The Coolest Boutique Hotels in Austin, From Retro-Chic Properties to Glamorous Estates
Attracting lovers of music, food, history, and the outdoors, Austin’s boutique hotel scene is as diverse as its visitors—and as innovative as the city’s notoriously trailblazing industries. While Austin has no shortage of impressive Airbnbs and top-tier hotels, we’ve defined its boutique hotels as ones that have less than 200 rooms and offer a one-of-a-kind style and experience—and we have taken the time to curate the best options for those who are seeking one out.
Austin was established as the capital of the Republic of Texas in the mid-19th century, and hotel travel blossomed in the city soon after. Since then, notable artists, musicians, and designers have contributed to the distinctive character and culture of the hotel landscape, including the iconic interior designer Stanly Marcus (yes, of Neiman Marcus) as well as photographer Jackie Lee Young.
Today in Austin, you can stay on grounds previously owned by music legend Willie Nelson, lounge on a Hästens mattress at a hotel with an exclusive members club, sip a martini in a sultry underground vinyl bar before crashing in your room, or make your way to a romantic rooftop for sunset without leaving your home base. The bars and restaurants at these haunts are popular and noteworthy in their own right, making it a cinch to get a taste of the city’s finest. These are the 12 best boutique hotels in Austin, according to Condé Nast Traveler.
All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Chase Daniel/The Loren at Lady Bird LakehotelThe Loren Hotel
$$$ |
Hot List 2023The vibe: Glamorous oasis with panoramic views
Top amenities: Freestanding tubs in natural stone bathrooms, suites with private terraces and downtown views, complimentary overnight shoeshine service
Location: Riverside
Best for: Seeing and doing it allStep out of the glass elevator at The Loren Hotel to sweeping views of Lady Bird Lake and downtown Austin. Plant-filled indoor spaces, the rooftop modern American restaurant and bar Nido, as well as a pool and on-site spa make the property an immaculate Austin getaway. Although the vibrant city is just outside the doors, The Loren makes a good case for simply unwinding day and night on the property: an in-room and pool bite and beverage menu, a fitness center featuring a yoga and spin studio, a coffee shop with local pastries from Sour Duck, live music events on the rooftop, and 108 elegant rooms with floor to ceiling windows that showcase city or park views. Slide into a pair of slippers and a plush bathrobe and relish in modern comfort.
Jake HolthotelHotel Ella
$The vibe: Greek Revival getaway
Top amenities: Private patio options, marble bathrooms, minibars stocked with local fare, room service
Location: Downtown
Best for: A romantic stay refined by remarkable industry legendsHotel Ella is a place of beauty and transformation in the heart of downtown Austin. The historic Goodall Wooten House was originally built in 1898 for Dudley Wooten–one of the University of Texas founders. The remodeled mansion was named after Ella Wooten—an Austin culinary expert, art enthusiast, gardener, and philanthropist—who inherited the property with her husband Goodall, Dudley Wooten’s son. Touched by the hands of the stone carver who built the Biltmore Mansion in Asheville, as well as Stanly Marcus of Neiman Marcus who redecorated the interior of the home, the Azalea garden–filled property has been expertly renovated and reimagined. Stay in one of the nine original mansion rooms, or in one of 38 rooms in the North Wing addition from the 1980s. Immerse in leisure and luxury as you admire the Texas Modernist works on the hotel walls, take in the lawn from the wrap-around veranda, and swim in the courtyard pool. Embody Ella Wooten’s style during your stay when you choose Ella’s Parlor Suite, which was once her dressing room.
Nick Simonite/Hotel Saint CeciliahotelHotel Saint Cecilia
$$The vibe: Exclusive creative hideaway
Top amenities: Rega turntables and Geneva sound systems in every room, lending library of books and vintage records, Gibson guitar loans, organic Hästens beds
Location: Travis Heights
Best for: A reenergizing retreatHotel Saint Cecilia is a haven for creatives. Inspired by the patron saint of music and poetry, the revamped 1880s Victorian property nestled amongst jasmine vines and under towering live oaks oozes luxurious, warm energy. The 20-room estate and private member’s club nods to the rock and roll era of the ’60s and ’70s with vinyl turntables throughout the property from the lobby to the bedrooms. Each of the intimate suites has its own special flair, like the bamboo-lined outdoor shower and indoor soaking tub in suite five or the expansive backyard with rocking chairs, a fire pit, and walls lined with velvet wallpaper in suite four. Enjoy the in-room minibar stocked with both local and internationally-sourced snacks as well as the beauty bar which features essential oils, incense, skin-care essentials and more before dreaming the night away on a deluxe, six-figure Hästens mattress.
