A boutique hotel in New Braunfels is one of seven Texas properties to earn a coveted Michelin Key. Sophie’s Gasthaus, an eight-suite property housed in a historic 1900s estate, joins these other Texas stays on the list:
- Four Seasons Hotel Austin
- The Frances Modern Inn (Austin)
- Hotel 1928 (Waco)
- Missing Hotel (Marble Falls)
- The Ritz-Carlton Dallas (Las Colinas)
- The Hotel Daphne (Houston)
In its entry on the Michelin website, the Guide’s inspectors hail Sophie’s “European soul meets Texas hospitality,” including thoughtful touches like white-noise sleep machines.
Although the historic bones of the estate can be seen throughout, the décor is surprisingly contemporary. Suites are adorned with both modern and antique furnishings, luxe linens, and moody color palettes. Art from Austin’s West Chelsea Contemporary provides a surprising touch.
Many of the suites have moody color palettes.Photo courtesy of Sophie's Gasthaus
Announced Friday, September 18, Michelin added 65 properties in America to its list of Key-worth stays, bringing the overall total to more than 350 hotels nationwide. Sophie’s is only the second San Antonio-area hotel to earn Key status, joining Hotel Emma.Similar to the famous Michelin Stars awarded to restaurants, hotels may receive one, two, or three keys, which are defined as follows:
- One Michelin Key for hotels that offer "very special" stays with service that "provides significantly more than similarly priced establishments."
- Two Michelin Keys for "exceptional stays" where memorable guest experiences are "always guaranteed" with a special emphasis on the hotel's design or architecture.
- Three Michelin Keys for hotels that provide "extraordinary stays" for "the ultimate in comfort and service, style and elegance."
No properties in Texas hold three Michelin Keys. The state’s only two-key properties are the Commodore Perry Estate (Austin), the Bowie House (Fort Worth), and Hotel Emma.
