As an Austinite, you’ve likely been through the doors of Four Seasons Austin at some point or another, whether for dinner, drinks in the lobby lounge, a SXSW event, or for an overnight stay. If it’s been a while since you’ve visited (or if you’ve never visited at all), the recent multi million dollar renovation, completed in September 2018, makes it worth checking out the iconic hotel once again. There are plenty of reasons to walk through the doors and check out the beautiful new changes that give the hotel an upscale lake house feel; here are some of our favorites.
To See Some Stunning Views
As Austinites, we sometimes forget just how great we have it, especially with such stunning natural beauties sitting right in the middle of town. Sure, our skyline is growing and changing every day, but put all of that at your back and stare southward during twilight and dawn hours, and you’ll be reminded of Austin’s true connection with nature right over Lady Bird Lake.
Lake View Rooms offer up these stunning views, as do the newly opened Live Oak Lounge and Ciclo restaurant. Gone are the stuffy, closed in common spaces that shut out the splendor surrounding the hotel, making way for al fresco dining, plenty of natural light, and taking in fresh air (in the less cedar-filled months, of course).
For a Truly Texan Spa Day
Treatments at the Four Seasons Austin Spa embrace their surroundings, with some of them incorporating elements of Texas. The new Wildflower Child package is one such representation of the Lone Star State, with lavender, sunflower, cedarwood, and other Texas botanicals, this decadent retreat includes a massage, scrub, and facial that all make you feel like you’re lying in a field of wildflowers. Other Austin-inspired treatments include the Colorado River Rock Massage, the Two-Step Foot Ritual, and more.
Add to those a lovely relaxation lounge (complete with Himalayan salt wall), options for in-room treatments, and a wellness center, and you won’t want to leave the spa…ever. Oh, and special for locals, Four Seasons Spa is bringing back a version of their Daycation deal that includes a spa treatment, pool access, and lunch for summer 2019.
They Have a Really Great Happy Hour
Four Seasons is a brand that is well known for their lobby lounge. And while the original lobby lounge was a nice place to hang out, it never really embraced its surroundings. With the recent remodel, the Live Oak lobby lounge now opens up to the lake side, with outdoor seating, large windows, and great places to lounge (besides the outdoor seating there is bar seating flanked by two smaller lounge areas, each with TV and fireplace). The Guadalajara-inspired bar menu features plenty of yummy food, plus a focus on tequila and local beers.
The recently launched happy hour downstairs at Ciclo is where to get the best deals, though. From 5 to 7 p.m. daily (including weekends) guests can sit at the bar, the outdoor covered terrace, or the back lawn and enjoy $5 drinks that include wine (also available by the bottle for $20), draft beer, and a rotating house cocktail. In addition to the drinks there are seven appetizer choices for $4 each (including a variety of tacos) and two desserts for $3 each. Ciclo also offers free valet parking from 5 to 8 p.m. for those visiting during happy hour.
Brunch, Brunch, and More Brunch
Four Seasons Austin has always been known for it brunches (and, uh, mimosas), and the dining updates certainly aren’t about to try to fix something that ain’t broke. The weekend brunch buffet is every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at $60 per person. The buffet features traditional breakfast favorites, fresh seafood, carved meats, and a beautiful array of desserts. Of course, brunch in Austin just isn’t the same without a daytime cocktail — the buffet also comes with $1 mimosas, champagne, and bloody marys.
If you’re dying to dine next to beautiful Lady Bird Lake views, Ciclo offers a la carte brunch on Saturdays, and an excellent breakfast menu every other day. It’s healthy, yet hearty, a real farmhouse breakfast that’s been elevated to meet the sophisticated tastes of hotel guests. We particularly loved the hash brown bowl and their smoothies, with a lovely dose of sunlight and green views to start the day.
And of course, as the hotel’s signature restaurant, Ciclo also serves up some excellent daily lunch and dinner options, as well as room service, focused on Texas cuisine with a Latin influence.
A Decadent Staycation
Indulging in a night or two at Four Seasons Austin really makes for a special treat, whether you want to go out and enjoy Austin’s nightlife or relax with the family on the great lawn. Four Seasons is surprisingly family friendly, so it makes a great choice for couples, families, friends, or whatever configuration of people you’re relaxing with.
One thing to keep in mind — you’ll probably want to spend as much time in your room as possible. The Four Seasons brand, in general, makes every effort to create the most comfortable sleep experience possible for its guests. The pillows, sheets, bed, all of it are spectacular, and if you don’t like the standard mattress that they provide, you can request to have it switched out. You’re not going to get that level of attention at just any old hotel.
Celebrity Encounters
Though there are increasing numbers of other new and modern options, a wide variety of celebrities continue to choose to stay at Four Seasons when they stay in Austin. Simply put, it’s a luxury brand that they trust and know they can find exceptional accommodations where their privacy will be respected. That said, the lobby is a great place to hang out during festivals and big events if you’re looking to catch a glimpse of some of your favorite celebs. You can find out what celebrities from musicians to TV stars are up to in Austin at our partner site, ATXGossip.
Special Events
The hotel hosts a variety of special events, whether they’re transforming the lobby into a winter wonderland to host their famous gingerbread display during the holidays or inviting visitors to do yoga and learn about wine at their occasional Vino Vinyasa events, or one of the other fun things that they offer. Most events are themed around holidays (Mother’s Day Brunch is ind of a given) and take place at Ciclo or Live Oak lounge — keep an eye on their website for upcoming events.
To Indulge Your Furry Friends — Because Why Not?
Not only are pets welcome at Four Seasons, they’re treated as well as any other guest. They receive a welcome gift (a Four Seasons bandana), their own bedding, special food bowls, and house-made dog biscuits. They even get their very own room service menu! The trail just outside of the hotel is also a perfect place to take your pooch (or very adventurous cat) for a walk.
Though an overnight visit to Four Seasons Austin may not be in every Austinite’s everyday budget, there are plenty of ways — including drinking, dining, relaxing, and socializing — to hang out and enjoy the new renovations at this beautiful downtown Austin hotel.
Featured photo courtesy Four Seasons Austin via Facebook.
