A Longtime New Braunfels Retreat Gets a Playful Riverside Redesign
French Cowboys has transformed the former Heidelberg Lodges with updated cabins, expanded amenities and a Wes Anderson-inspired aesthetic
For generations, families have returned to this stretch of the Comal River for pool days, river outings and summers spent together under the cypress trees. Now, the property is entering a new chapter that aims to preserve what has drawn guests back for decades. Located at 1020 N. Houston Ave. in New Braunfels, the former Heidelberg Lodges has welcomed visitors since the 1930s. Following a renovation by French Cowboys, it has reopened as Petit Cowboy with refreshed cabins and expanded amenities designed to support year-round stays.
“Our goal is simple: to ensure past and new guests can enjoy this ‘Living Heirloom’ for decades to come,” said Franklin Dusserre, co-founder of French Cowboys. “Our vision is to build upon and honor the legacy that is already here, rather than replace it.”
A colorful new look
According to co-founder Dylan Petrich, what made the property stand out was the generations of families who kept returning even though the cabins had not been updated in decades. “What was interesting is these families kept on coming year after year,” Petrich said. “Some of these families have been coming for 30 years.”
That loyalty made the renovation especially delicate. French Cowboys needed to update the property enough to attract guests beyond the summer season without losing the qualities that had made it a tradition for longtime visitors.
The redesign, led by Ana Amador, director of design and development at French Cowboys, gives the cabins a more colorful, functional feel. Interiors now include updated seating, custom cabinetry and refreshed bathrooms, while kitchenettes were fitted with two-burner cooktops, compact full-capacity refrigerators and extra storage for longer stays. Petit Cowboy offers six room categories that sleep between two and six guests, with some layouts featuring breakfast nooks, breakfast bars or living rooms.
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Petit Cowboy amenities
Beyond the cabins, Petit Cowboy’s amenities were refreshed for year-round use. The property includes a maintained main pool and children’s pool, a communal game area, grilling space and a refinished pickleball court, along with direct access to the Comal River for swimming, fishing, kayaking and paddleboarding.
Petrich said the site’s architecture and atmosphere helped shape the redesign. “We felt like this property really made us think of summer camp,” he said. “We also want it to be kind of like summer camp for adults.”
That feeling carries into the new Pool House & Bar, which will serve as both the lobby and the property’s central gathering space. Its all-day menu centers on casual, family-friendly fare, with breakfast items such as waffles and croissants followed by shareable snacks, pizzas and sandwiches later in the day.
The project also reflects French Cowboys’ broader strategy in Texas: restoring older hospitality properties in smaller towns and reworking them into stays that feel distinctive without pushing into luxury pricing. Dusserre said that approach is rooted in giving guests a boutique-style experience at a more approachable rate.
“Where I think our design team has been really nimble and has excelled is finding ways to recreate that boutique feel without having people pay five, six, seven hundred bucks a night to stay there,” Dusserre said.
Retreat for guests and locals
At Petit Cowboy, that starts with rates at $129 for Deluxe King rooms. It also shapes the way the property is being reintroduced, with gathering spaces and amenities intended to serve locals as well as overnight guests.
“We want to be truly a place that’s open to the neighbors and to the locals as well,” Dusserre said.
The project also reflects French Cowboys’ broader focus on restoring older properties with deep local roots. “We look for places with history and strong community ties,” Petrich said. “The Petit Cowboy property has been part of New Braunfels summers for generations. Our role is to preserve what makes it special while making it functional for how people travel today.”
Late Summer Specials
If you’re planning a late-summer or early-fall escape, it’s a great time to book. French Cowboys has launched its new Summer Encore promotion, offering 20% off stays plus a $20 food and beverage credit per room at select properties, including Petit Cowboy, Hacienda del Rio, The Claire Hotel, The Meyer Hotel and Camp Comfort. Available for bookings made through October 31, 2026, with eligible stays between August 17 and October 31. Use promo code ENCORE when booking directly through participating French Cowboys properties.
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