Our Favorite Hip and Modern Wedding Hotels in Austin
The Carpenter Hotel
Carpenter presents a completely unremarkable exterior. The one-story brick building, which was formerly a hall for the carpenters' union, has been standing in Austin for years but appears practically unfinished; it has the vibe of a (cool) high school. There are wood flooring and drab halls inside, as well as bulletin boards with local announcements.
Jack Barron of Ace Hotels co-founded Mighty Union, a modest Portland-based hospitality company, which has launched The Carpenter. The people behind the cuisine and drinks are Andrew Knowlton, a former editor of Bon Appétit, and his wife Christina, a founding partner of Aska in New York City.
Concrete walls, platform beds, vintage bedside lamps, and unique furniture (stools manufactured in Mexico, carpets, and leather chairs created in Austin) are all features of the rooms, which are intentionally kept simple, if a little austere. Every room has a balcony; reserve a room on the west side of the building for views into the pecan trees and over a trailer park—it's a typically Austin scene. Avoid staying in a room with a view of the dog daycare because, well, dogs bark.
The workforce is generally young; it appears that everyone works here in between singing or writing gigs. There is no room service, and the coffee shop has an East Side of Austin meets Brooklyn vibe.
A fantastic pool is present, partially covered by pecan trees and surrounded by couches. There is also an outdoor pavilion where neighborhood gatherings like flea sales during the holidays are held.
For budget-conscious tourists anxious to see the city and return to a comfy bed, Carpenter is a great option. Austin has a great walkability factor, especially to Zilker Park.
Hotel Magdalena
Off the beaten path of South Congress Avenue, it has the vibe of a tranquil urban getaway that pays homage to Austin's music scene while also taking cues from the city's less well-known lake culture.
A dynamic green landscape with an open lawn, aromatic herb-covered hills, and tiered limestone beds planted with natural trees like bald cypresses and Mexican sycamores is framed by four towers, each of which has an open-air atmosphere thanks to breezeways, balconies, and rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows. Visitors can unwind by the heated 80-foot pool, which is reminiscent of Barton Springs, a well-liked city swimming hole, or converse over small plates at the Summer House on Music Lane restaurant.
The Hotel San Jose, the St. Cecilia, and the remodeled Austin Motel were among the establishments that helped lay the foundation for the development of Austin into the well-liked tourism destination it is today. The Magdalena is the newest property from Bunkhouse, a locally based hospitality company. The Magdalena is a brand-new construction, unlike Bunkhouse's previous buildings, albeit it was left to their regular architectural collaborators, Lake Flato. The company was also responsible for the nearby, brand-new South Congress shopping and dining complex, which was a success for both city inhabitants and hotel guests.
HVAC condensate and stormwater runoff, which are kept underground, are used to irrigate plants, the majority of which are native. Additionally, mass lumber, a renewable resource, was used in Lake Flato's wooden architectural accents.
Hotel Saint Cecilia
The Victorian-era mansion is partially hidden by an ivy-covered gate on purpose; only hotel guests and members are allowed entry to the ultra-private hotel.
The 14 rooms all have unique design and personalities. Ornate crown molding and original fireplaces may be found in the ones in the main house, which are located directly outside the lobby room. There is a comfortable sitting space with a velvet sofa and a breakfast table that seats four in one of the second-story poolside bungalows.
This hotel should be chosen just for the bed. You may never again get the opportunity to sleep on a six-figure Hästens mattress. It has a grander feel than a typical king, and the thick sheets with blue monograms and piping just add to the richness.
The lap pool feels exclusive and exclusive thanks to its widely Instagrammed red neon "Soul" sign.
While being quiet and private, this location has the air of an upscale estate while still being close to South Congress Avenue's bustling business district.
The white-brick, low-slung structure dominates a full block in Austin's trendy South Congress neighborhood. Although the large lobby has various semi-private lounging places, the bustling bar, which is furnished in mid-century modern style, is where you'll want to hang out from morning till night.
The rooms are tastefully minimalist with polished cement ceilings, hardwood flooring, and a rich turquoise and gray color scheme. Either you'll get a view of the busy streets with a thriving nightlife or, on the quieter back side, a residential area.
The rooftop pool is an Instagram-worthy location for all-day cocktailing with its mid-century contemporary brickwork.
This chic hotel is the ideal place to connect with locals because it is close to Austin's hippest district.
Hotel Ella
The classic white mansion features a wraparound veranda, a magnificent external staircase, and towering carved columns in the Greek revival style.
The Queen Deluxe has ample room for two people, and its nicest rooms open onto expansive balconies with columns. Modern grays and navy hues are used for the furniture, and Modernist artwork that can be found throughout the hotel has been carefully chosen.
A taste of Austin is represented in the mini bar collection, which includes Deep Eddy Vodka, High Brew iced coffee cans, Republic of Texas tequila, and Austin Beerworks beers. The usual Oreos, gummy bears, almonds, and other snacks are available.
The veranda is the greatest spot to have a martini, even if the art-filled parlor bar boasts trendy brass-and-leather seats and charcoal wood paneling.
Although it is in a beautiful location and near to the college, nothing else is accessible on foot. You'll have to use a rental car or ride-sharing services.
South Congress Hotel
The white-brick, low-slung structure dominates a full block in Austin's trendy South Congress neighborhood. Although the large lobby has various semi-private lounging places, the bustling bar, which is furnished in mid-century modern style, is where you'll want to hang out from morning till night.
The rooms are tastefully minimalist with polished cement ceilings, hardwood flooring, and a rich turquoise and gray color scheme. Either you'll get a view of the busy streets with a thriving nightlife or, on the quieter back side, a residential area.
The wait crew at the pool is really attentive.
The rooftop pool is an Instagram-worthy location for all-day cocktailing with its mid-century contemporary brickwork.
