Texas wine lovers visiting the Texas Hill Country will soon have a new place to stay in Stonewall. Located along U.S. 290 between Johnson City and Fredericksburg, the Stonewall Motor Lodge will feature twelve rooms and five fully hooked-up RV spots. Its mid-century modern style will reflect its unique history. Built in 1964, the former Stonewall Motel was built during LBJ’s (Lyndon B. Johnson) presidency and housed the press and Secret Service.
Anita Ortiz Lubke and Lance Lubke first looked at the motel two years ago when winemaker Jason Englert of Grape Creek Vineyards suggested the motel had potential. The Lubkes have a rehabbing business so he insisted they should take a look. They visited and there was nobody around during their visit to the classic L-shaped road side motel from the ‘60s.
They left their visit, but two years later, the motel still sat in the back of Anita Ortiz Lubke’s mind. The Lubkes, along with several friends, purchased the hotel.
“We could see the potential to do something really special and bring this retro motel back to life, but we also saw this as a fun project to work on. It has good bones, great character and history, and a super location. Take a road trip to the Hill Country, tour some wineries, enjoy some good food, and come back to a relaxing night where we can sit out and enjoy a glass of wine. We can’t wait to host our guests this spring,” says new owner Anita Ortiz Lubke.
Now owners Anita Ortiz Lubke and Lance Lubke plan to create a welcoming spot where guests can enjoy outdoor gathering areas and fire pits. Additional features will include a coffee bar, a lounge, and ADA accessible rooms. Facility updates include all new bathrooms, windows, doors, and paint.
“Most of the vineyards on the Hwy 290 Wine Trail close around 6 p.m.,” says Ortiz Lubke. “We plan on creating cozy spaces where guests can enjoy the bottles of wine they picked up on their tastings either in our new lounge, on our deck, or around our fire pits.”
Update: Stonewall Motor Lodge will open for business on June 3, 2019. Owners Anita Ortiz Lubke and Lance Lubke, who purchased the property in 2019 with a group of friends, explain, “Stonewall Motor Lodge had incredible bones and we are thrilled for Hill Country visitors to see the upgrades. The bathrooms, rooms, deck, walls, floors…everything is brand new but pays tribute to the history of the property. We’re excited to open our doors in June!”
Reservations for the retro motor lodge will begin mid-May for summer bookings. Those who sign up for Stonewall Motor Lodge’s email newsletter and those who have liked the Facebook page will have early access to booking. Those interested in booking a room early may sign up for the newsletter here.
All images are renderings
I am looking for 5 rooms (2 adults in each) 3 kingsize, 2 with 2 queens. We’re a group that graduated from High School in 1968 and had so much fun at our 50th HS Reunion we decided to make it a yearly event. Will you be open by April 10th? We would be staying one night.
Thank you for your time.
(I saw you on Instagram)
Hi Elizabeth. If you saw the Stonewall Motor Lodge on Instagram, I would suggest asking them there. Or there is contact information on their website too.
do you allow pets, mine are not allowed on furniture or to roam freely in the room. they are very small
Hi Vicki, you should contact the Stonewall Motor Lodge directly. Contact information is on their website.