What it is

A pampering 294-room hideaway on Lady Bird Lake with an inventive spa and an outdoor saltwater pool.

What it isn't

Hands-off. Service is exemplary here; for proof, look no further than the pool, where guests can have their sunglasses cleaned and get spritzed with Evian while kicking back cocktails and smoothie shooters.

What we think

Even in a city known for being Texas’s capital of cool, Four Seasons draws hipsters and business scions alike. They come for the hotel’s abundant gratis perks to wow all guests, which range from overnight shoe shines to fruit and refreshing beverages at check-in to bathrobes tailor-made for tots. Guest rooms are equally indulgent, many with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking private balconies, Byredo and Bvlgari bath amenities, loaner DVD players (if you don’t feel like binging Netflix or HBO Go) and everything you need for a perfect night’s sleep, including hypoallergenic down duvets and pillows, Snooz white noise machines, and even your choice of mattress topper, from plush to firm. Bonus: the 24-hour room service menu is as locally inspired as they get; don’t miss the hickory-smoked ribeye and Texas-sized salted chocolate chip cookie, a real thrill at 2 a.m. after a night on the town.

You're here because

The hotel takes advantage of Austin’s mostly balmy weather with fun outdoor games at-the-ready on its lush lawns, including ginormous Jenga and ping pong.

The Moment

You’ve never had a spa treatment quite like the Full Moon Dip Experience, only offered on that one sacred day a month. Tonight, after your 50-minute massage, you sip a “New Beginnings” Tanqueray gin cocktail muddled with polished moonstone as you frolic in the heated pool in the glow of the moon, of course.

Restaurants & Bars

Trio - Steakhouse

The Lobby Lounge - Creative cocktails, craft beer and a wide selection of wines by the glass

Location

Perched on Lady Bird Lake overlooking the Congress Avenue Bridge—where resident bats famously swoop every summer night at dusk. The granite and marble capitol building, built in 1888, is a mere 10 block walk away.