Images like wineries along the highway, Enchanted Rock State Park, and rich German culture probably come to mind when you think of Fredericksburg. This popular destination town has much to offer those seeking to get away from the daily grind, so it’s no surprise that it’s also home to 17 idyllic properties nestled in the rolling Hill Country. Called Honeytree, from the treehouses built into old-growth oak trees to A-frame cabins with epic views, these dwellings will capture the hearts of anyone who chooses to stay.
Jacob and Katie Rhodes have built HoneyTree from the ground up and maintain each house with loving care. Shortly after moving to Fredericksburg, the couple decided to build a treehouse amongst several Texas live oak trees that grew on their Sycamore-lined creek property near Katie’s childhood home. Aptly named The Sycamore, the house was a huge success and thus began their journey from a single treehouse to multiple unique properties that embrace the beauty of the region.
While neither Jacob nor Katie are trained in design, the meticulous attention to detail in each treehouse shows they have a natural talent. Each house is a tasteful blend of design styles: There’s a definite bohemian influence, and touches of Hill Country can be seen everywhere, as the Rhodes use local materials like Juniper cedar in design aspects such as the light fixtures and the exterior railings. “We just sort of come to it from our own inspiration. We use a lot of Pinterest and Instagram, and we're both pretty esthetically in tune with each other. My wife does a lot of handwork, so she is knitting and doing all kinds of sort of artwork. I'm a handyman, and so I do a lot of, you know, more sculptural building, ” says Jacob.
Honeytree has two locations for guests: The Meadow, the site of the original five treehouses, and BlueSage, a property located between Fredericksburg and Enchanted Rock State Park, home to 12 additional units. The first five houses are built amongst the trees, but an ice storm forced the Rhodes to adjust their vision for BlueSage, so while the homes there aren’t traditional treehouses, Jacob explains the best treehouse amenities made their way into the designs: outdoor bathtubs, rooftop stargazing patios, helical staircases, round windows, and garage doors that open onto decks that feature incredible views.
Needless to say, booking time at either HoneyTree location is an opportunity for relaxation at its finest. Except for the family unit at BlueSage, none of the units have TVs. Originally a connectivity issue, feedback showed the Rhodes their unique resort gave guests a chance to get away from it all. “If there's a value we want to stand by and encourage, especially on a romantic getaway, it's to disconnect from the news cycle, disconnect from the distractions a lot of us have to live with in modern life. And have this be a space where you can escape from all that,” says Jacob.
There’s a walking trail at The Meadow, and Blue Sage has amenities like a fire pit and propane grills. This spring, Blue Sage will feature three cowboy pools, a barrel sauna, a cold plunge, and an outdoor shower.
And if you do want to leave the bucolic property and explore Fredericksburg and the surrounding Hill Country? Jacob has several suggestions: “Enchanted Rock State Park is just super cool and impressive, wine tasting is really fun, and if you’re here in the springtime, it’s all about the wildflowers. Find a country road and just drive it. There's also a place called WildSeed Farms, which sells a lot of the local wildflower seed and has fields and fields of cultivated wildflowers.”
As far as dining goes, Jacob shared some of his favorite spots. For breakfast, the green chili chicken and grit bowl at Caliche is a must, the burger at Hill & Vine is always a good option for lunch, and for dinner, Otto’s German Bistro is a farm-to-table spot every visitor should try.
Discover your favorite spot at HoneyTree by visiting honeytreefbg.com.