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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.
The comfy rooms in this historic farmhouse are Victorian-themed, with details like claw-foot tubs and antique furniture. Located within walking distance of both Llano's square and the river, other perks include a daily home-cooked breakfast and a huge front porch and deck, where you can soak in nature with a good book and a cup of tea.
While driving the winding road to the hilltop lodge here, it's easy to believe you've taken a wrong turn, but after a few glimpses of sparkling Lake Buchanan, you dead-end right into the state-managed nature preserve and its low-frills guest lodge set on 940 acres. This is a great spot for bird-watchers, as you'll have a good shot at seeing the endangered black-capped vireo and golden-cheeked warbler, as well as the glorious bald eagles that nest here from fall to early spring. Most rooms offer spectacular views of the lake and come equipped with comfortable queen beds and full bathrooms.
Each of the four well-appointed rooms in this boutique hotel is themed as a room you'd find in a large Texas house—the Library, the Farmhouse, the Shop, and the Ranch—and they're all beautifully decorated with thoughtfully chosen antiques. You won't find a stale B&B vibe here; instead, expect pops of bright color and amenities like walk-in showers, luxurious bathrobes, and Keurig coffeemakers. Book the Library and you'll also get a fireplace and a balcony overlooking the courthouse square.
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.
