Escape the summer doldrums with a romantic journey to an alluring Texas Hill Country bed and breakfast.
Once the site of an old mill, the Creekhaven Inn sits on the edge of Cypress Creek in Wimberley, a scenic Hill Country playground between San Antonio and Austin. The romantic lodge is nestled in a picturesque property thick with gnarly cypress, sycamore and pecan trees. Guests can meander along its private creekside, watch birds and native deer or rest easy beneath Creekhaven’s eclectic greenhouse patio.
“The energy is indescribable, but definitely palatable,” says Helena Hauk, who owns Creekhaven Inn along with her husband, Don Huak. The couple purchased the bed and breakfast just two years ago, upgrading facilities and adding their own twist to the property’s nearly 100-year-old history.
Creekhaven’s natural beauty, set atop the rocky Edwards Plateau, is a stark contrast to Cypress' grassy, urban terrain. Summers are less humid and its distance from sprawling cities make for quiet, relaxing evenings. The shade from Creekhaven’s ancient trees and its proximity to the creek, keeps the property even cooler than nearby Wimberley.
Each guest room at the Creekhaven boasts its own unique personality. The spacious Bluebonnet room is painted a deep navy and styled with ornate furniture. The Cherokee Rose room is adorned with bold reds paired with vibrant textures. Guests can lounge on private balconies overlooking the creek, cozy up to a gas-burning fireplace or soak in their room’s oversized jetted tubs. High-speed wireless internet connects the entire property.
As a recent property upgrade, Helena and Don Hauk constructed a dedicated spa where guests can book massages and essential oil treatments. Guests can relax alone or join their significant other for a couple’s massage.
Creekhaven’s prime location makes it an ideal getaway for those wanting to relax or explore nearby attractions such as wineries, art galleries, swimming or hiking.
“You can come out and pack your days or be lazy and hang out by the water,” Helena says. “The Texas Hill Country is abundant with unique interests, and it is all well within 30 minutes to an hour of Creekhaven!”
Creekhaven boasts a nearly 100-year-old history. The location - once a working mill site -supplied power and irrigation to landowners nearby until the 1930s. The owner at the time built a small fishing cabin, adding to the location's appeal as a woodsy retreat and campground. In 1979, Jimmy and Barbara Ireland, of River Oaks, purchased the property, restored the fishing cabin, built new rooms and installed a stone waterfall. Jimmy, an engineer, carefully sourced native stones from the Wimberley Valley and cedar lumber so his construction designs could blend into the natural landscape. The couple also built a quaint greenhouse where Barbara could grow orchids. The greenhouse’s metal skeleton still stands today. After her husband’s death, Barbara renamed the property the Singing Cypress Gardens and in 1983 began renting rooms, establishing the location as Wimberley’s first bed and breakfast. Years later, the Huaks expanded the property to sixteen rooms, making Creekhaven Wimberley’s largest bed and breakfast.
CreekHavenInn.com 512-847-9344 400 Mill Race Lane Wimberley, Texas
FOOD
Guests need not worry about breakfast, because a hearty Texas breakfast is included with every stay. Made-from-scratch pastries, French toast casserole, quiche, eggs and pancakes are typical breakfast fare.
NATURE
Those wanting to experience more of the Hill Country’s natural beauty can take a dive at the Blue Hole Regional Park. The 126-acre park’s biggest draw is its chilly, spring-fed watering hole located less than a mile from Creekhaven.
SIGHTSEEING
Downtown Wimberley, a short walk from Creekhaven, has long been a mecca for artists, musicians and craft folk. It’s home to quirky gift shops, restaurants, theaters and art galleries. Check out the EmilyAnn Theatre and Gardens and its life-sized chess board or watch a glass-blowing demonstration at Wimberley Glass Works.
