Everyone loves a great vacation, but sometimes the time, money and effort involved can deter you from that well-deserved, time off—fret no more—cue the staycation.
I’ve called Austin, Texas home for about 3 years now. It’s the perfect place to live in. It has the progressive, city feel accompanied by the beautiful hill country and lake life. The only problem with living in a great city is sometimes you forget to to actually explore it.
When you’re on vacation, you’re actively seeking out the best spots to hit and the great sights to see. Not so much the case when you live there. I have to remind myself to actually get out there and discover all the places Austin has to offer—even if it means buying a hotel room downtown for a weekend. Downtown hosts some of the trendiest and hippest hotels Austin has to offer.
There are many wonderful places to stay in Austin, but I want to take this blog post to highlight a couple of my favorites; The W and The Line Hotel.
The W Hotel
Located right in the center of downtown Austin, the W is the place to stay if you’re looking to spice it up. Although W Hotels generally aim to be the “hot” place to stay when you’re looking to party, I can genuinely say the Austin location does it right. You’re central to any events that may be happening downtown, the staff is more than willing to make sure you’re enjoying yourself, and let’s not forget to mention the rooftop pool aka the “Wet Deck.”
I recently stayed here for one of my friend’s birthdays and not only did we score a room upgrade, but our bellman surprised us with balloons and a complementary bottle of rosé. I’ve stayed here multiple times and each time, the staff never cease to amaze me with their kindness. Don’t forget to have cash on hand to tip them for this very reason.
Whether it’s a mimosa in the morning or a margarita by night, the Wet Deck is a pool you don’t want to miss. Resting atop the fourth floor, the Wet Deck stretches across the length of the rooftop and is accompanied by an outdoor bar, lounge chairs, trees and private cabanas. On weekends, this place is a hot spot if you’re looking for a daytime party.
If you want to kick back, the W also offers a full service spa and multiple lounges. Whether for a staycation or not, the W Downtown Austin is full of luxury amenities and is in a great location for navigating the city.
Visit the W Hotel’s website here.
The Line Hotel
The queen of trendy hotels, The Line sits right off Lake Austin in downtown Austin. Since it was renovated in 2018, this hotel jumped the opportunity to create an environment where every corner you turn, it’s an instagrammable moment. Between the P6 terrace and the pool, you’re going to want to get your cameras ready.
This is another hotel that has very walkable parameters. If you head across the street, you can enjoy the Fairground Food Hall and if you walk across the bridge, you’ll end up on South Congress. Although it’s not considered a luxury hotel, this place offers an environment you almost don’t want to leave. There are several restaurant options, ranging from poolside Veracruz All Natural tacos and Pina coladas, to sophisticated, sit-down cuisine at Arlo Grey.
My personal favorite spot at this hotel is P6. Its name originates from formerly being the sixth floor of the parking garage. The second you step out of the elevator and walk into P6, you are greeted with a plethora of tropical plants, paper picado, and energizing upholstery patterns. They offer a wonderful variety of unique cocktails and small plates including an artisanal cheese board, roasted beet & orange salad, and fontina grilled cheese (just to name a few).
The Line Hotel offers a great experience if you are looking for a more low-key getaway. Their pool is great place to soak up the sun while enjoying a fresh smoothie and a good book. I highly recommend this hotel for a girls getaway. I can’t say enough about all the photo opps you’ll encounter (especially P6!).
Visit The Line Hotel’s website here.
Take Advantage of the City
Again, it’s easy to take Austin for granted if you live here, so treat yourself to a well-deserved staycation every now and then. Whether it’s to go wild and let loose or simply enjoy some hotel amenities and fresh air, Austin offers a variety of wonderful hotels to fit every need.
Don’t forget to plan for some exploring time outside of the hotel. My favorite spots in downtown Austin to hit are South Congress, West 6th Street, West 2nd Street, Lady Bird Lake and Zilker Park.
Money Saving Packing List:
- Book – nice free way to spend relaxing time
- Snacks and drinks – call ahead to see if there will be a fridge in the room
- Bathing suit – utilize the hotel pool if there is one
- Workout clothes – a good sweat is always free!
Let me know in the comments where your favorite Downtown Austin Hotels are!
