Summary:
Experience touch-free automation! Lavanderie is a clean, rustic, historic, 19th-century Cottage nestled in a private gated garden right in the heart of San Antonio. Across the street from the world-famous Riverwalk and within walking distance from great shopping, restaurants, and bars. Only a 10 min walk from the World Heritage Alamo and a 1/2 mile from the Blue Star Arts Complex. It's perfect for couples, solo adventurers, and business travelers... Modern fun in a historic setting!!
The Space:
Once your booking is confirmed, we send you a SECURE link to our pre-arrival portal where you'll verify ID and occupancy (like at a hotel) without all the handing of ID back and forth. (see details below)
Next, we send directions and your unique keyless access code so you can let yourself in.
We take the extra step of curating a full list of things for you to experience during your stay (many FREE). These are found mobile guidebook app - we'll send you the link after you complete the pre-arrival portal.
Staying at Lavanderie is an experience with the comforts of home, even though you're right in the heart of a city full of things to do and see! This romantic cottage is located on the estate of the Gustav Giesecke House in the King William Historic District of San Antonio and is a perfect romantic getaway or experience - something other than your traditional boring hotel room. There are no elevators or flights of stairs, although it is a bit of a cross the yard hike to the property so you may choose to reconsider wearing heals. Its rustic charm is more akin to a stay in a log cabin in the forest than a century-old guest house in the middle of the city, yet its fully appointed with linens, terry, soaps and shampoos - all the amenities you'd expect from a hotel stay.
The bedroom, the majority of the original structure, houses a comfortable queen-sized bed with pillow top mattress. Original wood floors still run throughout.
When you'd like to freshen up, the bathroom has a nice shower, the original claw foot tub and is stocked with thick, fluffy, super soft, oversized towels, soaps, and shampoos/conditioner.
This cottage, “the wash house”, is what remains of the Victorian frame home and wash house build here in 1889 by Gustav Giesecke and his bride, Anna Francisca Groos. Their original frame home was demolished in 1915 when the couple expanded the property and built the large, brick, two-story, Arts-and-Crafts house which now stands as the main home on the estate. The Victorian wash house was converted into a guest cottage in 1950 with the addition of the sitting room and kitchen area and renovated in 2010.
You'll find this snug, yet a comfortable space to get away and relax. In the area added by the two renovations, there's living/dining space, a small but 'mighty' kitchen, 32" flat panel TV with free Netflix. If you travel with your own entertainment, the TV fully supports connecting a Firestick or other devices via HDMI and USB.
Your kitchen is small but still completely appointed with refrigerator, range/oven, microwave... and all the necessary cooking and dining utensils, drip coffee maker (and Keurig), plates, glasses, etc. to enjoy your own home-cooked meals, if you choose to cook. However, the entrance to the Riverwalk is right across the street and restaurants serving all varieties of cuisine can be found a short walk away. Parking is free, but only available on the street and is time limited by the city. We’ll help you stay in compliance so it remains free.
Since 1889, only two families have owned the home and grounds. You'll see magnificent pecan and cypress trees on the property, these are believed to be centuries old. Native plants fill the lush garden surrounding Lavanderie. These plants provide a haven for wild birds so you'll likely see many varieties during your stay. Your cottage is a small, yet warm and comfortable retreat (500 sq. ft.) for you, or you and a loved one.
If Lavanderie is available on dates you're looking at, grab that booking fast! Open dates do not last long.
This is a very safe neighborhood and within walking distance to food, fun, everything really!
Unfortunately, and possibly because we are so popular with guests arriving to San Antonio, a marked increase in fraudulent bookings has forced us to enact additional safety procedures to ensure your safety, the safety of our space, and the safety of our family. When you book, you understand that you will be required to provide your identifying documents through a secure 3rd party platform before we provide access to our space. These documents include (and may not be limited to) a government issued photo ID in the name of the booking party and any valid credit card issued in the name of the booking party. This is the same secure system used by hotels to validate guest age and ID on check in. You pay no additional costs for this check, and your credit card *will not* be charged outside of the Terms and Conditions specified by the booking channel. A small authorization to 'Alamo City Stays' will be attempted by the 3rd party service -only- to determine the validity of the credit card information provided. Please note: An authorization is not a charge, no funds are transferred in an authorization. If you do not pass the initial ID verification, additional checks may be required. In the extremely rare circumstance that you are notified that you did not pass, -or- if you opt out of completing this check for the safety of all concerned. By reserving, and taking control of our space, you agree to cancel your active reservation within 24 hours of notification -and- release control of our space. Those releasing control of our space within 24 hours of such notification -WILL- be provided a full refund with our regrets. Those not releasing control of our space within 24 hours of such notification will be charged in accordance with the booking channel cancellation policy in effect at the time of the cancellation.
Guest Access:
If you reserve this listing, you will have the entire cottage and private garden to yourself and full use of it 24 hours a day. You can come and go as you like. There's an electronic lock, so there are no keys for you to keep up with or worry about losing, but there is a combination lock on the privacy gate for added security - we'll provide you with the code to that. We recommend leaving the lock on the gate at all times just so you don't have to worry about losing it.
Free WiFi, Netflix.
The Neighborhood:
Your retreat cottage sits in a private, gated garden, in one corner of the Gustav Giesecke estate in the elegant King William Historic District. The neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as one of San Antonio's oldest and most architecturally significant areas. The grand houses of this neighborhood were built by successful German immigrants on the land bordering the San Antonio River and formerly farmed by the Spanish missions. Right across the street you'll arrive at the start of the world-famous San Antonio Riverwalk (on the San Antonio River) which offers shopping, dining and entertainment for all tastes. Feel free to stroll the area. Welcome to your perfect romantic escape.
Getting Around:
If you want to ride, taxis are available anytime and start around $15 to get anywhere else in town. I prefer Uber, which is a private driver service. You'll find information when you arrive for $20 off your first few rides! But once you're here, everything you're likely to want to do is within a short walk on the Riverwalk. Enjoy your stay!
Interaction with Guests:
It's likely you won't see me during your stay, which allows you more privacy and convenience. However, I'm here anytime you need to reach out. If you need anything or have questions, just send me a message and I'll be quick to respond.
