Tag: Texas Hill Country

Unique Texas Hill County Travel Destination With A… CASTLE & Cool VIBES!

Trey Chapman Travel Experiences, Uncategorized

Hello Y’all!

Wine Castle “The Chateau De Chase” on 290 On HILL.

If you follow our travel, food, chef and cocktail adventures then you’re aware that I’m like an OLD HOUND DOG always on the HUNT. Searching for Creative chefs, delicious eats, savory sweet treats and UNIQUE Travel destinations. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE DISCOVERIES. Get ready for an AWESOME Experience! Let’s GO!

There we were, cruising down highway 290, headed to Fredericksburg when Jana blurts out, “Trey did you see that castle?” On the phone I replied by asking her if she had already started drinking wine, even though it was only 8am. Turns out it WAS a castle – a big, beautiful castle, with a new hotel right beside it. I thought, if that’s not intriguing, I don’t know what is. A castle on a hill, in Texas, with a NEW HOTEL right beside it. That just screams UNIQUE!

The next week we made reservations for the NEW Bentley Hotel on 290, adjacent to the Wine Castle. Making the reservations was a good call, because the Bentley Hotel is absolutely an incredible – a true destination that’s not only unique, but inviting, relaxing, charming and comfortable. You truly don’t need to leave once you check in for the weekend.

They’re a twelve room and two suite boutique hotel featuring a resort-style pool and an outdoor wine cabana bar, complete with all of your wine cocktails and culinary delights! Enjoy a wine cocktail after check-in on Friday night, then take a dip in the lounge pool and hot tub and order a pizza for dinner on Saturday. You can visit the Wine Castle just up the hill and enjoy some tasty wines and snacks, then learn about wines in a cozy and inviting castle atmosphere.

They have twelve king-size rooms with private balconies, two two-story Suites with living rooms and double private balconies. Each room tells a story through its name, and no matter which one you choose they’re all warm, cozy, colorful, classy and extremely comfortable. We stayed in the CLINT EASTWOOD ROOM and LOVED IT! ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!

They have a BIG resort-style pool with private lounge cabanas and beautiful pool furniture. A Texas-centric wine cabana bar that’s shaded, and a kitchen that’s open 5pm to 9pm, offering Incredible customer service. The lounge pool is open 10am to 9 pm.

If you’re looking for a Truly UNIQUE Texas Hill Country Travel destination offering a one of kind experience, including a castle, then The Bentley Hotel on 290 is the place to be. Make your reservations and when you get there, walk through the little black gates and leave your troubles behind. That’s what we did and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you do the same.

Until next time my friends! Enjoy a unique travel experience, enjoy something deliciousness, be happy, and always love your neighbor. We need more love in this world and of course unique travel experiences like the The Bentley Hotel on 290!

Hope to meet you at a table soon!

Adios Y’all!

Amazing Delicious Destination – Top 10 in the USA – Emma and Ollie

Trey Chapman Brunch, Chow

Breakfast + Brunch + Lunch Hill Country, Fredericksburg, TX

Emma + Ollie Cozy Delicious Destination

A few months back, while we were “Road Trip’in” for deliciousness, we had to check out a place we heard about in beautiful Fredericksburg, Texas. To say it was worth the trip would be greatly understated. Sometimes culinary perfection is found tucked back in the most unassuming places. When this happens, it puts a smile on my face, fills my heart with joy, and my belly with deliciousness.

Located in a little old home surrounded by trees and a beautiful landscape, the atmosphere is cozy and the house is bursting with life. It’s one of those little joints where everything is perfect. The colors, flowers, the wall decorations, and of course the incredible old-school service. It just feels so right as soon as you see it. The kind of place you want to meet family, loved ones, and friends to enjoy something creative and delicious. Simply put, this is a truly hidden spot of culinary perfection that’s unforgettable!

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Historical Texas Motor Lodge That’s Unforgettable

Trey Chapman Travel Experiences

Howdy Y’all!

The Press Room (LBJ Waiting Room)

If you’re new to our site, my name is Trey and I specialize in locating creative and talented chefs, delicious dishes, tasty cocktails, and unique travel experiences that everyone should enjoy around the USA.

I heard about this cozy little 1960’s Motor Lodge located in the beautiful Hill Country of Texas, right down the road from President LBJ’s Ranch – the Texas White House, as they called it. These days when we get a tip, or hear about new place to visit, we must investigate before striking out on the adventure, just to be sure it’s what we’re expecting.

We did our homework and discovered it was originally built in 1964. This restored L-shaped motel combines modern luxury with a retro twist, featuring 12 remodeled rooms and 4 private cabins — faithful to their mid-century modern roots – along with five RV sites.

Interested, we loaded up and headed for the beautiful Stonewall Motor Lodge in Stonewall, Texas, right next to Fredericksburg, Texas. It’s such a beautiful, quaint, and relaxing drive. We reserved the PRESS ROOM to spend the weekend in and enjoy the Hill Country.

When we arrived and I laid my eyes on the lodge I knew we had made the CORRECT decision. It was perfect! A shining star located roadside like the OLD Motor Lodges from the 1940, 50, and 60’s. Completely refurbished with roof top deck added, nice colorful and cozy rooms, big showers, comfortable beds, outdoor living areas and the big outdoor barn area. This was complete with sitting areas, a bar, fans and windows to view the wild life. They also had an outdoor fire pit and grilling area under big Hill Country trees and loads of deer. I’m serious when I say loads of deer – we counted 10 and one big Texas buck on our first outing to the barn. The next morning when we looked out of the window, I saw so many deer we couldn’t count them all. It was magical!!

