The design is Art Deco tinged with Southern chic.
You might not expect to find a time capsule of the Art Deco era in Waco, Texas, but Chip and Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper fame have made that possible with Hotel 1928. Though the interior provides a nice mix of modern amenities and historic touches, the famous couple—known for their modern farmhouse style and funny on-screen antics—were still able to capture in this space what fans love so much: Their ability to make anywhere feel like home. raffles hotel furniture
Using cozy textures, beautiful colorways, and fully embracing Southern hospitality, the Gaineses created a design-forward getaway that would be perfect as a weekend retreat. That's how I got to stay in their Hotel 1928—I went for a long weekend last November before the grand opening, and I got to experience everything the beloved Magnolia Market and surrounding area had to offer. I saw firsthand how the dynamic duo's design style has evolved in recent years, moving from rustic chic to something more elevated. In partnership with AJ Capital Partners—a Nashville-based real estate company—the Gaineses wholly embraced the aesthetic of the 1920s, which is when the hotel was originally built. They combined that retro vibe with their own modern and Southern styles and the property's existing Moorish Revival aesthetic to create a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel in downtown Waco, roughly a 10-minute walk away from their famous Silos.
Though there are plenty of Magnolia sites you could visit in Waco, the hotel is a glamorous throwback with broad appeal to more than just Magnolia fans. I'd argue that you could—and should—spend an entire weekend in the small city without ever exiting the hotel's front double doors. In addition to the 33 rooms, the hotel has two restaurants, a cafe, a library, a sitting room, a grand ballroom, and a gift shop. And in all spaces, the historical details run deep, starting with the ceiling in the lobby. The beams are painted with beautiful, Middle-Eastern-influenced designs from when the hall was built in 1928 as the Grand Karem Shrine Temple, home to the local community organization. The Temple closed in 1995, and the building was empty until now, which may be why some of the original details remained so well preserved, such as the chicken wire windows and hardwood floors in the ballroom.
It's clear that Chip and Jo worked hard to make the new additions to the space feel glamorously aged, such as the three crystal chandeliers in the ballroom and the books lining the walls of the library. But they spent just as much time making it feel deeply Texan. The library books come from Texan author Larry McMurtry's own bookstore, which Chip bought near the end of 2022. Each novel was handpicked for the hotel to add vintage character to the space. With many a board game at your disposal and a little shrine to the late author in the spacious reading area, you could easily spend hours in the warm, pattern-mixed space that's nestled between two grand staircases.
Of course, when you're done with your novel and you're feeling a bit peckish, there are three food options available for you to choose from—one for all three meals of the day! The main restaurant to the left of the lobby, The Brasserie, is wonderful for a rich dish (I recommend the risotto) as you lounge in a plush bistro booth.
Bertie's on the Rooftop is sure to be a go-to cocktail joint for guests of the hotel as well as locals, with its elegant white-with-black-trim umbrella-covered tables on the terrace and luxe pink couches and chairs inside. The Cafe at Hotel 1928 is across from the luxe sitting area and offers espresso drinks and pastries that you can enjoy on the green leather couches or the cafe tables next to the front window of the hotel.
While many of the rooms are already booked well into the New Year, you can make a reservation to stay at the hotel this spring. The prices for rooms at Hotel 1928 vary, ranging from $375 for one night in the Franklin, the smaller king-sized room, to $415 in the Columbus, the king suite. There is also a guest suite, the Washington, that can sleep up to 12 and has two bathrooms, but you'll have to contact the hotel to inquire about availability. Just be prepared that you won't want to leave the hotel—or the roaring '20s—once your stay is up. I know I didn't want to!
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