Photo by Nick SimonitehotelAustin Motel
$ | Hot List 2018The vibe: Far out
Top amenities: Outdoor pool and bar, 300-thread-count Sferra sheets, pet-friendly
Location: South Congress
Best for: A taste of the timeless retro-Austin lifestyleFunky, classic and quintessential, the historic 41-room Austin Motel has been an icon in the city since 1938. Situated along South Congress Ave, in walking distance to the city's best boutique shopping, dining, and nightlife, the entrance to the motel catches the eye with frequently new and rotating phrases on its famed neon Austin Motel sign. Suit up and have a sip at the ’50s-style outdoor pool and bar under the red and white striped umbrellas while you soak up the sun. Poolside seasonal events are frequent and include movie screenings, yoga, water aerobics, and live music. Grab snacks and drinks at the motel’s bodega before you turn in for the night on retro vinyl tufted beds. Indulge in old-school charm when you jam to the in-room vintage radio or make a phone call on the push-button phones.
Courtesy Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts CollectionhotelCommodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection
$$ |
Gold List 2023 Hot List 2021 
Readers' Choice Awards 2021The vibe: Renaissance-style mansion
Top amenities: Juliette balconies, cascading rain showers, customizable cocktail carts, Lutie’s Restaurant and Bar, complimentary Mercedes use or house car transport
Location: Hyde Park
Best for: A luxury European-style getawayThe Commodore Perry Estate by Auberge Resorts is an elegant Italy-evoking escape and private club in the heart of Austin’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Secluded from the buzz of the city, the 1928 mansion sits on 10 acres of manicured lawns across from a nine-hole golf course. The estate offers suites filled with impressive furnishings, like whimsical wardrobes and canopy beds. Architect Kevin Fulk furnished and redesigned the villa, sourcing unique finds from the local, world-renowned Round Top antique fair. The hotel is also home to the intimate, farm-to-table restaurant Lutie’s, run by the Michelin-starred chef couple Bradley Nicholson and Susana Querejazu. Don’t miss the Mount Lassen trout served over Delta Blues rice or the couple’s famous collab: the Estate Bread. Served with seamlessly layered brown and cultured butter, the English-muffin-meets-sourdough roll is tangy and flavorful. Relax on velvet couches or by the pool as you ponder which experiences to enjoy during your stay: choose from chef-prepared picnics, workshops with local artists and designers, in-room massages, yoga, wine tastings, and other seasonal events.
Nick Simonite/Courtesy Hotel MagdalenahotelHotel Magdalena
$$ | Hot List 2021The vibe: Homage to Austin's music scenes
Top amenities: Sangre de Fruta bath products; designated built-in desk space; poolside bar and vinyl bar; complimentary bike, Peloton, and yoga mat rentals
Location: South Congress
Best for: A premium sensory experienceInhale the scent of incense and natural stone upon entry to the 89-room Hotel Magdalena. Located on Music Lane on property previously owned in the ’70s by Willie Nelson, the area has hosted many musicians who have created, played, and practiced on site. The rich history of the city's music scenes is baked into the hotel’s restaurant—Summer House on Music Lane—named after one of the original restaurants on the premises from the ’60s. The architecture of the entire property encompasses the rich natural beauty and lakeside culture of Austin, with a pool in the shape of Barton Springs along with breezy open-air exterior walkways. Each room features its own musically vibrant Scott Newton print (no repeats), custom brightly colored monochrome Spanish tiles, walnut wood built-in beds, and inlay desks. In March 2023, the hotel opened a new vinyl bar, Equipment Room, which serves up a premium sound experience, a menu of A-side and B-side craft cocktails, and funky snacks.
Courtesy Colton House HotelColton House Hotel
The vibe: Modern, classic, and spacious
Top amenities: Yoga studio and fitness room with Peloton bikes, filtered tap water in sinks and showers, kids’ play areas, event and meeting spaces, on-site food truck
Location: South Congress
Best for: A long or short term stay infused with southern hospitalityFeaturing 80 spacious suites with amenities including modern kitchenettes and living areas that evoke everyday comfort, the one-, two-, and three-bedroom studios at Colton House offer a home-away-from-home for guests looking for a sophisticated short- or long-term stay. The on-site coffee and craft cocktail bar Simona’s makes it seamless to switch from business meeting to catch-up session with your best friend (warning: the refreshing Last Dance with Mary Jane CBD cocktail contains a low level of THC, making it extra relaxing). Double up in balloon chairs built for two and enjoy the sunset view from the upstairs parlor seating, or sit back under string lights in the courtyard by the pool. If you’re traveling with kids, they’ll enjoy the family-friendly play area filled with toys and games. The crown jewel of the hotel is the stunning penthouse event space with a panoramic city view, made for gatherings of all kinds from corporate events to engagement, wedding, and graduation parties. With a black mirror in the bathroom, textured wallpaper inspired by crown molding, and a secret room behind a bookcase, the penthouse celebration space may be the cherry on top of a special trip.
