Discover Lagom Retreat, a Scandinavian-Inspired Wellness Escape in the Texas Hill Country
Nature, mindful living, and minimalist design come together in perfect balance in Dripping Springs
In the peaceful landscape of the Texas Hill Country, a unique hospitality concept has taken root — one that merges Scandinavian design, nature immersion and mindful living. It’s called Lagom, a Swedish word meaning “not too much, not too little, just right.” For Leslie Martin, founder and fourth-generation Texas Swede, the retreat is not just a business — it’s a personal endeavor.
Lagom Retreat is rooted in heritage
Martin grew up surrounded by Swedish culture, spending lots of family time outdoors. Her cherished memories center around camping in the woods or going to beaches with “as much extended family as we could bring along on the journey,” she explains, noting that she’s proudly woven her heritage into as many details at Lagom as possible.
Lagom Retreat embodies the Swedish ethos of balance between body, mind and the natural world.
While hospitality has always been significant to Martin, she spent much of her career in the tech industry. After many years in that fast-paced world, she found herself craving a digital detox, which led to a two-month family adventure in the Lincoln National Forest. There, she renovated a cabin in the mountains and discovered not only the joy of the work but also how profoundly the natural setting reduced her stress levels.
Regarding this transformative experience, Martin says, “I had forgotten how much my soul craved nature. I wanted to bring others on this joy-seeking mission with me.”
European architecture meets Texas wilderness
The result is Lagom Retreat: 10 thoughtfully designed cabins spread across serene acreage in Dripping Springs. However, these aren’t just traditional cabins; they’re architectural works of art from across Europe, each carefully selected to complement nature, not compete with it.
“I wanted the architecture to tell its own story,” Martin explains. She notes that the design style she prefers features “clean lines, premium and sustainable materials and lots of glass structures that really blur the lines between the indoors and the outdoors.”
One of the most striking units is ANNA, an award-winning work designed by Dutch architect Caspar Schols. Only 365 Cabin ANNA units will be developed by Schols, symbolically matching the number of days in a year, and only 10 units will be produced between 2024 and 2025. Of these, most are on private land, and ANNA at Lagom is the only one currently available as a rental property. It features a unique design with three sliding shells — an inner glass structure and two outer wooden layers — that move along guiding rails, allowing the cabin to open or close in multiple configurations, adapting to the weather, light or one’s comfort.
“ANNA is not a house. It’s not even a cabin. ANNA is a place to be, where you can disconnect from your thoughts and reconnect with your body to feel peace, joy and the excitement of ‘being,’” Schols shares on his website.
Five unique cabins each a story of sustainable innovation
Lagom Retreat boasts five different types of units. The Stargazer is a tube-like structure made of polycarbonate and steel with a full view of the starry night sky. There’s also the unique Wildwood, a wool-and-straw-insulated tent from Austria. Each of these design-forward Lagom structures was flat-packed, shipped from Europe and assembled onsite, offering rare architecture while also helping to preserve the land with minimal environmental impact.
But architecture is just one piece of Lagom’s identity.
Not too much not too little – just right
Martin’s goal isn’t just to ‘wow’ with design. “It allows a very slow pace to really be present in the moment,” she says. “I hope guests find a sense of peace and the feeling of ‘just right.’”
Amenities include hiking trails, outdoor games, future plans for a recreational pond and self-guided spa and a wellness program with yoga, pilates and guided retreats. Cabins come with kitchenettes, outdoor cooking areas and options for catered meals or picnic-style dining. Every detail, down to the minimalist interiors that Martin personally designed, is chosen with intention.
While Lagom welcomes all, its sweet spot may be for those seeking an “outsidey, but not outdoorsy” experience, according to Martin. She expects to host curious travelers, design lovers and anyone craving something different.
Lagom is poised to offer a new kind of Central Texas escape where striking design and natural surroundings create space for quiet and clarity.
Learn more and book a stay at lagom-retreat.com