The Best Boutique Hotels in Austin
All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Austin's boutique hotel scene—much like its food, music, and art scene—is constantly reinventing itself. New family-owned properties are quietly popping up, embracing a more effortless check-in process and the city's tech-forward nature; instead of traditional front desks, they're adopting the Airbnb-style arrival experience of keyless entry with white-glove tech assistance. Boutique hotels are ideal for travelers seeking personalized stays tailored to the particular nature of their visit—from foodies to music lovers to art aficionados. Some major hospitality brands are also eager to tap into this phenomenon (as exemplified by the recent Hyatt acquisition of the boutique Bunkhouse Hotels in Austin). These hotels have managed to maintain their signature local charm and design.
We define an Austin hotel as boutique if it has 200 rooms or fewer and delivers a one-of-a-kind style and experience. Picture soaking in the Texas sun at a full-service rooftop pool, spinning vinyl in your room while enjoying a well-stocked minibar, or finding peace in a private cottage—perhaps one that once inspired music legends like Willie Nelson and Janis Joplin—at a secluded Hill Country escape minutes from downtown. Whether you’re after quirky or opulent, you’ll find a well-curated dream stay at one of the 16 best boutique hotels in Austin.
How we choose the best boutique hotels in Austin
Every hotel review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider properties across price points that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination, keeping design, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.
Courtesy Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts CollectionhotelCommodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection
$$ |
Gold List 2023 
Hot List 2021 
Readers' Choice Awards 2021, 2023The Commodore Perry Estate by Auberge Resorts is an elegant Italy-evoking escape and private club in the heart of Austin’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Secluded from the buzz of the city, the 1928 mansion sits on 10 acres of manicured lawns across from a nine-hole golf course. The estate offers suites filled with impressive furnishings, like whimsical wardrobes and canopy beds. Architect Kevin Fulk furnished and redesigned the villa, sourcing unique finds from the local, world-renowned Round Top antique fair. The hotel is also home to the intimate, farm-to-table restaurant Lutie’s, run by the Michelin-starred chef couple Bradley Nicholson and Susana Querejazu. Don’t miss the Mount Lassen trout served over Delta Blues rice or the couple’s famous collab: the Estate Bread. Served with seamlessly layered brown and cultured butter, the English-muffin-meets-sourdough roll is tangy and flavorful. Relax on velvet couches or by the pool as you ponder which experiences to enjoy during your stay: choose from chef-prepared picnics, workshops with local artists and designers, in-room massages, yoga, wine tastings, and other seasonal events.
Chase Daniel/The Loren at Lady Bird LakehotelThe Loren Hotel
$$$ | Hot List 2023Step out of the glass elevator at The Loren Hotel to sweeping views of Lady Bird Lake and downtown Austin. Plant-filled indoor spaces, the rooftop modern American restaurant and bar Nido, as well as a pool and on-site spa, make the property an immaculate Austin getaway. Although the vibrant city is just outside the doors, The Loren makes a good case for simply unwinding day and night on the property: an in-room and pool bite and beverage menu, a fitness center featuring a yoga and spin studio, a coffee shop with local pastries from Sour Duck, live music events on the rooftop, and 108 elegant rooms with floor to ceiling windows that showcase city or park views. Slide into a pair of slippers and a plush bathrobe and relish in modern comfort.
Carly Summers/The WaybackhotelThe Wayback
Nestled among a grove of twisty live oaks in the rolling hills of West Lake, The Way Back is a charming, family-owned retreat that feels worlds away from the bustle of Austin—yet is only 15 minutes from downtown. This eight-cottage property blends rustic elegance with laid-back hospitality, offering an intimate, slow-paced escape. Each cottage is thoughtfully designed with organic materials, cozy furnishings, and serene Hill Country views. On site, The Way Back Cafe serves a seasonal farm-to-table menu, where locally sourced steak and golden-crusted crab cakes steal the show. Mornings begin with sticky buns and matcha lattes under the oak trees, setting the tone for a restorative stay. The service is warm and personal, reminiscent of a well-run bed and breakfast. Whether for a romantic getaway, a girls trip, or simply a moment of stillness, The Way Back is where to go when you wish to slow down and soak it all in.
