A Timeless Anniversary Sanctuary in the Texas Hill Country…read more The Bottom Line: If you are looking for the gold standard of hospitality, seclusion, and romance in Fredericksburg, The Cotton Gin Village is it. My wife and I celebrated our 1st and 2nd anniversaries here (April 5, 2005 & 2006), and the experience was--and remains--above fantastic. The Cottages: Seclusion & First-Class Comfort We've had the pleasure of staying in two different cottages, and both were absolutely amazing. The Village is located in a quiet, secluded area that allows you to truly disconnect and focus on your partner. Cottage Favorite Features Upper Frio Cottage Incredible privacy and a perfectly stocked kitchenette. Red River South Cottage The jacuzzi tub was a highlight for relaxation! One of our favorite parts of the stay is the breakfast delivery. Every morning, a freshly made breakfast arrives in a picnic basket hung right at your door, complete with all the trimmings. Enjoying that with the provided coffee, tea, or hot chocolate in our room was the perfect start to each day. Dining Excellence: Cabernet Grill The onsite restaurant, Cabernet Grill, is a true 5-star experience. The staff goes above and beyond to recognize special occasions. Personal Touch: They gifted us bottles of local wine labeled "Happy 1st/2nd Anniversary." Exceptional Service: Our server, John, actually remembered us from the previous year! That level of attention is what makes this place First-Class. The Perfect Location for Mission Success (Relaxation Edition) The Village is the perfect "base of operations" for exploring everything Fredericksburg has to offer: Wine Country: Easy access to incredible local winery tours. Downtown: Just minutes away from the charm of downtown Fredericksburg. Enchanted Rock State Park: We highly recommend heading there for a beautiful sunset--it is the perfect way to end an anniversary evening. Final Thoughts We are so thankful for the staff and the incredible hospitality they provide. We plan to continue returning every single year we are able to. This isn't just a bed and breakfast; it's a place where memories are made. Highly recommended!

We saw these cabins a couple years ago while dining next door at the Cabernet Grill and always…read morewanted to get back and try them out. So since we were celebrating my wife's birthday and our 46th anniversary this week, I booked the Pedernales Cabin for a couple nights. When they talk about stepping back in time, it is indeed appropriate. First, understand that there are "cabins" and "cottages" at this property. The cabins are hand-hewn log structures that were relocated from Kentucky and Tennessee to the grounds of the Cotton Gin Village. Whereas the much newer cottages are constructed with either San Saba stone, or plaster and timber in a style reminiscent of Texas Hill Country German Fachwerk. They blend well together to provide a very relaxing and welcoming "village" environment. We were greeted at the check in area and were quickly escorted to our cabin and provided all the necessary information, to include a wonderful bottle of wine that was custom labeled to celebrate our anniversary. Our Pedernales Cabin is one of the original cabins and as such had a real "old time" feel, but was also complete with the comforts you'd expect (king size bed, A/C, microwave, fridge, shower, bath, TV, etc.) While the comforts of home are there, one of the issues we had was with the water closet (toilet) that was extremely narrow with very little room to maneuver as needed to the point of almost being claustrophobic. Navigating around the furniture in the dark at night to use the bathroom is a bit tricky, so be prepared to do so slowly and carefully. That aside, a drink or two at the Gin Mill bar (located on site) topped our evening off nicely. The bartender Brett was amazing and a joy to chat with. Retreating back to our cabin, we were excited to experience the breakfast the next morning. The bed was very comfortable, but the pillows (for me) were too fat and I had a hard time trying to flatten one to accommodate my neck issues (no biggie really). The room was quiet and comfortable. Some folks have indicated that the road noise is unbearable, but I can only speak for the Pedernales Cabin, which was very quiet with no road noise at all. We anxiously awaited the 9:00 delivery the next morning, which promptly arrived at 8:50. I've included a video of the basket reveal to show what the contents were. The breakfast was wonderful! A fluffy quiche with ham, bacon, and cheese along with some chocolate croissants, yogurt, fresh fruit, and juice. We filled up and prepared for our day of wine tasting with Keidel Wine Tours (a separate review). After a busy wine tasting day, another drink with Brett at the Gin Mill, and dinner at the Cabernet Grill (another separate review) we came back and settled in with a little left over wine we purchased relaxing on the front porch swing to enjoy the evening. Another great night's sleep awaited us. Expecting another scrumptious breakfast, we were disappointed with the second day's offerings. Inside the basket was a (very tasty but way too sweet) French Toast offering that had chunks of French Toast covered in caramelized topping and baked in the oven. We couldn't finish it due to the excessive sweetness. This was accompanied by 2 sausage links and a couple small slices of ham (not bacon as listed on the breakfast card), that had good flavor, but were just too darn salty to eat. So we enjoyed the fruit and yogurt instead. Another faux pas was that unlike our first morning's basket, there were no napkins included inside the basket. We made do with the paper towels from the kitchen sink area, so it worked out. It just seems to me that second day breakfast did not have as much attention paid to it as day 1. Overall, it was a wonderful 2 nights spent on the property, even with the breakfast issue on day 2. We will definitely return to check out one of the other cabins or cottages in the future. Atmosphere - 10/10 Service - 10/10 Food (breakfast) - 9/10 Comfort - 9/10 Overall - 9.5/10

