It’s hard to beat the heart of Texas for a getaway à deux, y’all. And guess who knows all the best, most romantic places for a Hill Country weekend?
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With sweeping landscapes, rolling hills, and a clear blue sky, our part of the Lone Star State makes for a memorable, lovey-dovey weekend destination for young lovers and seasoned sweethearts alike.
To spark your own getaway plans “Deep in the Heart of Texas,” allow us to introduce you to a few of our favorite cozy places across the region. For veteran travelers, some names on this list will be familiar; a few are off-the-beaten path.
Prefer more of an urban retreat or need to stay close to a major airport? Fret not! We’ve included hotel options for both Austin and San Antonio, too.
Hotel San Jose
Austin
This charming, 40-room hotel on South Congress Avenue is a historic 1930s-era bungalow transformed into a hip, romantic hotel popular with musicians and artists.
It’s also something of a cultural hub, with eclectic events on offer and a nightly happy hour with cheese plates and micheladas. Within easy walking distance are some top-notch eateries, great shops, and those famous Congress Avenue bats. Address: 1316 S Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704. Telephone: (512) 444-7322
The Kendall
Boerne
Long a favorite destination for weddings and other special events, this recently renovated boutique hotel is in the center of everything in Boerne, a delightful community off IH-10 north of San Antonio. From elegant suites to cozy rooms and quaint cottages, The Kendall (formally Ye Kendall Inn) offers historic elegance alongside modern amenities and the delightful Hill Country ambiance.
You and your sweetheart can stroll the Hill Country Mile to shop antique store and specialty stores, hike the nearby Cibolo Nature Center, or pop over The Dienger Trading Co. to cozy up with a cuppa.
Fancy an elegant evening meal? Make reservations at Chef Mark Bohanan’s acclaimed Peggy’s on the Green for delicious cuisine with Southern roots and regional influences. Address: 128 W Blanco Rd., Boerne, TX 78006. Telephone: (830) 249-9954.
Hotel Giles (formerly Hotel Faust)
Comfort
Don’t let Comfort’s relatively small size fool you. For a weekend à deux, there’s plenty to see and do in this cozy town, and we’re partial to the idea of using this renovated historic hotel as a place to rest one’s head.
With wide verandas and an inviting courtyard area – not to mention newly updated rooms and a Tesla-charging station available for guests, Hotel Giles bridges the region’s storied past with its present in such a fresh way as to be almost instantly rejuvenating.
Conveniently situated within an easy drive of Boerne, Kerrville or Fredericksburg, the hotel keeps true to its original roots as a travel hub from its days as a nineteenth-century stage coach stop. Address: 717 High St., Comfort, TX 78013. Telephone: (830) 995-3030.
The Hangar Hotel
Fredericksburg
When it comes to romantic Hill Country weekends for two, the charming B&Bs of this small Texas community with deep German roots come to mind. We’re going to break with convention, however, and suggest the Hangar Hotel at the local airport, on the edge of town.
This hotel is perfect for aviation fans as well as anyone who wants to indulge in a little 1940s-era romance. The exterior reflects the building’s original purpose as a plane hangar, but the interior is elegant and well-appointed.
A few steps from the hotel is the Airport Diner, where you can linger over breakfast or lunch and watch the small craft take off and land. Downtown Fredericksburg is a short drive away as are the popular wineries. Address: 155 Airport Rd., Fredericksburg, TX 78624. Telephone: (830) 997-9990.
Gruene Mansion Inn
Gruene
Travelers rave about this bed and breakfast overlooking the cool waters of the beautiful Guadalupe River and situated in the heart of historic Gruene near New Braunfels.
In fact the main house at this retreat compound belongs to the town’s namesake, Henry D. Gruene, a prominent 19th century landowner who opened the community’s first mercantile store and cotton gin – not to mention the state’s oldest dance hall. Address: 1275 Gruene Rd., New Braunfels, TX 78130. Telephone: (830) 629-2641
Faust Hotel
New Braunfels
After WWI, town leaders in this historic German community set out to build a world-class hotel to welcome guests. Almost as soon as it was completed, the Great Depression struck.
Today the hotel is open for business almost a century later, having been recently freshened up but bearing the same elegance of that bygone era. It’s centrally located to the downtown area, with lots of interesting shops and eateries nearby–including a historic leather goods shop and the state’s oldest bakery. Address: 240 S. Seguin Ave., New Braunfels, TX 78130. Telephone: (830) 625-7791.
Éilan Hotel
San Antonio
Technically inside the city limits, this luxury hotel with an incredible on-site restaurant is perched on the point where the land rises up from South Texas to form, literally, the Texas Hill Country.
It’s also located near high-end shopping (Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom’s) at La Cantera and that bastion of outdoorsy fun, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, and a premiere golf course, Éilan is a hop, skip, and a jump from two of our favorite communities, Boerne and Comfort. You might say that this hotel is perfect for a his-and-hers getaway that’s a little bit country, a little bit big city. Address: 18603 La Cantera Terrace, San Antonio, TX 78256. Telephone: (210) 598-2900.
The Hotel Emma
San Antonio
Saved up your pennies and ready to indulge in an opulent evening or two in a more urban Texas environment? Look no further than this outstanding hotel on the San Antonio river at the award-winning Pearl Brewery complex.
Just minutes from The Alamo, The Hotel Emma is also near enough to the airport and major roadways to make it an exceptional base or first stop on a wider culinary tour of the Hill Country region.
Then again, you could just stay in San Antonio and walk your way through some of the Alamo City’s best chow. With fabulous eateries in the hotel and easy access to great bakeries and restaurants within easy walking distance at “The Pearl” or down the legendary Riverwalk, there’s something nearby to suit every taste, from gourmand to gourmet. Address: 136 E Grayson St., San Antonio, TX 78215. Telephone: (210) 448-8300.
Dofflemyer Hotel
San Saba
The name is as memorable as the vibe at this elegant boutique hotel in one of our favorite Hill Country towns. With only five rooms and one suite on the second floor of an old bank building, the Dofflemyer elevates small town hospitality to an art form.
Seeing as San Saba is known as the “Pecan Capital of the World,” be sure to pop into Oliver & Company on the ground floor of the Dofflemyer building for a cup of joe and some pecans to take home. Need a new pair of boots? The renowned Harry’s Boots is just across the street. Address: 108 S. High St., San Saba, TX 76877. Telephone: (325) 372-5614.
Sinya on Lone Man Creek
Wimberley
Here you’ll find all the romance of a old-fashioned, outdoorsy, safari-style adventure coupled with the modern idea of “glamping” in an enormous tent.
Magazine editors and former guests alike have raved about this jewel, declaring it as suitable for a honeymoon as it is for a solitary creative retreat. Want to get out and about? Nearby you can indulge in a visit to Jacob’s Well, enjoy a zipline adventure or the park amenities at Blue Hole Park, or do a little shopping in downtown Wimberley. Address: Deer Lake Estates, Wimberley, TX 78676. Telephone: (713) 502-3997.
This article was last updated in January 2024.
