.
What if there's a tropical storm or hurricane watch?
If the National Hurricane Center issues a Tropical Storm Watch or Hurricane Warning for Galveston County within 7 days of your arrival, you can request a free reschedule (within 12 months) and apply all host-paid funds to your future stay. Any refund of Airbnb processing fees and taxes are at the discretion of Airbnb and are outside of your hosts control. Our standard Airbnb cancellation policy applies to all other situations.
Traveling with a bigger group?
Ask about the neighboring Borden Ensuites (sleeps 4-6), Borden House (sleeps 10) or the full Borden Retreat (sleeps up to 16).

Neighborhood
The home sits on a quiet one-way street in Kempner Park. It is a safe, established Galveston neighborhood with historic houses and tree-lined streets.

History
The house stands on the original farm site of Gail Borden Jr. It was remodeled for modern comfort while keeping its 1895 character.

What’s Nearby
• Beach: about a 10-minute walk (6 blocks)
• The Strand: about a 5-minute drive (1.5 miles)
• Restaurants and parks: a few blocks away

Good to Know
• Quiet hours: 10 PM – 8 AM
• No smoking indoors
• Exterior security cameras on the property perimeter
• Carbon monoxide and smoke alarms throughout
Registration Number: GVR-09307