Austin, TX
From Hipster to Luxury, Here Are the Best Hotels in Austin Right Now
![From Hipster to Luxury, Here Are the Best Hotels in Austin Right Now From Hipster to Luxury, Here Are the Best Hotels in Austin Right Now](https://assets3.thrillist.com/v1/image/3156860/1200x600/scale;;webp=auto;jpeg_quality=85.jpg)
One of America’s best cities to visit right now, Austin is as much a must-visit during the big festivals as it is any time of year. This Central Texas city has the quintessential Texan quirks that international folk can’t resist (cowboy hats, line dancing, giant barbecue portions that make them a tad bit sick). Then there’s the stuff that domestic visitors know is better here: Tex-Mex, indie bands, and boozing on a river. Not tempted yet? Then there’s always a potential slice of business to do, especially if you work in the tech sphere. Whatever your reason for touching down in Bat City, there’s most definitely a hotel for you. From downtown skyscrapers packed with meeting rooms and boutiques with musical treats to luxury spa resorts, and even hipster hostels, here’s where to stay when you’re in Austin.
Downtown
Pick up a postcard of the skyline and what can’t you miss? The Fairmont Austin. With 1,048 rooms and suites, this towering glass structure is as much an Austin landmark these days as the Congress Avenue Bridge. If you’re in town for ACL, SXSW, or Formula 1, be prepared to party. The hotel is the official partner for all the biggies, and often throws bashes themed to the event up on Rules & Regs by the palm tree-shaded rooftop pool. When the party’s over, check out their fancy spa, or have a sophisticated night in Room 725, their secret champagne and caviar lounge.
Rooms rates from approximately $250
South Lamar
All the cool kids of Austin are hovering around Nido, not just for the views but because the cocktails are oh-so addictive. Visitors to the city will do well to join them: The Loren is a 2022-opened, sparkling new addition to the South scene that is conveniently a walk over the bridge onto Downtown. Expect plush rooms with natural stone bathrooms, and wellness corners including a Milk + Honey spa, fitness center, and rooftop pool.
Rooms rates from approximately $340
Downtown
If a night out on Sixth Street is on the agenda and you’re up for making new friends (i.e. sharing a room with strangers) then try the Firehouse Hostel. This was once an old fire station—hence the name—but now the serves as a hostel and watering hole for travelers young, fun, and bouncing with energy. Behind the bookshelf at reception you’ll find their speakeasy serving delicious prohibition-era drinks. Private suites are also available for those that don’t want to sleep with their new buddies.
Dorm room rates from approximately $39
South Congress
On the quiet end of South Congress, Colton House is the home away from home of your ATX dreams. Literally. All accommodation options are suites, so you never feel like you’re in a box hotel room. Choose from one, two, or three-bedroom options, plus full kitchens, and a washer and dryer for your long-term stay. The gym is better equipped than most five-star hotels, and the two-story coffee and cocktail lounge, Simona’s, is an off-the-beaten-path gem of a hangout.
Rooms rates from approximately $195
Downtown
Once home to a jazz club that broadcast live on local radio in the sixties, The LINE is today a boutique and whimsical stay. Rooms are beautifully outfitted in chic modern style with floor-to-ceiling windows, Bellino linens, and custom bath products by Cowshed. There’s a saltwater infinity pool on the ground floor next to the trail that’s always happening, as is the terraced bar, and one of Austin’s most popular taco counters, Veracruz, can be found in the lobby.
Rooms rates from approximately $230
South Congress
A sleek boutique build just off South Congress, Kimber Modern is close to all the best attractions and eats in the area (The Continental Club and Home Slice Pizza are just two of our personal faves) whilst inhabiting a distinctly residential-looking plot of land. Inside, you’re in a sanctuary of white and blue hues, Sferra fine linens, and bright floor-to-ceiling window light. Relax in the artfully landscaped courtyard and you’ll feel like you’re at a hideaway resort rather than a city hotel.
Rooms rates from approximately $280
East Austin
One for design enthusiasts, ARRIVE is an architectural landmark in East Austin, a cantilevered building designed by Baldridge Architects. Rooms are thoughtfully curated with the latest tech including Apple TV (surprisingly, not many hotels in Austin have smart TVs, so when you find one it’s like winning the lottery!), local treats, and outfitted in beautiful oak and pine decor. Two restaurants and a rooftop gin bar complete the experience. There is no free coffee in the room, so guests need to get their caffeine fix from the on-site coffee shop, or one of the many cafes in the vicinity.