Jake HolthotelHotel Ella
$Hotel Ella is a place of beauty and transformation in the heart of downtown Austin. The historic Goodall Wooten House was originally built in 1898 for Dudley Wooten, one of the University of Texas founders. The remodeled mansion was named after Ella Wooten—an Austin culinary expert, art enthusiast, gardener, and philanthropist—who inherited the property with her husband Goodall, Dudley Wooten’s son. Touched by the hands of the stone carver who built the Biltmore Mansion in Asheville, as well as Stanly Marcus of Neiman Marcus who redecorated the interior of the home, the Azalea garden-filled property has been expertly renovated and reimagined. Stay in one of the nine original mansion rooms, or in one of 38 rooms in the North Wing addition from the 1980s. Immerse in leisure and luxury as you admire the Texas Modernist works on the hotel walls, take in the lawn from the wraparound veranda, and swim in the courtyard pool. Embody Ella Wooten’s style during your stay when you choose Ella’s Parlor Suite, which was once her dressing room.
Nick Simonite/Hotel Saint CeciliahotelHotel Saint Cecilia
$$Hotel Saint Cecilia is a haven for creatives. Inspired by the patron saint of music and poetry, the revamped 1880s Victorian property nestled amongst jasmine vines and under towering live oaks oozes luxurious, warm energy. The 20-room estate and private member’s club nods to the rock and roll era of the ’60s and ’70s with vinyl turntables throughout the property from the lobby to the bedrooms. Each of the intimate suites has its own special flair, like the bamboo-lined outdoor shower and indoor soaking tub in suite five or the expansive backyard with rocking chairs, a firepit, and walls lined with velvet wallpaper in suite four. Enjoy the in-room minibar stocked with both local and internationally-sourced snacks as well as the beauty bar which features essential oils, incense, skin-care essentials, and more before dreaming the night away on a deluxe, six-figure Hästens mattress.
.jpg)
Soho House AustinhotelSoho House Austin
$$$This three-story hotel and private club, the flagship Soho House outpost in the South, recently earned a Michelin Key award. With 46 guest rooms blending Texan warmth and modern Spanish influences, Soho House Austin offers an exclusive retreat with a convenient South Congress location. The stocked rooms have all the fixings you need to feel at home, from travel-sized Soho Skin products by the sink to homemade cookies in a jar bedside. Art from 72 Austin-connected artists decorate the walls with thought and feeling-provoking pieces, while the rooftop pool, wraparound deck, full-service cinema, and effortlessly cool bar and restaurant create an atmosphere equally suited for work or play. By day, creatives and entrepreneurs settle into plush lounges, laptops in tow, or friends by their side. By night, the scene shifts—cocktails in hand, guests take in live music, film screenings, and intimate gatherings that feel like the city’s best-kept secret.
Photo by Nick SimonitehotelAustin Motel
$ | Hot List 2018Funky, classic, and quintessential, the historic 41-room Austin Motel has been an icon in the city since 1938. Situated along South Congress Ave, in walking distance to the city's best boutique shopping, dining, and nightlife, the entrance to the motel catches the eye with frequently new and rotating phrases on its famed neon Austin Motel sign. Suit up and have a sip at the ’50s-style outdoor pool and bar under the red and white striped umbrellas while you soak up the sun. Poolside seasonal events are frequent and include movie screenings, yoga, water aerobics, and live music. Grab snacks and drinks at the motel’s bodega before you turn in for the night on retro vinyl tufted beds. Indulge in old-school charm when you jam to the in-room vintage radio or make a phone call on the push-button phones.
