FOUR SEASONS AUSTIN
Austin's Finest Hotel

Four Seasons Austin Hotel is a destination unto itself. Photo/Dtobias

Four Seasons Austin Hotel :: $$$$
98 San Jacinto Blvd.
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-4500; (800) 819-5053; fourseasons.com/austin

Nestled on the banks of the beautiful Lady Bird Lake in the heart of downtown Austin. The crown jewel of Austin hotels sits in a pasture like setting of rolling, manicured lawns and lush green gardens.

My husband and I have stayed at the Four Seasons in Austin many, many times. An oasis where time is not spent, but savored. Many of my most treasured memories happened here.

The walks with my golden retrievers (Rose and Lola) along the Austin hike and bike trail. Rose and Lola loved this hotel. The staff treated them like royalty. Including free treats.

The Four Seasons is pet and kid friendly. Be sure to check out the kids program when bringing children on your trip.

The Four Seasons will pamper you like a movie star. That's why my husband and I have made a 12 consecutive year tradition of celebrating our wedding anniversary with a weekend stay.

If you haven't guessed yet, I'm real partial to this hotel. The Four Seasons is the only downtown Austin hotel that is flawless.

Lake view suite.

I recommend a lake view room with balcony. The seventh through ninth floors will give you a breathtaking view of Lady Bird Lake and Congress Avenue Ann Richards bridge (where millions of bats emerge at dusk to rid the city of mosquitoes).

Rooms and suites range from a spacious and comfortable 345 square feet to the tasteful luxury and opulence of the 1598 square foot Presidential Suite. Expect a standard single night stay rate to exceed $400. Weekend and holiday rates can be up to 25% less.

The Four Seasons Austin offers many special rate packages including romance packages, third night free, kids packages and holiday and weekend discounts.

Even with heavy discounts the Four Seasons is expensive. However, if you can afford it, I recommend the Four Seasons hotel without reservation.

The location is a short walk to the Convention Center, Sixth Street music and the Warehouse District. You're a short cab or Dillo bus ride to the State Capital, UT and many of Austins galleries and museums.

With all the activity you may think the Four Seasons would be a noisy, bustling fast moving hotel. Not so. The Four Seasons is set back from the road and amazingly quiet and serene for its downtown, center of everything, location.

The Four Seasons Austin hotel is the pinnacle of Austin luxury hotels.

The decor of the hotel is decidedly Texan. Kind of like a Hollywood movie. The Four Seasons delivers the old west not the way it really was… but the way it should have been. Gracious elegance and posh comfort.

That's also why the Four Seasons Austin Hotel is not only my #1 pick of any Austin downtown hotel, but also in my Top 10 list of best celebrity sighting spots in Austin.

The Four Seasons Austin is so clean Howard Hughes would use the public restrooms. Immaculate.

Don't forget, 24 hour room service, world class circular pool, fitness center with state of the art equipment, spa, in-room massages, the most critically acclaimed brunch in Austin and outdoor activities. The Four Seasons will even arrange a bike for the Austin hike and bike trail.

My summary is simple. I have never been disappointed at this hotel in any way. The Four Seasons Austin Hotel is the standard by which her competition is judged. The finest of all Austin luxury hotels. Perfect.

The Four Seasons Austin Lobby Lounge.

The Trio Restaurant.

There's an indoor pool as well.

LOCATION: Eight miles from Austin Bergstrom International Airport. Just south of 1st Street (Cesar Chavez) on San Jacinto Blvd. On Lady Bird Lake and Austin's greenbelt, quiet, secluded downtown location.

FROM THE AIRPORT: Turn left of Hwy. 71 E. Take Bastrop Hwy./183N. Take the Airport Blvd./TX-111-LOOP exit on the left toward 1st-5th-7th Sts/TX-343-LOOP. Keep left at the fork and continue toward E 1st St/Cesar Chavez St E. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for 1st-5th Sts and merge onto E 1st St/Cesar Chavez St E. Follow to San Jacinto Blvd. Hotel is on your left (south side).

HOTEL FACILITIES:

• 24-hour In-Room Dining
• 24-hour laundry/dry-cleaning/pressing
• 24-hour multilingual Concierge
• Complimentary overnight shoeshine
• Gift shop
• Non-smoking rooms
• One-hour pressing
• Services and amenities for younger guests
• Umbrellas
• Valet parking
• Biking
• Fitness facilities
• Hiking
• Indoor pool(s)
• Library
• Rowing and boating
• Spa services
• Off-site recreation/Golf – 30 minutes/Tennis – 15 minutes
• 24-hour business services
• Audiovisual equipment
• Computers
• Express check-in/check-out
• Secretarial service
• Translation and interpretation service
• Wired or wireless Internet access

DINING: TRIO’s offers prime steaks, fresh seafood and fine wine. The Executive Chef puts heavy emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients. An extensive wine list offers more than 300 bottles and 60 wines by the glass.

Sunday brunch features items including; eggs Benedict; carving, griddle and omelette stations; fresh seafood and salads; traditional breakfast selections; and a decadent dessert bar.

Check their hours, make reservations or look over the menu, click on the "Dining" section of their web site, link provided below.

The LOBBY LOUNGE serves their own cocktail concoctions, like the Batini and the Rita Suprema as well as a wide selection of wines by the glass. Live music is featured from Monday to Saturday.

The Lounge's elegant afternoon tea features a choice of premium loose leaf teas, assorted tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones and assorted miniature pastries.

Light fare and hors d’oeuvres, prepared by the Hotel’s award-winning culinary team, are available daily.

Click on the "Dining" section of their web site for hours and menu.

ROOMS: Four Seasons Austin offers 291 casual, elegant guest rooms, including 28 suites. All guest accommodations provide a king-sized bed or two twin beds, exceptional cityscape or lake views and a variety of amenities

• CD player/DVD player
• Complimentary newspaper with breakfast
• Down duvets/Down pillows
• Fax machine on request
• Hair dryer
• Hypo-allergenic pillows on request
• iHome alarm clock
• iPod docking station
• Iron and ironing board
• Multi-line telephone(s) with voicemail
• Plasma/LCD screen television
• Refrigerated private bar
• Thick terry bathrobes
• Twice-daily housekeeping service
• Wired or wireless Internet access

MEETING/CONVENTION SPACE: This is a great location for weddings, special events and meetings. Downtown location with a tranquil, romantic setting. Indoors or out. The service is as perfect as everything else about this hotel.

To contact a wedding, event or meeting specialist, go to the "Plan Your…" section of their web site, link provided below.

HOTEL LINK: This opens a new window and takes you to Four Seasons home page.

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