The Best Luxury Hotels to Book in Austin

A soothing medley of luxury and wellness awaits at this five-star hotel in Austin. With all the wellness activities we’ve come to expect at a luxury retreat – long, thought-provoking hikes, morning yoga sessions, guided meditation and Indian-inspired spa treatments – with a distinctly Texan twist. Find inner calm in rhythmic horseback riding and even horse painting (using your equine friend as a canvas), and appreciate the ecosystem at Cypress Creek Farm and honey bee apiaries. Rooms are a soothing palette inspired by nature, and most come with a balcony for a quiet moment overlooking the extensive grounds.

Staying at this luxury hotel in the center of Austin puts world-class restaurants, shopping and the entertainment epicenter of the city on your doorstep. Stepping inside, artwork-adorned walls and period furniture feel like the interior was selected by a gallery curator rather than an interior designer. Suites are lavish affairs, with wrought-iron balconies and richly designed living areas, and even the standard guest rooms each have a sense of luxe character. The Group Therapy restaurant is a destination in its own right, serving up a selection of healthy treats like poké bowls and superfood salads or indulgent Texan grub like beer-braised short ribs.

Steps from Lady Bird Lake, the Austin Proper Hotel, is within easy walking distance of the City Limits music venue and the boutique shops which show off the artistic side of the city. Each plush suite is designed by Kelly Wearstler and inspired by local artisans and craftspeople. If intricately detailed feature walls and curated furniture don’t catch your eye, the view from the floor-to-ceiling windows over the city certainly will. The Peacock signature restaurant enjoys a poolside location on the rooftop of the hotel, where a fine-dining medley of Israeli, African and Lebanese mezze is a far cry from the ubiquitous Tex-Mex.

With its industrial design, the Van Zandt is the most Austin-centric luxury hotel in the city. The hotel stands just off Rainey Street, lined with bars and live music venues. The Van Zandt offers key amenities, including a pool with a great city skyline view and Geraldine’s on-site restaurant.

The Driskill is the oldest operating hotel in Austin and one of its most indulgent. Located right in the heart of the city along Sixth Street, the towering, early-20th-century architecture stands out beautifully. The Driskill has a variety of room options, but all provide elegant stays. The bakery, which serves a range of first-class pastries, may be the best-kept secret of Sixth Street. Head to the backroom for the hotel bar and restaurant, where you can catch local musicians performing stripped-down sets every night.

Hotel Ella is housed in a historic property, and you are free to enjoy this old mansion at your leisure – relaxing on the second-story wraparound porch or dining on bistro-style food at Goodall’s Kitchen. The hotel also makes a good cocktail at its on-site lounge, the Parlor Bar.

The InterContinental Stephen F Austin is known across the city for being the first high-rise hotel in Austin. Constructed in 1924 with an Art Deco style and early-20th-century interior design, the hotel is on Congress Avenue. A short walk away from the Texas State Capitol. On-site amenities include a range of hotel rooms, a pool reminiscent of a Turkish bathhouse, and a fancy ground-floor restaurant, the Roaring Fork.

Want to be in the center of the city but not in the craziness of it all? The Four Seasons Hotel, located at the south end of Downtown Austin, is the perfect location. The hotel sits between downtown and the serene Lady Bird Lake, which can be seen from any of the south-facing rooms. Besides regular Four Seasons luxury, the main amenity is the backyard, complete with hammocks and lounge chairs with views out onto the lake. Everything downtown is within walking distance, including the South Congress Avenue Bridge – the perfect place to watch sunsets.

The JW Marriott Austin is known for its location, as it sits in the center of downtown and within walking distance of everything the city has to offer. The hike-and-bike trail along Lady Bird Lake is just south, while the historic Texas State Capitol is about a ten-minute walk north. The hotel also offers some of the best Italian food in the city at its on-site restaurant OP Italian.

When the Fairmont Austin opened in 2018, it was a big deal. This was partly due to its size – its 1,048 rooms made it the largest hotel in the city – but also because the Fairmont group is renowned for its classy, luxurious accommodations. The towering hotel sits at the southern tip of the Red River Cultural District, where most of the live music venues are located. As expected, the Fairmont offers guests a lavish stay, with its bar serving Cristal champagne by the glass.