Rooms rates from approximately $210
East Austin
For something special, check into the Heywood on Cesar Chavez. This boutique hotel has just seven bespoke rooms, each with its own unique design, handcrafted furniture, and local artwork. Plus, most important of all, actually good coffee from local purveyors. Amenities for guests include free use of the hotel’s bicycles, so you can peddle around town and avoid traffic during festival season, but if you really must, there’s free parking too.
Rooms rates from approximately $310
Campus District
When you have AT&T in the name, you know a hotel means business. Situated on the edge of downtown and the University of Texas, AT&T Hotel serves up exactly that, with excellent Wi-Fi (obvs), meeting spaces, and decent food and beverage outlets for networking opportunities. This is by no means the sexiest stay in town, but the excellent location and connectivity make it a winner for professionals and students visiting with a career-orientated goal in mind.
Rooms rates from approximately $240
Downtown
Austin’s live music scene is wonderfully represented at Van Zandt, a hotel that has music running through its veins. You’ll find record players in select suite, vinyl in the social spaces, and performers taking to the stage at their acclaimed restaurant, Geraldine’s. The vibe is rustic, with a heavy helping of glam, and its close proximity to both Rainey Street and the trail means the best of both worlds in terms of going hard, then walking it off.
Rooms rates from approximately $250
West Austin
Making bank and hoping all the Central Texan nature will bring some Zen into your life? Miraval Austin is the medicine your (celebrity-trusted) doctor prescribed. Nestled deep in the Hill Country, this is where you disconnect to reconnect, either with a loved one or with nature. Classes and a full board are included, and no tipping is allowed, so you can completely switch off and enjoy all the wellness thrust upon you. Think infinity pools, aerial yoga, meditation, green juices, spa treatments, and anything a Goop fan would go gaga for. Note: this resort is for adults only.
Packages from approximately $1,000 per person
Domain
Checking into the Lone Star Court is like stepping into another era—a blast to the past. This retro getaway is perched on four acres of landscaped courtyard, with 123 guestrooms clad with rocking chairs, barn doors, and crates of goodies. This is a bit like an old-school ranch, but right next to the giant, modern Domain shopping complex. Live music strums by the poolside in the evenings, and you’ll circle around fire pits in a friendly community vibe. Grub is available from the food trucks outside the gate.
Rooms rates from approximately $270
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Austin, TX
Ewers throws 3 TD passes to help No. 4 Texas roll over Colorado State 52-0 in opener
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Quinn Ewers passed for 260 yards and three touchdowns and No. 4 Texas rolled past Colorado State 52-0 on Saturday in the opener for both teams.
Ewers connected with Matthew Golden for a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter, and had another strike to Isaiah Bond as the Longhorns built a 31-0 lead by halftime.
A big question for Texas heading into this season was just how quickly Ewers and Texas would find their rhythm in a passing attack that lost the top five receivers from the 2023 Big 12 championship team. Texas joined the Southeastern Conference this year.
Golden transferred from Houston and Bond from Alabama, and Ewers and his rebuilt receiving corps easily carved up the Rams. After a slow start that included a stalled drive and an interception on Texas’ first three possessions, Texas scored 24 points in the second quarter.
Ewers spread passes around 10 different receiving and had 248 yards passing by halftime. He completed 20 of 27 passes before leaving the game for Arch Manning midway through the third quarter.
Manning’s first drive started with a 40-yard pass to Johntay Cook II. It ended with Manning’s first career TD pass, a scrambling 5-yard toss to Silas Bolden, another transfer from Oregon State, that made it 45-0.
The takeaway
Colorado State: The Rams have an elite receiver in Tory Horton, but he shut down by a smothering Texas defense. Horton had five catches for 31 yards and the only deep ball thrown his way was intercepted. Colorado State did not cross the Texas 49 until the final two minutes.
Texas: Coming off last season’s appearance in the College Football Playoff, Texas has its highest season-opening ranking since 2010 and Saturday was a breeze against the overmatched Rams. The lofty ranking and expectations will be put to the test next week at No. 9 Michigan, and later when the Longhorns eventually start their first Southeastern Conference schedule against Mississippi State on Sept. 28.
Up next
Colorado State: Hosts Northern Colorado on Sept. 7
Texas: At No. 9 Michigan on Sept. 7 in the first matchup between the two historic powerhouse programs since the 2004 Rose Bowl.
___
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Austin, TX
Residents in Austin neighborhood concerned about crime as police department struggles with understaffing
![Residents in Austin neighborhood concerned about crime as police department struggles with understaffing Residents in Austin neighborhood concerned about crime as police department struggles with understaffing](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/monrose-austin.jpg)
Understaffing in the Austin Police Department in Texas has left residents concerned about crime in the city.
