Historic Hotels in Austin

Originally the private estate of Commodore Edgar Perry and his wife Lutie, this 1928 Italianate villa sat empty for decades before Auberge Resorts transformed it into a 54-room boutique luxury hotel. The original mansion is preserved as the hotel’s social heart, housing the lobby, Lutie’s Garden Restaurant, and the stunning Commodore’s Bar. Formal gardens, a serene pool, and rooms that feel like a rich friend’s guest suite. It’s the most refined historic hotel in Austin.

Named after Ella Nalle Buckle, whose family built this Greek Revival mansion in 1900. The property served as a faculty club for UT Austin before becoming a 47-room hotel. The original mansion’s grand parlors, wraparound porches, and period details are beautifully preserved. A contemporary wing adds modern rooms while respecting the historic character. The cabana pool and landscaped grounds feel like a private estate. Walking distance to the Capitol, UT campus, and the Drag.

The LINE occupies what was formerly the Crest Hotel, a 1965 jazz club on the shores of Lady Bird Lake. The Sydell Group kept the building’s mid-century bones and added their signature blend of local art, thoughtful design, and destination dining (Arlo Grey, from Top Chef’s Kristen Kish). Floor-to-ceiling windows maximize the lake views. It’s a newer conversion compared to The Driskill or Hotel Ella, but the building’s jazz-era heritage gives it a sense of history that most modern hotels lack.

That neon sign has been glowing on South Congress since 1938. Austin Motel is a renovated motor lodge that embraces its retro roots — each room is uniquely decorated with vintage furniture, bold colors, and a sense of humor. The kidney-shaped pool is legendary. Valencia Group renovated it in 2016 but kept the historic character intact. It’s the most photographed hotel in Austin and arguably the most “Keep Austin Weird” property in the city.

Another South Congress original. Built in 1939 as a motor court, Hotel San José was reimagined by Liz Lambert and Bunkhouse Group into a minimalist boutique hotel that helped kickstart SoCo’s revival. Japanese-inspired simplicity meets Texas roadside charm. The courtyard pool surrounded by bamboo and string lights is one of Austin’s most instagrammed spots. A small hotel with an outsized impact on Austin’s identity — this is where the city’s modern boutique hotel scene began.

Formerly the Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol, this 365-room property was rebranded as Downright Austin in March 2024 under Marriott’s Renaissance Hotels collection. The building itself dates to the 1970s but has been extensively renovated. Its location right next to the Texas Capitol and 6th Street entertainment district has made it a fixture of downtown Austin for decades. Now with a fresh identity and Renaissance’s “discover this city” philosophy, it’s worth another look — especially for business travelers needing meeting space near the Capitol.