Nick Simonite/Courtesy Hotel MagdalenahotelHotel Magdalena
$$ | Hot List 2021Inhale the scent of incense and natural stone upon entry to the 89-room Hotel Magdalena. Located on Music Lane on property previously owned in the '70s by Willie Nelson, the area has hosted many musicians who have created, played, and practiced on-site. The rich history of the city's music scenes is baked into the hotel’s restaurant—Summer House on Music Lane—named after one of the original restaurants on the premises from the ‘60s. The architecture of the entire property encompasses the rich natural beauty and lakeside culture of Austin, with a pool in the shape of Barton Springs along with breezy open-air exterior walkways. Each room features its own musically vibrant Scott Newton print (no repeats), custom brightly colored monochrome Spanish tiles, walnut wood built-in beds, and inlay desks. The hotel’s vinyl bar, Equipment Room, serves up a premium sound experience, a menu of A-side and B-side craft cocktails, and funky snacks.
Courtesy Colton House HotelhotelColton House
$$Featuring 80 spacious suites with amenities including modern kitchenettes and living areas that evoke everyday comfort, the one-, two-, and three-bedroom studios at Colton House offer a home-away-from-home for guests looking for a sophisticated short- or long-term stay. The on-site coffee and craft cocktail bar Simona’s makes it seamless to switch from business meetings to catch-up sessions with your best friend (warning: the refreshing Last Dance with Mary Jane CBD cocktail contains a low level of THC, making it extra relaxing). Double up in balloon chairs built for two and enjoy the sunset view from the upstairs parlor seating, or sit back under string lights in the courtyard by the pool. If you’re traveling with kids, they’ll enjoy the family-friendly play area filled with toys and games. The crown jewel of the hotel is the stunning penthouse event space with a panoramic city view, made for gatherings of all kinds from corporate events to engagement, wedding, and graduation parties. With a black mirror in the bathroom, textured wallpaper inspired by crown molding, and a secret room behind a bookcase, the penthouse celebration space may be the cherry on top of a special trip.
Courtesy Archer Hotel AustinhotelArcher Hotel Austin
$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023Sunset light beams through two proud Texas stars on the glass windowed ceiling of AKB, the inventive bar, restaurant, and gathering place that immediately welcomes guests upon entry to the lobby. Check in and start your night here with dinner and a sunset view. Must tries: the Violet Sky butterfly blue gin cocktail that matches the warm, purple and pink post-golden hour glow, melt-in-your-mouth wonton-shelled ahi taquitos, “street corn” made with four textures of corn, and the brick oven wild mushroom pizza. The 171-room hotel features a grand staircase flanked by a 30-foot Kimerlee Curyl wild mustang mural in the lobby. Just up the stairs and out onto the patio, guests will find the splash pool studded with stars and backdropped by the Texas-sized local limestone fireplace and large TV. Many room types are available including classic upscale rooms and curated spacious suites, but the king rooms are notable for their floor-to-ceiling photo murals and platform beds.
Frame Hotel — SoCohotelFrame Hotel
$$Reopened on January 1, 2025, following a full-scale transformation—Treehouse emerging as a reimagined retreat and SoCo debuting as a brand-new build—Frame Hotel features two distinct yet complementary escapes in the heart of South Congress. At 20-suite SoCo, a dramatic, moody entryway gives way to a tranquil koi pond, setting the stage for a stay that feels both sophisticated and serene. Across the street at eight-suite Treehouse, a sprawling 250-year-old live oak anchors the property, offering a communal space that feels like a zen, design-forward gathering spot. Both properties balance the privacy of an Airbnb with the thoughtful hospitality of a boutique hotel stay, seamlessly blending intuitive service, stunning aesthetics, and a sense of ease. With upcoming special events and curated guest experiences in the works, Frame Hotel is just getting started (and is definitely a place to keep an eye on).
