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There are plenty of chain hotels speckled throughout the region, particularly in Fredericksburg and Marble Falls, but you're missing out on the local flavor if you don't try or (at least investigate) the many bed-and-breakfasts, guesthouses, ranches, and small resorts in the area—it's the absolute best way to get a feel for the culture. From historic and authentically restored guesthouses such as Palo Alto Creek and Austin Street Retreat in Fredericksburg and The Gamel House in Mason to the plush mini-resort luxury of Escondida Resort in Medina and River Rock Ranch in Comfort, to even retro-country at the Roadrunner Inn in Fredericksburg, there truly is something for everyone here.
Before deciding on the place that's right for you, it's important to make a few distinctions. Bed-and-breakfasts and guesthouses are not the same thing, no matter how close they may be in appearance. B&Bs invite you to join your hosts and sometimes other guests for breakfast each morning. Guesthouses do not. Although you may receive a generous basket of muffins or other breakfast breads from the occasional guesthouse manager, you will more likely need to fend for yourself. When looking at reservation agencies such as the Gästehaus Schmidt in Fredericksburg, or Boerne Reservations, be sure to confirm which accommodation you are choosing. You may like the personalized touch and communal atmosphere of a B&B, or you may prefer the greater privacy afforded by a guesthouse.
This stately manor just off Main Street opened in 1907 as the Bredt Hotel and now has been brought back to life as a Texas Historic Landmark. Stay in one of six guest apartments (reasonably spacious for a turn-of-the-20th-century building) that each sleep four, fully decorated with vintage furniture and elegant fabrics.
A boutique hotel along the banks of the San Marcos River, featuring 30 luxurious cabins and 10 Airstream trailers, with a beautiful lobby and swimming pool that offer riverside seats to watch the tubers go by. The hotel is simply but elegantly designed, with thoughtful touches such as a vintage champagne vending machine that supplies champagne splits for those hankering for a bit of bubbly. Fire pits, walking trails, access to river swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding contribute to the uniqueness, as do snacks and food trucks on property.
Formerly known as Meyer Inn on Cypress Creek, this historic hotel, originally a stage stop for travelers preparing to cross the Guadalupe River for the Old Spanish Trail, has been redesigned and renovated under new owners. It is beautifully situated on 33 wooded acres along the banks of Cypress Creek, just a few blocks' walk from town shopping. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, featuring natural elements such as reclaimed wood and stone, along with modern and vintage design touches. Communal areas include a swimming pool, a courtyard, and serene creekside spots to unwind.
If you have a large group and would like a little privacy, try Moriah, a small collection of three restored historic buildings on a picturesque 3-acre property with a private boat dock on Lake Marble Falls, just 8 miles from town. The large wooden porches offer spectacular views of the hills and the expansive backyard, which includes a full volleyball court, hammocks, and plenty of room to run around. The main timber-frame house has a large main room, a full kitchen, and an upstairs loft with two futons. Each of the two 1850s timber cabins has a master room with a comfortable king bed and a bunk-room with two sets of bunk beds.
This nature-focused glamping experience on the outskirts of town offers a range of accommodations featuring outdoor firepits and various amenities. Options include the Cocoon, a cozy one-bedroom tent equipped with a coffee machine, microwave, hot plate, and hot tub, and the Live Oak Lodge, which has two bedrooms, a dipping pool, and an upstairs terrace. All communication, including confirmations and entry codes, is handled via email.
Just a few miles outside of Fredericksburg and nestled along the shady Palo Alto Creek, this property has the original 1875 buildings built by German immigrant Karl Itz. They've been updated with modern amenities, yet they're perfect for fans of the outdoors. Choose from the main Itz House, which sleeps eight, or opt for the quainter Log Cabin, Barn, or Hideaway cabin, all complete with a screened-in porch. Children are not allowed to stay in certain rooms. A breakfast of fresh pastries is delivered to your door each morning. Get directions and reserve through Gästehaus Schmidt.
You'll have to drive down a winding back road to reach this Hawaiian-named retreat, but once you see the beautiful rolling valley below its hilltop perch overlooking a sparkling lake, you'll be glad you made the trip. The property features five accommodations—four private cottages, each with a suite or two rooms as well as luxurious living spaces; and one suite in the main house. The O'Hana House is the most private and has some of the best views of the ranch; it also has its own hot tub, ideal for stargazing before bed.
Named for Prince Carl Solms, the German prince from Braunfels Castle who founded New Braunfels, this historic inn—the longest-running hotel in the area—has been lovingly restored to reflect its original Victorian charm. (The suite is very comfortable, with a nice-sized living room.) Built in 1898, each room now has a private bathroom, and there’s a speakeasy in the basement, where guests can toddle down for a nightcap and not have to travel very far to get back home.
These retro-style cottages resemble tidy bungalows, with simple decor, though most offer a front porch, fridge, microwave, and coffeemaker. It’s the location that can’t be beat, right on the banks of the Guadalupe River and minutes from downtown Kerrville, with proximity to the Kerrville River Trail and Louise Hays Park. There are fire pits, picnic areas, and riverside pavilions on the property. Most accommodate up to four people.
A little less than 10 miles from Wimberley is a little weekend escape set on an 88-acre plot with rolling hills and enchanting vistas, surrounded by 2,500 protected acres that make the location prime for stargazing. And you won't even have to leave the premises to forage for dinner. Instead, a three-course meal is prepared each night and served family-style to you and the other inn guests. Rooms have romantic fireplaces and views of the fiery Texas sunsets. Hiking trails and pickleball are on offer. The spa is small but mighty with excellent Swedish and deep-tissue massage therapy.
Even though you're on one of the bustling main streets of Kerrville, a stay here is a little like a retreat to a star 1950s dude ranch. No, there aren't horses or hayrides, but the rooms are all decorated in a Western theme, with exposed limestone walls and old-fashioned fixtures and curtains. Almost every room has a set of mounted deer antlers, just in case you were beginning to forget you were in Texas. The main lobby flaunts the Lone Star State's attributes as well: it displays more than 40 full mounts of exotic game along the high limestone walls and a life-sized sculpture of a cowboy on a bucking bronco. A special family suite includes a separate room for kids, with bunk beds.
Yurts are more common than one would think in Wimberley, and there is even a yurt building company in town to help facilitate the process. But the owners of The Yurtopian are likely the first to create an adults-only yurt glamping experience here, with 6 circular yurts on 30 acres, some with panoramic hilltop views from the top of a balcony patio that will take your breath away. Each yurt, built to specification in Mongolia, features beautiful hand-painted designs, a dipping pool, a kitchenette and grill, and coffee, and they are climate-controlled year-round. There's no restaurant, but guests are welcomed to bring their own food in or head into town.
