This Luxury Hotel in Austin is The Perfect City Retreat—Here’s What it’s Like to Stay There
The rooftop pool at The Loren at Lady Bird Lake
Book now: Hotel website | Booking.com | Expedia | Hotels.com
Austin, Texas, has no shortage of beautiful boutique hotels. As a hotel enthusiast, it’s one of my favorite things about visiting the city (right up there with the food and music, naturally). In 2022, a 5-star luxury boutique hotel called The Loren joined the city's hotel scene, opening along Lady Bird Lake in the Zilker neighborhood. Recently, I stayed there to see if the hotel lived up to expectations and justified its $450+ per night price tag (rates vary depending on room choice and dates). Spoiler: it very much does. Here’s why.
Location
View from the lake view suite
One of the best parts about this hotel is its location. It’s in the Zilker neighborhood, overlooking Lady Bird Lake, and within walking distance to Barton Springs. If you book one of their lake view rooms—or simply ride the elevator up to their rooftop bar and restaurant, Nido—you can enjoy completely unobstructed views of the lake and Austin cityscape. I was lucky enough to score one of these beautiful suites and, despite the 100-degree heat, found it hard to pull myself away from the balcony and the views below.
This location is also very central, without being chaotic. Situated on the edge of Butler Park and a golf course that’s popular among locals, along with miles of walking and biking paths right out front, it feels like a natural oasis in the middle of the city. Even so, downtown Austin is just a short stroll over the bridge and the popular South Congress neighborhood is a quick drive or bike ride from the hotel. There’s a lot to explore right in the vicinity of the property—that is, if you can pull yourself away long enough to seek out a plate of breakfast tacos or famous Texas BBQ. The local institution, Terry Black’s Barbecue is just down the road.
Rooms and suites
Each of the 108 guest rooms and suites is outfitted in a tranquil, mid-century modern design. Suites have dedicated living room areas separate from the bedrooms, but even their most basic room offering is quite spacious and comfortable. Every room also has a desk—perfect for those coming to Austin on business—Nespresso machines, and a well-stocked mini bar with an excellent selection of beverages. Beds were large and incredibly comfortable which, when paired with the automated, blackout shades, helped me have a great night’s sleep.
Bathrooms are not an afterthought, either. Expect spacious, marble-tiled bathrooms, plush bathrobes you’ll want to lounge all day in, and a large bathtub perfect for unwinding in at the end of a long day.
One of my favorite hotel amenities is a good hotel balcony or patio—and The Loren definitely delivers on this. My suite had a balcony and I loved being able to sit and relax out there with my morning coffee or evening glass of wine while enjoying the views. However, even if you don’t splurge for a room with a balcony, all rooms have beautiful views of the cityscape or surrounding gardens. And, their rooftop bar and restaurant, Nido, has outdoor seating…
Property and on-site amenities
Tuna tartare at Nido
The rooms are beautiful, but so is the building’s architecture and common spaces—from the meticulously maintained living garden in the lobby to the quiet luxury of the building’s glass-and-concrete exterior. However, if there is one space that really stands out, it’s the property’s rooftop bar, Nido. Even if you don’t end up staying here, you won’t want to miss the chance to swing by for a drink, dinner, or both, and enjoy some of the best views of the city alongside creative cocktails and tasty snacks. I loved the Nashi Sour cocktail, their take on a Japanese whiskey sour, and the tuna tartare, one of Chef Christian Grindrod’s signature dishes. To be totally honest, I didn’t love the texture of their panna cotta, but otherwise found the food fresh, delicious, and worth coming back for.
On-site, they have a sunny, rooftop pool that’s a lovely space to hang out in the warmer months (a property highlight, in my opinion). For even more pampering, you can book a massage or wellness appointment at their on-site spa, Milk + Honey.
The outdoor patio at Nido
The hotel also has plenty of unique activations and events worth sticking around for too. While I was there, there was a rooftop movie night by the pool—a delightful way to unwind after a day out—and music in the lobby in the afternoon. Other events include dinners led by visiting chefs from around the world in their Guest Chef Series, rooftop yoga, and live music.
Throughout it all, keep an eye out for pieces from the hotel owners' impressive private art collection. From Liam Gillick's lobby wall sculptures to photography by Karl Blossfelt in the guest rooms, The Loren has a dedication to art that shines through in its thoughtful curation. And if that weren’t enough, the hotel has also reimagined the Paggi House, a small historic building on-site as an art gallery and event space. Tours are available by request, though they also have a free community day at the launch of each new exhibit.
Overall and price
Bed in the 2-bedroom suite.
Book now: Hotel website | Booking.com | Expedia | Hotels.com
Overall: I’d recommend a stay at The Loren .
Room rates vary depending on room type, time of year, and day of the week. Basic rooms start at around $450 per night, with suites costing a bit more. Given the caliber of service, central yet peaceful location, and spacious room sizes, I believe the hotel rooms are definitely worth the cost. Other small details, from the quality of the robes and toiletry products to the friendly and helpful concierge and front desk staff (case in point: I forgot a toothbrush, and they had one in my room within minutes), further elevate the experience and make guests even more comfortable. Plus, I loved having a beautiful rooftop bar and restaurant right on-site.
I’ve stayed at several less expensive hotels in Austin, including one just down the street from The Loren, and there really is a difference in quality and service. The entire space and experience are designed to make you feel relaxed and taken care of, without being at all stuffy—which I would certainly say they’ve achieved.
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