CARRIZO SPRINGS, Texas – Man camps with nothing but the essentials are popping up all across South Texas to squeeze in all the workers from the Eagle Ford Shale.
But Bill Wakim had a different idea. He built Wotel One near Carrizo Springs, and he wants it to cater to the oil field worker with more discriminating tastes.
He said he tried to think of everything, like chefs to make omelets in the morning and a different dinner every night.
The housing offers granite counter tops and flat screen televisions on all the porches.
He said he was inspired by how stressful daily living can be in small communities turned boom towns.
Things like finding a meal can take a really long time.
"Great food waiting on them instead of waiting two hours to eat somewhere downtown," he said.
Wakim is really hoping his Wotel is what people are looking for, because he has taken a big gamble.
"This is everything for me. I've got to make this work. Otherwise, my wife will change the locks on me," he said.
After 30 years selling mobile homes in New Braunfels, Wakim was ready for his share of the Eagle Ford wealth, but he kind of sprung the idea on his wife.
"I quit my job, cashed in the 401k, came out here and said, 'Let's give it a shot,'" he said.
Business has been growing since Wotel One opened in March. One company recently rented 85 beds for more than a month, and they're returning soon.
Wakim thinks all 200 beds will be booked soon, because he's betting there are even more people who want a side of comfort with their hard working life.