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Travel + Leisure
19-05-2025
- Travel + Leisure
Where to Stay in Austin for Art, Live Music, and Lake Views—All Under One Roof
Stepping through the front doors at The Loren Hotel at Lady Bird Lake in Austin is like walking into your interior designer friend's cozy living room that slowly morphs into an art gallery as you explore more. The sweeping lobby, which smells of fresh florals, is set up with a blend of lush greenery and reflective surfaces that add to the expansive and natural feel. Despite the modernity, the space has inviting and homey details, like plush throw pillows, deep armchairs, and tons of coffee table books, allowing guests to kick back and admire their surroundings. Interior of the hotel lobby. Courtesy of The Loren Hotel Austin Amplifying this feeling of being a guest at your chic friend's impressive house is that there are plenty of events to attend in the lobby and first-floor cafe. When my husband and I visited, The Loren seemed to be the life of the Austin party. It hosted a jam-packed live music performance on Friday night and a bustling wine tasting on Saturday afternoon. With pockets of friends clustered around the rooms, it was hard to tell who was a local and who was a visitor. But none of it mattered because we were all together for a great time. View's of the Austin skyline from the Nido lounge. Courtesy of The Loren Hotel Austin On a property tour, Martin Wormull, the hotel's general manager, told me that many of the hotel's events are indeed targeted at Austin residents, adding that "99% of the business in the cafe is local." All this made me feel like an insider too, even though it was my first time in Austin in about two decades and my husband's first ever visit to the eclectic destination. There's a clear emphasis on design within the hotel, with curated artwork in the common spaces and hallways, and different pieces in every room, so no two are exactly alike. Although you may feel like you're in a boutique museum already, there's an on-site art gallery, Paggi House, which guests can visit whenever they want. It's housed in a little stone building that predates the Civil War and is an Austin Historic Landmark. For weary travel-worn visitors (read: me), a new Milk + Honey spa is attached, allowing guests to relax and recharge with treatments ranging from massages and facials to lasers and chemical peels. Even the waiting area is serene, with crystal-adorned walls and diffusers billowing steam into the air. Exterior of the Paggi House and art exhibition. Courtesy of The Loren Hotel Austin While there's no shortage of fun things to do in Texas' capital, The Loren at Lady Bird Lake makes a hard sell for staying in. When you do manage to peel yourself away, though, you're in a convenient spot to tick some good Austin eating and outdoor adventure off your itinerary. The hotel is directly across from the Colorado River, where you'll see rowers, paddleboarders, and swimmers on warmer days. Cross the pedestrian bridge out front, and you're immediately in downtown Austin. Next to the hotel is Butler Park, a popular spot for runners, dog walkers, golfers, and families. Barton Springs, a popular swimming spot in Zilker Park, is only a mile away. However, these are just some of the highlights of a stay at Austin's The Loren at Lady Bird Lake. Read the full review of the hotel below. The hotel has plenty of on-site events, like live music, wine tastings, guest chefs, and partnerships with bakeries from around the country. The location is fantastic—just a short walk to the heart of downtown Austin. The rooms are spacious and cozy with floor-to-ceiling windows giving way to city, river, and park views. The design emphasizes art and nature, and the result is calm and luxurious. The attached Milk + Honey spa provides convenient pampering after travel, with a menu that has everything from an express facial and traditional massages to chemical peels and hair treatments. Each of the hotel's 108 guestrooms and suites has a king bed. They have an elegant simplicity; as Wormull noted on our tour, "the rooms aren't over-complicated." From the first level, the 427-square-foot City View King, to the top, the 1,446-square-foot Loren Two-Bedroom Suite with balcony, every room features floor-to-ceiling windows with electric blinds so guests can enjoy a central feature of the hotel: the views. The bathrooms also have uniform elements; each covered in natural stone and housing big soaking tubs. "The theme of the hotel is green," Wormull explained. "There's sort of a green hue everywhere, even the curtains [in the guest rooms] reflect it." He pointed out the assorted plants sprinkled in every room that underpin this color scheme and help create more of a residential atmosphere. Home touches like this, along with the hotel's locally populated cafe, restaurant, and events (and the fact that there's a residency building attached), make The Loren feel more like a community than a transient hub. Guest's can enjoy the Modern American meets Texas Hill Country cuisine in the main dining room of Nido. Courtesy of The Loren Hotel Austin The main restaurant, Nido, is described as a "rooftop oasis," which definitely lived up to that description. It's open all day for modern American meals and snacks, with menus that take seasonal cues. Huge windows showcase prime city and parkland views, and there's a wrap-around terrace if you want to dine al fresco. When we went to dinner on a Thursday at 7:30 p.m., the entire floor was packed, so definitely make a reservation. Because Zach Theatre is across from The Loren, there were several very well-dressed, pre-show diners, but you