Courtesy Archer Hotel AustinhotelArcher Hotel Austin
$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021The vibe: Lone Star Luxury
Top amenities: AKB bar and restaurant, spa service menu, large fitness studio, business center
Location: The Domain
Best for: Business and pleasureSunset light beams through two proud Texas stars on the glass windowed ceiling of AKB, the inventive bar, restaurant, and gathering place that immediately welcomes guests upon entry to the lobby. Check in and start your night here with dinner and a sunset view. Must tries: the Violet Sky butterfly blue gin cocktail that matches the warm, purple and pink post-golden hour glow, melt-in-your mouth wonton-shelled ahi taquitos, “street corn” made with four textures of corn, and the brick oven wild mushroom pizza. The 171-room, new-build hotel features a grand staircase flanked by a 30-foot Kimerlee Curyl wild mustang mural in the lobby. Just up the stairs and out onto the patio, guests will find the splash pool studded with stars and backdropped by the Texas-sized local limestone fireplace and large TV. Many room types are available including classic upscale rooms and curated spacious suites, but the king rooms are notable for their floor-to-ceiling photo murals and platform beds.
Alex Lau/Courtesy Carpenter HotelhotelThe Carpenter Hotel
$$The vibe: Bauhaus chic
Top amenities: Private terraces, Hemp Code skincare from Italy, fresh flowers by your bed, poolside and in-room food and drink service via text or call from the café and restaurant
Location: South Lamar
Best for: Luxury leisure for nature loversBreezy, open-air hallways lined with terra-cotta brick lead guests to their rooms at Carpenter Hotel. Perched between pecan trees, the historic 93-room hotel pays homage to its 1948 roots as the Carpenters Local 1266 Union Hall with intentional details throughout the property, including carpenter’s notes on some walls. The rooms feature nature photography by Jackie Lee Young as well as lake blue tiling reminiscent of Texas watering holes. Grab a glass of complimentary bubbly from the pecan-wood front desk or bar at the acclaimed on-property restaurant Carpenters Hall and mosey over to the pool for a dip. When you’re done, draw closed the blackout sliding door between your room’s floor to ceiling windows and the private terrace for an afternoon nap. In the morning, wake up and refresh at the all day coffee bar concept in the vinyl music–filled lobby, which was built in the original building where the meeting hall once stood.
Hannah KoehlerhotelHotel San José
$$The vibe: Out of a fairytale
Top amenities: Complimentary use of typewriters and Polaroid cameras, secluded swimming pool and courtyard lounge, Malin + Goetz bath products, kimono bathrobes
Location: South Congress
Best for: A secret hideaway in the midst of the actionHidden behind ivy-covered walls is a 40-room secret: Hotel San Jose. The quaint, fountain-filled courtyard bar offers up famous frosé and light fare for a refreshing respite from the Texas heat. It also quietly features a cool, intimate pool surrounded by black bamboo. Though the hotel sits in the center of the action on South Congress Ave, serenity rings throughout the whole property. The minimalist rooms range from courtyard balcony suites to European-style shared baths, all featuring concrete floors, arched windows, and reclaimed Texas pine furniture. Start your day with room service, and end it with after-dark happy hour bites and sips in the lounge. Try one of the rotating imported spirits ranging from sake to whiskey before relaxing on-site or enjoying the plethora of exceptional music and dining options just beyond the doors.
Casey DunnhotelHeywood Hotel
$The vibe: Intimate, indie guest house
Top amenities: Luxury tubs and showers, white noise machines, rooms with skylights, private patio and balcony room options, free bicycles
Location: East Austin
Best for: Eastside style and a local feelWalk onto the porch of the green renovated 1920 Craftsman bungalow in eclectic East Austin and take a pause on the swinging egg chairs. An easygoing, friendly feel is apparent upon entry to the seven-room guest house. With light beaming in from the lobby skylight upon entry, the cozy yet open space provides a place where the bright and free spirit of Austin can be embraced. A Marfa-meets-Palm-Springs patio serves as the centerpiece for second floor guest rooms, which open up onto the tranquil courtyard space. Every room features original longleaf pine hardwood floors and local art, while also offering something unique in style and mood. Room three boasts a shower skylight, room five has a fireplace, and room seven has a private balcony that overlooks the courtyard. This East Austin hotel choice should be at the top of your list.
Courtesy The DriskillhotelThe Driskill
$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022The vibe: Southern Charm
Top amenities: Vast collection of notable artwork, 24-hour fitness center featuring a steam room and downtown views, same-day laundry and dry cleaning services, nightly live music at The Driskill Bar
Location: Downtown
Best for: History buffsRounding out our list of the best boutique hotels in Austin: The Driskill. History bursts from its towering pillars, dazzling chandeliers, and painting-filled walls. A couple of notable firsts that the iconic 1886 Romanesque building has seen: the first interstate phone call happened in the hotel lobby, and the first date between Lady Bird Johnson and president Lyndon B. Johnson took place at the newly reopened on-site restaurant, The Grill (don’t miss the luscious lobster bisque or the Tournedos Rossini that drips in truffle sauce and crowns a duck fat latke). Daily history tours commence under the stained glass ceiling dome in the lobby at 4 p.m., where guests and visitors can learn about the wowing stories and mysteries of the hotel. Staying here feels like stepping into the upper echelon of grand Western luxury. From the prohibition era bar with secret booze-smuggling doors, to the 1886 Cafe with goodies made from gourmet chef Helen Corbett’s original recipes, to the 189 majestic bedrooms and suites, the Driskill embodies the opulence and glory of the Lone Star State.
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