New Braunfels Historic Estate Turns Boutique Hotel & Venue

January 27, 2023

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.