Pros
- Great location in a fun part of Austin and close to downtown
- Hip atmosphere and ultra-stylish modern decor
- Peaceful, park-like grounds with chic pool area
- Cool collection of vinyl records, with in-room record players
- Great minibars stocked with rare local and global goods
- Pet-friendly for a low nightly fee
Cons
- Parking lot adjacent to swimming pool; guests haul bags through pool area upon check-in/out
- No in-room coffeemakers
- Expensive compared with competing hotels
Bottom Line
Stylish Hotel St. Cecilia, with just 14 rooms, is a boutique hotel in the truest sense of the word. It features a sexy lounge (complete with patio seating), spacious grounds, and uber chic rooms that meld with Austin's weird vibe and cool music scene via distinct decorative touches and amenities. The centerpiece is an historic Victorian home fronting spacious, sylvan grounds and harboring four of the hotel’s beautiful suites. The long, narrow pool offers a classy place to beat the Austin heat. Plus, it's located in one of Austin's coolest neighborhoods, close to downtown shopping, historic sites, and entertainment.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Amenities
- Cribs
- Internet
- Pets Allowed
- Pool
Scene
Beautiful location centered round a Victorian home amid lovely grounds conducive to relaxation and the pursuit of artistic pleasures
It might feel like a magical land of make-believe when you first arrive at the Saint Cecilia, with its beautiful, serene wooded grounds offset with the bold-and-bright (and overtly blue) front desk. This colorful area, peppered with old vinyl records, local art and crafts, and deliciously fragrant personal care products sets the tone for the rest of the interiors.
The rooms are tastefully decorated and feature hip accents such as a fireplace video installation (Suite 3), unique lighting fixtures, and large tubs. And there are pleasant patio areas from which to take in the surrounding atmosphere.
Taking in the atmosphere, however, first involves hauling your bags from the parking lot through the grounds of the pool for all to see (and hear). Your attempts to limit your disturbance to other guests in the pool area will be sabotaged by the squeaky hinges on the door leading from the parking lot to the pool (and also present in many of the rooms in the old house).
Noise setbacks aside, it's easy to feel like a rock star here, with an ambiance that encourages an artistic approach to life. There are turntables in the rooms as well as iPod docks, and the whole place exudes an atmosphere that seems purposefully designed by well-to-do hipsters with good taste to encourage the appreciation of art and beauty in all its facets. This is especially evident in the many thoughtful details, such as the hand-written note next to fresh-baked cookies in your room upon arrival. Turndown service includes a carafe of locally sourced rainwater, arguably some of the best water on the planet.
Location
In Austin's South Congress area, near cool cafes, locally owned shops, and bars south of downtown
Historic South Congress Street is home to a large assortment of locally owned eateries, bars, and shopping venues proudly touting the weird Austin vibe. These are all within walking distance, and Austin's downtown core (across the bridge over Lady Bird Lake) is just a short drive away.
- 20-minute drive to Austin Bergstrom International Airport
- 2-minute walk to South Congress Avenue
- 15-minute walk to Lady Bird Lake
- 15-minute walk to Congress Avenue Bridge, home to the largest urban bat population in North America
- 5-minute drive to 2nd Street entertainment district
- 5-minute drive to Austin City Limits at The Moody Theater
- 7-minute drive to Sixth Street entertainment district
- 7-minute drive to Texas State Capitol
- 9-minute drive to Frank Erwin Center
- 10-minute drive to Blanton Museum of Art
- 10-minute drive to Mike A. Myers Stadium
- 10-minute drive to LBJ Presidential Library
Rooms
Comfortable and stylish with cool accents, designer decor, and awesome amenities
There are four suites situated in the old house, with a fifth suite next to the lounge. Newer construction above the lounge harbors three studios, and the area adjacent to the pool contains six bungalows.
- Luxuriously comfortable Hastens handcrafted beds with wonderfully soft linens
- Large soaking tubs and spacious rainfall showers
- Record player and iPod dock
- Huge selection of worldly in-room goodies stocking the minibar, including cheeses, hand-made chocolates, wine, cookies, and salty snacks
- Maid service twice a day
- Large flat-screen TVs with DVD player
- Free Wi-Fi
- Free carafe of rainwater at turndown
- Spa minibar with assortment of high-end bath products
- No in-room coffeemaker
Features
A cool pool with lots of soul, and a hip indoor/outdoor lounge
- Bikes available for guests’ use
- Outdoor pool with cool neon “soul” sign backed by Austin skyline
- Breakfast, prepared to order (for a fee)
- Library with extensive collection of vintage vinyl records, films, and books
- Pool is unfortunately adjacent to parking lot, so you’ll need to drag your belongings through it on your way to check in/out of room
- No spa or fitness center
- View Full List of Amenities
All-Inclusive / Food
Tasty food served in-room or in the hotel lounge
- Room service available until late with a limited menu
- Breakfast can be pre-ordered the night before and includes delicious, though small and pricey, dishes
- Lounge area opens at 5 p.m. daily serving cocktails and light fare
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Scene
Beautiful location centered round a Victorian home amid lovely grounds conducive to relaxation and the pursuit of artistic pleasures
It might feel like a magical land of make-believe when you first arrive at the Saint Cecilia, with its beautiful, serene wooded grounds offset with the bold-and-bright (and overtly blue) front desk. This colorful area, peppered with old vinyl records, local art and crafts, and deliciously fragrant personal care products sets the tone for the rest of the interiors.
