Photography by Ready Set Jet Set
floral blue dress (currently 75% off!, also in red color)
This blog post is meant to feature local hotels that have reopened during COVID-19. Please note that A Taste of Koko is not encouraging readers to go out to dine by any means but this blog post is meant to serve as a resource for those that have requested this updated list and to help support our local hotels that have reopened to keep their business alive and employ their staff.
The photos featured throughout this blog post were taken on several different trips to Austin Proper Hotel during off times when the space was unoccupied.
Austin Proper Hotel just opened earlier this year and unfortunately had to close due to the COVID-19 mandatory lockdown in April. My 31st birthday was coming up so I decided to celebrate my birthday there! I’ve dined at La Piscina before the lockdown and had been to Austin Proper a couple of times prior and loved the interior design of the hotel so I really wanted to do a stay.
STAY 2+ NIGHTS AND SAVE UP TO 20% OFF + $50 DINING CREDIT PER STAY
Proper luxury hotels has properties in San Francisco, Santa Monica, Austin, and downtown LA. This hotel was designed by Handel Architects and interior designer Kelly Wearstler (inspired by some of the city’s historic, Craftsman-style homes) is LEED® Gold certified to minimize footprint and maximize sustainability. Restaurant/bar concepts, a sunken bar, coffee shop, and 14,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces inside the hotel. I really liked the curated collection of assorted pots by local ceramicist Rick Van Dyke throughout the property.
cocktail bar in lobby
floral blue dress (currently 75% off!, also in red color)
SEE ALSO: 45 Top Things To Do In Austin, Texas, Updated 2020
Austin Proper Hotel & Residences has 244 guest rooms and only 13 rooms were booked during our stay (limited collection of 99 luxury residences for sale). Unfortunately, our local hotels are operating at a loss right now but they are following safety measures to ensure hotel guests have a safe experience.
Austin Proper Hotel is located in downtown Austin on 2nd Street (Second Street District) in walking distance to:
- Lady Bird Lake
- Jo’s Coffee
- True Food Kitchen
- Austin Central Library
- Trader Joe’s at Seaholm
- nORTH Italia
- TenTen
- Devil May Care
Table of Contents
COVID-19
The hotel is currently offering contactless check-in by downloading an app. Every single time I entered and reentered the hotel to take Basil out the pee, the staff would take my temperature. Face masks are there in case you don’t have one along with hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes. All staff including concierge were wearing masks throughout the property.
Rooms
The hotel has 244 guest rooms & suites & penthouses that were designed by designer Kelly Wearstler, and 99 condominium residences. Each room comes with
- Aesop soap
- free wifi
- floor to ceiling windows
- Nespresso coffee machine
- stunning city views
We stayed in a king room but there are also Deluxe Lakeview Suites and more.
Pool
There’s only one swimming pools on the 5th floor and it’s only available for hotel guests with the hotel key card and they are requiring reservations on the weekends for two-hour blocks. We were there during the week so it was practically empty every time we were there. Hand sanitizer bottles are on every table between the lounge chairs.
You can order poolside lunch to the pool deck if you get hungry. It is a rooftop pool so it’s a beautiful view of downtown Austin.
Fitness Center
If fitness is important to you, you’ll love the fitness center at Austin Proper. Austin Proper offers a state-of-the-art fitness center with signature programming and personalized service. Pre-COVID, they were offering weekly complimentary yoga and boot camp classes and even 1-on-1 personal training session with local pros at the ready.
- Woodway Treadmills (4)
- Peloton Bikes (4)
- Airdynex Bike
- Technogym stair climber
- Water rower (2)
- Technogym recline bike
- Technogym elliptical machines (2)
- Multi-use floor machines from Matrix
- Balanced Body Pilates Reformers (2)
- Strength training equipment (dumbbells, barbells, resistance bands)
- Yoga mats and blocks
- Punching bag
SEE ALSO: 14 Best Hiking Trails In Austin TX
Restaurants at Austin Proper Hotel
Austin Proper has two restaurants by Mcguire Moorman Hospitality and a bar for hotel guests and visitors.
SEE ALSO: Ultimate Guide to the Best Downtown Austin Restaurants
The Peacock
The Peacock Mediterranean Grill is the main restaurant on the ground floor of Austin Proper that serves Eastern Mediterranean — think North Africa, Greece, Israel, and Lebanon. Currently open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch.
Spicy Lamb & Eggplant Lebna | Oak Grilled Octopus | Manti Dumplings | 20 oz Prime Ribeye* with Z’atar & Roasted Garlic | Z’atar – Matcha Short Ribs | Lamb Meatballs
What to order: 20 oz Prime Ribeye* with Z’atar & Roasted Garlic, Oak Grilled Octopus, & Strawberry rosé shrub cocktail.
La Piscina
La Piscina is located on the 5th floor of the Austin Proper Hotel next to the pool. This Texas-inspired Mexican cuisine restaurant is also by MMH and the food is exceptionally delicious. They did just reopen so it’s a limited menu – I did have the full menu before restaurants were mandated to close from the COVID-19 lockdown in Austin. The sizzling fajitas, tableside caesar salad, fresh guacamole, and more were delicious.
Graziella Dress from Sezane (in multicolor flower print)
This is what the outdoor patio looks like! Currently, La Piscina has only reopened its outdoor patio on Saturday and Sunday from 12pm – 11pm.
Graziella Dress from Sezane (in flower print)
gulf snapper & aji amarillo aguachile | queso fundido | baja sea bass tacos a la plancha | jamaica with hibiscus, fresh spearmint
The Mockingbird
The Mockingbird is the Mediterranean cafe/coffee shop on the first floor of Austin Proper but it’s currently closed.
SEE ALSO: 22 Best Margaritas In Austin Texas
Goldie’s Sunken Bar
Goldie’s is the beautiful tiny bar that’s located to the right of the front desk but it’s currently closed.
SEE ALSO: 10 Spots For The Best Pizza In Austin
