Texas Hotel Guide: Where to Stay in the Lone Star State

By Chelsea Martin, FTT Travel Advisor

While I may be living my city-dwelling life in NYC as of recently, I spent 5 years in Texas and started my career there – and oh boy did I fall in love with it! Check out some hotels below that are located in either Texas or a road trip away (okay, may be a long road trip depending where in Texas you live!)

For more information, or to make a booking, email me at chelsea@fttadvisor.com

Miraval Austin is a luxury spa resort and health retreat set on 220 acres in the Balcoes Canyonlands Preserve, with views overlooking Lake Austin from above. Their approach to “conscious cooking” is the core to your culinary experience – with seasonal menus, immersive workshops (I loved the chocolate making class!), and cooking demonstrations. The opportunity for experiences is endless at Miraval too, with activities centered around fitness, meditation, outdoor adventure, hiking, yoga, farm activities, and more. Don’t worry though, no one will judge you if you just want to lay by the pool with a glass of wine instead 🙂

perks:

• Daily breakfast for two guests per bedroom
• $100 hotel credit
• Room upgrade & early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

current status & updates:

• They will have activities and dinner services but with social distancing rules.
• The spa will reopen starting July 31st.
• Please see most recent updates here.

This recently renovated Four Seasons Austin will always be the epitome of lakeside luxury in Austin, with spacious rooms with lake views, a fabulous spa, and newly reimagined food & beverage concepts (including a stunning rooftop deck space!) And you can’t forget fun touches like the on-demand margarita cart and complimentary Taylor Guitars lending program.

perks:

• Daily breakfast for two guests
• $100 hotel credit
• Room upgrade & early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

current status & updates:

• “Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily ceased operations of Ciclo restaurant and Live Oak lounge; in-Room Dining remains available from 6:00 am to 12:00 midnight daily. We have also ceased operation of The Spa and steam rooms until further notice, although our pool and fitness centre remain open with limited capacities. We continue to closely monitor the situation and to abide by all government recommendations.”

Downtown Austin’s newest hotspot, Austin Proper Hotel is another Kelly Wearstler-designed gem. I loved everything about my stay here – from the location (right by where I used to live!), to the quirky and luxurious design, but my favorite part was the food & beverage outlets which are run by my favorite restaurant group, McGuire Moorman Hospitality. The lobby bar was a buzzing scene, Goldie’s gave you a feeling of exclusivity by only being able to have a drink there as a guest of the hotel, and I ate at Mediterranean restaurant The Peacock 3 times in 2 days. There’s also a fifth-floor pool with views of Lady Bird Lake, and two more food & beverage concepts coming soon (think rooftop ceviche & mezcal!)

perks:

• $50 daily food and beverage credit
• Room upgrade & early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

promotions:

• 30% off room rates through June 15th

current statues & updates:

• See updates here!

If I could live at one hotel in Austin, it would be Hotel Saint Cecilia. It quite literally represents everything I want out of a future residence – a hidden oasis feel in the heart of the action (it’s right off of South Congress Avenue, but you would never know it), a rock-and-roll meets Southern hospitality vibe, many front porches, and a very cool pool. The boutique hotel is comprised of five suites, six poolside bungalows, and three studios – each with a unique design. I also love that the lounge is for hotel guests only (or if you are a member, which in my 5 years living in Austin I was only invited over by members 3 times), adding to the exclusivity and allure of the hotel.

perks:

• Upgrade to next room category, based upon availability at check-in
• Guaranteed 2pm late check-out
• 35 USD food and beverage credit per room, per stay

The AAA® Four Diamond resort is located amongst the rolling hills of San Antonio in Texas Hill Country. It’s 550 acres features two 18 Hole Championship Golf Courses, nine bars & restaurants, 496 guest rooms & suites, four pools, numerous activities, and an award winning spa. There are also villas just a short golf cart ride away from the resort, complete with its own secluded pool and hot tub at the heart of The Villas.

See my La Cantera hotel spotlight here!

perks:

• Daily full breakfast for two guests per bedroom
• $100 resort credit
• Room upgrade & early check-in, subject to availability

current status & updates:

• Loma de Vida Spa & Wellness will open June 1 for hair and nail appointments only.
• Signature will reopen its award-winning dining room on June 2nd for dinner and Sunday brunch.
• The golf course is open seven days a week.
• Social distancing in all restaurants and bars with single use menus, gloves and masks for service staff and elimination of self-serve buffets.

