Second Street District, Downtown

Austin Proper Hotel

★★★★★

Austin Proper is the downtown hotel for travelers who care about design as much as location. It occupies the lower floors of a tower at 600 West Second Street, in the heart of the Second Street District, and every public space and guest room was designed by Kelly Wearstler, the Los Angeles designer known for bold, collected interiors. Here she mixed Texas and Mexican craft with mid-century and contemporary pieces — rich woods, hand-worked tiles, plaster walls, sculptural lighting and art in every corner — so the hotel feels warm and residential rather than glossy. Rooms and suites follow suit, with layered textiles, deep tubs or rain showers, curated minibars and views toward the river or the skyline. The rooftop pool, La Piscina, is one of the best in the city, with cabanas, a bar and views over Lady Bird Lake; guests have access, and day visitors can buy a pass when it is available. Dining and drinking are a major part of the draw: The Peacock serves Mediterranean-leaning food in a glamorous room, Goldie's is a cozy lounge, the Quill Room is a library bar for cocktails, Kappo Kappo is a small Japanese counter, and afternoon tea is served too. Location is excellent: ACL Live at the Moody Theater is a block away, the lake and the Butler Trail are a short walk south, and the Warehouse District, Congress Avenue and the Seaholm District surround you. Pets are welcome within size limits. The trade-offs: parking is valet only and expensive, room rates are high, and weekends are busy with events. Fit: couples, design lovers, concert-goers and business travelers who want character.

The hotel opened in 2019 as part of Proper Hospitality, a small group of design-led urban hotels, and it quickly became one of Austin's social hubs, with its restaurants and bars drawing locals as much as guests. The building sits at the western edge of the Second Street District near Shoal Creek, a neighborhood that has filled in with restaurants, shops and residential towers, and from here most of downtown is walkable — the Capitol is about fifteen minutes on foot, South Congress is a walk across the bridge, and the bats are a short stroll east along the lake.

Room craft: ask for a high floor facing Lady Bird Lake for the best views; suites add living areas and larger baths that suit longer stays. Spend at least one afternoon at the rooftop pool, which is calmer on weekdays, and book The Peacock or Kappo Kappo ahead, since both are popular with locals. If you are attending a show at ACL Live, the location makes for an easy night, with a drink at the Quill Room before and a walk home after. Dog owners should note the weight and number limits and the nonrefundable pet fee.

Practicals: 600 West Second Street, downtown; check-in in the afternoon and noon checkout; valet-only parking at a significant nightly charge; and a daily amenity fee that covers extras. Fit: couples, design lovers, music fans heading to ACL Live and any traveler who wants a chic downtown base within walking distance of the lake.