New Braunfels Historic Estate Turns Boutique Hotel | Sophies Gasthaus

Sophie’s Gasthaus, New Braunfels premier boutique luxury hotel, didn’t start its life as a hotel. It was constructed in 1906 as the home of a prominent New Braunfels family.

Myra Lee Adams Goff for an article from the Sophienburg Musuem and Acrchives writes: “The house is referred to by old-time New Braunfelsers as the Karbach House. But it didn’t start out as the Karbach House. The house was built for George and Hulda Eiband in 1906.

Family tradition says that the house had an interesting background. Hulda was the sister of Emmie Seele Faust, both of whom were daughters of Hermann Seele. The sisters supposedly had a friendly competition going between them. Townspeople in those days were aware of this competition because talk flies in a small town.

Emmie Seele married John Faust in 1905 and they built the Victorian home in the 300 block of W. San Antonio St, complete with wooden columns and wooden wraparound porch. It was a showplace. When Hulda Seele married George Eiband, she wanted a bigger house but definitely not a Victorian. Hulda’s house would be bigger and would be built in the new style of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, with high ceilings, brick columns, terrazzo porch, straight lines, lots of glass windows and 12 ft. ceilings. One thing is certain – both houses are substantial enough to remain standing.” read the entire article here:https://sophienburg.com/karbach-house-reopening-soon

Over the years, the home transitioned from a residence to offices to a bed and breakfast. Finally, the property was purchased by a visionary who remodeled it into a one-of-a-kind hotel masterpiece perfect for hosting a destination wedding, corporate retreat, girl’s weekend or romantic getaway.

Sophie Says | Meetings & Special Events at Sophie’s downtown New Braunfels

Every big city gladly offers plenty of places for your corporate meeting or retreat, family reunion, wedding, or any other special event. Even New Braunfels has its share of event venues.

You can meet in a random room in a huge, city-owned event center. You can have your reunion at a nondescript hotel on a highway. You can get married in a place that looks just like the places all your friends got married. If you do, get ready to apologize for the traffic to your event. Have lots of maps and driving directions available for things to do in the evenings on the other side of town. And be ready for attendees to say your event was “nice.”

I invite you to host your group at Sophie’s Gasthaus – the opposite of what I described above.

First, Sophie’s Gasthaus is anything but a huge, city-owned event space. In fact, the property didn’t start its life as a hotel. It was constructed in 1906 as the home of a prominent New Braunfelser. As such, the home included plenty of space in the main house, large yards, and well-appointed guest quarters. Over the years, the home transitioned from a residence to offices to a bed and breakfast. Finally, the property was purchased by a visionary who remodeled it into a one-of-a-kind hotel masterpiece perfect for hosting a wedding or other event to remember. You’ve got to see it to believe it.

Next, Sophie’s Gasthaus is about as far from a highway hotel as you can get. Sophie’s features private guest suites, beautiful common living spaces, an expansive pool and backyard, porches everywhere, and luxurious design and decór unmatched in the Hill Country. If you want to leave Sophie’s for a night on the town for some strange reason, there’s no need to get out your phone and wait for a rideshare. Walk out the front door, take a right on the sidewalk, and in less than a minute, you’ll be in the middle of downtown New Braunfels – home of dining, shopping, live music, and fun. Check it out: Downtown New Braunfels.

Last, if you’re going to have an event, have it somewhere better! Limestone, live oak trees, and barn wood are nice, for sure, but not memorable or different as a wedding venue. Getting married in the manicured backyard of Sophie’s Gasthaus, under magnolia trees, in downtown New Braunfels will be a truly unique venue for your special day. Spending a day in meetings in Sophie’s or the adjacent Carriage House and then relaxing in the pool to some live music might be a tad better than a rented board room and hotel pool full of children.

We’re ready to help you plan your wedding or event and ensure it’s perfect. Get started now.

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Join us in New Braunfels & Gruene TX for holiday festivities this season!

