Mr. Nine and I traveled a lot in 2024; together and separately. I often tease that 2024 was the year of travel for Mr. Nine because we went to a lot of places that I knew he really wanted to go. So maybe 2025 will be the year of travel for me, ha ha. Actually, I don’t want to travel near as much, lol. I will occasionally be bringing you some more of the places we went to since I was on blogging sabbatical for much of 2024.
For this post, I’m just concentrating on Waco, Texas and our stay at the Gaines Hotel 1928, which you may have seen the renovation of on Magnolia network. We also went to Austin during this spring trip for my birthday. Even though I had been to both of these places before, Mr. Nine had not been. I know he had a vision in his mind what these places would be like and unfortunately, they didn’t quite live up to it, but we tried to have the best time that we could despite it being a yucky time in our lives. Let’s just say this was one of the top three worst birthdays I ever had even though I was celebrating on a trip, lol.
But let’s get to what you really want to know, how was the Hotel 1928 and how was Waco?
We were driving to Waco from Austin and what trip like that would not be complete without a stop at Buc-ee's, also a first for Mr. Nine. It didn’t hold as much luster for me as my first visit with my friends in 2019 but nonetheless, I was still excited to see all those little beavers, lol.
We were about three hours early for check-in, but 90% of time, we can usually still get into a room. Not with this one and not with the front desk attendant, who was somewhat rude and didn’t give us the overly friendly Texas welcome we had anticipated, lol.
We killed some time and went down to the Dr Pepper Museum, which was fun to see and especially because Dr Pepper was always my beloved grandmother’s favorite soda pop.
OK, check in time. The second shift was not much friendlier, but our room was indeed gorgeous. We had watched the hotel renovation show and knew that Chip and Joanna Gaines had made sure to include every last detail to make it lovely and that they did!
Our room was spacious and the bathroom especially was gorgeous! We often like a little bit more of a modern hotel but this just felt like it was right out of the 1920s.
The gathering areas outside the lobby were absolutely gorgeous as well and I especially loved the little coffee shop area.
That night we had dinner at the first of the two hotel restaurants, Bertie's and the view outside was great but unfortunately Al fresco dining was not yet available. But I do love that we matched, lol.
One thing we thought would be terrific was the morning coffee service. I am not a fan of in room coffee pots as I know they are not the cleanest, lol. It was so nice to be able to check a couple boxes hanging on the door and the next morning, when you opened it at the time noted, there would be a fresh hot pot of coffee. Unfortunately it didn’t happen like that.
On the first morning, which was my birthday, it was about 45 minutes late, but the second morning was when it was extremely awful. After being over an hour late, I called twice to which we were given the runaround with slow service, which I can understand, but being promised it would be there in 10 minutes, then another half hour later within just a few minutes of each other, we were brought different two pots without an apology.
I did have an amazing birthday breakfast at the Magnolia Table. Last time I was here we were not able to get a table and only had the warm biscuits so this time it was such a treat to get the biscuit sampler as well as a hearty egg breakfast. So good and the service here was fabulous!
Off to see the Silos. Mr. Nine thought there would be more here and there are a few more spots than the last time I was here but you are through it all in just a few hours. My favorite spots that day were actually the Magnolia coffee shop and the Magnolia Bakery where we shared several cupcakes. It you love Chip and Joanna you truly must visit the Magnolia property at least once but keep in mind you don’t need more than a day and there just isn’t much in Waco.
Back at the Hotel we did enjoy playing cards with our gift shop bought 1928 cards in the lobby before our dinner at the other one of the Hotel’s restaurants, The Brasserie.
Again, extremely poor service but maybe they just can’t get staffing. But disappointed none the less. And now that it’s been 9 months since our trip I can’t even remember what I had, lol. I did love my birthday outfit tho and the hotel’s library is extremely charming.
So unfortunately we were let down on this trip but we’re realistic that not all trips can be fabulous. We made the most of it as always but I should’ve taken the reviews to heart about how poor the service is. You would think Chip and Jojo would expect more. The architecture was beautiful in the Hotel but that’s about it, lol.
Thoughts? Have you been to Waco or the Silos?
Would you stay at this Hotel?
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