Major hotel brands are opening properties in Austin, Texas, this year. Marriott has already debuted a new property under its flagship brand, while Hyatt and Hilton are both slated to open new hotels over the summer.
Marriott
The Austin Marriott Downtown opened in early March in a 31-story, 613-room high-rise. Guestrooms start on the seventh floor to maximize views of Lady Bird Lake, the University of Texas campus, the city skyline, and in the distance, Texas Hill Country. The rooms were designed with locally inspired accents for a sense of place.
For meetings and events, the hotel has an 18,000-square-foot exhibit hall with a 204-foot-wall of floor-to-ceiling windows as well as two 14,000-square-foot ballrooms. Other public spaces include four food-and-beverage venues.
The Austin Marriott Downtown is owned and operated by White Lodging, which owns and/or manages more than 4,000 guestrooms and 10 restaurants and bars in downtown Austin, including the Moxy Austin-University, which opened in January as the brand's Texas debut.
Hyatt
Hyatt is set to open a new lifestyle hotel in a new mixed-use development from Magellan Development Group, Geolo Capital and Wanxiang America Real Estate Group. When it opens in summer 2021, the Thompson Austin will be located in downtown Austin’s music and entertainment district. The hotel will include several F&B concepts led by culinary partners Mashama Bailey and Johno Morisano, an open-air pool deck, a gym and several indoor-outdoor meeting spaces.
The Thompson Austin will have 212 guestrooms and suites, 17 residences and more than 6,000 square feet of meeting and event space designed by Simeone Deary Design Group. The lobby’s front desk was inspired by raw cut gemstones and the ceiling was made from shou sugi ban wood, both nods to the local landscape. By contrast, mixed metals, leathers and greenery will add warmth to the space.
Other public spaces will include a 10,000-square-foot wellness center, including a yoga studio and private fitness rooms; a pool deck; and private event spaces with more than 12,000 square feet of interior space and more than 13,000 square feet of exterior space.
“Thompson Austin is poised to become the city’s newest cultural hub boasting exceptional service, an elevated social scene and highly desirable food and beverage offerings for visitors and locals alike,” said Nate Hardesty, managing director of Thompson Austin. “We are creating a vibrant gathering place, with the intention of serving the local community as well as global travelers. Austin is such a fun, funky, unique city and is one of the most beloved travel destinations while being home to so many amazing people and businesses.”
Hilton
The Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District, a joint venture between Rockbridge and HRI Properties, is expected to open in summer 2021. Managed by HRI Lodging, the property will have 214 guestrooms, a ground-level bar and lounge, a breakfast room, a rooftop deck and close to 3,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting and event space.
Located in central Austin, the property is within walking distance of a number of key sites, including the state capitol, University of Texas Austin, Blanton Museum, Museum of the Weird and many city parks.
The hotel, designed by Austin-based Gensler, will meet the criteria for Austin Energy Green Building 2 Start Status. The AEGB commercial rating system drives new sustainable building practices while also addressing environmental issues appropriate for Central Texas, including water conservation, energy efficiency and construction waste reduction.
With interiors by Dallas-based Studio 11 Design, the hotel’s aesthetic is meant to reflect the colorful vibe of the city, mixing a fresh color palette with locally sourced materials. Elements include eccentric furniture and textiles as well as offbeat artwork aligned with the city’s “Keep Austin Weird” catchphrase.