Das Winkler Haus • Hutto
Das Winkler Haus • Hutto
Written by Beth Wade Friday, 07 December 2007
Bed and breakfast more than just a place to lay your head
Das Winkler Haus has been a resting place for travelers, a getaway for couples, the site of weddings and other celebrations, but owner Florence Winkler calls it home.
Winkler purchased the historic building and began operation of the bed and breakfast in 1997 with the help of her daughter Sarah.
Since that date, Winkler has helped plan weddings and parties and take care of her guests, tasks she takes great pride in, she said.
“I feel like the mother and the grandmother because I get to take care of people,” Winkler said.
Built in 1890, Das Winkler Haus was originally the home of Swedish banker Harry Mauritz, Winkler said.
The business was named in honor of Winkler’s late husband, George, who was killed in a car accident before its opening. Both have German heritage.
Winkler now runs the bed and breakfast on her own, with occasional help from her daughter. Winkler’s daily tasks include serving formal breakfast at the guests’ leisure, cleaning the kitchen and dishes, performing maid duties and overall care of the bed and breakfast. Because she works alone, Winkler limits the number of guests she accomodates.
“Since I am by myself, I gear to what I can handle,” she said. “You get into another area if you want to have more guests. Then you are going to have to have staff and make sure you have the guests, so the momentum builds out. This is fine for me and I like it, and a lot of the guests like it.”
Winkler has two rooms she regularly opens for guest stays. The Grande Room, marketed as a honeymoon suite, has a king-sized bed and private bathroom.
The East Room has a queen bed and daybed with trundle for traveling families, Winkler said.
Winkler offers children’s tea parties and adult high tea. The children’s party includes a tour of the home and a dress-up section that allows the children an opportunity to choose formal attire and jewelry for the event. A fashion show, photo opportunities and tea and goodies follow. The bed and breakfast can also host special events.
“[I’ve met] just the nicest people. People always say, ‘Aren’t you afraid?’ No, bed and breakfast people are not that type of people,” she said. “Usually there is some connection. Either so and so was here, or they’ve been here before. They are just nice people from everywhere.”
Winkler’s definition of bed-and-breakfast people is guests who enjoy the quiet of a bed and breakfast when compared to stays at larger hotels. Her guests have come from all over the country and as far away as Europe.
A memorable guest story
One of Florence Winkler’s favorite guest memories is the time when a husband called to place a reservation to surprise his wife for their anniversary. About two weeks later, his wife called to set up reservations to surprise her husband. Winkler called the husband and told him his wife was trying to surprise him. They both really got a kick out of it and enjoyed their stay at Das Winkler Haus.
Das Winkler Haus, 203 N. FM 1660 , Hutto • 759-5056, www.daswinklerhaus.com
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