I reserved the PRESS ROOM because I firmly believe that every travel experience should include some history, education, and fun, with a dash of deliciousness and a few tasty cocktails. When you have that combination it’s sure to be the PERFECT travel experience.

The Press Room was awesome. If these walls could talk… Once reserved for the Press Corps hoping to snap a shot of President Lyndon B. Johnson during visits to his ranch, this room is steeped in the history of the nearby “Texas White House”. It has a little kitchenette with a table and all kinds of historical photos. It’s cozy and has PLENTY OF ROOM.

We unpacked, settled in, and started enjoying the wonderful Lodge. We went out back and enjoyed talking to the deer (a one-sided conversation), listening to music and discussing our incredible day with BLAKE the engaged ” Southern White Rhino.” But, that’s another story and one you don’t want to miss. Later on, we got some wine and headed to the rooftop overlooking the hotel and surrounding area. We really enjoyed the outdoor living room and discussing the cars and trucks as the rolled by. What a fantastic day we had, and ending it looking up at the TEXAS star BIGHT night made it perfect.

I don’t know about you, but Jana and myself love staying in cozy old beautiful places. Stonewall was extremely nostalgic, cozy and quaint, and not to mention affordable. There is just something about pulling up, getting out of your car, and walking into your room. Not having to deal with loads of people, big parking lots, elevators, and miles of concrete if you get my drift. It was a nice change of pace, bringing things back to a simpler time. (Boy times have changed but NOT at STONEWALL.)

If you’re looking for a different experience that’s truly a change of pace and one that’s unforgettable, you need to book a stay and enjoy some time at the beautiful STONEWALL MOTOR LODGE. You will thank me Later! 12 stars out of 10 for these travelers.

Hope to see you on the road or at a table soon! Love y’all!

Trey and Jana

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Unique Texas Hill Country Travel Experience

Trey Chapman Chow, Travel Experiences 1 Comment on Unique Texas Hill Country Travel Experience

Howdy Y’all!

If you’re new to our site, my name is Trey and I specialize in locating creative and talented chefs, delicious dishes, tasty cocktails, and unique travel experiences that everyone should enjoy.

I was so excited when I heard about and booked this NEW travel adventure that I literally didn’t sleep for two nights prior to leaving. It combines and encompasses some of my greatest passions: endangered species, history, tasty wines, and unique travel destinations. The GREATEST factor? It’s an affordable experience that everyone can enjoy. It involves learning about the historic and important factors with the endangered Southern White Rhino population.

The RHINORY is now OPEN in Fredericksburg the beautiful hill country of Texas and worth every single second of your time. You can visit, meet, and have an opportunity to touch and rub BIG BLAKE, a beautiful and sweet Endangered White Rhino. During this time, you can also learn about and enjoy some very tasty wines. Drinking is optional – you can still enjoy this incredible experience without the wine. ( You must make reservations for Rhino visit )

Their 55-acre ranch in Fredericksburg is close to everything, but as you pull through the gates you will be entering into a whole new world when you arrive. They have a special area where you will be able to get up close and personal with Big Blake.  The rhino keeper will escort you and guide you through the experience where you will learn more about this rhino and potentially get the opportunity to feed him, touch and or rub him.  This is an amazing experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. All revenue from the experience will go to the International Rhino Foundation to further aid rhino conservation worldwide.

The concept came about after owner Craig Stevens and wife Chesney witnessed a devastating loss while traveling in Africa and wanted to tell the world about the issues rhinos are facing. I was very impressed with Chris and Kristen’s passion, professionalism and knowledge about rhinos. They have over three decades of experience and will educate you and your family on the history of this incredible species that faces extinction, and how we can help save them.

Chris and Kristen the passionate Rhino Keepers.

The wine team is also excellent and will explain the wide variety of wines offered and help you make educated choices so you can enjoy sipping on some incredible wines. They will answer your questions and educate you on the flavor profiles as well as the origins of the wine. The Stevens family settled in Hill Country over 150 years ago and they’re proud to continue the ranching and farming tradition, albeit they’re raising rhinos instead of cattle and wine grapes instead of hay.

Don’t forget to join the “Winos for Rhinos” wine club before you leave, this is a must if you love wine. Jana and I joined and took home 12 bottles of tasty wine that we can enjoy as we talk about and remember Blake, the sweet Rhino.

I strongly and highly recommend this travel experience that everyone can enjoy at the RHINORY… It’s one you will cherish for the rest of your life!

This is truly one of the most unique and unforgettable travel experiences you will ever encounter. I was so IMPRESSED and TAKEN by my experience that I had a hard time leaving. We said goodbye to BLAKE and the staff and now we are off to locate more fantastic and memorable experiences.

If you love deliciousness, good times, and real travel experiences, I urge you to follow us on our social channels, watch our TV show, listen to our podcast, or sign up for our email list.

Thank you so much for time!

Trey Chapman 

Trey Chapman / Trey’s Chow Down /Drink With Trey & Craig Stevens OWNER The Rhinory.