Hotel Giles blends rich history with modern hospitality
COMFORT — For nearly a century and a half, travelers have found rest within the walls of Hotel Giles. What began as a stagecoach stop along one of the Hill Country’s busiest routes has evolved into a boutique hotel where the operators say Victorian charm and modern comforts exist side by side. .
Editor’s note: The raging Guadalupe River flood of July 4, 2025, wreaked havoc across the Hill Country, claiming hundreds of lives and causing billions of dollars in damage.
While no Kendall County residents died, the rising waters took a toll on commerce.
Businesses in Comfort saw a drop in customers, and supplies of free food and no-cost care products for rescue and recovery teams also bit into the bottom line. Already hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, the July 4 storm further rocked Comfort merchants.
A year later, the Boerne Star in a continuing series is chronicling the town’s rebirth and showcasing recovering businesses as residents roll up their sleeves, rebuild and get ready to “Bounce Back” once again.
Constructed in 1880 by architect Alfred Giles, the building originally served as a stagecoach stop for travelers making the journey between San Antonio and Fredericksburg.
Everything changed with the arrival of the railroad in 1890.
As rail travel gradually replaced the stagecoach, the building adapted with the times. An expansion completed in 1894 added a lobby and a parlor, spaces that remain preserved today. Guests walking through the front doors are greeted by these original gathering rooms, as well as the hotel’s historic central staircase.
While history remains at the heart of Hotel Giles, today’s guests enjoy modern amenities. Complimentary Wi-Fi, Roku televisions, Keurig coffee makers and spa-quality towels and bedding provide contemporary conveniences without sacrificing the building’s historic character.
The hotel entered a new chapter in March 2022 when Ernest Slatinsky and Cara Hines purchased the property, fulfilling a vision they had long shared.
“We always dreamed of owning a hotel,” Hines said.
Since taking ownership, they have focused on preserving the hotel’s beauty while making significant improvements to its infrastructure, ensuring the historic building will continue greeting visitors for years to come.
The property is now owned by seven partners: Slatinsky, Hines, Bruce and Linda Tingle, George Brin and Colleen Walter-Brin, and Laura Lee Hines.
Each guest room has its own personality, and several accommodations welcome four- legged companions, making Hotel Giles an “inviting destination for travelers with dogs,” employees said.
Arecommended accommodation is the owner’s suite. The operators said the spacious retreat features a sparkling crystal chandelier suspended above the bedroom, a fireplace and a dining table that seats eight guests. From its private balcony, visitors can view Comfort’s picturesque Main Street while taking in the quiet pace of the historic town below.
The suite’s flooring is crafted from Mississippi longleaf pine, adding another authentic touch to the building’s character.
Each morning begins with a freshly prepared breakfast, offering guests a homemade start before they explore Comfort and the surrounding Hill Country.
Just across the street, visitors can continue their experience with another of Hines’ passions.
She owns MixHaus Art Gallery, a space dedicated to showcasing local artists. Exhibitions rotate every six to eight weeks, ensuring something new for returning visitors. Artists hoping to display their work must first present a portfolio demonstrating at least five years of artistic experience before being considered, sponsors said.
For Slatinsky, Hines and their fellow owners, preserving Hotel Giles means more than maintaining a historic building.
According to them, it means providing guests with an opportunity to experience a piece of Comfort’s past while enjoying the conveniences expected by modern travelers.
Hotel Giles 717 High St., Comfort Hotelgiles.com
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