We had an amazing stay last weekend, we will be back next time we're in Fredericksburg! Such a…read morebeautiful place, quiet and relaxing, even an electric access gate to make you feel secure! cabin was a 10/10 on cleanliness and condition, so many Deer and Cows on the property made the stay even nicer. Sat morning we had a fun surprise, there was a cow knocking on the door, she was just hanging out on the front porch! We stayed in cabin #34 and could not believe the amount of Deer we had all weekend in front of our porch, more than a 100 for sure. 5.5 miles from Main st down town.

The cottages were really cute and cozy. We would've liked to have streaming options for the TV…read more(they only had one in the living room) and it only had cable tv which I haven't watched in years. I like to go to sleep with my tv on in the bedroom although not everyone does and it's probably not recommended but it would've been nice to have a tv in the bedroom as most people and most hotels/ Airbnbs have one. I did notice our first morning waking up that they have tiny itty bitty ants everywhere near the kitchenette. We didn't have any sweets out but they were still there. We paid extra for deer corn and I wish I wouldn't have bc they only came in the middle of the night so we didn't experience it. What was odd was the check in location was approximately 15 - 20min away from the actual cottages. It was rather difficult for us to navigate to them having a later check in (8pm) we drove right after work from Austin. Breakfast vouchers are given upon check in which was a pleasant surprise. Overall I'd come back and try staying at one of their bigger cottages like the 2bd with our kids.

This was our first time visiting Fredericksburg and, while the location of this place was ideal,…read morethe lodging itself was unusual. The bed was very comfortable, room was small but fine since we were just sleeping there. Breakfast is delivered every morning outside the door in a basket. It's a cute concept but the food itself wasn't appetizing. Taking off the most stars because of the shower set up. The shower is inside the massive tub that you have to step into. It's very uncomfortable to get in and out of, especially if you're short like I am. Including a pic so that you have fair warning. Will not be staying here next time we visit.

Well, I don't even know where to start, other than....STAY HERE!…read moreWhen we were pulling into the driveway, I was thinking...holy cow, this place looks amazing! The lady at the checkin building was wonderful! She was very accommodating and put us on the first floor so I didn't have to climb stairs (back surgery in Dec). We stayed in room 4. Upon opening the door, I fell in love! This beautiful room was decorated with antique furniture and just felt cozy! The bed was so comfortable that I got the best nights sleep I've had in over 10 days! The shower was huge and the best water pressure! There is body soap, shampoo and conditioner provided that is made locally at their herb farm. I wanted to purchase from the office, but we were running short of time, so I'll be ordering online! There are robes for your use, that were soft and comfortable! I want one of those too! There is a keurig, microwave and a small refrigerator with a freezer. There is also 4 bottles of local wine on the counter, champagne and beer in the fridge and chips for purchase (mini bar). The room was quiet all night. This place isn't huge, so I felt like we were lucky to get a room here. We will be back in the spring so we can enjoy the beautiful porch area. This morning, we had a wonderful breakfast delivered in a basket! It was delicious! My only suggestion would be to add a boiled egg or sausage patty to have a little more protein with breakfast. Overall, I know the Winchester Lodge will definitely not disappoint!! Highly recommend!

I was lucky enough to stay at Wrenwood Ranch for the first time last weekend with my husband and…read moretwo kids for a birthday getaway. It was a lovely stay from start to finish! Our cottage, the Tritch, had two separate bedrooms, and I appreciated the privacy and spaciousness it offered. The cottage came fully stocked with everything to cook on site, but the location is close enough to both Johnson City downtown and Hye, if you prefer to dine out, shop, or hit the wineries. The owners went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. They really thought of all of the little details, including providing fresh chicken eggs(!!), popcorn, ice cream, oatmeal, granola bars, and coffee and tea. There was a communal fire pit, which we enjoyed using at night, and an enclosed puppy park area for pet owners. They also have a beautiful event venue near the front of the property, if you are looking to celebrate something with our without on site lodging. There was an outdoor sitting area just outside of our cottage, where I was able to enjoy my morning beverage in nature. Last but not least, they included free wine tasting certificates in the cottage as an added bonus, score! The feel at Wrenwood Ranch is warm and welcoming, but the separate cottages give you as much privacy as you want. We went into Johnson City and Hye a few times over the course of the weekend, and we were never bored. Wrenwood Ranch is a hidden gem and a great value when you consider all of the extras they provide. We hope to come back and to send our friends your way!

This is my favorite place to stay in the Hill Country. It's minutes from everything Johnson City…read morehas to offer, a half hour drive to Fredericksburg and an even shorter drive to the many wineries that make the area such a popular destination. Chad and Keisha are sincere and amazing hosts and have clearly put a lot of thought into what makes a stay care free and relaxing not to mention there is a winery within walking distance. Highly recommended.

