Austin, Texas

MARIA DIEGO
As a home-schooling against my will mom of three, while simultaneously working-from-home travel agent slash advisor, I had been dreaming of a solo vacation by myself since we were all ordered to stay at home in March. I needed to enjoy the glorious sound of silence and treat myself to a spa and wellness retreat since my kids had seemingly not stopped bickering for months. I had never been on vacation alone before, but with so many state closures, required testing, and limited flights, I was looking for something accessible and safe. I landed on Austin, Texas. There were several excellent hotel and resort choices, so I chose three and went off on my own to explore the best of what Austin, Texas had to offer. So long, kiddos! Sorry, husband.
Perfect For: Music Lovers | Foodies | Couples Weekend Getaway | Bachelor/Bachelorette party | Wellness Retreat | Spa




About Austin Texas
When most people think of the things to do in Austin, Texas, they might think of its official slogan The Live Music Capital of the World. With festivals like SXSW music festival (pronounced South by Southwest for those of you who live under a rock) and Austin City Limits, there’s never a shortage of live music and unique venues to be found year-round. And speaking of year-round, Austin boasts amazing weather for most of the year, which allows you to enjoy everything it has to offer, no matter the time of year.
The other unofficial slogan of Keep Austin Weird refers to its residents’ strong support of small local businesses and desire to keep out massive corporations. This is apparent as soon as you step off the airplane in AUS, where there’s no Starbucks or Burger King in sight within the terminal, but rather small local restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops. Aside from the music scene and small shop scene, Austin is known for its foodie and restaurant scene. You’ll find tons of amazing restaurants, so in combination with the music scene, makes for the perfect pairing for a couple’s weekend getaway or friends and family reunion.
The lesser known of top things to do in Austin is the health, wellness and spa scene. Lake Austin is home to two of the country’s best wellness resorts, Lake Austin Spa Resort and Miraval Austin Wellness Resort & Spa. These two resorts are destinations in and of themselves, and I can’t wait to share more about my stays there.




Getting to Austin, Texas
While not quite like DFW International, Austin has plenty of non-stop flights and is easily accessible from all over the country. My non-stop flight from Miami was only $90 and left in the morning and returned at night, which is ideal for a weekend trip anywhere. Driving to Austin from Dallas takes 3 hours, and a 2.5 hour drive from Houston, so setting up a multi-city tour through Texas is also a great trip option if you have the time. I love planning trips for clients who want to discover the best things to do in Texas, combining city options with ranches that lie just beyond city limits.
Miraval Austin Resort & Spa
Commodore Perry Estate
Lake Austin Resort & Spa
The Best Hotels in Austin Texas
The Best Hotels in Austin Texas
While I didn’t have a chance to see some other fantastic hotels like Four Seasons Resort or Austin Proper Hotel, I’m going to cover three of the best hotels in Austin. When live music returns, I’ll be sure to be back with my husband and visit the other hotels I missed on Round #1.




Commodore Perry Estate, an Auberge Resort
The hotel I was most excited about seeing is the newest addition to the Auberge Resort portfolio, the Commodore Perry Estate. If you’ve ever stayed at an Auberge hotel, you’ll understand its level of excellence. I’m also a sucker for quirky and eccentric boutique resorts, so when I had seen photos of Ken Fulk’s past work featured in Architectural Digest, I was looking forward to see what this interior design visionary came up with for his latest project to restore this historical mansion and treasured landmark that sits on a 10-acre parcel in the center of Austin.
Pulling into the gravel driveway to the welcoming smile of an eager attendant was the first indication that you’ve just left one world to enter another. Stepping into the reception area, with a wall mural painted by a local Austinite, feels like a mix between a Tuscan villa and an eclectic lounge in hues of deep blue and burnt orange that invite you to sit down by the fire and get lost in a good book. Your eye can’t help but wander from floor to ceiling, stopping at every detail that Fulk masterfully pairs together in ways one would never think of doing. As I walked down a long corridor to my room, which is opened by a large brass key, the sales manager led me into the room where I was met with a fully-stocked bar cart and large plate of artisan cheeses and ice-cold grapes drizzled in honey. “It’s on the honor system,” she casually told me. “The liquor will be charged on consumption.” In other words, fix yourself a cocktail and make yourself at home.
The original building of the Estate, where Commodore Perry lived with his family, is five suites in total and done in a different style than the rest of the hotel, which are all new surrounding buildings. The five suites that make up the Mansion are whimsically appointed and charmingly distinct, named for each of the Perry family members. The LaVerne Suite is perhaps the most popular, combining the total envelopment of pink floral over the walls, ceiling and curtains with a pink stripe and pink vintage bathroom tiles. Some might call it tacky. Most would call it delightful – and it’s Fulk’s whimsy at his finest.
So how did I spend my alone time at this European-style retreat? Finishing a book poolside as I sipped on a mocktail, eating a delectable room service dinner in a plush bathrobe and sprawled across fluffy pillows, and people watching at the mansion while I relished in the notable absence of three very needy children. What I missed: conversation with friends over the punch bowl at the Mansion’s living room bar, a mystical palm reading in the property chapel, live music on weekend evenings, a yoga session or picnic on the grassy green lawn, or lunch at the larger restaurant, Lutie’s, which was not yet open due to the pandemic. Will I be going back? Yes. And if you know me, you know that I will only return to properties I really love. And I really, really loved the Commodore Perry Estate.
Book the Commodore Perry Estate, an Auberge Resort with Diego Travel to receive the following:
- Priority upgrade upon arrival if available
- Daily breakfast credit for two guests per bedroom ($70 per day, per room)
- $100 food and beverage credit
- VIP welcome amenity
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
- Diego Travel welcome box for first-time clients
We recommend the Commodore Perry Estate for:
- Honeymooners
- Anniversary Trips
- Couples Getaway
- Bachelorette Parties
- Girls Weekend Getaway
- Interior Design Junkies
- Live Music Aficionados
- Small Unique Weddings
- Cocktail Lovers




Austin in a Nutshell
To summarize, whether you’re planning a 2-night couples getaway or a week-long stay to explore and attend Austin City Limits (no pun intended), Austin is a great option for a weekend celebration like bachelor/bachelorette weekend or birthday bash, or couples trip to reconnect for an anniversary. It’s also an incredible destination for wellness and spa retreats, as we covered at both Lake Austin Spa Resort and Miraval Austin. I spent three nights total, but felt like I could have spent a lot more, and didn’t even leave the hotels to explore around town. When you book your vacation with Diego Travel, an independent affiliate of McCabe World Travel, and member of Virtuoso, we provide all the above listed amenities at no extra charge to our clients. Direct hotel bookings are always complimentary, and when trip planning or concierge service is involved, there is a minimal custom trip planning fee. Next time you’re planning to travel to Austin, feel free to reach out to see how we can enhance your travel experience.



