Think you know Austin, Texas? Think again. With so many new hotels and meeting spaces opening, you may not recognize the cityscape. Add in new restaurants, nightlife spots, shopping destinations, and cultural happenings, and you’re going to find it hard to keep up with us. No worries, though. We’ve provided a hit list to help you keep track!
New Hotel Openings
Wyndham Austin 516 W. Eighth St. Now open Featuring 189 residential-style resort suites with a full kitchen, washer, and dryer (and most with a private balcony), this hotel comes stocked with amenities. Guests can also enjoy the outdoor pool, business center, and high-speed Wi-Fi. It's located just minutes from Sixth Street's nightlife and restaurants. Fairmont Austin 101 Red River St. Now open This hotel boasts 1,048 luxurious guest rooms and 42 suites with scenic views of Lady Bird Lake and Austin’s skyline. It also offers direct skybridge access to the Austin Convention Center, state-of-the-art meeting space, and a sprawling outdoor deck that can accommodate 1,800 people. Guests can enjoy five new onsite restaurants: globally inspired Revue, Garrison steak and seafood eatery, Good Things coffee shop, Fulton lobby bar, and Rules & Regs cocktail bar. Hotel reservations are open, so book your event space today. The Proper Austin Hotel Second and Nueces Streets Opening 2018 This luxurious 245-room hotel along Lady Bird Lake will feature two rooftop swimming pools, a wellness center and spa, and two new dining concepts curated by McGuire Moorman Hospitality. The Faulk at Green Pastures 811 W. Live Oak St. Opening 2019 Longtime mainstay Green Pastures recently unveiled its newly remodeled restaurant and event venue, Mattie’s. Next on the horizon is a 100-room hotel. Hotel ZaZa West Fourth Street, between Guadalupe and Lavaca Opening Spring 2019 Hotel ZaZa will bring its signature boutique accommodations to downtown Austin with a 24-story tower that houses 200 luxury apartments atop a 160-room hotel. Autograph Collection/AC Hotel by Marriott 1901 San Antonio St./ University of Texas area Opening early 2019 This dual-branded property in the southwest corner of the University of Texas campus will feature nearly 350 rooms, as well as 6,000 square feet of event space, numerous restaurants and bars, and a rooftop pool. Each property will be unique and have its own lobby. Arrive East Austin SW corner of East Sixth and Chicon Streets Opening Spring 2019 Located in East Austin, this hotel will include 83 rooms, a retail area, a coffee shop, and 3,500 square feet of event space, accommodating everything from business meetings to private parties. Commodore Perry Estate 4100 Red River St. Opening mid-2019 Auberge Resorts Collection is transforming this historic estate in the North University of Texas area into a 10-acre retreat. It will include a 53-room property within the historic mansion and a newly constructed two-story building. Among its amenities will be event space and a restaurant featuring locally sourced ingredients (some from the onsite gardens). Canopy by Hilton 612 W. Sixth St. Opening January 2019 Hilton's lifestyle hotel brand recently announced plans for a 140-room hotel, centrally located in Austin's West Sixth Street entertainment district. The property will offer amenities such as an elevated pool deck, a sidewalk cafe, private event space, and the feeling of a unique urban oasis in the midst of the neighborhood's upbeat culture and nightlife. Marriott Austin Downtown 304 E. Chavez St. Opening 2020 With 615 guest rooms and 65,000 square feet of meeting space, this full-service property across from the Austin Convention Center will be able to accommodate events of all sizes. Additional amenities include an underground parking garage, an outdoor pool, three bars, and a full-service restaurant.
Recent Hotel Renovations and Updates
From luxurious upgrades to complete transformations into brand-new hotels, these renovations are keeping things fresh. The Line ATX 111 E. Cesar Chavez St. The Radisson hotel has reopened after undergoing a $75 million transformation into The Line ATX, a 428-room hotel overlooking Lady Bird Lake at the end of the Congress Avenue Bridge. The property includes 20,000 square feet of event space, an outdoor pool, three restaurants, and four bars. Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa 8212 Barton Club Dr. This iconic property has recently begun a $150 million, multi-phase renovation that will be completed in mid-2019. The evolution will include a second hotel tower, numerous new pools, six new restaurants, a Mokara Spa, new event space, and redesigned leisure amenities, including the country club, golf clubhouse, and tennis courts. Travaasa Austin/Miraval Austin 13500 FM2769 Nestled in the heart of Texas Hill Country, the 220-acre Travaasa Austin is undergoing a complete renovation after its sale to Miraval Group. The project, scheduled to be completed in 2019, will transform the property into the 120-room Miraval Austin, with a focus on spa, equine, and wellness facilities.
New Restaurants and Dining Options
Austin's food scene is a constantly evolving whirlwind of global flavors, gorgeous design, and notable talent — including two James Beard Award nominations in 2017. Laura Sawicki of Launderette was nominated for best pastry chef, while Bryce Gilmore of Barley Swine was a contender for best chef in the Southwest. The Yard 440 E. St. Elmo St. Tap into the innovative spirit of small businesses at this mixed-use development in South Austin. The revitalized warehouse district houses exciting places to eat, drink, and shop, including Still Austin Whiskey Co., The Austin Winery, St. Elmo Brewing Co., and more. Fareground 111 Congress Ave. Just opened at the corner of Second Street and Congress Avenue, this modern food hall features six operators, showcasing Austin’s top culinary talent and a diverse spectrum of cuisines. Guests can savor gourmet cheese plates and sandwiches at Antonelli’s Cheese Shop, Texan dishes at Contigo, locally focused tacos at Dai Due Taqueria, artisanal breads and house-made sausages at Easy Tiger, farm-focused fare at Henbit, and sushi and ramen at Ni-Komé. Texas Reds and Whites Tasting Room 407 Red River St. Just across from the Austin Convention Center, this metropolitan tasting room features more than 100 Texas wines and more than 10 local craft beers, with plenty of space for hosting an event.
New Meeting Spaces
Austin Central Library 710 W. Cesar Chavez St. Overlooking Lady Bird Lake and Shoal Creek, this new public library in the midst of downtown Austin includes numerous spaces for events, including a special event center, demonstration area, outdoor amphitheater, and roof garden. Republic Square Park 422 Guadalupe St. This urban green space in downtown Austin was recently revitalized and features numerous outdoor meeting spaces to accommodate thousands of guests. LZR 612 W. Fourth St. This new venue in the former home of La Zona Rosa boasts more than 10,000 square feet of event space, including a warehouse, an indoor bar and lounge, and an outdoor patio.
More New and Notable
From new shopping spots to festivals, there’s even more to love in Austin in 2018. This year, Domain NORTHSIDE retail and entertainment district will welcome the first brick and mortar store for Erin Condren, as well as second locations for local dining favorites Sway Thai and 24 Diner. In February 2018, the Blanton Museum of Art unveiled its new permanent exhibition "Ellsworth Kelly: Austin," a 2,715-square-foot stone building with brilliant colored glass windows in eye-catching designs. This year also marked the return of Hot Luck, a food and music festival created by legendary pitmaster (and James Beard Award winner) Aaron Franklin.