A group of girls including myself stayed here for a bachelorette party/wine tour weekend!…read more This house slept the 5 of us perfectly in some of the most comfortable beds we have ever slept on! It is the perfect mix of small town charm and modern furnishings/appliances! Loved all the goodies that came included in our stay! Definitely will be back or recommend this place along with the sister houses to anyone coming into Fredericksburg for a few days needing somewhere cute, cozy, and decently priced to stay at!

Great location and beautiful accommodations. The hosts have thought of everything! My wife and…read moredaughter had stayed here before but this was my first time. Everything was perfect. From the keypad entry to the well equipped kitchen to the comfortable beds. We spent a lot of time on the patio around the awesome fire pit -and our bedroom even has a small gas fireplace! It is an easy walk to all the restaurants and shops on Main Street. We plan on returning again and again.

Very comfortable & charming cottages conveniently located less than a block of W. Main Street…read morewalking distance to all of downtown. The owners live on site could not be more hospitable! Each cottage is equipped with everything you would want for a great stay!! The rooms were bright and clean and very comfortable! The grounds were beautifully landscaped which made it feel like an escape from the city!! Please also don't forget to try the homemade ice cream at the Austin St. creamery! Owner also makes ice cream daily !! This is the best ice cream I've ever had!!! Thank you Steve and Marsha for making our anniversary weekend special!!

Amazing stay. Loved everything. Such a great experience. Felt welcome right from the start. The…read moreroom was impeccable and you can tell the owner took a lot of pride in building it. Great location too. Will definitely we back.

We had a long weekend in Fredericksburg and made the Lavender apartment our home base. Very cute…read morespace with big windows to see nature. We want to come back when it is cooler to enjoy outside. Only a few miles out of town. We found a short cut via Jung road that by-passed town and dropped us on 290 at the start of the wineries. Got to see a rainbow, lots of bunnies and a nice rainstorm.

This place is a find! The dirt road leading here had me concerned but it's a Texas Cool shangrila…read morecarved out 5 MINUTES from downtown Fredericksburg and it's in the middle of the country! There are 8 rooms built from shipping containers... not 1 container per room getting smuggled into the US creepy, but several joined to give each room a multidimensional look... each has a bedroom with a spacious reading den/nook and kitchenette. Huge fluffy towels in high end bathrooms. Each room customized with the owners collection of books and art and just... things. Built around a courtyard with a big gas fire pit... looks like lots of s'mores are downed there... where our group finished off every evening. So much better than ANY motel and MOST hotels. This place is a no brainer stay when I'm here in F'burg....

In the time of Covid, we are trying to limit airline travel, so destinations within driving…read moredistance have become our thing. I don't know about you, but I'd rather not stay in a hotel room all weekend since that doesn't feel better than staying home. That's what led us to The Gathering. We came upon their listing via a post on Instagram about interesting places to stay around Austin, or within a short drive. I fell in love with the decor and the privacy! The Gathering is a collection of cottages or houses that each have their own style and although the houses are close to each other, they share no common walls, and each has a private outdoor area, and hot tub, in addition to delightful homey touches. There is a kitchenette for meals, but no stove or oven, but we found November the perfect time to make sausage dogs over the fire pit. We toasted s'mores and sipped champagne, spent time relaxing in the hot tub, and even rinsed off in the outdoor shower. By the time our stay was up, we were both wishing we had booked more nights! We stayed at the Hideaway house, which is the farthest property from the street and really enjoyed how alone we felt despite the adjacent houses also having guests. We enjoyed a game of basketball on the court across from our cottage and gathered pecans from the huge trees for a mid day snack. Deer were seen scampering across the back meadow and the gentle baas from the sheep nearby added to the bucolic scene. The only negative for me was that I found the mattress to be a bit firm for my tastes, but since that is purely a personal preference, I would not deduct stars for it. We will definitely book another stay, soon! Thanks for the Texas hospitality!

We stayed at the Hideaway and absolutely loved our experience! It's super cozy, private and quiet…read moredespite being so close to the other properties. Check in was easy, we had no problems getting in. Property managers are communicative if you need anything but also give you complete privacy if you wish. There is free uncovered parking, park on the quiet street out front and there's a small, short path that leads you to all the different properties. The area is off the main streets of town to afford you comfort and quiet, but also close enough to get to everything easily via a short car or bike ride. I appreciated all the little modern, homey details of this place. A couple things of note: Wifi is very spotty so don't count on that if you need it for anything. It wasn't a big deal to us because we were there to relax and disconnect anyway. Not sure if it had anything to do with the Hideaway being the last property farthest from the entrance. If you want to use the fire pit, bring your own fire wood. Though there is a starter log provided and a gas fireplace available. Lots of shampoo and body wash provided but bring your own conditioner if you wish - only a hotel size tube available in the bathroom. Walgreens and HEB/Walmart are very close by if you need anything! Overall we really enjoyed our stay and would definitely stay again.