Alex Lau/Courtesy Carpenter HotelhotelThe Carpenter Hotel
$$Breezy, open-air hallways lined with terra-cotta brick lead guests to their rooms at Carpenter Hotel. Perched between pecan trees, the historic 93-room hotel pays homage to its 1948 roots as the Carpenters Local 1266 Union Hall with intentional details throughout the property, including carpenter’s notes on some walls. The rooms feature nature photography by Jackie Lee Young as well as lake blue tiling reminiscent of Texas watering holes. Grab a glass of complimentary bubbly from the pecan-wood front desk or bar at the acclaimed on-property restaurant Carpenters Hall and mosey over to the pool for a dip. When you’re done, draw closed the blackout sliding door between your room’s floor-to-ceiling windows and the private terrace for an afternoon nap. In the morning, wake up and refresh at the all-day coffee bar concept in the vinyl music–filled lobby, which was built in the original building where the meeting hall once stood.
Hannah KoehlerhotelHotel San José
$$Hidden behind ivy-covered walls is a 40-room secret: Hotel San José. The quaint, fountain-filled courtyard bar offers up famous frosé and light fare for a refreshing respite from the Texas heat. It also quietly features a cool, intimate pool surrounded by black bamboo. Though the hotel sits in the center of the action on South Congress Ave, serenity rings throughout the whole property. The minimalist rooms range from courtyard balcony suites to European-style shared baths, all featuring concrete floors, arched windows, and reclaimed Texas pine furniture. Start your day with room service, and end it with after-dark happy hour bites and sips in the lounge. Try one of the rotating imported spirits ranging from sake to whiskey before relaxing on-site or enjoying the plethora of exceptional music and dining options just beyond the doors.
Casey DunnhotelHeywood Hotel
$Walk onto the porch of the green renovated 1920 Craftsman bungalow in eclectic East Austin and take a pause on the swinging egg chairs. An easygoing, friendly feel is apparent upon entry to the seven-room guest house. With light beaming in from the lobby skylight upon entry, the cozy yet open space provides a place where the bright and free spirit of Austin can be embraced. A Marfa-meets-Palm-Springs patio serves as the centerpiece for second-floor guest rooms, which open up onto the tranquil courtyard space. Every room features original longleaf pine hardwood floors and local art, while also offering something unique in style and mood. Room three boasts a shower skylight, room five has a fireplace, and room seven has a private balcony that overlooks the courtyard. This East Austin hotel choice should be at the top of your list.
Courtesy The DriskillhotelThe Driskill
$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022History bursts from The Driskill's towering pillars, dazzling chandeliers, and painting-filled walls. A couple of notable firsts that the iconic 1886 Romanesque building has seen: the first interstate phone call happened in the hotel lobby, and the first date between Lady Bird Johnson and President Lyndon B. Johnson took place at the on-site restaurant. Daily history tours commence under the stained glass ceiling dome in the lobby at 4 p.m., where guests and visitors can learn about the wowing stories and mysteries of the hotel. Staying here feels like stepping into the upper echelon of grand Western luxury. From the prohibition-era bar with secret booze-smuggling doors to the 1886 Cafe with goodies made from gourmet chef Helen Corbett’s original recipes to the 189 majestic bedrooms and suites, the Driskill embodies the opulence and glory of the Lone Star State.
hotelThe Frances Modern Inn
$$Velvet, mirrors, and jewel-toned decadence define this intimate 15-room retreat in East Austin. Named after owner Vicki Faust’s grandmother, Frances Modern Inn is a dream home-away-from-home, with each one-of-a-kind room or suite offering its own eclectic, deliciously maximalist charm (all designed by Kim Lewis). Start your morning by pulling a tarot card as the JURA coffee station on the open-air patio perfects your brew. Then, plop down on the couch or head up to the rooftop to take in the sun as it hits the Austin skyline. Inside, art-clad rooms balance nostalgia and inspiration, which in several rooms can be taken in from a clawfoot bubble bath made for indulgent soaks. Just steps away are newly Michelin-recommended taco and BBQ joints like Discada, Cuantos Tacos, and the legendary Franklin Barbecue, making it easy to eat well while you’re here.
.jpg)