18 things to do in New Braunfels during the holidays »

 
You don’t want to miss the merriest smalltown festivals and events around this season. Santa Comes to town, Wassailfest, Christmas markets, Cowboy Cringle & more! Sophie’s boutique bed and breakfast is the perfect place for your family to stay the night and enjoy the holidays.
 

Adored by Alex stayed with us and here’s what she had to say:
One of my favorite parts of visiting small towns, is checking out local spots, including staying in quaint inns, boutique hotels or bed & breakfasts. We stayed at Sophie’s Gasthaus, a darling and tastefully remodeled and restored rental property, in the heart of downtown New Braunfels.

Originally built in 1906, the home is an absolute gem. Luxurious, with its newly renovated rooms and bathrooms, yet charing, with its original German architecture and character. I truly took photos of almost every inch of the property. I couldn’t get over the wavy glass windows, cast iron air & heat register grills on the floor and original transom windows with brass chain hardware (my architecture buffs will know what I’m referencing!).

The home is situated on a large plot of land with a pool and big yard. With six rooms, plus a suite and a hayloft unit, there’s a place for everyone. The common areas are spacious and tastefully appointed. We enjoyed coffee (from the butler’s pantry in-house coffee bar), on the front porch rocking chairs. Our stay in the Karbach room was just what we needed for a little rest and relaxation.

Read More about her trip to New Braunfels»

Sophie Says | What to do this fall in New Braunfels

Sure, New Braunfels is known for summer things like floating the Comal River or the Guadalupe River, or splashing at Schlitterbahn, and then grabbing some dinner and watching some live music.

But did you know that even if summer is over, the fun in New Braunfels isn’t? Here in New Braunfels, we take Gemütlichkeit (“good German fun”) seriously – all year long.

For the best possible time after Labor Day, the first step is to book your room at a luxurious downtown boutique hotel – Sophie’s Gasthaus. Staying in downtown New Braunfels allows you to leave the car and walk to some of the city’s best restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. We’ll talk about some walkable options later. But stop reading and book your room now.

There’s always something going on in New Braunfels, from concerts to events to shopping to simply hanging out with friends in a Biergarten while enjoying a glass of wine or stein of beer. That said, below are some of my suggestions for things to do when the temperature cools off this year.

First Friday in Downtown
Walk out of Sophie’s Gasthaus, take a right, and you’re there. Every First Friday of the month, Downtown New Braunfels celebrates still being the heart of this great town – since 1845.

Stores are open late. Restaurants offer specials. Live music abounds. And there are free drink samples from the Downtown Association. You’re guaranteed a good time, and I’ll bet you make a new friend or 12. Learn more about First Friday at downtownnewbraunfels.com.

Gruene Music & Wine Festival
A short drive north of downtown New Braunfels is Gruene. This was a company town for a cotton farmer named Ernst Gruene. But after boll wevils destroyed the farm, the town fell on hard times until it was resurrected as one of the coolest places in New Braunfels featuring the legendary Gruene Hall.

Every year, this Historic District hosts Gruene Music & Wine Festival. The fundraiser features four days of the greatest music and Texas wines you could imagine. This year the festival runs October 6-9. Learn more about Gruene Music & Wine Festival at gruenemusicandwinefest.org.

Dwight Yoakum at Whitewater Amphitheater
According to the Academy of Country Music, this outdoor venue, on the banks of the crystal-clear Guadalupe River, is one of the top five Best Outdoor Venues in the US.

If you ask me, Dwight Yoakum is one of the best artists in the US, so it’d make sense to bring Whitewater Amphitheater and Dwight Yoakum together – say, on October 15. It’ll be a fantastic show in an amazing place. Hurry and get tickets before they’re sold out at whitewaterrocks.com.

Wurstfest
Earlier I mentioned Gemütlichkeit. The official home of that is in downtown New Braunfels at Wurstfest – the 10-day salute to sausage.

