A quick two miles from Main Street, Fredericksburg, you can step through the doors of the Hangar Hotel and walk straight into the 1940s. Whether arriving from the tarmac or the parking lot, guests delight in the lush furnishings and immaculate detail harkening back to a bygone era. Built in 1995 by NASA engineer, Dick Estenson, the Hangar Hotel is just what it sounds like, a hotel built inside a WWII-style Quonset hut hangar.
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Places to Stay
The Hangar Hotel: “Wheels Up” On a Trip Back in Time
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Visitors begin their experience in the striking lobby, furnished with fine woods and plush leather armchairs, made using real bomber jacket leather. The sounds of Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw make a lovely backdrop while guests check in with the reception staff, who dress in vintage flight crew uniforms.
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Those desiring a little something to knock off the “trail dust” will be pleased to find the Officers’ Club adjacent to the lobby. Here are more wonderful, retro details, as well as a full bar, grand piano, regulation pool table, and a marvelous mahogany and granite fireplace. Before or after dinner, the Officers’ Club is a comfortable, tranquil setting to enjoy a signature cocktail or martini and commiserate with friends. Often, local musicians provide entertainment.
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When it’s time to turn in, visitors head upstairs to one of the 50 guest rooms lining the hangar. Each bedroom features a gorgeous king-size mahogany sleigh bed with rattan inserts, fitted with Egyptian cotton sheets and a custom wool Army blanket. Cozy leather chairs, like those found in the lobby, flank the window and its single candle, a sweet symbol of family loyalty to traveling loved ones. The bathroom also evokes the 1940s with chic black and white tile, bead board, and a long, black granite counter top. All this makes for a perfect night’s sleep. Just as the billboard out front promises, you’ll sleep like a baby.
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After awaking refreshed, head to the observation deck for your morning cup of coffee. Take a seat in one of the many inviting Adirondack chairs and watch the planes arrive and take off. Since the Hangar Hotel is adjacent to the Gillespie County Airport runway, guests have the best seat in the house from which to spot aircraft of all shapes and sizes. You never know what you might see!
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When hunger strikes, head next door to the classic Airport Diner. A vision in patterned stainless steel and polished black granite, guests appreciate the continued attention to detail from the curved birch ceiling to the timeless terrazzo floors. With the airport parking ramp still in view, visitors can enjoy the sights and sounds of aircraft while digging in to a delicious menu. The Airport Diner offers a wide array of tempting tastes from traditional breakfast items to bodacious burgers, savory sandwiches, and healthy salads. But don’t forget dessert! Pies, cobblers, floats, and sundaes all beckon to hungry travelers.
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If you are looking for an escape from the daily grind, make your way to the Hangar Hotel. A luxurious retreat steeped in history and nostalgia, this unique Texas Hill Country hotel provides something for everyone.
