Featured, Hotel of the Week, Hotels, LowFares Summer Issue
Hotel of the Week: Hotel Saint Cecilia
Located in the hip district off South Congress, Austin’s Hotel Saint Cecilia is named after the patron saint of music and poetry. Situated in a secluded 1880 estate, the Saint Cecilia exudes a minimalist, artsy vibe that is miles away from the bed and breakfasts that usually occupy such mansions. Drawing its inspiration from the history and experimentation of writers, musicians and artists from the 1950s to 1970s–from William S. Burroughs to the Rolling Stones–a retro yet glamorous rock ‘n’ roll vibe infuses the secluded, wooded property, inspiring the poet or artist in each guest.
SWEET SUITES
Saint Cecilia offers five suites, three studios and six poolside bungalows. Suite 1 features a sitting room, private study and large bedroom; you can even get in touch with nature in your private outdoor shower. Suite 2 is a corner room overlooking the garden, with a sitting room and a large wrap-around porch shared with Suite 3. Do you fancy your own private fenced backyard with outdoor fireplace? Opt for Suite 4, with deluxe living room, bedroom and bathroom. Suite 5 is sweet seclusion, tucked away in the garden with a private screened porch and upright piano.
The three studio rooms are located in the main building, offering views of either Saint Cecilia’s shaded courtyard or downtown Austin, each with its own private terrace. Each of the six poolside bungalows offers something special, from a pool-view patio to a built-in wet bar; it’s all very 1960s Rat Pack. A great night’s sleep in any room is assured; they feature the exclusive Hastens handcrafted bed, not found anywhere else in North America, with Rivolta Carmignani cotton sheets. Other room amenities include flat-screen televisions, DVD players, Anichini towels and Cote Bastide bath products.
PERKS/AMENITIES
Visionary Liz Lambert is the woman behind the Saint Cecilia–the same person who put the iconic Hotel San Jose on the map. Lambert believes that a hotel shouldn’t just indulge, but enrich its guests. To that end, the Hotel Saint Cecilia goes beyond the expected to cater to your spirit, with amenities such as the Geneva sound system installed in every room, complete with turntable and iPod connections; and the dramatic art collection that fills the walls. Of course, with its inspiration coming from the realm of poets and lyricists, you would expect a fascinating library collection, and the Cecilia doesn’t disappoint. From books to films and vintage vinyl, guests could get lost here for hours. For the body as well as the soul, there is also a 50-foot lap pool, or you can borrow one of the bikes for a ride around the greenbelt.
CULINARY HIGHLIGHTS
While the Saint Cecilia does not have a restaurant on-site, it operates like a bed and breakfast, serving a morning meal prepared to order daily. Also, the mini-bars in each room are, to quote the hotel, “insane”–stocked with an incredible assortment of local and global goodies enough to delight the most die-hard foodie. It’s guaranteed that you’ll see something in this collection that you’ve never seen anywhere else.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Room rates at Hotel Saint Cecilia range from $295-600.
112 Academy Drive, Austin, TX
512-852-2400
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