New Braunfels, Texas, December 10, 2025
The Faust Hotel in New Braunfels, Texas, is set to reopen in spring 2026 after a significant $4.5 million renovation. Originally opened in 1929, the hotel will offer modernized guest rooms while preserving its historic character. The renovation includes new dining options and event spaces, aiming to enhance tourism in the area.
New Braunfels, Texas – Historic Faust Hotel to Reopen in Spring 2026 After $4.5 Million Renovation
The Faust Hotel in New Braunfels, Texas, is set to reopen in spring 2026 following a comprehensive $4.5 million renovation. Originally opened in 1929, the hotel has been a cornerstone of downtown New Braunfels for generations, known for hosting soldiers and newlyweds during World War II and earning a place in the city’s rich cultural fabric.
Renovation Details
The extensive renovation has modernized every guest room, featuring king beds with high-quality linens, walk-in showers, custom vanities, retro Frigidaire mini-fridges, 55-inch TVs with streaming access, and Nespresso coffee makers. The property includes 45 rooms in total, including nine junior suites and six corner suites that can be upgraded to three-bedroom layouts with separate living rooms. Despite the Spanish Colonial Revival style having been refreshed and modernized, the ground floor preserves much of the hotel’s original character, including stairway tiles, the front desk, a phone booth, sconces, the lobby tiles, and the exterior fountain. Brick walls and cement columns uncovered during construction have been integrated into the design, blending historic ambiance with eye-catching furnishings, detailed crown moldings, daring wallpaper, and playful artwork.
Dining and Event Spaces
The hotel will debut Wilhelm & Werner, a Texas brasserie with European influences, offering 130 seats across an indoor-outdoor dining room, bar, lounge, and patio. Beneath it, Walter’s speakeasy pays homage to the Prohibition era with intimate seating and craft cocktails. Guests can also look forward to the newly designed Prince Solms Lobby Bar and the refreshed Magnolia Patio, stylish spaces to unwind while soaking in the hotel’s historic charm. The hotel’s 2,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom can host up to 110 guests for weddings, executive meetings, or holiday celebrations, offering a rare blend of historic charm and modern amenities in the heart of downtown.
Historical Significance
The Faust Hotel, originally known as the Traveler’s Hotel, was completed in 1929 and is located in New Braunfels, Texas. The hotel planning was started by a group of citizens desiring to attract tourist and convention traffic to counter a downturn in agricultural business caused by a mid-1920s drought in the area. Built on donated land from Senator Joseph Faust’s estate, the hotel was renamed in 1936 in honor of that family. The building is a four-story masonry design of no particular architectural style, though with some Spanish Renaissance Revival detailing. It has been renovated several times through the years, but is one of the few known Texas mid-rise hotels of its era still serving as a hotel. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
Community Impact
The reopening of the Faust Hotel is expected to contribute significantly to New Braunfels’ tourism industry. The New Braunfels Convention & Visitors Bureau’s latest economic impact studies show a 13 percent growth in hospitality from 2022-2024, averaging a $1.3 billion impact to the New Braunfels economy each year. In 2024, over 6 million people visited New Braunfels, with 2024 fall visitation showing a 6 percent increase from 2023. The 2026 projected opening of the historic Faust Hotel demonstrates the investment businesses are making in the New Braunfels tourism industry. New lodging and hotels, restaurants, and shops combined with award-winning attractions and annual long-time celebrations like Gruene Music & Wine Fest, Texas Clay Festival, Wurstfest, Weihnachtsmarkt, and Wassailfest draw visitors to New Braunfels and are a major contributor to the increases in fall and winter visitation.
Looking Ahead
The Faust Hotel’s reopening is anticipated to enhance New Braunfels’ appeal as a tourist destination, offering a blend of historic charm and modern amenities. The hotel’s strategic location in downtown positions it as a central hub for visitors seeking to explore the city’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant community life.
FAQ
When is the Faust Hotel reopening?
The Faust Hotel is set to reopen in spring 2026 following a comprehensive $4.5 million renovation.
What renovations have been made to the Faust Hotel?
The renovation has modernized every guest room, featuring king beds with high-quality linens, walk-in showers, custom vanities, retro Frigidaire mini-fridges, 55-inch TVs with streaming access, and Nespresso coffee makers. The property includes 45 rooms in total, including nine junior suites and six corner suites that can be upgraded to three-bedroom layouts with separate living rooms. The ground floor preserves much of the hotel’s original character, including stairway tiles, the front desk, a phone booth, sconces, the lobby tiles, and the exterior fountain. Brick walls and cement columns uncovered during construction have been integrated into the design, blending historic ambiance with eye-catching furnishings, detailed crown moldings, daring wallpaper, and playful artwork.
What dining options will be available at the Faust Hotel?
The hotel will debut Wilhelm & Werner, a Texas brasserie with European influences, offering 130 seats across an indoor-outdoor dining room, bar, lounge, and patio. Beneath it, Walter’s speakeasy pays homage to the Prohibition era with intimate seating and craft cocktails. Guests can also look forward to the newly designed Prince Solms Lobby Bar and the refreshed Magnolia Patio, stylish spaces to unwind while soaking in the hotel’s historic charm.
What is the historical significance of the Faust Hotel?
The Faust Hotel, originally known as the Traveler’s Hotel, was completed in 1929 and is located in New Braunfels, Texas. The hotel planning was started by a group of citizens desiring to attract tourist and convention traffic to counter a downturn in agricultural business caused by a mid-1920s drought in the area. Built on donated land from Senator Joseph Faust’s estate, the hotel was renamed in 1936 in honor of that family. The building is a four-story masonry design of no particular architectural style, though with some Spanish Renaissance Revival detailing. It has been renovated several times through the years, but is one of the few known Texas mid-rise hotels of its era still serving as a hotel. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
How will the reopening of the Faust Hotel impact New Braunfels?
The reopening of the Faust Hotel is expected to contribute significantly to New Braunfels’ tourism industry. The New Braunfels Convention & Visitors Bureau’s latest economic impact studies show a 13 percent growth in hospitality from 2022-2024, averaging a $1.3 billion impact to the New Braunfels economy each year. In 2024, over 6 million people visited New Braunfels, with 2024 fall visitation showing a 6 percent increase from 2023. The 2026 projected opening of the historic Faust Hotel demonstrates the investment businesses are making in the New Braunfels tourism industry. New lodging and hotels, restaurants, and shops combined with award-winning attractions and annual long-time celebrations like Gruene Music & Wine Fest, Texas Clay Festival, Wurstfest, Weihnachtsmarkt, and Wassailfest draw visitors to New Braunfels and are a major contributor to the increases in fall and winter visitation.
Key Features of the Faust Hotel Reopening
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Reopening Date | Spring 2026 |
| Renovation Cost | $4.5 million |
| Number of Rooms | 45 rooms, including nine junior suites and six corner suites |
| Dining Options | Wilhelm & Werner (Texas brasserie with European influences), Walter’s speakeasy, Prince Solms Lobby Bar, Magnolia Patio |
| Event Space | 2,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom accommodating up to 110 guests |
| Historical Significance | Opened in 1929, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 |
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