For over 60 years, this festival has invited hundreds of thousands of Germans, and people who wish they were German, to enter the gates, dance a few chicken dances, drink a couple of beers, have some Wurst and Kartoffelpuffers (look it up), laugh with friends, and then do it all again. Wurstfest runs November 4-13 this year. Get more information and learn a few handy German phrases at wurstfest.com.

No wonder New Braunfels is so popular with its residents and visitors. It’s a beautiful city full of wonderful people and unique things to do. I hope you’ll plan to visit the community, and we’d love to say “Willkommen” to you at Sophie’s Gasthaus.

Willkommen

photo credit: New Braunfels Convention & Visitors Bureau

Are you looking to get away with family to reconnect with one another, dreaming of a romantic get-away, or hoping for a fabulous retreat with some friends? Look no further than booking a luxury stay at Sophie’s Gasthaus in Downtown New Braunfels, Texas.

When you step into Sophie’s, you’ll enter a world where the beauty of history meets modern convenience and luxury. Our boutique hotel provides our guests with unparalleled service in an environment driven by style and comfort. Once you join us, you will make this luxury hotel a tradition for years to come.

Located in charming downtown New Braunfels, Texas, this historic property is surrounded by two gorgeous rivers and plenty of activities. Our guests enjoy floating their worries away on the rivers or attending various events, such as the annual salute to sausage – Wurstfest.

Sophie’s Gasthaus provides our guests with every amenity that a luxury stay should, starting the moment you step foot on our beautifully landscaped outdoor spaces. We have beautiful flowers, blooming with life and vibrancy, outdoor tables for a quiet cup of coffee or tea and a pool/hot tub area where you can soak up the sun or float all your troubles away. We also offer a perfectly landscaped outdoor firepit area for great conversation on cool evenings.

Once inside, you will be greeted with a newly renovated interior, where no room or detail was left untouched. Bright and open common areas welcome you to commune with old friends and meet new. The decor has a touch of elegance and yet invites an aura of relaxation and renewal.

These breathtaking renovations carry over to our 8 luxury rooms, where German architecture merges with the elegant and modern. Each room offers amenities including organic cotton bed linens and pillows to suit your tastes. You can relax in comfort in our complimentary bathrobes and Beekman bath products. Enjoy your favorite tunes on our in-room bluetooth speakers, and never go hungry with your included in-suite snack and beverage bar.

The Captain’s Room: This room, featuring a king bed, welcomes you with soothing tones of dusty lilac and decor reminiscent of days spent seafaring.
The Faust Room: If you love a room with a pool view, the Faust room is perfect for you. The cozy space welcomes you with a king bed and calming sage walls.
The Fischer Room: Where the beauty of history marries with modern, this king room has an open and airy feel. Neutral greys and natural light create an airy space.
The Prince Solms: Regal rich blues invite guests to this oversized king room which honors the founder of New Braunfels. Filled with light and featuring unique built-ins, you will never want to leave.
The Karbach Room: The Karbach room will be your own private paradise. Neutral tones, modern updates and a private balcony will welcome you. It is the ultimate location to enjoy a book, or a chat and cup of coffee.
The Eiband Room: In honor of the man who originally built the property, this room will give its inhabitants stunning views of the property while they enjoy a warm and welcoming space. In addition, you will only be steps from our luxurious pool and hot tub area.
The Seele Suite: This two-bedroom suite is the perfect retreat for your family or girl’s weekend. It is bright and beautiful with plenty of room to spread out. Natural light pervades and bright linens make this space one that inspires peace and harmony.
The Hayloft Suite: This spacious suite has clean lines and beautiful dormer windows that allow its guests to survey Sophie’s beautifully manicured lawn and gardens. A private balcony will beacon you to sit and relax and renew.

We invite you to become one of our family and join us for a historic, boutique hotel experience that is focused on you. We strive to provide personalized service in everything that we do. From our complimentary coffee and tea station in our parlor space to our lavish rooms where no detail is overlooked, we are confident that once you experience this unique luxury stay in downtown New Braunfels, you will make a tradition of returning.

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