should also feel comfortable going to the hotspot in more casual attire. The cafe, which you'll find attached to the lobby, is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily for lighter fare and pick-me-up beverages. In the afternoons, you'll also find wine and craft cocktails. And if you're a dog lover, you'll be in for a treat because you'll see plenty milling about here too. The cafe seems very community-focused; in addition to welcoming dogs, it had a sign while we were there offering any Austin marathon participants a free drink, and, because it was Valentine's Day, they had heart-shaped colored paper and pens out for people to write love notes on. The hotel also hosts a monthly series, bringing in treats from bakeries around the country—our timing coincided with baked goods from NYC's Breads Bakery, including the famous babka. In-room dining from the Nido kitchen is available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Lounge chairs lay around the hotels rooftop pool. Chase Daniels/Courtesy of The Loren Hotel Austin The hotel hosts several events each month, from wine tastings and cocktail-making sessions to a monthly market showcasing local artisans and rotating exhibits at Paggi House. Guest chefs have pop-ups quarterly, and periodic special dining experiences are also on the menu. Thursday through Sunday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., you can enjoy live music from bassists, guitarists, and keyboard players in the lobby, and on many Friday evenings, the coffee shop transforms into a listening room with performances from local musicians, drinks, and light bites. For your wellness pursuits, there's a 24-hour gym and a heated outdoor pool on a conveniently placed deck that basks in sunlight all day (if the weather permits). It's located on the same floor as the restaurant, so getting poolside bites is easy, and you can see views of both the skyline and Hill Country nearby. (There's a daily $35 hotel fee that supports services and amenities.) A brand new Milk & Honey is conveniently attached to the hotel, and guests receive a 15% discount. Here, you'll find everything you need from a day spa: bird bites, tea, infused water, a soothing atmosphere, and an array of treatments. The tranquillity begins in the waiting area, where soft leather ottomans, suede and faux fur chairs, animal skin rugs, and long drapery lull you into a state of relaxation. In the locker room, you'll find the high-end skincare brand Osea and the spa's proprietary line. I had a prenatal massage and an express facial and was impressed by both, even as a self-proclaimed spa lover. Both of my practitioners took extra time to address my individual needs and explain any idiosyncrasies they saw. Despite its name, the express facial was not cursory at all and included an arm and head massage while a face mask set; she even cleaned my ears and put SPF on my eyelids at the end. My esthetician used gadgets like a facial massager and pore extractor, and gave me personalized recommendations for my skin. As a skincare fan, I definitely noticed the array of top-quality products she used from brands like SkinCeuticals and Cosmetix in addition to Osea and Milk + Honey. My masseuse was very experienced in the prenatal space (having complementary work experience at a birthing clinic), which I haven't always found to be the case even at reputable and expensive spas. As a result, I was really able to shut my brain off and trust her knowledge. At the end, she offered me personalized stretches to keep working out my body's kinks. The hotel doesn't offer anything specific for children, but there are kid-friendly activities nearby, like mini golf, kayaking, pedal boats, and paddle boarding. There's also a huge children's playground in Butler Park. Wormull shared that the hotel has multiple ADA-compliant rooms with walk-in showers and raised vanities to fit a wheelchair, as well as coat rails at a lower level. Sustainability is a priority for The Loren hotels, and the Austin location aims to keep its environmental impact low by sourcing ingredients locally whenever possible and adding an optional 2% charge to bills that goes toward the brand's non-profit, The Roots Initiative. The organization buys land across the country to regenerate it and plant hardwood trees. They've already purchased more than 2,500 acres, with the goal to acquire over 50,000. The Loren at Lady Bird Lake also gives back to the community by sponsoring murals in the city's contemporary art center downtown. You can see portraits of the murals on the hotel's top floor near the pool deck. Almost every side of the corner-placed hotel faces something to do. The hotel is across the street from Zach Theatre with musicals and plays, next to Butler Park with playgrounds, nature trails, a golf course, and a quick walk across the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge to the heart of downtown. When the weather is nice, you may want to visit the nearby Barton Springs Pool, and when SXSW is on, The Loren is within walking distance of that, too. You can rent a car (and there's valet parking at the hotel), but it's also easy to get Ubers throughout Austin. We were able to walk to a few restaurants from The Loren, like Terry Black's for famous BBQ and Veracruz in the Line Hotel for breakfast tacos—two spots our friends who live here absolutely love. There are e-bikes you can use to explore as well, and, as part of Lexus' Destinations partnership with the hotel, overnight guests can book a complimentary car to get around, too. Lexus owners can receive a $100 credit to the hotel, and anyone can book packages that include breakfast or discounted room rates.
