The Melvin: Hot-tub, Outdoor Shower

The Melvin is a stunning, ranch-style guest suite on nearly 10-acres of Hill Country farmland. It boasts style and elegance with a luxurious bathroom, fireplace and a private courtyard. Surrounded by vineyards and just a swift 15-minute drive to Fredericksburg Main Street, The Melvin is one of four exclusive guesthouses that comprise Behrends Family Homestead. Soak in the outdoor hot tub with a glass of wine or cozy up with a book by the fireplace.

At The Melvin, you’ll discover understated luxury in the country. This spacious studio-style layout offers a seamless blend of modern minimalism and high-end amenities including a private courtyard with a hot tub and firepit, a king-sized bed with high-thread count linens, a kitchenette, a fireplace and more. The Melvin is one of four exclusive guesthouses on nearly 10-acres of farmland that comprise Behrends Family Homestead. The property is surrounded by wineries and is a short 15-minute drive to Fredericksburg Main Street.
Plush reading chairs beside the fireplace offer comfortable seating, making it the perfect spot to delve into a good book or sip on your morning coffee. A dining nook provides a cozy space to enjoy meals or graze on snacks. The unit is equipped with a flat-screen TV featuring Roku, ensuring you have access to a variety of entertainment options during your stay.
The kitchenette in this unit is designed for functionality and convenience. It includes a mini-fridge for storing the goodies you picked up from Main Street, a microwave for heating up meals and a coffee-maker for brewing your morning pick-me-up. Basic dinnerware, glassware and cutlery are provided for your convenience.
The spa-quality bathroom features a spacious walk-in shower with a rainshowerhead and a double vanity. Finishes are elegant and chic.
Step outside to relax in your private courtyard. The centerpiece of this outdoor space is a luxurious hot tub, inviting you to soak your cares away after a day of exploring. While you unwind in the hot tub with a glass of tempranillo, you can stream your favorite show on the outdoor flat-screen TV. Hey, why not? You’re on vacation after all. An outdoor shower, fire pit, lounge seating and a bistro table round out the amenities. The Melvin is a romantic Wine Country escape like no other.
Disclaimer: The Melvin is conveniently located on Hwy 290, which does present some noise issues. A sound machine and floor fan have been provided to mitigate the noise. However, light sleepers might not find this their best option. This suite shares a wall with another suite, but is private and no amenities are shared with other guests.

Behrends Family Homestead has a rich history that can trace its roots all the way back to the great wave of German immigration. In 1853, Christian H. Behrends was one of many who boarded a ship in Bremen, Germany, heading for the “promised land” right here in Texas. Each adult paid $120 for passage to Texas and a promise of 40 acres of farmland in return. This influx of settlers later became known as the great wave of German immigration, and its legacy is reflected today in Fredericksburg’s German heritage, customs, cuisine and culture.
Each guesthouse on Behrends Family Homestead is named after a family member who spent time cultivating the land and shaping it into what it is today. The Melvin is named after the owner’s uncle who manned the family tractor at age five. He also performed odd jobs around the farm like fixing fences, bailing hay and assisting with cattle. To this day, Melvin is an avid outdoorsman and lover of nature, fishing and hunting. He is also a conservationist with a ranch home that runs entirely on rainwater.

To ensure a peaceful stay for all guests, we kindly ask that you respect noise levels. A noise monitor is installed to help maintain a quiet environment, and excessive noise may trigger a notification to our customer service team.

A BURN BAN is currently in effect for Gillespie County, prohibiting all outdoor burning, including the use of firepits. Enacted January 3, 2025 for a period of 90 days.

Easy Check-In Process
We use Happy Guest for a seamless, app-free check-in experience. Just complete your rental agreement, ID verification, and a simple refundable security hold of $1,000 (which is not a traditional security deposit, just a pending transaction) to receive your arrival instructions. If you'd prefer, you can opt for a Non-Refundable Damage Waiver instead, which provides coverage up to $1,500. The waiver is $53 for stays up to 10 nights, with an additional $1.50 per day for stays longer than 10 nights. It’s simple: finish these steps, and you’re all set to enjoy your stay! Note: arrival info won’t be sent without completing these steps, and refunds aren’t possible if skipped. Happy Guest is web-based and user-friendly, with all the info about the house and local spots. You can even share it with friends and family. Got questions? Just message us anytime!