Located in Western Hill Country on 13,000 acres of land about a 3 hour drive from Austin, JL Bar resort offers an escape for those looking for a luxury “socially distanced” vacation. Their 32 accommodations consist of luxury cabins or suites, each adorned with custom furniture in a rustic elegant style with modern amenities. Activities on property include cattle herding. horseback riding, range shooting, ATV-ing, cooking classes, yoga, sundowners and more.

current status & updates:

• Activities, dining and the pool are open – email me more for more information!

This once 19th century Brewhouse, Hotel Emma is now a luxury riverfront hotel, dining destination, and the flagship for San Antonio Pearl District’s community. Here you will experience three farm-to-table culinary options – each with their own unique design – a 3,700-volume library, a rooftop pool, and complimentary Electra cruiser bikes.

perks:

• Daily breakfast for two guests per bedroom
• A complimentary lunch or dinner for up to two people, excluding alcohol, taxes and gratuities once during stay
• Room upgrade & early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

current status & updates:

• “When prohibition began in 1919, the brewery president Emma Koehler had to innovate. She kept operations running smoothly and her workers employees by shifting production efforts to non-alcoholic goods and services like dry cleaning. In today’s unpredictable times, we look to our namesake for inspiration – and we’re here with open arms and open doors for our community.
• Throughout the past few months Hotel Emma has followed state and local government mandates and CDC guidelines in regards to sanitization and safety. We have also limited entry into the hotel to guests of the Hotel or patrons of Supper or Larder. We have now begun the second phase of reopening per Governor Abbott’s address Monday May 18^th.
  • Supper: An American Eatery can now operate at 50% occupancy
  • Sternewirth Bar & Clubroom will open Friday May 22^nd operating at 25% occupancy
  • Our rooftop pool is open and available to guest of the hotels. We have also relaunched our refurbished Pearl Beer Truck at the pool. The truck is now offering poolside service.
  • Our Fitness center has now open at 25% occupancy”

Camp Lucy is ideally located in Dripping Springs, near wineries, breweries, and a number of activities. Guestrooms and cottages make up the accommodations, with all of the modern amenities you could want in you “base camp” in Hill Country. There is also a pool on-site, and a schedule of programming activities.

perks & promotions:

• Complimentary breakfast
• Rates are $229 per night plus tax

current status & updates:

• Pool, Gym, Restaurant will be open at 50% occupancy starting May 22nd.
• Activities are offered with Social Distancing in place – Same family groups only. Both complimentary and paid activities offered.
• Complimentary breakfast, pick up in lodging office.
• In room dining offered by restaurant on Monday and Tuesday – Tillie’s is closed these days.

Overlooking Montesino Ranch in the heart of Texas Hill Country, Collective Retreats offers a glamping-esque retreat with accommodations housed in luxury tents.  Enjoy activities like horseback riding and outdoor adventures, and nearby wineries, art galleries, and musical venues. 

current status & updates:

• All dining will be offered as take-away:
  • Farm to Fork breakfast will be delivered to your tent
  • Farm to Table dinners will be served in an open-air dining environment with a maximum of 4 people per hour or available for pick up or delivery to your tent to enjoy on your deck
  • BBQ Baskets will be available and cooking times will be spaced apart
  • All meals will be plated on disposable dishes
• Community events will be postponed.

This Dallas institution has the intimate feel of a private residence with all of the luxuries of a 5-star hotel. The infamous restaurant resembles a 1920s formal dining room, featuring new American cuisine with French influences. The Mansion Bar is a hotspot for locals and visitors alike – an icon in the Dallas scene. Another bonus is the Mediterranean-style pool.

perks:

• Daily breakfast for two guests per bedroom
• $125 food & beverage credit
• Room upgrade & early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

promotions:

• Book a suite and receive a $300 hotel credit (through December 30, 2020)
• 3rd night complimentary (through December 19, 2020)

Housed in a converted 1930’s building in downtown Marfa, Hotel Saint George is nearby all that Marfa has to offer. The 55-room boutique hotel has an immpresive art collection, a pool to cool off in those hot Texas summers with poolside dining service, and a French-inspired restaurant, LaVenture.

current status & updates:

• The Kitchen & bar at The Pool Marfa and in-room dining are currently open. LaVenture Restaurant hopes to reopen this summer.