This might be a surprise to you, but Texas has a pretty long history of wine production; it was turning out wine more than a hundred years before grapes were planted in California or Virginia — started by missionaries producing sacramental wines. And today 42 varietals of grape are grown in Texas — 15 of which are endemic! Which is a lot. It all happens in three main areas, in the north in the Texas High Plains; the south east, close to Austin, San Antonio and Houston; and the centre, around Texas Hill Country and Frederiksburg. All of these areas are beautiful, and our Gurus recommendations for the best hotels in Texas Wine Country are spread between them. We've uncovered a range of properties for all tastes and budgets from historic cabins and luxury tents to rural retreats and creekside inns. Use our guide and start to plan your Texan wine tasting adventure!
For Something Different
- The Austin Street Retreat is a small hotel in the heart of historic Fredricksburg, converted from five individual historic cabins. The cabins are basic, but full of charm and beautifully decorated to make the most of their limestone and exposed beam features. And they’re all comfortable, with kitchenettes and living spaces.
- Collective Hill Country offers just three luxury tents in a spectacular spot overlooking Montesino Ranch, each with a wood burning stove and a private deck with a view. The tents are all different sizes, with one that can accommodate families, and one specially designed for honeymooners. You can have farm-to-fork breakfasts, gourmet packed lunches and five course suppers by request, or let them help you create a gourmet barbecue, and then do the clean up for you too.
- Sophie's Gasthaus is one of the newest boutique spots in the area. It's located right in the centre of New Braunfels, so ideally located for visiting now only the local wineries, but also the growing selection of craft breweries in the area. The eight rooms and suites embody art-gallery chic and the gardens offer a pool and hot tub for lazy days.
For Foodies
- The Hotel Vin is a large and elegant hotel, in Grapevine, close to DFW International Airport. The building has a post-factory look, and the decor has a slightly industrial edge to match, with high tech mod cons and stylish finishes. But what the hotel really does well is food and drink: there are several restaurants, including the Bacchus Kitchen and Bar, a tapas bar and a European food hall, and there’s a ‘wine room’, designed for the perfect wine tasting experience.
For a Rural Retreat
- The Rose Hill Retreat is an elegant, white clapboard manor, set in 38 acres of mature grounds. Some of the 14 rooms and suites are in the main house, but there are also a couple of separate cottages. The decor is charmingly traditional, with antiques, original art, plush fabrics and large windows, and the atmosphere is relaxed but luxurious. Two of the suites have private hot tubs. There’s no restaurant, but they do offer a three course breakfast.
- The Sage Hill Inn & Spa is a traditional looking charmer, set on 88 glorious acres above Onion Creek. It has just 12 rooms and suites, all unique and stylish, with features like exposed stone fireplaces, huge windows, deep tubs, and original artworks. The inns’s verandahs are perfectly angled for incredible views. The pool and spa feel like a treat too, and the restaurant is all about presenting local produce to its best. There are loads of wineries to visit close by.
For an Intimate Escape
- The Blair House Inn is actually a collection of 13 cottages, arranged in a scenic and secluded spot in Texas Hill Country. Each cottage is individually decorated, but they all feature leather sofas and chairs, colourfully printed fabrics and solid wood furniture. The most romantic have fireplaces in cosy living rooms, whirlpool tubs and incredible views. There’s no restaurant, but they offer breakfast, and can arrange gourmet picnics to take out to the vineyards. The inn’s day spa offers massages, manicures, pedicures, facials and aromatherapy treatments.
- Contigo Ranch is a collection of 16 cabins and cottages in the heart of Texas Hill Country, offering privacy and comfort — in the form of jetted tubs, plush linens and private furnished decks. Cabins Three and Four sleep up to five people, and Cabins Two, Three, Four and Five have self-catering facilities. And everyone receives breakfast on their porch each morning.
For Romantics
- The Gruene River Inn is idyllically positioned overlooking the Guadalupe River. A balcony stretching all the way along the inn, offers private, water view space to all of the 14 rooms and suites. Each of the rooms also has a jetted tub, and individual antiques with a country feel, set against simple white walls. There’s no restaurant, but you’re within a pleasant stroll of historic Gruene, and of a swimming hole in the river, which is accessible from the hotel’s garden.
- Our second romantic pick, the Gruene River Hotel & Retreat, is also right on the Guadalupe River! with a patio you can dip your toes into the river from. It has just 17 rooms and suites, all individually styled, but with a broadly traditional feel, and some nice antiques. The most romantic rooms have four-poster beds, open fireplaces and jetted tubs.
- The Creekhaven Inn is a picturesque inn in a what feels like a secluded spot, but which is actually just moments from the centre of Wimberley. Outside the inn looks like a giant wood cabin or treehouse. Inside the 16 individually decorated rooms and suites benefit from huge windows, antiques and elegantly chosen details. Most of the rooms have open fireplaces, and some have whirlpool baths too. The inn also has a spa, located in the gardens, and guests have private access to Cypress Creek, in place of a pool. There’s no restaurant, but they offer a lovely breakfast, and some of the rooms are self catering.
For a charming inn
- The Gruene Mansion Inn is a charmingly converted mansion, dating from 1872, with wide verandahs, ornate, white woodwork, and a red roof. The mansion has 33 guest rooms, ranging in size and style — if you want a private porch or balcony you can have one, and the same goes for fancy four-poster beds, open fires and claw-foot tubs. The inn is surrounded by mature gardens, and while there’s no restaurant, they offer breakfast.
- The Crystal River Inn has been in the same family for generations, looking after visitors to central San Marcos with a warm welcome and Hill Country charm. From the street it’s a white-pillared, Greek Revival mansion in lush grounds, and inside it’s a real traditional inn, with wood floors, open fireplaces and stoves, antiques, fluffy carpets and country chintz. There’s no restaurant, but they do offer a proper breakfast each morning, and there are plenty of places to eat nearby. As are the vineyards of Gruene, Wimberley and Fredricksburg.
- The Inn on Lake Granbury is right on the lake, overlooking it from several terraces, and the windows and balconies of the best of the15 rooms and suites. This is a classic inn, with elegant, unfussy decor, and added extras like whirlpool baths, open fires and a gorgeous saltwater pool. There’s no restaurant, but they offer an excellent breakfast, and some self-catering facilities. Local wineries including Pemberton Cellars, Bluff Dale Winery, and Barking Rocks Winery, just north of town.
For Great Value
- The Fredericksburg Inn & Suites is just moments from downtown Fredricksburg, but because it’s surrounded by such green and spacious grounds it feels much further away. Its big inside too, with 100+ rooms and suites simply styled in plenty of white and neutrals. There’s no restaurant, but they do offer breakfast, and guests are moments from a number of great restaurants, wine bars, and art galleries. The inn also has two outdoor pools and a hot tub.
Best B&Bs
- The Lakehouse B&B is a spacious home turned charming B&B, right on the shores of Canyon Lake. There are just five rooms and suites, all with lake views, our favourites come with balconies, and one has an outdoor hot tub. The breakfasts are gourmet, and there’s a pool, lounge and terrace.
For Self-Caterers
- Gruene Cottages are a collection of 11 cottages and guest rooms set on three acres, yet still within Gruene. The rustic decor adds to the feeling of being further out of town than you are: think cow-hide on the floor and plenty of exposed brick, wood and tile. Each cottage has a private porch complete with rocking chairs, and rooms have the option to self-cater — there isn’t a restaurant. There is a big outdoor pool, though.
Still not sure where to book?