Porter Haus didn't start as an old farmhouse that happened to become an inn. Rick and Karen bought fourteen-plus undeveloped acres north of town (atop a hill) and built the house around one thing: this view off the back patio.
The turn off Highway 16 puts you through a private gate onto a paved gravel drive that climbs the hill toward the house. In spring the property blooms with acres of wildflowers, and you may want to stop to take a picture before you've even parked.
It's a small thing, but it sets the tone. You're not pulling into a parking lot — you're arriving somewhere.
Porter Haus was built as a home first — Rick and Karen's home — with a separate guest wing attached, so visitors have their own private entrance into the guest retreat.
Three of the four guest rooms open directly into that private guest retreat, with guest each given their own keyless entry code. The whole house sits on one level throughout, so getting from your room to the porch — or the coffee pot — is easy for everybody.
Every design decision on this property revolved around one thing: the view off the back patio. The house sits at the top of the hill, oriented specifically so that the view would be the payoff. The patio was sized generously enough that a full house of guests can spread out on it at once.
Mornings, it's coffee and county quiet. Evenings, it's where conversations with strangers turn into conversations with friends — and can tend to run long.
If you're curious about how it all came together, ask us about our story when you stay.
Fourteen-plus acres is enough room to actually stretch out and breathe, and enough quiet that the property does most of the entertaining on its own. There's even a half-mile walking trail around the property for those who really do want to stretch their legs while walking among the native plants and post oak trees.
Hill country evenings can be glorious, especially in the spring and fall, which is why the porch tends to be occupied most evenings.
From up here the Hill Country rolls out in every direction — no big city noise, no rooftops, no neighbors close enough to see.
Deer, fox and wild turkeys treat the property like their own (because it was), and they're not shy about appearing while guests are having breakfast.
Far enough from Fredericksburg's lights that the stars actually show up. At the right time of year you can even see the milky way overhead.
14+ acres, on top of a hill in the Texas Hill Country.
A single-story home with a separate, private guest retreat wing.
Built specifically to be a bed & breakfast; opened to guests in December 2019.
12101 N State Hwy 16 — about 10 minutes from Main Street, heading toward Llano.
Pictures only get you so far. The porch is better in person.