What do you do when you only have 24 hours in Austin, TX? I’m so glad you asked because I’m about to cover all the deets on one of my most memorable Austin trips to date! Our capitol city, and home of the “keep Austin weird” vibes is one of my favorite places to visit when I’m short on time, and need a quick break from the hustle and bustle of work here in San Antonio. It’s only a short jaunt through the always lovely Hill Country to get there, and I can always count on great food, good vibes, and the best places to stay!
My two smart, funny, wise, kind, creative, and beautiful sisters and I chose Austin, TX for our annual sisters trip this year. About 5 years ago, we made a pact that every year (regardless of where life may take us), we’ll travel together just as sisters. These trips mean the world to me, so we carefully selected the perfect place to stay that would allow us to maximize our 24 hours in Austin together on site with lodging, experiences, and of course – FOOD! The Fairmont Austin blew us away with their service, their dining, and their incredible Texas-sized hospitality. If you’re looking for a fabulous, has-it-all property for your next getaway, I HIGHLY recommend this beautiful hotel.
The Lodging
You guys, the ambience, the rooms, the attention to detail in every way when it comes to staying here at the Fairmont is unparalleled! The building itself is a newly opened 37 story luxury hotel with a really modern, clean feel to each and every room. We were also lucky enough to have a gorgeous bottle of champagne waiting for us when we arrived in our room as a way to truly begin to unwind. As a new mama, sleep is priority number one in my life and the BEDS Y’ALL. THE BEDS. We were pampered with pillow top mattresses, the softest duvets, and I slept like a baby (although I’m not quite sure WHY this is a saying, if you know what I mean??). I can’t quite remember the last time I slept in a bed this decadently luxurious, and I’m STILL dreaming of going back just for those sheets. Even if I’ve only got 24 hours in Austin making sure I get my 8 hours of sleep in is worth everything to me!
The Food
We started off our stay at Revue , where we promptly went to town on the most amazing poke bowls and pork belly fried rice. THEN we spent the rest of the afternoon getting completely and totally pampered at the Fairmont Spa where we each enjoyed the “Austin Signature Massage” (which I’ll dish about some more in a minute!). THEN, dinner happened. This beautiful human, Fernando, was our waiter and we had the most fun with him. Our meal at the 4-star Garrison on-property BLEW ME AWAY. When you visit, make sure to try the octopus, tater tots (with gruyere + black truffles), and the rice pudding if you want to make sure your dining experience is everything you could hope for and MORE!
The Experiences
It’s no secret that I love a good spa experience, and the Fairmont Spa was really one of the highlights of our entire trip! Because we only had 24 hours in Austin, it was super important for us to be able to make the most of what our hotel had in house, and I was blown away by this spa experience. The “Austin Signature Massage” was lovely, and exactly what I needed after our car ride up to Austin. Next time we come to visit, you can bet I’ll be getting another one of these PLUS the Intraceuticals Signature Facial that sounds like it would be my idea of heaven.
I also HAVE to dish about our experience at the Fulton (an ode to the the giant oak tree located in Fulton, TX), what the Fairmont considers to be their “beating heart” and THE most lively place to gather. Located in the hotel lobby, you can sip drinks, have small plates, and listen to local live music (the quintessential Austin experience) in a totally relaxed and fun environment! After our incredible dinner at the Garrison you best believe we headed here for the most delicious nightcap of eggnog cocktails (which I’ll definitely be recreating with our homemade version) and great live music.
Thank you so much Fairmont Austin for spoiling us silly! If you’re looking for your next overnight trip and what to do with 24 hours in Austin, I highly recommend you check out this hotel – you won’t ever have to leave if you don’t want to!
Cassy I need a where to eat and what to do in San Antonio!
I wish I had read this post earlier! I stayed at the Fairmont Austin just last month for a conference and did not take full advantage! I guess I’ll have to make plans for another visit. And yes, I can attest that it is a GORGEOUS hotel. The accommodations were luxurious. The shower was perfect- both water temp and pressure. They had a coffee shop downstairs that was so convenient for early morning pick me ups. The bar in the lobby had THE BEST espresso martinis! So good! Do yourself a favor and visit!!