Austin: Top 10 Hotels

This is the first post of my three-part series on Austin, Texas. Make sure you also check out Austin: Top 10 Restaurants and Austin: Top 10 Things To Do, to get all the inside scoop on this hip blue town in a very red state. 

1. Four Seasons Hotel Austin: Lakeside Family Favorite

Location, location, location – if you want to be near downtown and Lady Bird Lake while in Austin (and honestly why wouldn’t you?), then the Four Seasons Hotel Austin is for you. From the minute we arrived, we loved the unique combination of first rate Four Seasons service and Texas friendliness. A word on why the location is great – the Four Seasons is beautifully located on the shores of Lady Bird Lake, a reservoir of the Colorado River which literally runs through Austin. I loved waking up every morning to a view of crew teams and kayaks on the river, not to mention all the cyclists and joggers along the Lady Bird Hike and Bike Trail. We also walked to numerous downtown restaurants and shops from the hotel (it’s also a lengthier, but doable, walk over the Congress Bridge to the very cool SoCo area). One caveat: the rooms, while recently renovated and comfortable enough, are not particularly memorable (think corporate not cozy). We had two adjoining upgraded river view rooms (ask for a river view if possible – it’s worth it). The bathrooms are somewhat small and ours surprisingly included only a shower. Sleeping in the incomparable comfort of a Four Seasons’ bed, however, always more than makes up for any disappointment over the room. The Four Seasons has a small but nice gym with updated equipment and a full service spa. My husband enjoyed his complimentary massage, which we received as part of our package through Elli Travel, a Virtuoso travel agency. My kids also had a great time at the pool although they were the only guests crazy enough to swim in the 55 degree December weather (we were lucky enough to also enjoy a 75 degree day while in Austin). We were disappointed to learn the hotel does not have a Jacuzzi outside or in the spa. I would highly recommend a breakfast package as the food and service at the hotel’s restaurant, Trio, is top notch. I absolutely loved the gluten-free breakfast platter which included a delicious GF pancake, green smoothie and egg whites, as well as the awesome chilaquiles. The lake side setting for Trio is gorgeous – perfect for a drink at sunset or dining al fresco. Tip: this is also the ideal spot in Austin to watch the million or so bats’ nightly departure from the nearby Congress Bridge – a must do during warmer months (yet another reason for me to go back). The service throughout the hotel was incredible. We got in late our first night and although the bar was shutting down the kitchen, they took pity on our kids and let them order whatever they wanted from the children’s menu! The hotel treated my kids to a “movie night” which included an in-room movie, popcorn and soda. My kids loved the hotel’s scavenger hunt (especially the ice cream prize at the end). We came home with countless stories of the great hotel staff we encountered during our stay – the bellman who offered to store our rental bikes overnight without charge; the Trio waiter who gave us detailed instructions on everything to do while in Austin; the valet who enthusiastically gave my son all the reasons he should go to college at UT; and the concierge who tried to hunt down the filming locations for one of our favorite TV shows, Friday Night Lights. Our entire family would agree that one of our favorite things about our fantastic trip to Austin was our stay at the Four Seasons.

 2. W Austin: Sleek Downtown Choice

If you picture hip and trendy when you think of the W Hotel, then the W Austin certainly won’t disappoint.  While in town, we went and checked out the W and it is a very cool option. It is modern, sleek and in the vibrant 2nd Street District area of downtown, close to restaurants and shops and within walking distance of Lady Bird Lake. Location Tip: in a town known as the “live music capital of the world”, the W is ideally located next to Austin City Limits Live, the home of the PBS series of the same name (the longest running music series in U.S. television history) and one of Austin’s best live music venues.  Built in 2010, the W has updated, comfortable (although small) rooms, and a large, well-equipped fitness area and spa. The sleek rooftop lap pool seems more hipster than family friendly. Personally, if I was traveling on business or just with my husband, I would seriously consider the W, but for our family vacation, the Four Seasons was the better choice (the prices and amenities were about the same).