Residents in the Montopolis neighborhood in Austin’s southeast told KVUE-TV crime in their area is getting worse.
Delwin Goss told the station he woke up to gunshots in the neighborhood overnight Thursday, which he said has become shockingly common.
“It’s making the hair on my arms stand up. To hear eight, nine, 10 shots. Just bam, bam, bam. Where are those bullets going?” he said.
ALL CRIMINAL TRESPASSING CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST ANTI-ISRAEL UT AUSTIN PROTESTERS
Residents in the Montopolis neighborhood in Austin’s southeast are concerned crime in their area is getting worse. (Jordan Vonderhaar/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
He said his neighbor told him she hears gunshots from her home between two to three times a week.
“I don’t want to be shot sleeping in my bed,” he added.
And although Austin Police told him when he called they were already investigating, he blames the department’s understaffing problem.
Austin Police Association President Mike Bullock addressed the officer shortage Thursday, writing on X, “500 officers short has a real impact on businesses and Austinites who expect to be able to safely run a business and live in Austin. We’re so close to having a contract that can make significant progress towards ending the staffing crisis. Question now is if the city will actually prioritize making it happen.”
AUSTIN POLICE ARREST 6 PEOPLE AFTER ‘UNUSUALLY DEADLY’ SURGE OF OPIOID OVERDOSES
Austin City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly addressed the police understaffing problem this week while speaking on the Austin Police Association’s podcast, attributing it to funding cuts in 2020.
“Our staffing currently at the police department is a direct result of the failed policy that was passed in 2020 to remove funding for the police department,” she told Bullock.
![Austin police officer on a motorcycle](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/austin-police.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
The Austin Police Department has faced a shortage of officers since being defunded in 2020. (Dave Creaney/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
“We want a fully staffed department that takes care of our city employees that are loving the work that they do cause then they’re going to do a better job of taking care of the community.”
Kelly told KVUE that council members are working to get more officers on the job so residents can feel safe in their neighborhoods.
“He feels as if his part of the district, part of town, is neglected, and I firmly believe that everyone, despite what district they are in, deserves the opportunity to feel safe in their own homes,” Kelly told the station.
While the city has brought down the homicide rate since a record of 89 in 2021, it still remains high.
“I think the bottom line is that, over the last three years, we’ve seen the highest homicide rates we have seen ever in the city,” Bullock told FOX 7 earlier this year. “So, either way, no matter which way we look at it, we’re not on a good trend. We’re headed in the wrong direction.”
The city reported 71 homicides in 2022, 73 in 2023 and 42 this year as of Monday, according to KXAN-TV.
In February, the department said the city was experiencing roughly one murder a week, FOX 7 reported.
Austin’s 89 murders in 2021 came after the Austin City Council defunded the police in 2020, which caused massive staffing shortages that prevented police from responding to non-emergency calls. The previous record was 59 in 1984, long before Austin standardized its ambulance services and had the two level one trauma centers it has now.
“I’ve watched it for the last five, six, seven years, and it just gets a little worse,” Goss said. “I see more open drug use in this neighborhood, more drug dealing.
“They’re not out here protecting me or my 85-year-old heart transplant neighbor or the widow that’s in her 70s next door,” he added.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the Austin Police Department and Kelly for comment.
Austin, TX
Texas high school football scores: Austin-area UIL live updates from Week 1
![Texas high school football scores: Austin-area UIL live updates from Week 1 Texas high school football scores: Austin-area UIL live updates from Week 1](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/08/30/NAAS/75008988007-aem-082924-anderson-mc-callum-taco-shack-19.jpg?auto=webp&crop=2879,1621,x0,y149&format=pjpg&width=1200)
Finally, it’s Week 1 of the Texas high school football season. Things kicked off around Central Texas with a pair of thrillers in the Austin area — Anderson’s 57-40 win over McCallum in the Taco Shack Bowl and Weiss’ 42-41 double-overtime win over McNeil. But tonight is the first Friday night of the season and there’s a full slate of games.
Follow this thread tonight for updates across Central Texas:
WATCH TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL LIVE
Thrall 29, Thorndale 22
Lake Travis 17, Arlington Martin 10
Georgetown 47, Victoria East 0
Cedar Park 17, Harker Heights 7
Vandegrift 31, Dripping Springs 7
Glenn 7, Medina Valley 0
Rouse 36, Connally 3
Pflugerville 33, Leander 14
Hondo 29, Blanco 14
Lago Vista 14, Burnet 12
Victoria West 14, Lockhart 0
Johnson City 14, Granger 14
Round Rock Concordia 24, Leander Founders Classical 22
… and some 2nd quarter scores:
Cibolo Steele 35, Liberty Hill 14
Giddings 14, Jarrell 0
Marble Falls 29 Crockett 0
Travis 7, Akins 0
∙ Georgetown’s Jett Walker scored from 47 yards out to increase the Eagles’ lead over Victoria East to 47-0. Georgetown has scored on all seven possessions. Walker has rushed for 102 yards in the opening half on just seven carries.
