For the swankiest stays in Austin, here are the most beautiful luxury hotels in Austin, Texas. Let’s face it: we all deserve a 5-star vacation after what we’ve been through in the past year. Enjoy the most glamorous hotel pools, deep soaking tubs, and epic views of the Austin skyline. These hotels are perfect for Austin visitors who want to experience the perfect vacation, or for locals who want a fun Austin staycation to celebrate a special occasion.
Wondering where you should stay in Austin when you visit? For the short answer, I always recommend staying in one of three areas: downtown, South Congress, or east Austin. Pick any one of these three and you’ll be walking distance to bars, restaurants, and fun things to do!
There are plenty of beautiful, luxurious hotels to choose from in both the downtown Austin and the South Congress areas of Austin. (East Austin has a more laid back, hipster vibe. While you can find some fun boutique hotels in that area, they won’t be quite as lush as the accommodations I’m going to mention here.)
Once you decide where you’re staying, make sure to book reservations at some fun restaurants! Here are the top 20 restaurants to try in Austin. Looking for a date night spot? Start here! And of course, no trip to Austin is complete without trying at least a couple of options from this list of the best breakfast tacos in town.
Top Austin Luxury Hotels
Luxury Hotels in Downtown Austin
Austin Proper Hotel
Location: downtown
If you’re looking for luxury + location, book a stay at the Austin Proper Hotel. It’s in the Second Street District, walking distance to some of the best shopping and restaurants in downtown Austin, and just a few steps from the Lady Bird Lake for paddle boarding or a morning hike. {Photo: Austin Proper}
Outdoor Pool: yes
Other Amenities: spa, fitness center, complimentary bike rentals
Pets Allowed? Dogs for $100 fee, no cats
Food & Drink: The Peacock (Mediterranean) La Piscina (Mexican), The Mockinbird (Coffee/Café), Goldie’s (cocktail bar)
Hotel Van Zandt
Location: downtown/Rainey Street
A Kimpton hotel, the Hotel Van Zandt does a beautiful job mirroring the energy of Austin through its artwork, food, and rooms. It’s an upscale hotel but has a laid back, welcoming vibe. The Rainey Street location is especially fun if you’re planning on going out every night and you want to be a few steps from one of the hottest bar scenes in Austin.
Outdoor Pool: yes
Other Amenities: fitness center, complimentary yoga mats
Pets Allowed? Yes (Kimpton hotels are known for being especially pet-friendly!)
Food & Drink: Geraldines (American) Café 605 (breakfast/coffee), The Pool Deck (poolside food and drink)
HOTEL ZAZA
Location: downtown
A modern, fun hotel in the heart of downtown, Hotel ZaZa’s 159 rooms are perfect for business travel and vacationers alike. The lobby is retro, bright, quirky, and the fun continues into each eclectic room. This is really a phenomenal location if you’re looking for a hotel that’s right in the middle of everything. {Photo: Hotel ZaZa}
Outdoor Pool: yes
Other Amenities: spa, fitness center
Pets Allowed? Dogs for $150 fee
Food & Drink: Perfect Strangers and Group Therapy (in-house restaurants) Cabana Bar
JW Marriot Austin
Location: downtown
This elegant downtown Austin hotel was added to our skyline in and boasts 7 bars, 3 restaurants, a rooftop pool with cabana rentals, and an all-around luxurious stay. The rooms are spacious and have sweeping views of downtown, and as one of the largest hotels in Texas, you won’t have too much trouble booking a room here. {Photo: JW Marriot}
Outdoor Pool: yes
Other Amenities: spa, fitness center
Pets Allowed? no
Food & Drink: OP (Italian) Corner Restaurant (American), Burger Bar (walk-up burgers), Starbucks, Edge Rooftop + Bar, Lobby Bar, Room Service
W Austin
Location: downtown
You might have stayed at The W in other cities, so I’ll share what makes this luxury Austin hotel unique: it’s located in a phenomenal location in downtown Austin, right against Lady Bird Lake so that you can easily book a room with a view of miles and miles of south Austin. The W Austin is right next the Austin City Limits (nope, not the music festival…the longest running music series in American television.) You can book a ticket to see a live recording, or just go to the Moody Theater for a concert. {Photo: W Austin}
