Austin, TX
Central Texas hotels hold their ground on Michelin’s new best stays list
As the Michelin Guide — famous for its restaurant ratings expressed in “stars” — hands out its “keys” to Texas’ best hotels, Austin and San Antonio are doing almost exactly as well as they did last year. That’s nothing to scoff at in Austin; eight hotels have maintained their place on the prestigious list, which is not guaranteed. In San Antonio, one hotel holds onto the city’s claim to Michelin fame, and even gained a higher ranking than before.
In 2024, the world-renowned Michelin Guide published its first-ever North American “Michelin Key” selection. Then there were 288 total hotels across the United States, Mexico, and Canada; this year on Wednesday, October 8, Michelin added 37 hotels nationwide to the list, now totaling more than 300. The classifications are awarded based on anonymous stays or visits by the Michelin Guide’s inspection team, and previous praise is not taken into consideration.
One Austin business did get an extra boost among those 37. Bunkhouse Hotels, the group behind many of Austin’s best boutique stays, opened its first Houston hotel in late 2024. Called Hotel Saint Augustine, it earned one key, deeming it “a very special stay.” Like stars, keys denote more greatness the higher the number goes, capping out at a perfect three.
Since Central Texas’ hotels are not new on the list, they did not receive new write-ups on the list linked above. However, for travelers who want to experience the best regardless of newness, here they are.
Austin, two keys:
Austin, one key:
With the same number of keys as in 2024, the Commodore Perry Estate is as stately as ever. Austinites are likely the most familiar with Lutie’s, the beautiful on-site restaurant draped in plants and offering up impeccable seasonal dishes.
“California’s Auberge Collection, now a global family, are known for their tasteful luxury and for their variety — and the Commodore Perry Estate, set on ten acres of land in urban Austin, Texas, is unique by any standard,” the resort’s Michelin Guide profile says. “It’s a Twenties mansion and satellite buildings in Italianate and Spanish Revival styles, and it’s all been brought entirely up to date by the expert hospitality designer Ken Fulk. The result sacrifices none of the estate’s throwback atmosphere, but brings it up to a 21st-century standard; like everything Auberge touches, it’s the very picture of modern boutique luxury.”
San Antonio, two keys:
This historic landmark adds another feather to its cap — or key to its ring — becoming one of only three stays in Texas awarded a second key. The third two-key hotel is Fort Worth’s Bowie House, which is also part of the Auberge Resorts Collection. That does make Hotel Emma the only two-key hotel in Texas that is full Texas-owned (Silver Ventures, Inc.) and operated (Woodbine Development Corporation).
Hotel Emma’s write-up is much longer (and more colorful) than Commodore Perry’s.
“Let it never be said that South Texans don’t know the meaning of luxury; besides Frette linens, Malin + Goetz bath amenities, and 48-inch HDTVs, a slew of tough-to-replicate touches elevate the experience far beyond the norm,” says a portion of the profile. “Dark-wood and aged bronze accents. Freestanding, clawfoot tubs. Seersucker robes by Dos Carolinas. Spanish porcelain. Mesquite-furnished terraces with Redondo tile. If, upon opening the bespoke armoire, you’re not charmed by the wealth of upscale eats and signature margarita makings in the ‘icebox,’ we don’t quite know what to tell you.”
An outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness that can cause explosive diarrhea, has been confirmed in Texas, prompting health officials to urge extra precautions when handling fresh produce.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed 48 cases of cyclosporiasis across 10 Texas counties. State health officials say there have been no deaths linked to the outbreak so far.
There are no reported cases in Southeast Texas at this time, and Port Arthur officials say they have not received any reported cases from area hospitals or health care providers. Still, health officials say now is the time to take extra precautions.
Judith Smith, Port Arthur’s director of health services, said cyclosporiasis is caused by “a microscopic parasite that is usually found in contaminated food and contaminated water.”
Smith said contamination typically stems from floodwater or sewage water when produce is harvested, allowing parasites to transfer to produce long before it reaches consumers.
“I have not heard of an outbreak like this. It’s been a while. It might have been 2023, 2024, and so, you know, and of course, Texas is not immune,” Smith said.
Smith said foods that are eaten raw can pose a higher risk. “Those foods that are not cooked are the ones that really make you more at risk,” she said.
Health officials recommend washing raw produce, including lettuce, cilantro, raspberries and basil. They also recommend cleaning cutting boards, refrigerating fresh goods and throwing away any remaining produce after experiencing symptoms.
Symptoms can include watery diarrhea, fatigue, lack of appetite and a low-grade fever. “Those individuals that may have that watery diarrhea or really just more than two to three days should seek medical attention,” Smith said.
Testing can confirm the parasite, and early treatment can help prevent more serious complications, especially for children and elderly relatives. Health care experts recommend contacting a health care provider as soon as possible if persistent stomach cramps and other symptoms develop after eating fresh produce.
The Texas Longhorns are less than two months away from starting their regular season slate of the 2026 schedule.
Just like last season, the Longhorns have been given unrealistic expectations by some, but will look to avoid the slow start that had everyone counting them out in September. On paper, the Longhorns should be a lot better than they were last season.
A national championship run should be on the table for head coach Steve Sarkisian and his team. One of the reasons that is a possibility is due to the Longhorns have something in common with previous national championship winners.
Legacy Year
Last season, the college football world was enamored by the Indiana Hoosiers. A program that no one saw ever winning the national championship, was hoisting the trophy at the end of the season.
Now, the Hoosiers had a talented roster from top to bottom. But the play of starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the leading factor in this team reaching the mountaintop.
Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has the chance to make that same impression this season. After his first full season as the starting quarterback in Austin last year, there is a growing confidence that Manning is going to be on another level in 2026.
Last season, Manning threw for 3,163 yards and 26 touchdown passes. If you were to compare those numbers to Mendoza’s last season, the Hoosiers quarterback threw for 3,535 yards and an impressive 41 touchdown passes.
Those numbers make it clear that Manning will have to elevate his performance this season. With a revamped offensive line, the Longhorns quarterback may have the time to rival the numbers of Mendoza from this past season.
But another key piece to the Longhorns’ 2026 roster is a massive wide receiver addition.
It’s going to take the whole village, and Coach Sarkisian went out and got one of the most talented wide receivers in the transfer portal with Cam Coleman.
Coleman had two solid years with the Auburn Tigers and now will look to be the deep field threat for Manning and the Longhorns. The junior receiver’s addition to the roster could take this offensive unit to being one of the top units in the country.
All championship teams have a quarterback who could lead them to victory. Manning could very well be the next elite quarterback to hold a national championship trophy.
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Join several Austin labor unions and community members to honor Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s life and the countless immigrants who have been impacted by ICE.
The community vigil will take place at the Wildflower Church on Saturday, July 11th starting at 6 PM. All are welcome to bring flowers and candles as we honor the loss of life and grieve the separation of families.
Community Vigil Details
🗓️ July 11, 2026 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
🗺️ 1314 E Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704
🚗 Public transit and rideshare encouraged! Limited parking available and overflow parking may be available at Travis High School.
Please consider donating to the family’s GoFundMe if you are able: https://bit.ly/atx4lorenzo
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