This chic hotel is the ideal place to connect with locals because it is close to Austin's hippest district.
Hotel Zaza
With its finger firmly on the creative heart of the city, this sleek hotel in Austin's Warehouse District offers an urban chic vibe without pretense. The use of music and art is important throughout, with playful touches thrown in here and there.
The property is located in the center of downtown Austin, close to Sixth Street, the Texas State Capitol, and a plethora of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. The distance to Lady Bird Lake and its bike and hiking trail is only three blocks, and it takes 20 minutes to get there.
One may compare entering Hotel ZaZa to entering a private club. Larger-than-life art pieces, like a big wood sculpture and a multimedia piece of Prince glaring you down, blend with warm brick walls and subdued lighting. The property's appropriately arts-and-music design, which is evident in details like the celebrity photos lining the hallways and is ideal for artistic Austin, creates a playful atmosphere that permeates the entire building.
Roll-in showers, bathroom grab bars, and detachable shower nozzles are just a few of the accessibility amenities available in the Hotel ZaZa Austin's suites.
It welcomes visitors of all ages, but there are no amenities specifically for kids.
The Line
Honeycomb concrete modernism, black sliding doors that lead directly into the main restaurant and bar, a ceiling covered with textured canvas, and rows of plants dangling from gold planters are all present. With potted plants and floral seats, coupled with a hand-carved wooden bar and an almost tribal-looking fireplace, the vast outdoors has been brought indoors.
The LINE, housed in a modernist mid-century structure, first debuted in 1965 as the Crest Inn, which was renowned for having a jazz recording studio on-site. The building was a run-down Radisson until the Sydell Group (also responsible for NoMad in New York City and Freehand Miami) moved in, and its restaurant was for a while a TGI Fridays. It was especially sad for a waterfront hotel in the center of the city. Sydell tore down barriers to reunite visitors with the lush lakeside backdrop.
The balance between practicality and individuality is achieved in rooms. Although they can't all be one of a kind given that there are 428 of them—108 of which are suites—the design does convey a sense of place. From the outside, hanging light fixtures like a group of fireflies, textured headboards resemble a dry riverbed, rooms have artwork by Texas artists, and books come from the nearby South Congress Books. If you choose room service, meals will be delivered on trays with square ceramic plates, which is a little reminiscent of ordering at a barbecue.
The visitors of this hotel are adopting a little 1960s style, giving off a West Coast vibe. The bar and eating area have a see-and-be-seen vibe, which is a little out of the ordinary for Austin.
A swimming pool on the ground floor is encircled with plaid umbrellas. A small gym is available, and one room is set aside for an artist residence program.
It's a restored landmark that has given a hitherto sleepy area of Austin new life. Compared to adjacent competitors (JW Marriott and the Fairmont), the rooms here are more entertaining and interesting. Additionally, it tries to introduce you to Austin's expanding visual arts sector, which has typically been overshadowed by live music.
The Thompson
With two street-level eateries run by James Beard Award-winning chef Mashama Bailey, a design- and music-forward rooftop bar and pool, and a two-hotels-in-one concept that appeals to both businesspeople and urban adventurers, this new skyscraper is expected to revitalize a sleepy area of downtown Austin.
The third hotel under the brand's multi-year Texas takeover is the Thompson Austin. No two locations are alike: Thompson Dallas, which boasts a $2 million art collection, opened in a historic George Dahl-designed structure in late 2020. It was swiftly followed by a tower on San Antonio's well-known Riverwalk. Opening in 2023, Thompson Houston will be located in a complex featuring dining and shopping along a bayou. The first tommie hotel in the world is located in Los Angeles, while Hyatt's first attempt to meld the Thompson and tommie concepts was in Austin.
The 212 guest rooms at The Thompson initially appear heavy and austere due to the dark leather, concrete ceilings, and green headboards flanked by lights from the 1970s. However, the lightness of rounded corners, shimmering accent walls, and various metal finishes offsets those qualities. bathrooms that are D.S. & Durga bath goods have rain shower heads and dark vertical tiles in their designs. Floor to ceiling windows provide a panoramic view of the downtown skyline, which features iconic Austin structures like the cool blue Frost Tower and vibrant Sixth Street. Because Texas-sourced snacks and beverages like Still Bourbon, Tito's Vodka, and St. Arnold's beers are available, rooms also boast illy coffee makers and bars that are far from miniature.
Although there aren't yet any kid-friendly welcoming amenities, I saw a few strollers pacing the halls. Half pints will also go crazy over the pool and the sports simulator in the gym. The hotel can accommodate babies and children with conveniences like rollaway cots and kid-friendly meals.
The Thompson is an Austin Energy Green Building and has LEED Silver certification.
The Skin Authority eye kit and Earlybird CBD gummies that were placed on my pillow at bedtime were a nice improvement over the usual dark chocolate and weather report. For a room that feels more spacious when you rent a tommie, ask for a corner—those that end in numbers 19 and 20.
Hotel Van Zandt
This hotel, which bears the legendary country music performer Townes Van Zandt's name, fits well in as the Live Music Capital of the World. French horn-inspired chandeliers, a record player in the lobby bar that plays music into the elevators, and vinyl-based artwork in the form of flying birds are just a few of the musical details found throughout the building.
Austin culture is represented by the boot jack and yoga mat in the rooms. The mineral water Topo Chico and almonds with a barbeque flavor do as well.
Reserve a cabana on the pool deck on the fourth floor; each features a flat-screen TV and a refrigerator. When you dive into the pool, you'll discover that the underwater sound system is playing various songs.
Take one of the loaner bikes and start your sightseeing journey; just remember to return in time for the daily complimentary happy hour.
This hotel is a great value thanks to its fantastic location.
