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Brittany and Chuck Baker, owners, and native Texans, have taken the Dabbs Hotel into the twenty-first century without sacrificing the charm and elegance that characterizes the last of the old Texas railroad and river hotels. Contributed photos -
The Dabbs Hotel also served as a bordello during the peak of Llano's wild frontier days. -
The Dabbs Hotel was built in 1907 along the banks of the Llano River to serve the railroad crewmen and accommodate a new breed of Americans. -
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The view of the old truss bridge in Llano from the Dabbs Hotel venue inspires mystery of a time gone by.
The romance of historic hotels is enhanced by the stories that haunt the ancient structures and reinforce our desire to enter into the antiquity of “times gone by.”
The Dabbs Hotel was built in 1907 along the banks of the Llano River to serve the railroad crewmen and accommodate a new breed of Americans. People were becoming more mobile with the advent of railroad lines connecting small towns and villages across the nation.
The newly renovated Dabbs Hotel is a link to a colorful past that once attracted the famous and the infamous.
The Dabbs Hotel also served as a bordello during the peak of Llano’s wild frontier days. In the early 1900s Llano was the last stop before transferring to the stagecoach to go further west. Bonnie and Clyde were among the hotel’s most illustrious guests as they often vacationed there. Although the days of men’s waistcoats and bowlers and women with long sweeping skirts are gone, the hotel is a living museum celebrating a fascinating era of American history. Brittany and Chuck Baker, owners, and native Texans, have taken the Dabbs Hotel into the twenty-first century without sacrificing the charm and elegance that characterizes the last of the old Texas railroad and river hotels.
For Brittany and Chuck, the major renovation of the property was a labor of love.
For Brittany, the vision of the completed property was deep-seated and propelled her forward in 2021 despite the obstacles.
As a realtor, Brittany has a gift for interior design, the ability to visualize the final result, and the diligence to see projects to their completion. The goal is to restore this Llano landmark, making it a destination for locals as well as tourists visiting the area.
A part of the major renovation was the guest rooms. Originally there were no private bathrooms, and this became a priority.
The décor was also an essential element that now includes queen-size and king-size beds with plush bedding and lavish linens alongside whispers of history like a clawfoot shower/tub combination in the Bonnie & Clyde Hideout room, a guest favorite.
The newly renovated Sunroom Queen Suite has a separate living room, corner windows with a view, a large new Roku TV, and luxury linens.
One of the rooms is a two-bedroom suite with a private bathroom, and a private balcony with a peek of the bridge and distant sounds of the Llano river as it flows across the dam.
The historic setting on the banks of the Llano River has long been a destination for celebrating noteworthy milestones like anniversaries, weddings, and family reunions, and the newly renovated Dabbs Hotel still offers an intimate backdrop for the perfect wedding.
The picturesque ceremony on the beautifully landscaped grounds provides a unique setting with views of the Llano River, Inks Bridge, and the magnificent Llano courthouse.
The staff at the Dabbs Hotel will also assist you in partnering with local businesses for items like flowers, rentals of tables, chairs, and linens, as well as bakeries and local caterers.
After the wedding, spend your honeymoon in the charming country sunroom called the Something Blue King Suite.
True to the name, soft blues, gold, and white create a soothing experience in this luxurious guest room that is awash in natural lighting.
All the guest rooms include a complimentary light breakfast buffet with access to three outdoor terraces and a balcony where you can enjoy the fantastic Hill Country Sunsets with morning coffee or a light afternoon lunch. The restaurant is a new addition to The Dabbs Hotel and serves a selection of light wraps and unique salads.
The adventurous will like what Brittany calls Da’Bomb, a salad with lettuce, spinach, peppered turkey, aged white cheddar, pickled red onions, bacon, apples, and tomatoes with a bacon shallot vinaigrette.
Build your wrap with items like turkey, bacon, pepper jack cheese, avocado, and chipotle aioli, or take advantage of a “lunch to go” as you explore Llano’s local shops and amenities.
The Dabbs Hotel was established in 1907. The venue is located at 112 E Burnet St. in Llano. Call 325-248-1072 for more information.
Visit www.dabbshotel. com to plan your next special occasion or a restful and relaxing weekend.