∙ New Braunfels Canyon and Austin High are level at 14-14.
∙ They have reached the half at Vandegrift, as the Vipers hold a 24-point edge over Dripping Springs 31-7.
∙ Cedar Park leads Harker Heights 14-7 in the first.
From Jay Plotkin, who’s covering the Lake Travis-Arlington Martin game tonight. First-half update:
Walker Moore’s interception late in the second quarter kept the Cavs leading Martin at the half. Moore’s interception of Brooks Brigance and 80-yard return set up a short Braydon Doane field goal to give the Cavaliers a 17-10 lead. Martin’s Brigance kept the Lake Travis defense on its heels early, but the Cavaliers’ secondary found its footing in the second quarter. After starting out 4-of-5 for 61 yards and a touchdown, Brigance finished the half completing just one of his final six throws for no yards and and interception.
Vann Hopping has rushed for both Lake Travis touchdowns.
∙ Marble Falls has raced out to a 14-0 lead over Crockett in the first.
∙ Regents leads Lorena 9-0 in the second stanza.
∙ Austin High has taken a 14-7 lead over New Braunfels Canyon in the second quarter.
∙ Travis is up 7-0 over Akins in the second.
∙ Lake Travis answers an Arlington Martin touchdown with a touchdown of its own as Vann Hopping ran 19 yards up the middle for his second score of the night as the Cavs lead Martin 14-10.
∙ LBJ now leads San Antonio Houston 27-0 with 2:16 in the first.
∙ Hays leads Elgin 10-0 in the first.
∙ At Vandegrift, the Vipers have expanded their lead over Dripping Springs to 28-7 in the second quarter.
∙ Lago Vista is up 14-6 over Burnet in the first.
More Austin-area updates:
∙ Playing its first game as a Class 4A squad after two years in Class 5A, LBJ leads San Antonio Houston 14-0.
∙ The opening quarter up in Georgetown can’t end soon enough for Victoria East. There’s still 55 seconds to play and the Eagles have expanded their lead to 37 points after Max Muniz’s improbable touchdown catch off teammate Xavier Warren’s back at the goal line. (The Eagles had been called for an illegal formation penalty on their 41-yard field goal try on the previous snap, which forced them to go for it on fourth down.)
∙ Austin High and New Braunfels Canyon are tied 7-7 in the first.
∙ Rouse leads Connally 29-0 in the second quarter, while Glenn is leading Medina Valley 7-0 also in the second.
∙ Rouse has jumped out to a 15-0 second quarter lead over Connally.
∙ Victoria West leads Lockhart 7-0 in the second quarter.
∙ Johnson City leads Granger 7-0 in the first.
∙ In a rivalry game, Thorndale has jumped out to a 15-8 lead over Thrall.
∙ Lago Vista strikes first as the Vikings lead Burnet 7-0 in the first.
∙ Cameron Yoe is up 7-0 over La Grange.
∙ Vandegrift has taken a 14-0 lead over Dripping Springs. That game’s at Vandegrift.
∙ In Arlington, Tristan Naifeh’s 38-yard field goal has pulled Arlington Martin to within 7-3 of Lake Travis toward the end of the opening quarter.
∙ Georgetown is rolling Victoria East 30-10, having forced three turnovers in the first three minutes.
∙ In private schools, New Braunfels Christian leads Austin achieve 7-0 in the opening stanza.
Remember when Georgetown was up 8-0. We’re still not even through the first quarter and the Eagles are up 22-0 over Victoria East. Georgetown has scored three touchdowns, and after the first two touchdowns the Eagles then recovered fumbles on the kickoffs.
How bad of a start is this for Victoria East? There’s 2:12 left in the opening quarter and the Titans have yet to run an offensive play.
Lake Travis punched in its opening possession, a 1-yard TD run by Vann Hopping. Chaston Ditta was 4 of 5 on the drive, completing short passes on the 47-yard drive. With 8:34 left in the 1st quarter, it’s Lake Travis 7, Arlington Martin 0.
Facing a third-and-21 on Georgetown’s own 29-yard line, Xavier Warren electrified the home crowd as he took a pass from Caleb McDougall 71 yards for a touchdown against Victoria East. With 10:56 left in the first quarter, Georgetown is up 8-0.
