AUSTIN, TEXAS — With the roar of engines from the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix still drifting over the Hill Country and boutique hotel keys clinking in downtown lobbies, Austin continues to affirm its status as a luxury experience capital of the South. No longer known only for live music and creative culture, the city is earning acclaim for its design-driven hotels, MICHELIN-awarded restaurants, laidback lakeside indulgence, and world-class wellness retreats. From boutique spas to Formula 1 glamour, Austin offers travellers a refined, restorative, and indulgent escape. 

A MICHELIN-awarded Culinary Capital 

Austin's food scene has evolved into a powerhouse of innovation and craftsmanship. Through the first two years of the MICHELIN Guide Texas, the city has secured seven MICHELIN One Stars, 16 Bib Gourmand distinctions, and 26 recommended restaurants, along with three MICHELIN Green Stars recognising sustainable gastronomy at Dai Due, Emmer & Rye and Nixta Taqueria. Talent continues to thrive with Edgar Rico of Nixta Taqueria earning the Young Chef Award in 2024, and in 2025, Celia Pellegrini of Suerte and Este received the MICHELIN Sommelier Award. In Austin, culinary offerings don't just complement a stay, they define it.  

Luxury travellers will find private dining shaped by Austin's world-class kitchens. Venues like Hestia, known for its contemporary open-hearth cooking, host elevated events ranging from smaller gatherings to large-scale receptions, accommodating private groups from 24 seated to 150 standing. Enjoy Otoko, an intimate 12-seat multicourse omakase at the South Congress Hotel, or opt for timeless charm at Jeffrey's, where wood-fired steaks, truffled devilled eggs, and martinis await. For quintessential Austin, visit Mattie's at Green Pastures, where 19th-century oak trees and resident peacocks frame Southern hospitality at its finest. Try Odd Duck for inventive farm-to-table cuisine made entirely in-house, or immerse yourself in the art-filled hacienda ambiance of Fonda San Miguel, a landmark for regional Mexican cuisine since 1975.  

Cap off the night with a handcrafted cocktail at one of Austin's elevated nightlife spots. The Roosevelt Room serves inventive classics inside a restored 1929 railroad warehouse, while Howards Bar & Club offers a retro-cool hangout—and its hidden speakeasy, The Powder Room, adds plush surroundings and tableside mixology. End the evening at Parker Jazz Club, where candlelit tables and nightly performances evoke vintage glamour, or reserve a seat at The Equipment Room, a moody listening bar beneath Hotel Magdalena with a curated vinyl collection and cocktails served with flair. 

Formula 1 & Lonestar Luxury 

The annual Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) transforms Austin into a playground of high-performance thrills and high-end style. Guests in premium suites enjoy front-row views of the action, gourmet hospitality, and all-day open bars in climate-controlled lounges overlooking the track. 

High-end properties such as the Michelin keys awarded Commodore Perry Estate elevate the experience further with curated “Formula 1 weekend” packages that include upscale accommodations, dedicated track transfers, bespoke dining, and personalised concierge services. 

The 2026 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix is scheduled for October 23–25, 2026, promising its signature blend of high-speed racing, live music, and high-class hospitality. With Austin contracted to host the race until 2034, the city remains one of the premier global motorsport destinations offering fans and travellers more than just a race weekend, but a full-on celebration. 

Boutique Hotels & Refined Aesthetic 

In neighbourhoods from SoCo (South Congress) to Rainey Street, new-builds and historic-convert hotels fuse local craft with indulgence. Luxury isn't simply about high price-tags—it's about experience, exclusivity, and place. Austin is dotted with boutique hotels that reflect local culture and design rather than generic luxury, reflecting the city's modern identity. Austin has a real sense of self and that shines through in its accommodation offerings. Curated, cool and quirky. 

Among the standouts is the Austin Proper Hotel, a one MICHELIN Key property known for its aesthetic. The 10-acre, two MICHELIN Key Commodore Perry Estate feels like a European country manor tucked inside the city, while Hotel Saint Cecilia, also a one MICHELIN Key retreat, channels rock 'n' roll glamour in a secluded setting right in the heart of SoCo. For a modern-meets-collegiate twist, The Otis Hotel Austin near the University District pairs chic design with stylish rooftop pool scene. 

Wellness Focused Stays: 

• Lake Austin Spa Resort –Set on serene Lake Austin about 30 minutes from downtown, it earned the 2024 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice top U.S. spa spot. Guests unwind in steam rooms, saunas and aquatic therapies amid tranquil views of the surrounding nature.   

• Miraval Austin – Set amidst the picturesque Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, Miraval Austin provides a sanctuary for holistic wellness with its signature spa therapies, meditation sessions, and outdoor activities.  

• The Line Austin – Combining contemporary design with wellness amenities, The Line Austin offers guests a sophisticated urban retreat with access to yoga classes, wellness workshops, and a pool deck overlooking Lady Bird Lake, right in the heart of downtown Austin.  

• The Loren Austin – Milk + Honey provides state-of-the-art pampering at The Loren, which opened in 2023 on Lady Bird Lake. Enjoy a truly relaxing, design-led environment, where guests are pampered and unhurried. Treatments are blended from natural and organic ingredients promoting the natural healing processes and restoring balance.  

• Heywood Hotel – A MICHELIN Key award-winning boutique stay blending hyper-local design with in-room spa services and serene courtyards. 

Within the city's neon calm, Viiva Day Spa offers premium treatments for the self-care-obsessed, while Ceremony Spa has become a cult retreat for its sauna and cold-plunge rituals. Just outside the city in Dripping Springs and new on the scene having opened this year, Folklore Spa is already drawing in the city's overwhelmed masses with its blend of modern wellness and quiet ritual. 

High End Experiences 

Enjoy one of the 360 days of sunshine on Lake Austin or Lake Travis chartering an ultra-luxe yacht with Stevens Charter, offering 65-foot vessels complete with captain, crew, and bespoke amenities for private cruises. Alternatively, Boat Lake Austin provides high-end ski boat charters just minutes from downtown. Those seeking outdoor rejuvenation can stroll or bike along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake, taking in unobstructed city and waterfront views. For a more unique experience, book a vintage boat from Retro Boat Rentals ATX for a stylish bat-watching outing beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge. For land-based leisure, browse custom hat fittings at Maufrais or design one-of-a-kind boots at Allens Boots along South Congress, then head to The Domain for luxury labels like Dior, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. Cap the afternoon with tea service at Goldie's inside the Austin Proper Hotel or enjoy a wine tasting at Wanderlust Wine Co.'s Barton Springs wine cave. Whether exploring scenic trails, chartering a yacht, shopping high-end boutiques, or simply relaxing poolside with a cocktail in hand, Austin offers endless ways to indulge under the Texas sun. 

Getting There 

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is a modern, convenient gateway to the city, offering more than 200 daily flights and nonstop service to over 75 domestic and international destinations — including London, where British Airways has recently expanded its service to twice-daily nonstop flights from Heathrow, providing flexible, direct access across the Atlantic and connecting Central Texas with Europe and beyond. The airport is a quick 15-minute drive to downtown Austin, so traveling to the city could not be easier.