5 Unique Austin Hotels for Your Next Staycation

Is your family flocking to town to pepper you with questions about your marital status or to guilt you in general? We’ve put together a list of some niche accommodations to escape to (or keep them at) while you take a breather.

Best hotel for that crashing-at-your-nurturing-friend’s-place feel:

Heywood Hotel
1609 E. Cesar Chavez

Whether you’re checking in late, need restaurant recommendations, or just want a cushy pillow to rest your head, the refurbished 1925 Heywood Hotel on Cesar Chavez has you covered. Located across the street from Veracruz All Natural's tasty tacos, this charming East Austin boutique hotel is just a short jaunt from Sixth Street’s music scene. You can count on a local boozy beverage to be waiting in your mini fridge upon checking in (on the house!) and use the establishment’s complimentary bicycles to get you where you need to go. Keep this swanky option in mind during your next staycation to take advantage of its secluded patio hammock, eclectic neighborhood, and East Austin weirdness.

Best SoCo secret for the recluse and independent urban traveler:

Kimber Modern Hotel
110 The Cir

Jumping on a growing trend in the hotel biz, Kimber Modern Hotel has no front desk or lobby, as the room key code is provided in advance and staff is available by phone. Its hidden courtyard and central SoCo location make for a seamless trip characterized by privacy and self-sufficiency. The artwork on the walls was created by four artists, three of whom are local, and one of whom (Martha Gannon) lives two blocks from the establishment. It’s easy to wander out in the evenings and grab a bite, catch a live show, and watch the 1.5 million bats emerge from under Congress Avenue Bridge, before retreating to your quiet oasis.

Best eco-friendly stay for vegans and tree-huggers:

Habitat Suites
500 E. Highland Mall

People stay at Habitat Suites for its peaceful grounds, eco-friendly practices, and affordability. Located in North Austin near a Cap Metro station, the independent hotel provides natural hygiene products and hosts organic fruit and herb gardens, the products of which are incorporated into its rotating vegan-friendly breakfast options. Round off your day by cooking in the private suites’ fully equipped kitchens before getting free drinks at the hotel’s happy hour. Despite the hotel’s clear and accurate assertion that they are not a luxury establishment, it does still offer yoga classes, massages, and a pool to decompress during your stay.

Best luxury lakeside Tuscan getaway:

La Villa Vista
6701 Oasis Pass

Intimate luxury meets lazy summer days at La Villa Vista, a resort featuring a mix of ornate vintage charm and sunbaked Tuscan interior design. Perched in the Hill Country and offering sweeping views of Lake Travis, this hotel, reminiscent of an Italian Riviera getaway, is situated near many Lake Travis favorites, including the Oasis, Windy Point Park, and Hippie Hollow. The grounds include an infinity pool looking out over the lake, and each suite is put together with one-of-a-kind décor that contributes to the hotel’s Old World Mediterranean allure.

Best (non)hostel for shallow-pockets:

Native Experiential Hostels
807 E. Fourth

Don’t let the communal connotations of a hostel stop you when considering your options here. The extra wide single beds feature thick curtains and outlets necessary for the modern trendy traveler. The restaurant and bar are buzzing with everyone from out-of-town professionals to young gap-year explorers, all of whom scarf down the sliders, guac, and huevos rancheros served there. Its moody-chic atmosphere combined with the brass décor and handcrafted furniture set this place apart, leaving the dingy reputations of hostels in the dust.