Austin's Coolest Hotels

With uber-cool spots around town to hang your hat, Austin is known as a bastion of hip. A number of recently opened properties are adding to the city's cool factor, making it easy to stay out of the ordinary in the live music capital.

1. Hotel San Jose

This Austin classic seems to be just as popular with locals as visitors. The chic, minimalist Hotel San Jose is right in the middle of the South Congress strip, conveniently across the street from the Continental Club. Unusual guest room perks include vintage typewriters and Polaroid cameras for rent, and the courtyard is almost always buzzing with Austinites in the know.

1316 South Congress Avenue, (512) 444-7322, www.sanjosehotel.com

2.Hotel Saint Cecilia

The Saint Cecilia is named after the patron saint of music and poetry. It's situated in a secluded, late-1800s estate off South Congress, but with a minimalist, artsy vibe that is miles away from the bed-and-breakfasts that usually occupy such mansions. Drawing its inspiration from the history and experimentation of writers, musicians and artists from the 1950s to 1970s, a glamorous rock-n-roll vibe infuses the five suites, three studios and six poolside bungalows.

112 Academy Drive, (512) 852-2400, www.hotelstcecilia.com

3. Kimber Modern

Also in SoCo, the Kimber Modern has a European feel, with seven modern guest rooms done in an urban design and filled with the latest technology. The Kimber is a work of art, with clean lines that are eminently livable and functional. The space is dotted with design classics like Arne Jacobson egg chairs and Eames tables, and an expansive courtyard under the spreading live oak branches invites guests to mingle in the seating areas grouped around a free-standing glass fireplace.
110 The Circle, (512) 912-1046, www.kimbermodern.com

4. W Hotel

Austin's version of the classic W brand is set in a mixed-use project called Block 21, which is also the new home of Austin City Limits. Rock star comforts add a fun edge, and Austin's music scene is honored with the photographic retrospective of ACL's 35 years. The hotel's Living Room is a stylish place to gather for cocktails, and the WET® poolside is just plain cool.

200 Lavaca Street, (512) 542-3600, www.whotelaustin.com

5. Westin

Further north, the upscale Domain dining/retail/entertainment complex has added two hotels of its own, as well as 600,000 additional square feet of retail and Gold Class Cinemas. The luxurious Westin aims to provide a haven of wellbeing, with aromatherapy botanicals and mood lighting from the moment you enter its doors. Rooms get in on the relaxation vibe with the Westin's signature Heavenly Bed Ò and Heavenly Bath Ò experience in each of the 340 guest suites.

11301 Domain Drive, (512) 832-4197, www.westinaustinatthedomain.com

6. Aloft Austin

The same company, Starwood, has also opened Aloft Austin at the Domain for a different sort of experience. A little more casual and accessible, Aloft incorporates nifty little things like the wxyz bar and re:mix lounge - all at very affordable prices. Fresh and fun, Aloft aims to be part of the Austin music scene: it is heavily involved in the SXSW Festival, presenting acts such as SubPop Record's Avi Buffalo and hot Los Angeles garage-rockers The Soft Pack.

11601 Domain Drive, (512) 491-0777, www.aloftaustinatthedomain.com

7. AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center

A new breed of hotel and meeting center has opened on the UT campus. The AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center is Austin's only residentially-accredited IACC conference facility, acting as a bridge between academia and enterprise, as well as the legislative and state agencies located right across MLK Boulevard. With a 300-seat amphitheater and 40,000 square feet of meeting space, along with 297 guest rooms, this is the place where people come to do business.

1900 University Avenue, (512) 404-1900, www.meetattexas.com

8. Casulo Hotel

In Southeast Austin, close to the airport, you'll find one of the city's newest boutique hotel additions. The incredibly zen environment of Casulo blends an urban sensibility with light-inspired rooms. Little extras such as waterfall showers and French hydro-thermal massage airbaths lend that extra touch.

3017 South I-35, (512) 610-1116, www.casulohotel.com