AUSTIN, TX—The Westin Austin Downtown, located at the corner of San Jacinto Blvd. and Fifth St., has opened here. A joint venture between White Lodging Services Corporation, the Harry Whittington family and REI Real Estate Services, LLC., the 19-story hotel, which draws design inspiration from the local music scene, is Westin’s second Austin property, and one of five new openings in North America this year.
The Westin Austin Downtown used HKS Architects, Inc. and was designed by Simeone Deary. Upon entering the lobby, guests are met with a 12-ft.-tall custom-made art piece comprised of charred wood blocks that come together to form the body of a guitar. Incorporating natural design elements, the lobby ceiling and vertical garden mimic the cutouts of a Dobro guitar, while the ballroom floors allude to prints often found on guitar straps, according to the hotel. In keeping with the Austin music theme, the hotel will regularly host local musicians in the lounge area.
The new Westin offers a rooftop with uninterrupted 180-degree views of the city and Azul—the rooftop pool and bar, which features cabanas and a fire pit, as well as the 24-hour Westin WORKOUT Fitness Studio. The hotel offers its signature Gear Lending program, providing New Balance shoes and athletic wear for guests who like to pack light. The local Run Concierge is also available to provide guided group runs of Austin’s most well-known sites or recommend routes for guests who would like to explore the city solo.
Up the guitar-string staircase, The Westin Austin Downtown is home to 366 guestrooms and suites, each featuring a signature Westin Heavenly Bed, the Heavenly Shower/Bath, high-speed Internet, plush robes and a smoke-free environment. The hotel also features Stella San Jac, an Austin-American restaurant serving eclectic Southern cuisine. Guests have access to 24-hour in-room dining from the hotel’s full-service kitchen, and for extra nourishment, The Westin Austin Downtown offers fresh juices and smoothies, SuperFoodsRx choices for adults and The Westin Eat Well Menu for Kids.
The hotel features more than 13,500 sq. ft. of meeting and banquet space, inclusive of 16 individual meeting rooms, each named after a famous Austin musician or venue, including Joplin, Benson, Paramount, Continental and Moody.