Yes, we’ve just unveiled the Where to Stay Now 2016 list, our latest roundup of the ten best new (or newly renovated) hotels across the state (you can find the 2012 lineup here). But when it comes to finding good places to stay, there’s no rest for the weary, which is why I’ve already got my sights set on the properties that’ll be in the running for our next “best of” batch, in 2020. Here’s what’s on the horizon—and on my radar:
AUSTIN
Austin Proper Hotel // late 2017
The 32-story high rise going up in downtown’s Second Street District will have 245 hotel rooms designed by Kelly Wearstler (as well as 99 luxury residences) and its restaurants and room service will be overseen by the local team behind Jeffrey’s, Clark’s Oyster Bar, and Lambert’s Downtown Barbecue.
The Fairmont // 2017
When it opens, this 37-story, 1,068-room hotel near the Austin Convention Center will unseat the 34-story, 1,012-room JW Marriott Austin (opened in February 2015) as the largest in town.
Hotel Eleven // opened April 2016
This 14-room East Austin boutique hotel just missed the reporting cut-off for the 2016 list, which means we’ll have ample time to try out its cafe, bar, and private rooftop deck with a view.
Hotel ZaZa // TBD
It’ll be interesting to see how the Austin’s first ZaZa—which has glitzy sister properties in Dallas and Houston—adapts (or doesn’t) to the Capital City’s proudly laid-back vibe. (West Houston and Frisco will also be getting a ZaZa of their own soon too.)
The Magdalena // spring 2018
Liz Lambert’s third South Congress hotel, named for the patron saint of fallen women, is inspired by old Austin’s grottoes and lake houses.
DALLAS
Adolphus Hotel // renovations to be complete in 2016
Opened in 1912 by St. Louis brewing baron Adolphus Busch, downtown’s grande dame is getting a major facelift: a sprucing up of its 407 guest rooms, a renovation of its nineteenth-floor ballroom, and a new spa and fitness center, plus a new rooftop pool and bar.
The Statler Hotel // late 2016
Originally opened by Conrad Hilton in 1956, the downtown dowager has sat empty for fifteen years, but a $175 million revamp aims to bring it back to life with new amenities, including a 24-hour diner and a rooftop pool, and a restored second-story ballroom, where Elvis, Sinatra, and Michael Jackson once held court.
Virgin Hotel // early 2018
The Design District’s boomlet continues as construction begins on Texas’s first Virgin Hotel, which will have 200 rooms and a rooftop pool.
GRAPEVINE
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center // spring 2018
After a $120 million expansion, the already-enormous hotel will expand by three hundred rooms (bringing the total to 1,811), which will make the family-friendly getaway the second-largest hotel in the state.
HOUSTON
Hotel Alessandra // early 2017
The twenty-story, 223-room “sky rise” will anchor downtown’s GreenStreet development.
The Whitehall // renovated April 2016
The hotel formerly known as the Crowne Plaza Houston Downtown has emerged from a $5 million rehabbing with a remodeled restaurant, 259 spiffed-up guest rooms, and a new-but-old name, returning to its original 1963 moniker.
ROUND TOP
Wander Inn // summer 2016
Located behind the Junk Gypsy World Headquarters, this “rustic Americana” eight-suite getaway is decked out with vintage finds.
Stay tuned as we add to this list!
