About the Hotel Giles
Hotel Giles History
Hotel Giles is named after Alfred Giles--the famed San Antonio architect who designed and oversaw its construction in 1880 at the young age of 27. Giles was a highly sought-after architect in San Antonio and South Texas, who catered to the dignified gentry of the time with his symmetrical and conservative design style. However, it was not always Hotel Giles.
In 1880, Peter Ingenhuett and Marie Karger commissioned Alfred Giles to build Comfort's first hotel, and named it the Ingenhuett Hotel. Comfort was a growing German community, and many a person traveling by stagecoach enjoyed the comfortable accommodations of the hotel.
With the coming of the railroad, the original native limestone building soon became too small for the burgeoning town, so Giles returned in 1894 to design the addition, including iconic arched parlor windows and gothic lintel cross. Members of the Peter and Marie Ingenhuett family--including their son Ernst, and Marie's brother Charles Karger--operated the hotel until around 1905. Around 1909, the hotel was purchased by Louis and Mathilda Faust, who renamed it the Faust Hotel. Following World War II, hotels declined in popularity, to be replaced by motels and motor lodges. In addition, German speakers living in the United States often had a difficult time. In 1946, the Faust family ceased to operate it as a hotel, and it fell into decline.
In 1985, Dr. Bob and Diane Potter acquired the building, along with the old Post Office and the Peter and Marie Ingenhuett Homestead properties to the west. They immediately sold the homestead and used the proceeds of that sale to bring the hotel back to life. The Potters restored the property, and it once again became a flourishing business with antique vendors and bed-and-breakfast accommodations. They are credited with saving the hotel from ruin and further protecting it by acquiring a Texas Historical Landmark designation.
Subsequently, James Lord and Bobby Dent, purchased the hotel and operated it for around 18 years. It passed briefly to a couple from Houston, then to Brian and Diane Treusdell in 2015, who invested significantly in renovations and modernization and renamed it Hotel Giles.
The interior of the original 1880 portion of the hotel reflected a dog-run plan, including a central reception hall with two guest rooms on either side and a central staircase leading to the same symmetrical room layout on the second floor. It had galleries across the front and back on both floors, a copper tinner's roof and a large stone fireplace.
Today's Hotel Giles
In March 2022, the current ownership group purchased Hotel Giles with a strong commitment to preserving the historic character of the hotel and grounds while also providing guests and locals alike with exceptional hospitality, modern comforts, and a relaxing experience. This boutique hotel is perfect for a quick trip to the Texas Hill Country for wine tastings, art, live music, retreats, romantic couples getaways, weddings, antiquing, work from anywhere or just to decompress from the frenetic world any time! Explore all our rooms/suites and pick the one that’s best for you.
No matter which room/suite you choose, we’ve provided all the details needed for an experience that’s just as unique as you are. Each stay includes a spacious and unique room or suite with luxury linens, private bath, in-room Keurig coffee, small-batch luxury bathroom amenities from San Saba Soap Co., flat-screen Roku televisions, free WIFI and homemade breakfast. After breakfast, you can tour the historic town of Comfort on retro bicycles, which are free for guests to use.
Most of the property is available to our guests. The rocking chairs on the front porch of the hotel, the gazebo, the Smokehouse, and the sitting area on the upper deck are all great places to hang out and relax. Please note that for group events you can rent a portion of the property for an additional fee (Breakfast Room, Gazebo, and Parlor).
