Austin, Texas: world-famous BBQ, great music, and pools, lots of pools. Thank goodness, because summer is H.O.T. Rest easy knowing you’ll have a great time, whichever type of poolside experience you’re after in Austin. Lounged, taste-tested, and #ladyofleisureapproved.
HOTEL ELLA
Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood street near the University of Texas, I found one of the best pools in Austin: Hotel Ella, an historic mansion built in 1900 and converted to a boutique hotel. The hotel grounds and pool deck are modern, while still maintaining that Southern charm I was expecting to find in Austin. Service was attentive but unobtrusive, leaving me free to relax in the quiet oasis they’ve created at Hotel Ella.
The food and beverage served by Goodall’s Kitchen were fresh and seasonal. My favorite beverage: the Blunderbuss, a gin+bubbly concoction that was a nice way to mix up my usual choice of poolside beverage: the margarita. SPF 30, towels, and water dispenser sit poolside. Shade is abundant most of the day in all chairs under the overhang.
Reservations for day passes are available for $20 Monday-Thursday, and walk-ins on the weekends based on availability. Included in the day pass, you’ll receive a towel, reserved lounge chair, and valet parking. Day passes offered through September 3, 2018.
SOUTH CONGRESS HOTEL
The rooftop pool at the South Congress Hotel isn’t just one of the best hotel pools in Austin, it’s one the best places to hang out in Austin. Its location is great: bars, restaurants, and live music just steps away. That being said, why leave? They have everything you need on site: The food and beverage served poolside are excellent, provided by hotel restaurant Café No Sé. Bonus: there is also an excellent coffee shop downstairs called Mañana.
Poolside, they have updated their umbrellas to provide more shade, and the loungers are now mesh instead of cushions. The canopy structure is perforated metal, so if you’re looking for shade, best to find an umbrella or take a break and spend some time at the pool bar.
The service is not as attentive at the pool loungers as other hotel pools, but nonetheless very accommodating. There is an all around laid back vibe about the space. The playlist was POOLSIDE PERFECT. I had to walk over to the pool bar to order, but I wasn’t bothered by it. Next time I’m getting my own burger, and the hibiscus margarita was delicious.The food and beverage was served quickly and I felt like I was in the coolest spot in town.
Day passes are available with various prices. See the South Congress hotel info page for more details.
KIMPTON HOTEL VAN ZANDT
I love it when I find a pool deck with plenty of shade. Don’t get me wrong, I love the sun, but when you spend as much time in it as I do, one needs options. And options there are at Hotel Van Zandt. There are plenty of loungers, summer shade without needing an umbrella till around 12:30pm, and cabanas available to rent in case you need total sun blockage and a more private experience for you and your besties . Don’t worry sun lovers, the pool is in plenty of sun, as are the loungers all afternoon.
The loungers are padded and comfy, the service was very attentive, and Geraldine’s makes all their beverages “skinny.” I tried a few drinks, and wouldn’t say I loved them all – here’s looking at you, margarita. For a winning combination, go with the Aperol spritz and watermelon+hamachi ceviche. The latter being one of the tastiest flavor combinations I have experienced in a long time. It truly was special.
If you plan on spending any time at Rainey Street while in Austin, you should consider staying at Hotel Van Zandt since it’s next door. If you don’t know about Rainey St, you should check it out. It’s a row of old houses turned into bars, and might be the best place to go out in Austin right now. It is my duty as Lady of Leisure to warn you that lots of bachelor/bachelorette parties happen at Rainey Street, which means Hotel Van Zandt is a favorite choice for groups.
The pool deck can get crowded on weekends during wedding season, even though it has a hotel guest only policy Fri-Sunday. Patrons of Geraldine’s poolside bar are able to lounge poolside Monday-Thursday free of charge. Weekday lunch, poolside? Why not?
THE LINE HOTEL AUSTIN: SNEAK PEEK
I happened to be in town the week after The LINE Hotel opened in Austin, so I was fortunate enough to get a sneak peek at what type of poolside experience they are crafting. They are still working out the kinks and putting some finishing touches on the hotel and poolside service, but I still wanted to share a few photos and notes from my visit because I think they will end up being one of the best pools Austin has to offer.
The pool itself is located directly by the lakeside walking trail with filtered views of the water. I immediately felt swept away into an haven of cool. Poolside beats were on point, the lounge chairs are the most comfortable (and stylish) in town, and they get bonus points for having a Provençal rosé on the menu. The hotel has been impeccably designed, and there’s even a cool coffee shop in the lobby called Alfred.
Daytime use of the pool is limited to hotel guests only, but patrons of the bar at Arlo Grey can sip their cocktails poolside after 5pm. Coming Fall 2018, they will open P6, a new rooftop hangout for dining, drinks, and games with views of the lake. I’m certain The LINE Hotel will be the summertime place to be in Austin very soon.
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