Discover Austin's Evolving Hotel Scene: New Openings, Renovations, and Award-Winning Stays

Image: Commodore Perry Estate; courtesy of the Commodore Perry Estate

Visitors looking to stay in Austin will find a large variety of hotels throughout the city from downtown high-rise hotels with spectacular views of the city to quaint boutique hotels tucked into some of the city’s most popular entertainment districts. Several hotels have opened this past year and, with future opening dates set for 2025 and beyond, there are plenty of exciting and unique accommodations to choose from for your next trip to Austin. 

A highly anticipated opening of 2024, CitizenM is a luxury hotel located right off Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin. This high-end accommodation draws on the Texas spirit and eclectic feel of the city to outfit this 344-room hotel complete with a 24/7 gym, rooftop bar, and pool. 

Earlier this year, the iconic Sheraton at The Capitol rebranded as the Downright Austin. In addition to the name change, the acquisition brought a property-wide renovation of the lobby, onsite food and beverage concepts, and guest rooms. Don’t miss the new American restaurant, Swim Club. This unique concept is located inside the old first-floor swimming pool allowing guests to dine in the sunken pool that overlooks the new outdoor pool and lounge area. 

While the W Austin has been a fixture in the city for a while now, the hotel recently underwent an expansive $60 million renovation. The updates included reimagined guest rooms with vibrant colors and textures inspired by the city. Additional spaces include the newly opened Serenade American Brassiere, which combines Texas flavors and traditional brassiere cooking methods, and Blue Room, the hotel’s new reservation-only cocktail lounge. 

Set to open in Fall 2025, The Inn at Green Pastures will be a quaint boutique hotel with around 60 rooms and suites nestled among the gorgeous Green Pastures estate. Although the property will be next to Mattie’s, a restaurant serving Southern fare out of the original Green Pastures farmhouse, the hotel will feature its own restaurant concept called Henry’s, a pool, fitness studio, and meeting space.

On top of the city’s expanding hotel portfolio, several of the existing properties have garnered recognition this year in the first-ever MICHELIN Key Awards. Similar to the organization’s international rating system for restaurants, MICHELIN Keys are awarded to outstanding accommodations. Seven Austin properties received One Key, including Hotel ZaZa, Austin Proper Hotel, The Fairmont, Soho House Austin, Hotel Saint Cecilia, ARRIVE Austin, and The Heywood Hotel, while the Commodore Perry Estate was one of only three Texas properties to be awarded Two Keys. 

Whether you’re looking forward to exciting hotel openings in the coming year, staying at one of Austin’s recently renovated accommodations, or booking a room at one of the city’s MICHELIN Key-awarded hotels, you can’t go wrong when booking in Austin. Check out VisitAustin.org to find more hotels and start planning your trip to Austin. 

Image: Rooms at ARRIVE Austin. Courtesy of ARRIVE Austin