Outdoor Pool: yes
Other Amenities: fitness center, spa
Pets Allowed? Yes
Food & Drink: Trace (American), Living Room (bar) WET (poolside food and drink service)
Four Seasons Hotel Austin
Location: downtown
The grandiose Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Austin is definitely a sophisticated place to stay. While it doesn’t have the modern flairs you’ll find at the Austin Proper or Hotel Magdalena, it sits on some of the best real estate in the city with lakeside views, a saltwater pool, and just a few steps away from the Hike and Bike trail at Lady Bird Lake. Because it’s located at the very south edge of downtown Austin, the Four Season Hotel provides easy access to both downtown and South Congress historic district. {Photo: Four Seasons Hotel Austin}
Outdoor Pool: yes
Other Amenities: spa, fitness center, babysitting services
Pets Allowed? Yes
Food & Drink: Ciclo (modern Texas kitchen), Live Oak (bar and Texas-inspired menu), room service
The Driskill
Location: downtown
A Texas landmark, The Driskill Hotel has resided on historic 6th Street in downtown Austin since 1886. With dark leather couches, cowhide barstools, and rustic furnishings, this is definitely a Texas experience. For a truly luxurious Austin hotel stay, book a balcony suite with a view of downtown. {Photo: The Driskill}
Outdoor Pool: no
Other Amenities: fitness center, same-day laundry
Pets Allowed? yes, 50 pounds or under
Food & Drink: The Driskill Bar, 1886 Café and Bakery (breakfast/lunch)
Luxury Hotels on South Congress
Hotel Saint Cecelia
Location: South Congress
This elite hotel in south Austin has been known to house famous musicians when they come through Austin – rumor has it that Hotel Saint Cecelia is Jack Black’s favorite place to stay in Austin. There are only 14 suites and rooms available, and property grounds are reserved for hotel guests; this feels very posh. {Photo: Hotel Saint Cecelia}
Outdoor Pool: yes
Other Amenities: pool, arbor, lending library of vintage LPs, in-room spa service, private guitar loans
Pets Allowed? Yes
Food & Drink: in-house lounge for indoor/outdoor eating and room service
Kimber Modern Boutique Hotel
Location: South Congress
If you’re obsessed with design and you’re looking for some quiet solitude, you must book a room at the Kimber Modern. It’s a 7-room hotel tucked into a residential street behind South Congress, and it boasts the title of “Austin’s only design hotel.” The courtyard feels like a modern treehouse with a 25-foot glass water design feature, hammocks and couches for lounging, and plenty of nooks to enjoy the solitude and recharge. With only a few suites available, you can rest assured that no detail has been forgotten in this unique, highly sought after boutique hotel in Austin. Managers are around, but you won’t see them (it’s a self-check-in property) unless you need them. And while it’s just a few steps from bustling South Congress, it’s just far enough away to have a nice sound barrier. You’ll feel like you’re in a secret oasis. {Photo: Kimber Modern}
Outdoor Pool: no
Other Amenities:
multi-level courtyard, virtual concierge, complimentary beer and wine, keyless self-check-in
Pets Allowed? no
Food & Drink: complimentary breakfast service, complimentary self-serve beer and wine
Hotel Magdalena
Location: South Congress
This brand new Ausitn hotel at the Music Lane development on South Congress is owned by Bunkhouse (Hotel Saint Cecelia, Hotel San José), but this one is their largest property: 89 rooms! If Hotel Saint Cecelia was inspired by the 1950s and 60s, Hotel Magdelena pays homage to the lake house culture of the 1970s. It’s in a fun, walkable location with gorgeous rooms, a guest-only pool, and some lovely onsite restaurants. You could totally book a staycation at this hotel and never leave, or you could use it as a launching pad to go explore South Congress. {Photo: Hotel Magdalena}
Outdoor Pool: yes
Other Amenities: lobby coffee service, complimentary bike and yoga mat rental, on-site activities like yoga classes and live music.
