Karbach Haus, New Braunfels, bed and breakfast, Texas, inns

Karbach Haus

Bed & Breakfast Home

487 West San Antonio Street

New Braunfels, Texas 78130

Phone: (830) 625-2131

Fax: (830) 629-1126

Toll Free: (800) 972-5941

Email: KHausBnB@aol.com

Visit us on BedandBreakfast.com

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In this traditional B&B setting, guests experience the Gemütlichkeit of a German Gästhaus with the amenities of a romantic, upscale resort. Comfortable and casually elegant, the home boasts turn-of-the-century ambiance with twenty-first century amenities. Four bedrooms are in the main house and two are in the newly restored carriage house. The 18X40 swimming pool and spa are set in beautifully landscaped gardens, surrounded by ancient pecan, cypress and magnolia trees. In keeping with the person ality of the town, a German-style, multi-course breakfast is graciously served each morning in the sun parlor or formal dining room. Ben Jack and Kathy both trace their family history to the first German families to settle in the Texas Hill Country in 1 845 and 1846.

The stately home was built on a downtown acre shortly after the turn-of-the-century as a residence for a wealthy dry-goods merchant. Kathyżs parents, Dr. and Mrs. Hylmar Karbach, Sr., purchased the mansion in the mid-thirties. Extensive remodeling rendered it the most modern residence in town, perfect for the prominent doctorżs large family and Mecca for the cityżs elite. Kathy and Ben Jack celebrated their wedding at the home in 1956. Following Ben Jackżs retirement from the Navy, they returned an d have painstakingly restored the home, first opening it to the public as a Bed and Breakfast in 1987.

Conveniently located on an acre estate in the heart of downtown New Braunfels, visitors can walk to a superb variety of restaurants, museums, and antique stores. Landa Park, Schlitterbahn, Gruene Historic District, Natural Bridge Caverns, and tubing or rafting on the Comal or Guadalupe rivers that flow through the town are among the many choices for visitors looking for things to do. Shopping is unusually good in New Braunfels. The town is located only 28 miles from San Antonio and 45 miles from Austin.

Take a Visual Tour of our Property

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The 18' X 40' swimming pool and spa are sited in the back yard surrounded by landscaped gardens and ancient magnolia and pecan trees. These outdoor amenities were added in 1994. While the hot tub spa can be enjoyed throughout the year, the pool is available from April to November, when the Texas weather permits.

Adjacent to the pool, the carriage house conference/party room is perfect for private dinners, weddings, family reunions, conferences, and "you name it." The antique carriage doors close the room off from inclement weather. Ceiling fans and central heat add to the comfort level. The Spanish tile floor and beaded board walls and ceilings add to the ambiance of what was once the largest carriage house in the city.

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The seated, German-style Breakfast/brunch is served in the formal dining room or in the winter garden room. Pictured here, the 16' X 20' dining room is separated from the large living room by antique pocket doors. Twelve foot ceilings throughout the lower level of the house accentuate the size of the rooms.

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Click on the above breakfast photo to see our Sample Menus!

From the dining room, French doors lead to the sun parlor (winter garden room) where guests can enjoy early morning coffee or juice bar, peruse the daily newspapers, or simply relax. A table for six to eight in one end of the sun parlor provides comfortable seating for breakfast guests.

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The oversized living room has an inviting fireplace in one end. Oriental design area rugs cover the oak hardwood floors. French doors open to the wrap-around front porch.

At the west end of the living room guests appreciate the Chickering grand piano, antique grandfather clock from Germany, and large collection of Hummel and Lladro figurines.

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The Guest Rooms

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Kathy's father was a Physician and Surgeon in New Braunfels. Dr. and Mrs. Karbach lived in the back rooms that closed off from the rest of the house. "The Doctor's Suite," is completely furnished with antique furniture, featuring a queen-sized poster bed. The extra large bath, remodeled in the mid-thirties, has a tub and shower. French doors provide access to a large screened porch with comfortable seating that overlooks the gardens, magnolia trees, pool and spa.

The largest bedroom in the main house was Mrs. Karbach's guest room. When Kathy and Ben Jack (a captain in the U.S. Navy) came home on leave, this was where the Captain hung his hat. The Captain's Quarters has a king-size poster bed, many antique pieces, and a large shower in the bathroom.

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When Dr. Karbach remodeled the house in the mid-thirties, built-in furniture was all the rage. Each upstairs bedroom features built-in desk, dresser, bureau and shelves. In addition, some walls follow the thirteen gables in the roof, giving the bedrooms in the upper level unique personalities. The "Maid's Suite," has a queen-size bed, large, tile bath (remodeled in 1993) and comfortable sitting area.

Kathy's brother is Dr. Hylmar Karbach, Jr. Kathy grew up convinced that Hylmar's room was the nicest bedroom in the house. When it came time to name the rooms, it simply could not be called anything else. Hylmar's room has a queen-size bed, and the tile bathroom has a shower and turn of the century pedestal sink. Slanting ceilings and built-ins add to the charm.

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The carriage house was remodeled in 1997 and transformed into luxury in every sense. The stable, once home to the princely carriage horses, is now a very large, handicap accessible bedroom. The bathroom has a Jacuzzi tub, Italian tile floor and extra large shower. Private telephone, individual thermostat, security alarm system, king-size poster bed and many antiques make this one of the most sought-after bedrooms in the house.

The Hayloft was literally a barn. The 24' X 24' bedroom has cypress wood floor, imported area rugs, vaulted ceiling, rock fireplace, four skylights, wide private deck, and a balcony overlooking the pool. A fully furnished kitchen, six foot Jacuzzi tub and separate dressing room with extra-large shower make this apartment the perfect choice for guests seeking maximum privacy in concert with every possible amenity.

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Your owner and resident hosts live in half of the upstairs rooms in the house. Kathy and Ben Jack Kinney look forward to greeting you and welcoming you in person to Karbach Haus Bed and Breakfast. About your hosts: Ben Jack, a fifth generation Texas Hill Country native, grew up in and around Johnson City and Austin, Texas. Following graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy he served his country as a naval aviator and computer systems management specialist for thirty years. After their four children were out of the house, Kathy, went to work as a school psychologist and Central Office Administrator in Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia. During a four year tour in Germany they had dreamed of turning Kathy's parent's home into a Bed and Breakfast fashioned after the wonderful "Pensions mit frustuch" they frequented in Europe. The dream became a reality in 1987 when the first B&B guests were welcomed to Karbach Haus.

Call today for more information or to make your reservation! (800) 972-5941