For the third consecutive season, Lake Travis will be opening the season with Arlington Martin. The Cavaliers will be looking to get their passing attack back on track after struggling throwing the ball last season (or at least struggled by Lake Travis standards).
The Cavs are coming off an 11-3 season in 2023 that included an upset over an undefeated Vandegrift squad in the area round of the Class 6A playoffs before bowing out of the postseason with a 21-14 loss to Westlake in the state quarterfinals. Here’s our preseason team glance, including three big questions the Cavs are facing this season.
Staff-wise, we all picked the Cavs this week.
Where Austin-area/Central Texas teams are ranked in Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine preseason state rankings:
Class 6A: No. 5 Westlake, No. 8 Lake Travis, No. 24 Vandegrift
Class 5A DI: No. 11 Weiss, No. 18 Cedar Park
Class 5A DII: No. 8 Liberty Hill
Class 4A DI: No. 8 LBJ, No. 17 Lampasas
Class 4A DII: No. 5 Wimberley, No. 25 Lago Vista
Class 3A DII: No. 12 Blanco
Class 2A DII: No. 18 Granger
Anderson tops McCallum again: In a game that saw Anderson QB Max Gerlich throw for 7 TDs and run for another, Anderson outlasted McCallum 57-50 in the annual Taco Shack Bowl at House Park. Gerlich threw for 308 yards and added 138 on the ground, including the TD as the Trojans took their third straight Taco Shack win. We were there; here’s Rick Cantu’s game story.
Weiss survives McNeil without Brown: Playing without New Mexico State QB commit Jax Brown, Weiss edged McNeil 42-41 in overtime. Brown was lost for the season after suffering a season-ending injury in last week’s scrimmage against Waco University.
A shutout for the Hawks: Hendrickson posted its first shutout since 2019, as the Hawks clipped Belton 14-0.
Eight in a row: Stony Point opened its season with its eighth consecutive season opening win as the Tigers edged East View 28-22.
Westlake’s opening statement: Westlake, our No. 1-ranked preseason area team, trailed Prosper 14-13 at halftime before reeling off 22 unanswered points in the second half as the Chaps notched their 43rd consecutive regular-season win, 35-14. Here’s our takeaways from the game.
Tonight’s Austin-area high school football schedule
These are all nondistrict matchups tonight.
The best game around tonight: Dripping Springs at Vandegrift, 7 p.m. These are both top-10 area preseason teams heading into the season, and both have hopes and expectations of a district title and playoff run. The Vipers probably have the edge, but this should be a good one.
The second-best matchup: Liberty Hill at Cibolo Steele, 7:30 p.m. Too bad this one’s not at Liberty Hill. Both programs are traditional playoff powers, so this is a great first-week pairing. It’ll give us the first look at the Panthers’ rebuilt running game.
Other games on the schedule. We’ll publish finals as we get them later:
Lake Travis at Arlington Martin, 7
Victoria East at Georgetown, 7
Leander at Pflugerville, 7
Bowie at Manor, 7:30
San Marcos at Hutto, 7
New Braunfels Canyon at Austin High, 7:30
Killeen Shoemaker at Round Rock, 7:30
Waco Midway at Westwood, 7
Hays at Elgin, 7:30
Killeen Chaparral at Lehman, 7:30
Lockhart at Victoria West, 7
Vista Ridge at Killeen, 7
Johnson at Cedar Ridge, 7:30
Travis at Akins, 7:30
LBJ at San Antonio Houston, 7
Bastrop at Alvin, 7
Connally at Rouse, 7
Crockett at Marble Falls, 7:30
Navarro at Eastside, 7:30
Northeast at St. Andrew’s, 7:30
LASA at Manor New Tech, 7:30
Cedar Creek at Del Valle, 7:30
Cedar Park at Harker Heights, 7:30
Glenn at Medina Valley, 7
Gatesville at Taylor, 7:30
Canyon Lake at Wimberley, 7:30
Giddings at Jarrell, 7:30
Smithville at Rockdale, 7:30
Llano at Lytle, 7
Fredericksburg at Lampasas, 7:30
Troy at Salado, 7:30
Thorndale at Thrall, 7
Nixon-Smiley at Luling, 7:30
Florence at Rosebud-Lott, 7:30
Central Texas scores from Thursday night
Westlake 35, Prosper 14
Anderson 57, McCallum 40
Weiss 42, McNeil 41 (2 OT)
Stony Point 28, East View 22
Hendrickson 14, Belton 0
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