New Hill Country Hotel

Ritzy Kimpton boutique hotel checks into Fredericksburg

The hotel will include big indoor/outdoor event spaces, including an event barn.

Rendering courtesy of IHG

A new 210-room, luxury boutique hotel is coming to the Hill Country tourist magnet of Fredericksburg: Kimpton Fredericksburg will anchor a 22-acre, mixed-use development known as The Meuse, which will feature hospitality, dining, and retail options.

Kimpton, part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio, has teamed up with Houston-based DC Partners to develop the hotel. It’ll be the fourth Kimpton property in Texas; their most recent opened in San Antonio last year. Dallas-based Merriman Anderson Architects and Chicago-based interior design studio Curioso will design the property.

The Meuse mixed-use complex is named after Fredericksburg’s founder, John O. Meusebach. The walkable development will feature more than 70,000 square feet of retail and dining space — all designed to complement and serve as an extension of downtown’s Main Street, the developers say.

“Bringing a project of this scale to Fredericksburg required a deep commitment to honoring the city’s heritage and character. Every detail of The Meuse has been carefully considered to ensure it complements the charm and authenticity of the Hill Country,” said Blake Berg, vice president of construction and development at DC Partners, in a statement. “Kimpton Fredericksburg will be an integral part of this vision, delivering an elevated and well-curated hospitality experience that feels both distinctive and deeply connected to the local community.”

Kimpton Fredericksburg The luxe Kimpton boutique hotel will debut in Fredericksburg in 2027. Rendering courtesy of IHG

Amenities at the hotel will include:

Full-service restaurant and bar
10,000-square-foot, resort-style outdoor pool and deck
Poolside bar and lounge
Cafe
State-of-the-art fitness center
18,500 square feet of indoor/outdoor event space including event barn

“Kimpton Fredericksburg will be the first in the region to pair large-format accommodations and a full-service events program under one roof — making it the ideal destination for weddings, celebrations, local events and benefits, and corporate retreats,” according to an IHG news release.

Extra perks for guests will include evening social hour, in-room yoga mats, and pet-friendly rooms.

Fredericksburg, about 80 miles west of Austin, attracts about 1.5 million visitors a year, drawn by its quaint shops, numerous restaurants, and abundant wineries. About 85 percent of Fredericksburg’s visitors come from major metro areas in Texas.

Kimpton Fredericksburg will anchor a 22-acre, mixed-use development known as The Meuse.Rendering courtesy of IHG

Kimpton Fredericksburg isn’t the only high-end hotel expected to open in 2027 in the tourism hotspot. Waldorf Astoria Hill Country will feature 60 guest rooms; it’ll be paired with the 87-unit Waldorf Astoria Residences Texas Hill Country, which will include rental villas and private homes. This will be the first Waldorf Astoria property in Texas.

Hilton and Wine Country Hospitality Partners are leading the Waldorf Astoria project.

The Kimpton and Waldorf Astoria projects are getting underway as some Fredericksburg residents fret about maintaining the town’s quality of life and coping with higher housing costs.

“Most of the people who clean these B&Bs and serve you at the table, they’re commuting from at least 30 miles away, 60 miles round-trip,” Lindy Segall, a Fredericksburg resident since 2014, told KVUE. “They can’t afford to live here, and we have yet to solve that problem.”

fredericksburg hotels luxury hill country kimpton openings

Riverside Reno

Splashy makeover turns Gruene hotel into chic riverside destination

$Hacienda Del Rio\u200b Hotel and Bar interior$

Photo courtesy of Hacienda Del Rio\u200b

No matter how cosmopolitan the hotel gets, nothing can beat the trees around this pool.

After a two-year renovation and rebranding, Hacienda Del Rio Hotel and Bar has opened in Gruene, a historic district within New Braunfels. Formerly the Gruene Outpost River Lodge, the property along the Guadalupe River now has 48 renovated rooms, new outdoor sports like pickleball, and updated amenities at the pool.

The River Lodge's previous aesthetic was DIY and rustic, but the new Hacienda Del Rio has a much more cosmopolitan, contemporary design. The new look is full of midcentury styles, but with other eclectic elements mixed in. A press release declares the space was "designed in the spirit of Spanish colonial architecture," but don't expect anything old-fashioned.

$Hacienda Del Rio\u200b Hotel and Bar interior$ These earthy tones mellow out an otherwise energetic space.Photo courtesy of Hacienda Del Rio

Texas-based hotel group French Cowboys was behind this major makeover, which started in April 2023. That puts Hacienda Del Rio in a family with Camp Comfort and The Meyer Hotel in the Hill Country town of Comfort; the Claire Hotel near Canyon Lake; the Gruene River Inn and Heidelberg Lodges in New Braunfels, and Webber East in Austin.

The Hacienda can accommodate up to 178 guests in a variety of room layouts including kings, double queens, and suites. Bathrooms and showers are new, and rooms are outfitted with smart TVs, plus custom steel doors and windows. Photos of guestrooms, although they are colorful, show off a streamlined sensibility.

A new clubhouse and cocktail bar draws guests who may not be staying overnight. Coffee and breakfast will be available in the morning, followed by daytime snacks, and finally a full bar in the evening. Anyone who stops by can enjoy beer, wine, and signature cocktails, plus shuffleboard, a pool table, and even some workspace. There will also be a new conference room for presentations, retreats, and more.

$Hacienda Del Rio\u200b Hotel and Bar interior$ This lounge is open to hotel guests and the public.Photo courtesy of Hacienda Del Rio

Departing from the artsy interior to New Braunfels' beautiful surroundings, guests can play pickleball, beach volleyball, and basketball on a half-court, plus fire pits near the river and kayaks, paddleboards, and floats. River adventures will be facilitated by Paddle Texas, which will offer rentals and experiences. Finally, a renovated pool and deck provide more leisure space.

“‘Del Rio’ reflects the area’s deep connection to the Guadalupe River, where guests can jump in, float, or just hang out by the water, whether it’s at the river or our pool," said French Cowboys co-founder Dylan Petrich in a press release. "And Hacienda captures our vision of creating a vibrant, social place where people can kick back, enjoy the outdoors, and grab a drink, all in one of the Hill Country’s most iconic destinations, without breaking the bank."

Rates start at $125 per night, and the food and beverage space is open every day. Introductory rates are available for those who book through December 31, 2025.

hotels cocktails pool gruene new braunfels travel hill country openings