The rooms are tastefully decorated and feature hip accents such as a fireplace video installation (Suite 3), unique lighting fixtures, and large tubs. And there are pleasant patio areas from which to take in the surrounding atmosphere.
Taking in the atmosphere, however, first involves hauling your bags from the parking lot through the grounds of the pool for all to see (and hear). Your attempts to limit your disturbance to other guests in the pool area will be sabotaged by the squeaky hinges on the door leading from the parking lot to the pool (and also present in many of the rooms in the old house).
Noise setbacks aside, it's easy to feel like a rock star here, with an ambiance that encourages an artistic approach to life. There are turntables in the rooms as well as iPod docks, and the whole place exudes an atmosphere that seems purposefully designed by well-to-do hipsters with good taste to encourage the appreciation of art and beauty in all its facets. This is especially evident in the many thoughtful details, such as the hand-written note next to fresh-baked cookies in your room upon arrival. Turndown service includes a carafe of locally sourced rainwater, arguably some of the best water on the planet.
Location
In Austin's South Congress area, near cool cafes, locally owned shops, and bars south of downtown
Historic South Congress Street is home to a large assortment of locally owned eateries, bars, and shopping venues proudly touting the weird Austin vibe. These are all within walking distance, and Austin's downtown core (across the bridge over Lady Bird Lake) is just a short drive away.
- 20-minute drive to Austin Bergstrom International Airport
- 2-minute walk to South Congress Avenue
- 15-minute walk to Lady Bird Lake
- 15-minute walk to Congress Avenue Bridge, home to the largest urban bat population in North America
- 5-minute drive to 2nd Street entertainment district
- 5-minute drive to Austin City Limits at The Moody Theater
- 7-minute drive to Sixth Street entertainment district
- 7-minute drive to Texas State Capitol
- 9-minute drive to Frank Erwin Center
- 10-minute drive to Blanton Museum of Art
- 10-minute drive to Mike A. Myers Stadium
- 10-minute drive to LBJ Presidential Library
Rooms
Comfortable and stylish with cool accents, designer decor, and awesome amenities
There are four suites situated in the old house, with a fifth suite next to the lounge. Newer construction above the lounge harbors three studios, and the area adjacent to the pool contains six bungalows.
- Luxuriously comfortable Hastens handcrafted beds with wonderfully soft linens
- Large soaking tubs and spacious rainfall showers
- Record player and iPod dock
- Huge selection of worldly in-room goodies stocking the minibar, including cheeses, hand-made chocolates, wine, cookies, and salty snacks
- Maid service twice a day
- Large flat-screen TVs with DVD player
- Free Wi-Fi
- Free carafe of rainwater at turndown
- Spa minibar with assortment of high-end bath products
- No in-room coffeemaker
Features
A cool pool with lots of soul, and a hip indoor/outdoor lounge
- Bikes available for guests’ use
- Outdoor pool with cool neon “soul” sign backed by Austin skyline
- Breakfast, prepared to order (for a fee)
- Library with extensive collection of vintage vinyl records, films, and books
- Pool is unfortunately adjacent to parking lot, so you’ll need to drag your belongings through it on your way to check in/out of room
- No spa or fitness center
- View Full List of Amenities
All-Inclusive / Food
Tasty food served in-room or in the hotel lounge
- Room service available until late with a limited menu
- Breakfast can be pre-ordered the night before and includes delicious, though small and pricey, dishes
- Lounge area opens at 5 p.m. daily serving cocktails and light fare
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Best Rates
Amenities
-
Air Conditioner
-
Airport Transportation
-
Balcony / Terrace / Patio
-
Business Center
-
Cable
-
Concierge
-
Cribs
-
Internet
-
Kids Allowed
-
Meeting / Conference Rooms
-
Mini Bar (with liquor)
-
Pets Allowed
-
Pool
-
Room Service
-
Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