Hospitality Net
13-05-2025
- Hospitality Net
The Smile Effect: Why Great Service is the Ultimate Travel Upgrade
A new study conducted by Hampton by Hilton and Goldsmiths, University of London, scientifically proves the impact friendly service has on a hotel stay. Service with a smile can make your stay 22% better, six times more memorable, and leave guests feeling 51% more welcome. In fact, the findings show that the warmth of team members is nearly four times more likely to enhance a stay – making your food taste EVEN better AND your bed feel more comfortable. Hampton by Hilton partnered with Big Zuu, rapper and TV personality known for his signature smile, to put the findings to the test. LONDON, UK – Can a simple smile turn an ordinary hotel stay into something remarkable? Well, two thirds of Brits think so, with great service rated as one of the top drivers of a good hotel experience (69%), alongside good food (67%), a good shower (55%), and soft towels (34%). It turns out the science also agrees. A study conducted by researchers at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Hampton by Hilton finally proves that a smile is so much more than a gesture. Guests who received friendly and reliable service rated their stay 22% better overall. The research which used biometric technology, guest questionnaires, and real-world observations also found: A warm welcome matters – A big smile at check-in makes guests feel 51% more welcome. – A big smile at check-in makes guests feel 51% more welcome. Friendly service enhances the experience – 92% of guests agree that friendly service makes a stay feel exceptional, while the warmth of hotel team members is nearly 4 times more likely to enhance a guest's experience than amenities alone. – 92% of guests agree that friendly service makes a stay feel exceptional, while the warmth of hotel team members is nearly 4 times more likely to enhance a guest's experience than amenities alone. Tastier food and drinks? Absolutely – Believe it or not, a quarter (25%) of guests even say friendly service makes your breakfast more delicious, and 28% say a smile makes drinks tastier. – Believe it or not, a quarter (25%) of guests even say friendly service makes your breakfast more delicious, and 28% say a smile makes drinks tastier. Happiness is contagious – Guests who experienced friendly service reported mood improvements 3.5 times higher than those who received neutral service. – Guests who experienced friendly service reported mood improvements 3.5 times higher than those who received neutral service. Memories that last – Good service made guests' hotel stays six times more memorable. – Good service made guests' hotel stays six times more memorable. Loyalty boost – Guests are 75% more likely to return to the same hotel after experiencing 'service with a smile.' To put these findings to the test, Hampton by Hilton teamed up with Big Zuu – known for his big smile and passion for hospitality. Zuu tested how simple, friendly gestures can turn an ordinary hotel stay into an unforgettable experience. Commenting on the experience, Big Zuu said, I'm all about big smiles and bringing good vibes to whoever I meet, so when Hampton by Hilton invited me to put their experiment to the test I was all in! The science doesn't lie – smiles really do make the difference. From making breakfast taste better to improving your overall hotel stay - that's a lot to smile about! The study, which also used innovative eye-tracking technology and facial analysis to measure participants' emotional responses to friendly service, revealed that those receiving 'service with a smile' displayed 3.5 times higher levels of overall happiness during their stay. The findings illustrate a fascinating link between interpersonal warmth and guest perception. Even small gestures of friendliness, such as a simple smile, genuinely affect how people experience their environment – from physical comfort to mental well-being. Jonathan Freeman, professor of Psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London At Hampton by Hilton, our passion for exceptional service runs so deep, we've given it a name, Hamptonality! This study confirms what we witness every day from our incredible Hampton team members around the world: a genuine, warm, and inviting smile doesn't just brighten a moment – it transforms the entire guest experience. From making a morning coffee taste better to turning a brief stay into a lasting memory, the power of a smile is undeniable. Shruti Gandhi Buckley, global brand head, Hampton by Hilton With more hotel rooms around the world than any other hospitality brand, Hampton by Hilton is uniquely positioned to spread the light and warmth of hospitality to more travelers than ever before. To book your own experience of 'Service with a Smile,' visit Join the conversation at #ForTheStay. About the Research i2 Media Research Consumer research was conducted by i2 media research lab based at Goldsmiths, University of London with 24 UK adults. This study was designed as a field experiment to assess the impact of Service with a Smile on guest experience at Hampton by Hilton. It followed a between-subjects design, with service type (exemplary vs. neutral) as the independent variable and stay experience as the dependent variable. To capture a comprehensive understanding of the guest experience, the study incorporated a multi-method approach: Eye-tracking technology: Worn by hotel staff to unobtrusively record guests' facial expressions and engagement during key interactions. Polling surveys: Short e-surveys administered immediately after check-in, arrival in the room, and drink ordering, capturing guests' immediate perceptions of service quality. Final post-stay questionnaire: A longer survey completed after check-out, assessing overall experience, service perception, and future booking intent. Vox pops: Brief on-camera interviews with departing guests to gather qualitative insights and emotional responses in real-time. Consumer research Research conducted by 3Gem across 1,000 UK adults, March 2024. About Hilton Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 24 world-class brands comprising more than 7,600 properties and nearly 1.2 million rooms, in 126 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, was named the No. 1 World's Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune and has been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for seven consecutive years. Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the nearly 190 million Hilton Honors members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. View source