Pets Allowed? Yes
Food & Drink: Summer House (indoor/outdoor full-service restaurant)
Hotel San Jose
Location: South Congress
This is one of the most Austin-y places you can stay. Tucked right in the heart of South Congress, Hotel San Jose was built in 1936 but has been updated into a luxe, urban 40-room hotel that breathes Austin vibes. Think: concrete floors and cactus, custom sheets and swanky bath products. {Photo: Hotel San José}
Outdoor Pool: yes
Other Amenities: typewriters and polaroids to borrow
Pets Allowed? yes
Food & Drink: courtyard menu of drinks and snacks; also lots of South Congress restaurants within a 2-block radius
Luxury Hotels In Other Parts Of Austin
Commodore Perry Estates
Distance from Downtown Austin: 3 miles north
While it’s only 3 miles north of downtown Austin, Commodore Perry Estate feels like it’s in a different world. It’s a mansion-turned-resort that’s tucked into central Austin, and this is definitely a destination. The 10-acre grounds feel old-world glamorous, the mansion suites are dressed in luxurious vintage furnishings, and the events will keep your schedule occupied without ever leaving the estate. They offer everything from fire pit nights, yoga classes, wine tasting, Sunday picnics, and more. {Photo: Commodore Perry Estate}
Outdoor Pool: yes
Other Amenities: fitness center, car service, bike rental
Pets Allowed? yes, up to 60 pounds
Food & Drink: in-house dining at the Mansion/Poolside/Room Service
Hotel Granduca
Distance from downtown: 9.5 miles west
Hotel Granduca is modeled after an Italian Villa….it’s a very unique experience in Austin Texas! Enjoy the balcony in your room that looks out over the hotel gardens and pool, al fresco dining, and luxurious amenities like tea or coffee at your wake up call and an organic dog menu for your pup. {Photo: Hotel Granduca}
Outdoor Pool: yes
Other Amenities: fitness center
Pets Allowed? Yes
Food & Drink:
Visconti Ristorante (northern Italian), Visconti Bar, Veranda (courtyard bar), Poolside Bar
Omni Barton Creek
Distance from downtown Austin: 10 miles west
The Omni Barton Creek is a destination resort…with a golf course, spa, seven restaurants, and three heated pools, you won’t want to leave this 4,000 acre resort. Of course, if you’re visiting Austin and you want to be able to get our and about for restaurants and shopping, you’re only about a 20 minute drive from downtown Austin. {Photo: Omni Barton Creek}
Outdoor Pool: yes
Other Amenities: 3 heated indoor/outdoor pools, large workout facility, four championship golf courses, spa
Pets Allowed? Yes, up to 25 pounds
Food & Drink:
Bob’s Steak and Chop House, Crenshaw’s Bar, Lobby Lounge, Nopales (Latin Restaurant), Texas Spice (breakfast fare), Velvet Joe’s Coffee, Blind Salamander (seafood), Canyon’s Grill (casual)
Archer Hotel
Distance from Downtown Austin: 11 miles north
The Domain has become a popular hot spot in Austin. It’s a big shopping, residential, and work area that’s a 15 minute drive north of downtown Austin. The new Archer Hotel is a stunning place to stay if you’d like a hotel near the most luxurious outdoor shopping mall in Austin. It’s literally right in the heart of the Domain, so you can walk to restaurants, nightlife, and shopping. If you want a glamorous staycation in Austin, book a room at The Archer. {Photo: Archer Hotel}
Outdoor Pool: yes
Other Amenities: fitness center, spa
Pets Allowed? yes, under 50 pounds
Food & Drink: Second Bar + Kitchen
Looking for more ideas in Austin? Click here to get your free 3-day weekend guide!
Austin sure does have a lot of great hotels now. My favorite is The Line, but I can’t wait to try the new Thompson Austin next trip.