8 Best Hotels in Greater Austin, Austin

On a hilltop ridge amidst the Balcones Canyonlands nature preserve, just 30 minutes from Austin, Travaasa delivers a refreshing spin on a luxury resort, inspired by its Hill Country setting. Daily itineraries of “adventures” engage guests with their surroundings, from Zen garden meditations and ropes courses to horseback riding and campfire stargazing. Do everything—or simply disconnect at the infinity pool and recently renovated organic spa, which debuted additional lounge areas and private steam rooms in 2014. As of this writing, a Watsu pool for specialized aquatic therapies is under construction. The Preserve Kitchen & Bar offers seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine in a romantic setting. Rooms are arranged in varying sizes, some with charming treeline views. The adults-only property is ideal for romantic getaways and executive retreats alike. À la carte and all-inclusive packages available.

This Domain outpost provides basic, Euro-chic accommodations that placate the sensibility of the hotel's up-and-coming urban guests, especially within this retail-obsessed district. Rooms are stylish and functional, without straying too much in the luxury direction. The first-floor bar is hip and lively, with indoor and outdoor lounge spaces, multiple flat-panel TVs, pool tables, and a cozy fireplace. Ongoing construction (more hotels) within the continually expanding Domain can mean restricted self-parking space, but guests can enjoy free valet. There’s a shallow outdoor pool (more suitable for social hour than laps), and bars and cafés are within walking distance.

Convenience is the specialty of the only hotel on the grounds of the Austin–Bergstrom International Airport. The donut-shape building, originally built in the 1960s as a U.S. Air Force base, features a central atrium, with a dome soaring above three balconied floors and limestone pillars surrounding a lounge area and restaurant. Rooms overlook either the atrium or the outdoor pool. A 24-hour business center near the front desk allows guests to print airline boarding passes before checkout. Free shuttles run to and from airport terminals.

This lakeside resort getaway, nestled right on the shores of Lake Travis (about a 45-minute drive from downtown) is particularly well-suited for families with enough space to accommodate adults-only and kids-play areas. The luxury property is centered on water in every way, with lake views from every angle, three pools, a swim-up bar, Jacuzzis, waterslides, boat rentals, and a terrific spa that features water-centric signature treatments like the Texas River Rock massage. Rooms are spacious and some have patios overlooking the lake.

The expansive Domain shopping district is known for its high-end retail and upscale dining, so it’s refreshing that the area has this boutique hotel, inspired by retro motor courts, that's more affordable and approachable than its competitors. Centered on an outdoor pool and courtyard, rooms feature trendy “retro-ranch” interiors, with stylish throwbacks like full-size Smeg refrigerators alongside Lone Star accents such as sliding barn doors to the bathroom. An on-site food truck offers an all-day menu, and the Watering Trough bar and café provides daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner service, plus live music is hosted regularly.

Families, group travelers, golf aficionados, and business professionals flock to this resort just a short drive west of Austin to disconnect and unwind on 4,000 pristine acres of rolling Hill Country terrain. Among the top resort amenities are four championship golf courses, two pools, 11 tennis courts, a full spa with salon services, and a huge fitness center. Omni acquired the property in recent years, with ongoing plans to update the outdated guestrooms and interiors. Standard rooms are spacious, with one king- or two queen-size beds, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Many have panoramic Hill Country views.

This Westin location in the Domain shopping district offers the dependability of an established brand with a slightly more sophisticated sheen. The lobby and main floor lounges are light-filled and modern and usually bustling with business travelers and happy-hour crowds of Domain shoppers, who frequent the gourmet on-site restaurant, Urban, which is extremely satisfying, albeit pricey. Rooms and suites are spacious, with comfy beds complete with pillowtop mattresses and down pillows.