Fairmont Austin
101 Red River St., Austin, Texas, 78701, USA
Why We Like It
As a festival city, out-of-towners looking for the party whether in town for South by Southwest (SXSW), Formula One (F1), or Austin City Limits (ACL) just need to follow the music on their very doorstep. Most of the big events partner up with the hotel, meaning official celebrations and activations at every corner. Even non-badge holders can feel immersed.
Fodor's Expert Review
Everything’s bigger in Texas, and in Austin they don’t get any bigger than the Fairmont. This towering 1,048-room hotel is a city resort, with six restaurants and bars, an expansive spa, the city’s largest rooftop pool, and exclusive VIP floors that act as a ‘hotel with a hotel’. Basically, it’s all here in the downtown landmark.
Tip The hotel’s Good Things coffee shop is a hidden gem to pull up a laptop at and power through. Remember, the Wi-Fi’s fast, and there are plenty of sofas across the ground floor. Just avoid festival season or big conference days.
PROS
- The massive wellness facility provides a true city respite
- Garrison Steakhouse is one of downtown’s most sought-after reservations
- The largest of Fairmont hotels means amenities aplenty
CONS
- The rooms are not particularly Instagrammable
- The hotel can feel crowded during festival seasons
- The pool area can be noisy
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Room
While the rooms aren’t the most memorable aspects of Fairmont Austin, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. They at least tick all the boxes. This 2018 property is wired with essential modern tech, from USB chargers to smart TVs, and the Wi-Fi’s actually fast. Surprisingly uncommon in Austin.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are probably the most luxe of the personal spaces. Perhaps it’s the aroma of Le Labo. You can soak in packets of it when booking a corner room or any suite, which all come with large rectangular bathtubs.
Lobby
The huge lobby wraps around two sides of the building on Red River Street, with several check-in desks and ample lounge space. There are a lot of bodies here, both overnight guests and day ravers, but it doesn’t feel hectic. The flow of traffic is nicely distributed across the large walkways and many elevators to transport them up to their desired outlet. It’s also very well-staffed—help is always at hand no matter how festive things get.
Pool
The palm-tree-lined rooftop pool (on the eight-floor roof) is one of the hotel’s best hangouts. Spilt into two sections, one large pool and a hot tub at the end, it’s lined with sun loungers running parallel. There’s poolside service, and guests can book cabanas to luxe up their dips.
Spa
The spa also impresses in size, and while it’s on floor six and views are over the city skyline, you still feel cocooned away from the noise. The space has nine treatment rooms including two VIP couples suites, and there are naturally lit solariums each with a saline soaking pool, eucalyptus steam grotto and European dry heat sauna.
Gym
On the same floor as the spa, the 2,800-square-foot fitness center is fully equipped with Skillmill curved treadmills, Technogym bikes, and a PRAMA by Pavigym digital training circuit.
Dining
The award-winning steakhouse, Garrison, tucked at the back of the hotel, fans ranch-raised beef and more over a post-oak live fire. Side it with tator tots, served with aerated gruyère cheese and black truffle—and it very nearly steals the steak’s spotlight. In front of Garrison is a casual eatery called Revue, whose menu is split between Italian and Asian. It’s ideal for groups with clashing tastes.
You Should Know The breakfast buffet is always busy. Factor in extra time if you have to be somewhere, or skip the stress and come down before peak hours.
Drinking
Lobby-level bar Fulton is an after-work kind of bar, often packed with conference suitors talking business after business hours. Guests out of their suites turn the party up by the rooftop, at Rules & Regs, which also happens to be one of the best spots for drag events during Pride.
Fairmont Gold
Guests with cash to flash can check in to the hotel’s ‘Fairmont Gold’ experience for elevated service. It’s nestled on floors 32-35, with 131 rooms and suites in a ‘hotel within a hotel’ situation. That’s separate check-in and out, extra staff, upgraded room amenities, and a lounge with complimentary meals and non-alcoholic beverages.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
Fairmont Austin is on the edge of downtown, so it’s still relatively walkable and rideshares to the city’s key attractions are cheap. The hotel is connected to the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake, allowing guests to join the locals in their loop of downtown nature.
Restaurants
When you’ve exhausted Fairmont’s dining offerings, walk down to Bangers Sausage House and Beer Garden, a neighborly bungalow with over 20 homemade sausages and 200 beers on tap. Live music takes to the stage on Fridays and weekends.
Bars
Though Rainey Street has been undergoing a face-lift, it’s still got dive bars. Don’t miss Half Step, Lucille’s or Lustre Pearl Rainey for cocktails and giggles on the patio.
Photos
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