I was able to enjoy a 2 night, 3-day mini staycation at the newly opened Austin Proper Hotel in downtown Austin. I didn’t know what to expect prior to my stay, but the pictures don’t even do it justice. If I had to describe the hotel in 3 words it would be: luxury, comfort, and chic.
Disclaimer: I was treated to a staycation by the Austin Proper team, but this is my honest review of my experience
Location
The Austin Proper is located off 2nd Street in downtown Austin. It’s walking distance to 2nd street district, which means that there are a ton of great places to eat, chill, and shop right by the hotel:
Austin Central Library (currently closed)
Jo’s Coffee
True Food Kitchen
Flower Child
Merit Coffee
Malibu Poke
ATX Cocina
La Condesa
Luxe Apothetique
...and so many more!
If you don’t feel like walking (I don’t blame you, it’s hot in Austin!), the front desk also allows guests to rent out bikes to explore the city with!
Health & Safety
The hotel implemented new health and safety measures to keep staff and guests safe. Temperatures checks were being conducted outside the front entrance. Masks are required by everyone at the hotel except when dining or in your rooms. They even had disposable masks at the front desk and other common areas like the pool and gym. Hand sanitizer dispensers were super easy to find and readily available throughout the hotel as well. Additionally, the hotel is operating at a reduced capacity to abide by social distancing measures.
I’d recommend checking out their website prior to your stay to see what changes are implemented. Some amenities and restaurant availability might vary given the current situation.
Amenities
The Austin Proper did not fall short on the types of amenities available at the hotel. The gym and the pool were nothing short of luxury.
The Gym
The fitness center at the Austin Proper has a little bit of everything for every fitness level: cardio equipment, free weights, machines, and even pilates reformers! I don’t know if you’re someone that likes to workout during your vacations, but I can guarantee you that you’ll have practically everything you need to get a good workout here.
During my stay, I snuck in one workout session and was the only one in the fitness area for the hour that I was there. I felt pretty safe working out indoors, especially knowing how clean the Austin Proper hotel staff keeps everything.
The Pool
The pool at the Austin Proper is properly dressed with towels, cabanas, lounge chairs, sanitizer dispensers, and umbrellas. Only guests are allowed to use the pool during the week, with reservations required Friday-Sunday for social distancing protocols. The pool faces west, so you get a beautiful sunset view of downtown Austin.
The only issue that I had with the pool during my stay is that it did get pretty crowded during the week. There’s also a giant eyesore across the hotel due to construction, but other than that the pool was very enjoyable.
Hotel Room
I stayed in a gorgeous king size suite and I really wish I could’ve brought the bed back home with me. It was so comfortable and I took a lot of much-needed naps during my stay. My room also had a lovely view of the pool and the 2nd street Butterfly Bridge. Each room also comes with a smart TV where I was able to log into my Netflix and Hulu accounts. One of the fun things about the room is the powered switches that are at the front of the room and by the bed. It controlled the lights, sheer curtains, and blackout curtains. One thing that I did have a problem with was the air conditioning. It’s not that big of a deal, but for whatever reason, the air circulation was just really poor in the room.
The bathroom was very luxurious and stocked with Aesop products. I am a sucker for waterfall shower heads and this one did not disappoint. As much as I loved the shower head, I wasn’t a huge fan of how the shower didn’t close all the way, but I guess that was part of the “luxury” appeal.
Dining
The Austin Proper has 2 operating restaurants during my stay due to COVID: The Peacock, located on the first floor of the hotel, and the poolside restaurant, La Piscina.
The Peacock
The Peacock is part of McGuire Moorman Hospitality’s portfolio. It is inspired by Eastern Mediterranean cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Peacock boasts indoor and outdoor seating options and tables are properly spaced out for social distancing. If you’re not a guest at the hotel, have no fear! Anyone can eat at The Peacock (I recommend making a reservation for brunch or dinner) and they also do curbside takeout. My favorite bite was the English Pea & Feta dip. It had some Thai notes to it thanks to the Bird’s eye chilis. It comes with housemade pita bread and I could honestly have it as a meal itself. Highly recommend getting this during dinner!
La Piscina
Currently, La Piscina is only open Friday-Sunday for food and drinks. The margarita I had was very pretty and very delicious. Definitely get the aguachile. Again, you don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to eat at La Piscina, but if you want to have your meal poolside you need a hotel reservation.
Overall Impression?
My staycation at the Austin Proper was just what I needed to feel refreshed after what felt like an eternity since I’ve taken a proper vacation, no pun intended. The Austin Proper definitely hits all of the notes of what luxury and comfort are supposed to be. If you’re looking for an elegant getaway in Austin with just the right easygoing balance, then this is just the place for you! It’s also in the perfect location where all of the fun things to do in downtown Austin are just a short walk away.