The grandest homes have a way of revealing themselves slowly. At Sophie’s Gasthaus, that introduction begins long before guests arrive at the 1906 estate. It starts with the rhinoceros lying proudly on the front lawn, continues through hallways lined with contemporary art, and unfolds in rooms layered with antique finds, family heirlooms, and pieces that carry stories of their own.
Tucked into one of New Braunfels’ historic neighborhoods, Sophie’s has become known for its singular blend of old-world architecture and modern expression. The boutique property, originally built by George and Hulda Eiband, honors its German heritage while embracing something far less expected: a dynamic art collection woven into the fabric of the guest experience.
“We really wanted to lean into the history,” says Jamie, who helped transform the century-old estate into the destination it is today. “We wanted to keep the feel of how the home was intended to feel.”
That meant preserving what time had left behind. Original staircases and wood floors remain beneath carefully considered updates, while Carrara marble, vintage-inspired fixtures, and locally sourced antiques lend an effortless sense of permanence. The goal was never to create a hotel in the traditional sense. Instead, the team envisioned something more intimate.
“We wanted people to feel like they were walking into an elevated home,” Erin explains. “Not a hotel, but also not an Airbnb.”
The distinction is subtle, but unmistakable. Each suite carries its own personality, shaped by moody paint palettes, eclectic furnishings, and one-of-a-kind pieces sourced right here in New Braunfels. Other pieces arrived with histories already attached. A sofa in the main house once overlooked the water from the family's home on Bainbridge Island near Seattle. Elsewhere, vintage accents from former family residences quietly anchor the space.
The result is a property that feels curated rather than decorated.
That philosophy reaches its fullest expression through Sophie’s art program, created in partnership with West Chelsea Contemporary. Throughout the house, artwork invites guests to linger, ask questions, and, in some cases, take a piece of the experience home with them.
“Not only is it giving the beautiful aesthetic, but people can learn even more about the artist and the art,” Jamie says.
The collection is intentionally fluid. New works rotate in throughout the year, ensuring repeat visitors discover something different with each stay.
“Don’t get too connected to the art because it can go away,” Erin says with a laugh.
No piece captures the spirit of Sophie’s quite like Rhino Wild Ride, the larger-than-life sculpture by Australian artists Gillie and Marc that has become an unofficial landmark in New Braunfels. Originally tucked away in the backyard, the rhinoceros sparked an outcry when it was temporarily removed.
Now stationed prominently at the front of the property, the sculpture serves as both a conversation starter and a work of activism.
Inside, another unexpected tradition has quietly taken shape. A vintage cabinet, once part of the family's Seattle home, now displays decorative keys left behind by wedding guests. What began as one couple’s creative seating chart has evolved into a ritual embraced by countless celebrations.
“Those will stay there forever,” Erin says.
Like the art that rotates through its halls and the stories layered into every room, the collection of keys continues to grow, a reminder that Sophie’s Gasthaus is more than a beautifully designed destination. It is a living gallery, shaped as much by the people who pass through as the pieces hanging on its walls.