Hill Country Luxury Retreat

Luxuriate at Inn Above Onion Creek for a dinner, a spa day or a Hill Country getaway

Photo by Sandra Ramos

Less than an hour from the hubbub of the city is an idyllic getaway, a gem of a bed and breakfast that offers the peace of the country in comfort and style. New owners Eric Goldreyer and John Banczak recently renovated the almost 20-year-old Inn Above Onion Creek, transforming the 14-room inn from country cozy to rustic luxury.

On a warm fall day, a rabble of butterflies greeted guests on the flower-lined path to the main building, hinting at the enchantment to follow. The large, well-appointed rooms and cottages include fireplaces to warm guests on cool country nights, cozy beds that invite sleeping in and spacious tubs for a long soak. Guests can enjoy a panoramic view of the Hill Country while lounging around the fire pit, refresh at the spa or work up an appetite exploring one of the three hiking trails.

Guests can enjoy a panoramic view of the Hill Country while lounging around the fire pit, refresh at the spa or work up an appetite exploring one of the three hiking trails.

For wine and food lovers, the Inn offers a Grapes & Olives package ($99) that includes lunch at nearby Trattoria Lisina and tastings at Duchman Family Winery, Driftwood Vineyards and Wimberley Valley Winery. The tour is a great opportunity to pick up a bottle of wine for dinner, as the Inn does not have a liquor license. With a budding brewery scene in nearby Dripping Springs, the staff is also organizing a companion beer tasting package.

Each stay includes a three-course dinner and hot breakfast to all guests and lunch upon request. Guests can enjoy dinner at community tables in the dining room or have a quiet meal in their rooms. The menu is posted weekly and features fresh herbs and vegetables from the extensive gardens, which are open for guests to peruse.

Chef Ryan Castille, part of the Inn’s kitchen team for over four years, enjoys the constantly changing menu based on what is in season. “We get to be really creative with our dishes since we don’t have a set menu,” says Castille. “We are always exploring something different and recently cooked a whole goat for a wedding. ”

A fall weeknight dinner showcased the end of summer crops with the last of the garden tomatoes and basil in a caprese salad, a creamy side of sautéed garden collard greens with the steelhead trout and a sweet and tangy apple tart. Breakfast offered an impressive buffet of baked goods and fruit, as well as a plate of eggs, housemade sausage and a steaming cup of coffee from Independence Coffee in Brenham.

Possibly the best-kept secret about the Inn is that packing a bag isn’t necessary to enjoy its comforts. The spa services and dinner are available for reservation without an overnight stay. With a larger spa facility in the final stages of construction, the Inn Above Onion Creek will be a perfect retreat on a hectic day.

Whether you are looking for a weekend escape or a quiet country afternoon, the Inn Above Onion Creek offers everything you need to slow down and savor the day.

Photo by Sandra Ramos

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Head to the Hills

Buzzy Hill Country hotel featuring VIP Austin chef sets opening date

Photo by Alison Marlborough

The fashionable hotel renovates some historic properties in Fredericksburg.

One of Texas’ most eagerly awaited hotels finally has an opening date. Located right on the main street of charming Fredericksburg, the Albert Hotel has drummed up excitement as a luxury Hill Country destination since it was first announced in 2021 — especially after attaching acclaimed Austin-based chef Michael Fojtasek to three of its culinary concepts in 2023.

As of October 2, 2024, the hotel is officially accepting reservations for January 3, 2025, and beyond.

Part of the New Waterloo hospitality family that boasts Austin hotspots like the South Congress Hotel and La Condesa restaurant, the Albert occupies two acres right in the heart of Fredericksburg’s historic shopping and entertainment district. Nonetheless, the urban resort aims to provide a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the growing Hill Country town with expertly curated details that reflect the area’s history, culture, and natural beauty.

Albert Hotel Saloon interior The Saloon at Albert Hotel fits right in with its Hill Country surroundings.Photo by Alison Marlborough

"The Albert Hotel is designed to be an homage to the Hill Country," says general manager Mike Bolick via a press release. "From the limestone facades that echo the town's 150-year-old historic buildings to our culinary offerings that celebrate local flavors, every aspect of the hotel is a love letter to Fredericksburg."

That love letter starts with the property’s namesake, Albert Keidel, whose ancestor arrived in Fredericksburg in 1847 as the town’s first doctor and judge. The hotel is a renovation of the Keidel family home and Keidel Pharmacy, built in 1860 and 1906, respectively, as well as two other historic buildings: the Brockmann-Kiehne House, built in 1870, and the Saloon, built in 1888.

Albert Hotel room The rooms are stark and dramatic. And some even offer bunk beds.Photo by Alison Marlborough

Austin-based architecture firm Clayton Korte spearheaded the project, blending old and new in every detail of the design and setting the backdrop for interiors by Melanie Raines. From cozy bunk rooms and luxury suites to the exclusive multi-bedroom Albertina House, the hotel features 105 guest rooms in total, plus four culinary concepts and a full-service spa with seven private treatment rooms.

While two of the four dining options are already open (The Saloon and The Pharmacy both opened in March 2024), the Restaurant at Albert Hotel will also debut in January 2025 along with the guest rooms. Helmed by Fojtasek, the menu will feature seasonal fare from nearby farms and wineries.

The Pharmacy at Albert Hotel The Pharmacy is a convenient and beautiful place to start the day.Photo by Alison Marlborough

Junebugs, a backyard barbecue joint, is slated to follow close behind in March 2025: led by New Waterloo’s Head of Food and Beverage, Justin Spencer, the concept will tap his experience as a competition barbecue pitmaster and serve as a nod to Fredericksburg’s German roots.

Designed by Austin-based firm Word & Carr Design Group, the hotel’s landscaping features shaded lawns and courtyards, native plants, and a sunken limestone pool evocative of the natural swimming holes of the Hill Country. The tranquil grounds will become a welcome retreat after adventures at nearby Enchanted Rock, immersive exhibits at the National Museum of the Pacific War, live music in historic Luckenbach, or a visit to one of the countless local wineries.

Albert Hotel interior Washes of green modernize and add some character to otherwise austere spaces.Photo by Alison Marlborough

Booking is now open for stays starting January 3, 2025, at alberthotel.com.

hotels fredericksburg hill country