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    Snuggle Up

    10 Texas Hill Country bed-and-breakfasts perfect for a romantic getaway

    Deborah Hamilton-Lynne
    Jan 23, 2018 | 1:00 pm

    Whether you're planning a Valentine's Day trip or just looking for a romantic weekend getaway, Texas is filled with dreamy spots for you and your paramour (or friend, or loved one, or, hey, yourself).

    Why waste time getting to a remote destination when there are 10 Hill Country spots perfect for l’amour? Whether you want candlelight dinners, horse-drawn carriage rides, or wine tastings in front of the fire, these bed-and-breakfasts have it all.

    Oge House, Inn on the Riverwalk — 209 Washington St., San Antonio
    Built in 1857 and expanded in 1881 by Louis Oge, a rancher and Texas Ranger, the Inn on the Riverwalk is located a short distance from the River Walk. The 10 rooms are furnished with everything you would expect in a luxurious inn — beautiful décor, luxurious linens, toiletries, and private baths. The exterior and grounds include verandas and patios overlooking lush gardens complete with a gazebo and hammocks. The service is top notch, and the selection of add-on amenities includes everything from champagne, candlelight, and chocolates to in-room massages and horse-drawn carriage rides through the King William Historic District.

    Gruene Mansion Inn — 1275 Gruene Rd., Gruene
    Built in 1872, the Gruene Mansion Inn, originally the home of H.D. Gruene, is a beautifully preserved example of an Eastlake Victorian home complete with gingerbread trim. Outfitted using eclectic Victorian decor (no room is decorated like), the inn has 31 guest rooms each with its own porch, entrance, and private bath. Some rooms have fireplaces and river views, but all are located in the center of town, and just steps away from Gruene Hall, Texas' oldest dance hall. Bonus for music fans: Popular Austin musician Dale Watson will be appearing at Gruene Hall on Valentine’s Day with a very reasonable $10 cover. To avoid disappointment buying tickets in advance is advised.

    Sage Hill Inn and Spa — 4444 W. FM 150, Kyle
    Just a short distance from Austin in the rolling Hill Country lies this idyllic retreat. Located on 90 acres, the inn includes 16 rooms with amenities such as fireplaces, porches, luxurious linens, bathrooms — and plenty of room to relax. The perfect place for a romantic weekend, the property has hiking and biking trails, an oversized fire pit, a 14-person hot tub, huge swimming pool, library, and full-service restaurant. The onsite spa offers a variety of treatments including couples’ massages. A full breakfast and three-course gourmet dinner are included, and the restaurant has an extensive wine list. (Also, the staff is very accommodating for special requests.) A special romance package includes a 60-minute, side-by-side massage, bouquet of roses, chocolate-covered strawberries, and private dining in the library.

    The Fairview — 1304 Newning Ave., Austin
    This beautiful mansion, a City of Austin Historic Landmark, was formerly known as the Gullett House and originally built in 1910. After an extensive remodel in 2014, The Fairview reopened to rave reviews. The property features six rooms including three suites with bathrooms. Decor blends modern and antique furnishings with amenities such as organic mattresses, luxurious linens, and organic bath supplies. Breakfast is a healthy, self-serve buffet which includes homemade granola, yogurt, and bread, plus a variety of fruits, eggs, and fresh-baked muffins. If you just can’t leave Fido behind, The Fairview is also a dog-friendly hotel, but membership in the inn's Lucky Dog Club is required.

    Blair House Inn and Spa — 100 W. Spoke Hill Dr., Wimberley
    If food and wine pairings are your idea of romance, look no further than The Blair House Inn in Wimberley. This inn is known for its two- and three-day cooking classes and vintners' dinners held on Saturday evenings in January and February. Each dinner features a vintner discussing his or her wine along with a five-course gourmet dinner from executive chef Chris Huffman, who crafts the menu specifically to complement the flavors of the wines. There are 12 types of accommodations ranging from the main lodge to private cottages. The inn is also the location of one of Wimberley’s best day spas and a wide variety of treatments are available. Fine dining includes gourmet breakfasts, picnics, and Saturday evening and holiday dinners. On weekends, a two-day stay and the vintner’s dinner package is required.

    Rose Hill Manor — 2614 Upper Albert Rd., Stonewall
    Rose Hill Manor, a well-established bed-and-breakfast, provides the perfect Fredericksburg getaway — assuming you'll actually want to leave the property. In addition to being the only AAA Four Diamond hotel in the Fredericksburg area, the property has beautiful vistas of the Hill Country. Privacy is assured in each of the suites and individual cottages, and all are comfortably furnished and include private baths (some with Jacuzzi tubs). The room rate includes lodging, a three-course set breakfast menu, one wine tasting for two at Pedernales Cellars, homemade cookies, and the 6 pm "Sips and Small Plates" which includes one complimentary drink per person alongside a selection of tapas. And take note: Rose Hill has a full bar serving premium liquors, artisan cocktails, and an extensive wine list.

    The Inn at Pearl Street — 1809 Pearl St., Austin
    Conveniently located just blocks from the Capitol and the UT campus, this boutique inn is the perfect spot for a weekend rendezvous. Owner Jill Bickford set out to lovingly restore two historical homes in the center of Austin with romance in mind. She has succeeded in creating an oasis of 12 themed rooms furnished with antiques and outfitted with luxurious private bathrooms (some with claw-foot tubs and others with Jacuzzis). Rooms and suites are designed to be intimate and comfortable and personalized service is provided upon request. All guests receive coffee and a continental breakfast, with the option to include hot breakfast served in your room.

