Hotel Saint Cecilia

For a while now Austin has been one of the United States’ best-kept secrets: a little enclave of progressive thought, high-tech savvy, and hipster culture, cleverly hidden in Texas, which is not the first place you’d look — and it’s disguised as the state capital, no less. But until recently its hotel situation lagged a bit behind the times — one new and notable exception being the Hotel Saint Cecilia.

It shares ownership with another notable exception, the well-loved Hotel San Jose. But while the San Jose is essentially a budget boutique, a rehabilitated motel, the Saint Cecilia takes off running in the direction of “luxury guest house” and never really stops. Of course Austin-style luxury includes not just those wildly expensive Hästens handmade mattresses, but an in-house vintage vinyl library as well. Put it this way: the Saint Cecilia’s blend of bold modern colors and impeccably curated antiques wouldn’t even register as upscale in Houston or Dallas; here in Austin it’s clear at a glance that this is the place to stay.

The lounge is guests-only, which is crucial, as a hotel like this can go from hot ticket to velvet rope in no time at all. The Saint Cecilia, by contrast, mixes a generous helping of bed and breakfast in with its rock-and-roll cocktail — ensuring it a longer half-life than the average hip hotel.

Tip: the courtyard-facing rooms are a bit louder, while the rooms to the rear of the property are much quieter.