3. Driskill Hotel: Old Haunted Luxury

The Driskill, a four story mansion built in 1886 by a cattle baron, combines old-world touches with modern conveniences (plasma TVs and Wi-Fi, to name a few). The Driskill has an ideal downtown location within walking distance of many restaurants, shops, and the happening 6th street music scene. Fun fact: rumor has it that the Driskill is haunted by two so-called “suicide brides” who killed themselves on their honeymoons in Room 525 twenty years apart to the day (eerie right?); the four year old daughter of a senator who tripped and fell to her death on the grand staircase (beware of the hotel’s portrait of her which is said to make viewers nauseous); and no less than Colonel Driskill himself! The Driskill clearly embraces its spooky legacy, as it even offers a ghost story handout for curious guests. In terms of the rooms themselves, my friend Katherine S. warns that they are old, outdated and in need of some serious renovating. The good news is that Hyatt, owner of the Driskill since 2013, is currently finishing up its two year, $8 million renovation. In the meantime, Katherine suggests visiting The Driskill Bar, which offers a glimpse of that old Texas charm and live music six nights a week.

4. Lake Austin Spa Resort

Thirty minutes from downtown Austin in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, the Lake Austin Spa Resort and Travaasa Austin are world class spa resorts offering a wide variety of treatments and classes at all-inclusive or a la carte rates. The Lake Austin Spa Resort makes the most of its lake side setting offering paddle boarding, kayaking and water bikes, as well as every kind of traditional fitness class. The 40 room Resort features healthy cuisine, culinary classes, and wine tastings. Kids 14 and up are welcome.

5. Travaasa Austin

Travaasa Austin is one of only two Travaasa spa resorts in the country (the other is in Maui). The Travaasa is a so-called “experiential” resort (sort of a summer camp for active adults) located in a stunning hill side setting. Besides yoga, boot camp,  pilates and other standard fitness classes, Travaasa offers biking, hiking and horseback riding, not to mention unique experiences such as mechanical bull riding, sketching, juicing 2.0, and harmonica lessons. Make sure to visit Travaasa’s organic farm (classes offered in seeding, composting, chicken tending, etc).

6. Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

The Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa offers world class golf at its four courses (two designed by Tom Fazio, and one each by Arnold Palmer and Ben Crenshaw). My husband and son were fortunate enough to be invited by a member to play at the highly rated signature Fazio Foothills Golf Course (the Four Seasons’ concierge can also book times at this course, although members and hotel guests enjoy better rates and preferred tee times). The resort itself is a large, active family friendly option featuring golf, 11 tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools, a large spa and well-equipped fitness center. Although spacious and decently appointed, the rooms are in need of renovation (believed to be in the works).

7. Hotel Saint Cecilia

With a slogan like “keep Austin weird”, it’s no surprise that there is a thriving boutique hotel scene here. Designed and owned by local design guru Liz Lambert, the Hotel Saint Cecilia is a trendy, but luxurious guest house within walking district of the SoCo district. The hotel is a uniquely renovated Victorian home with 14 distinct rooms (5 suites, 6 poolside bungalows and 3 studios). Each room features comfy Hastens mattresses and audiophiles will love the in-room high-end stereo systems with turntables (check out the hotel’s extensive vinyl library). Love the stunning 50 foot heated swimming pool complete with “SOUL” neon sign.

8. Kimber Modern

For a modern take on the bed and breakfast experience, try the five-room Kimber Modern, ideally located in a residential area of the SoCo district. The guest experience is unique – you self park your car (for free), unlock your door with your birth date as your code, and then help yourself to healthy breakfast items and complimentary happy hour cocktails from the stunning central courtyard area (mid-century modern fans will love the furnishings). The only potential downside is the lack of a pool.

9. Hotel Ella

The Hotel Ella is a charming boutique option near the University of Texas campus. The house enjoys a rich history – built in 1898, it was formerly decorated by Stanley Marcus of Neiman Marcus fame, then went on to serve as UT student housing and a rehab center before finally undergoing its latest renovation in 2013. Guests can stay in either the mansion’s nine rooms or those housed in the 38-room annex which wraps around the pool and gardens featuring a beautifully curated art collection. Hotel Ella’s rooms are elegantly appointed with modern, clean-lined furnishings and Carrara marble baths.

 10. JW Marriott Austin

With over a hundred new people moving to Austin every day (we heard this stat repeatedly during our trip so it must be true, right?), it is no surprise that the hotel business is booming here. The JW Marriott Austin opened a few weeks ago on February 13, 2015. At 34 stories and over 1,000 guest rooms, it now holds the title of the largest hotel in Austin, as well as the largest JW Marriott in the United States (and the second largest JW Marriott in the world, second only to Dubai). We saw the hotel being built and while I generally don’t love such huge properties, the JW Marriott did look modern, beautiful and has an ideal downtown location within walking distance to the Austin Convention Center and Lady Bird Lake.  Although I would wait until they work out the inevitable kinks, the JW Marriott will definitely be worth a look in the future.