about us
Hoffman Haus is a boutique bed and breakfast situated in the heart of Fredericksburg, Texas.
Steeped in the legacy of gracious hospitality, Hoffman Haus has become known for providing the perfect setting for guests to enjoy the historic charm of one of Fredericksburg’s premier bed and breakfast properties. Our beautifully appointed grounds and accommodations span five acres in a charming neighborhood just a block from Main Street.
Our guest enjoy a chef prepared breakfast served daily to each door at 9am in a picnic basket. A Hoffman Haus tradition since 1994.
We provide the luxury of a boutique hotel with the individualized attention of a bed and breakfast. Our guests experience the serenity and seclusion of a country retreat while staying right in the heart of downtown Fredericksburg, Texas.
Hoffman Haus is the ideal backdrop for an intimate getaway or for hosting memorable celebrations. Modern luxuries and timeless amenities combine to provide the quintessential Hill Country experience.
Fredericksburg's history
In 1846 a bedraggled group of German immigrants, some walking, some riding in oxcarts and wagons, arrived in a lush green valley intersected by clear lively creeks. They had planned to rest a few days, then push on to their goal of the Llano River, 40 miles north, but they thought better of the idea. After months of extremely difficult, arduous and dangerous travel from the Texas Coast, they decided to stay where they were. Primitive log huts were gradually built along what is now Main Street (Hauptstrasse) for rudimentary shelter in those early days. A little over a decade later, German ingenuity and hard work had transformed the tiny village into a bustling community.
Years continued to pass and Fredericksburg grew and prospered.
Letters flowed from Texas to Germany describing the abundance of land, entreating family and friends to take a chance and make their way west.
Many did, in some cases entire villages, adding to the town’s population and creating a very German outpost in the Hill Country. Schools and churches were built for education and worship, newspapers and various societies made for a rich intellectual and social life. German was the spoken language, of course, and many old timers today still speak the dialect unique to the area, “Texas German”.
Leslie's Story
Nearly two decades ago I bought an inn.
It wasn’t a rash act, although I think my mother and father viewed it as such by the look on their very concerned faces when I told them what I had decided to do.
My parents seemed to sum it all up one rainy spring morning in April, when they came down from Dallas to view my purchase.
As they walked through the front door of the Great Hall, an old 19th century tobacco barn, they exclaimed with alarm, “what have you done?” I began to ask myself the same question once the enormity of the decision I had made began to sink in.
Because, you see, I had no earthly idea what I was doing.
I first became aware of Hoffman Haus when my real estate agent brought me a flyer describing the place.
Immediately the two of us began to skylark, ultimately rationalizing that it would be a good venue to compliment the cooking school I had just opened when I moved to the Texas Hill Country.
Whether it was logic, or the influence of a second glass of wine, I made an appointment with her to take a tour.
The next morning I drove up the driveway, circled into the parking space in front of Calico Cottage, looked around and took a deep breath.
I was smitten.
This is where my adventure began. With no previous experience and a vague notion of what it takes to own an inn, I bought a twelve-room bed and breakfast, thinking I would figure out how to manage it as I bumped along. The inevitable discoveries of recalcitrant, poorly installed plumbing; bed frames held together by chicken wire; of rooms stuffed to the brim with garishly mismatched furnishings, reduced me to disbelief that anyone in their right mind would pay to stay with us.
As I gradually began to peel off the layers of neglect a property collects when it has been through several owners, a beautiful old girl emerged, delighted to be taken care of and loved. The funnily endearing stories that have accumulated over the years, usually starting with the opening line “you can’t make this stuff up”, have been told and retold with amusement and the occasional admonishment “you need to write a book!”
There are always unexpected surprises that pop up, which for many years made me feel I would never get the hang of this business.
But a gradually emerging pride of place began to develop as my extraordinary staff helped me bring to life a charming retreat that creates so much peace and tranquility for those who stay here.
Hoffman Haus has become a part of the fabric of many lives, those of my children and grandchildren, the incredible people I work with, returning and new guests, our precious community, they all make up my HH family.
This project began with enough naiveté to see me through what owning a bed and breakfast really means.
I have learned a great deal, and I love what I do.
It is my story now, with wonderful additions every day. The first steps were a little unsettling, but after all these years I feel sure-footed, content to know that the original vision of the original owner has been elegantly realized, with my imprint on it as well.
He called Hoffman Haus the most enchanting guesthouse in Fredericksburg . . . and I believe it is.
Leslie
Testimonials
Julie Prager
We were very surprised and delighted with Hoffman Haus. You can beat the location. The room/cottage was clean, beautiful and quaint; it was not overpriced. What surprised me the most and meant the most to me was the hot gluten free breakfast. It's SO hard to find gluten free options when you travel, and I was sure grateful for the fresh and delicious gluten free breakfast! We will be back for sure!
Dee R
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Hoffman Haus B&B. Our room was very clean and quaint, but the breakfast and the in-room amenities were the show stoppers. They were outstanding to say the least. I highly recommend if you are traveling to Fredericksburg or anywhere in the area
Caroline Luby
My husband, daughter (2), and I stayed at Hoffman Haus during a little family getaway over Thanksgiving. It was wonderful! We stayed in the Linden which was perfectly appointed and very comfortable. The location was great- just a short walk to Main Street. And the breakfasts were delicious!! They are the perfect way to start the day, hand delivered to your door in picnic baskets. We look forward to our next stay at Hauffman Haus!