    Inn on the Creek — 602 Center Cir., Salado
    Nestled above Salado Creek in a historic Central Texas town, the Inn on the Creek has 22 rooms spread across six historic structures on 14 acres. The original section of the inn is a historic home built in 1882 in Cameron, Texas. It was moved to its present location in 1985 and restored and expanded in 1986. Known for its service and gourmet food offerings, the Inn on the Creek also offers onsite dining at Alexander’s Distillery, an award-winning restaurant and bar with verandas shaded by live oaks overlooking the creek. Add-ons range from romantic creekside dining to gourmet options of wine pairings and dinners at Alexander’s.

    The Villa at Messina Hof Winery — 4545 Old Reliance Rd., Bryan
    Located just a short drive from Texas A&M University at the Messina Hof Winery, the Villa B&B is the only Four Diamond resort in the Brazos Valley. Designed with an old-world estate in mind, the villa includes 11 romantic suites themed and named for iconic lovers — think Romeo and Juliet and D’Artagnan — which can include private patios, balconies, lakeside views, and oversized tubs. The all-inclusive package includes lodging, Champagne breakfast, wine and cheese reception in the bar, and a tour and tasting in the Messina Hof Wine Room. The Food and Wine Experience also includes a five-course dining experience in the adjacent Vintage House Restaurant with a custom menu and pairings of Messina Hof wines for each course.

    Strickland Arms — 604 E. 47th St., Austin
    The former home of Judge John McCamy Patterson, Strickland Arms was built in 1904 in Austin's Hyde Park neighborhood. The house and grounds have been restored to include authentic accents, a beautiful entryway, a formal dining room where breakfast is served, and a wraparound porch. The property's gorgeous limestone patios and impressive gardens are shaded by massive pecan and oak trees, and it includes a modern pool and spa. Five rooms are available each furnished with period antiques. The inn is also within walking distance of several Hyde Park restaurants as well as the Elisabet Ney Museum.

    Enjoy a romantic weekend at the Messina Hof Winery & Resort.

    Joel, Messina Hof, July 2012, vineyard
    Photo by Joel Luks
    Enjoy a romantic weekend at the Messina Hof Winery & Resort.
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    Best of the South

    Southern Living lauds Hill Country hotspot among best towns in the South

    Amber Heckler
    Mar 13, 2026 | 3:32 pm
    Vareines Kirch in Fredericksburg
    Photo by Steve Rawls
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    The famous German Hill Country town of Fredericksburg is getting the spotlight as a must-visit destination in Southern Living's 2026 South's Best Awards.

    Fredericksburg claimed the coveted No. 3 spot in the publication's ranking of the Best Small Towns in the South.

    The annual awards are determined through third-party online surveys of Southern Living consumers from July 9 to September 9, 2025. Over 17,000 respondents rated their favorite places across the South, the report said.

    The top two best small Southern towns were St. Augustine, Florida (No. 1), and St. Simons Island/Golden Isles, Georgia (No. 2).

    Specifically, Southern Living gave a nod to Fredericksburg's growth and the recent addition of The Albert Hotel, which opened in 2025. The Albert Hotel was ranked the 10th best new hotel in 2026.

    "The city’s premier full-service luxury hotel revives a cluster of 19th-century landmarks, from a historic saloon to a former pharmacy that is now a cafe, deli, and artisan market," the report said. "Alongside the 105 minimalist guest rooms, a holistic spa and a limestone pool provide moments of quiet relaxation."

    The Albert Hotel pool We all need a relaxing day poolside at the Albert Hotel pool oasis.Photo by Chase Daniels

    As the Fredericksburg area grows, Southern Living said, it still maintains its cozy, small-town feel.

    "Fredericksburg still wears its German heritage on its sleeve, evident throughout Main Street architecture and a lively cluster of biergartens and long-running seasonal festivals," Southern Living wrote. "Wine lovers will feel particularly at home thanks to more than 100 wineries and tasting rooms scattered throughout town and the surrounding countryside."

    It's no wonder Southern Living decided to locate its 2026 Idea House there.

    Popular events like the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival and locally focused programs like the Texas Hill Country Wineries wine passports draw in crowds from all parts of Texas. The town is about a five-hour drive from downtown Dallas, which makes it a great weekend or spring break escape. North Texas travelers might even spot small patches of bluebonnets during their road trip through the Hill Country.

    No matter which route you take, travelers should make a pit stop through another small Texas town called Marble Falls, which is home to one of Southern Living's most legendary Southern restaurants: Blue Bonnet Cafe. According to the report, its longstanding staff members embody the idea of "southern hospitality" every day.

    "There’s one real reason the Blue Bonnet Cafe is so widely respected: The folks who run the place have been holding this small-town diner to high standards for years," the report said.

    Blue Bonnet Cafe opened in 1929 and was later bought by the Kemper family in 1981, who still own and operate it today. Southern Living recommends ordering one of the blue plate specials, and a slice of pie is a mandatory treat.

    "With 15 options — from luxuriously creamy to bright and fruity — you’re guaranteed to find one you’ll love," the report said.

    Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls, Texas Ordering a slice of pie is a requirement, not a suggestion.Blue Bonnet Cafe - Marble Falls, TX/Facebook

    The only other Texas destination to earn recognition in Southern Living's annual awards was the iconic Franklin Barbecue in Austin, which was crowned the best barbecue joint in Texas by the publication's readers.

    "Fans from around the world queue up for hours to experience the craftsmanship that has made Franklin a barbecue celebrity," the report said. "Flawless prime-grade brisket with a sweet, tangy glaze is still the showstopper here, and it’s accompanied by the quintessential Central Texas lineup of pork ribs, turkey, and jalapeño-Cheddar sausage."

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