Hotel Van Zandt — Hotel in Austin

I'll preface with the fact that I am not generally one to leave reviews. Overall, the hotel has great potential and is worth a stay, even if just for the location. As a Texas "local" that lives just a few hours away, I was hoping to find another hotel to add to my list of places to stay when I'm in town. While the hotel won't be my first stop, I will give it another try on a future visit. That said, I do hope that in sharing my experience at the Hotel Van Zandt, there could be some positive changes by hotel management that may move it to the top of my list.

Let’s start with the good! Geraldine’s, the restaurant located in the hotel, was the highlight of our stay. Our waiter (can’t recall his name) was perfectly attentive, accommodating, and warm. The food was excellent (had the benedict, lox & toast, biscuits, and some bar drinks) and the live music was a great touch. Would highly recommend Geraldine’s to guests and to anyone in the area. The hotel gym was clean, well-appointed, and everything was in working order. While I didn’t use the Peloton bikes, it was a nice amenity! The complimentary margaritas served at the social hour in the late afternoons were excellent. Despite the nearby construction, the hotel has taken great strides in trying to mitigate the effects. The overall location of the hotel is amazing, too. Between the close bars / restaurants on Rainey Street and the proximity to the water, the hotel is ideally situated.

Now for the bad (and for the 3/5 rating): Valet: Upon arrival at the hotel, I was told by the valet that they would be unable to park my vehicle without the valet key (I own a Tesla and had forgotten the extra key). While I understand the difficulty of parking my car without a valet key, I've been to other properties where the valet has found creative ways to manage the situation. No solution was offered other than to park at a nearby parking garage, which was almost $90 per night. It's hard for me to believe that in a city that hosts one of the largest Tesla factories, this would be the first time this problem was encountered. Check-in: Once I had found alternative parking and made my way to the check-in kiosk, I was greeted very warmly by the employee there. I explained to her that my rate was supposed to include valet parking (which was one of the primary reasons I selected this hotel), but that given my inability to use said parking, asked if I could perhaps have a reduced rate and / or a hotel credit. After speaking to a manager, she offered me a $65 credit. While appreciated, valet parking is $59 per night (plus tax). Given my two-night stay, the credit covered one night of parking at best. When I explained that, the agent didn’t really have a reason for the low credit. Room: Upon entry into my room, we found the wall in the bathroom covered in spilled / dried liquids, which made it feel a bit dirty. Also, the latch to the pocket door to the shower / toilet area was broken and we had to gingerly use it to ensure that it didn’t completely rip out. Pool: The pool is beautiful and was very nice to have given the hot summer temperatures. That said, the service at the bar was terrible. At least on two occasions I got the attention of a bar tender, ordered a drink, was acknowledged, then completely forgotten. Then, when I finally received my drinks, the quality was sub-par (clearly favored the mix-ins over the alcohol). Given the price of the drinks and food, I would have expected a bit better. Beyond that, the water in the pool was murky and didn’t elicit the most confidence. I understand that this is probably a result of the number of people using the pool, but the hotel may consider ways to keep the water quality better throughout the day. Public spaces: At least in the hallway leading to my room, there were often messes left for most of the day. It seemed like once the housekeeping staff visited the floor in the morning / early afternoon, there were no additional checks...

A Rockin’ Stay at Hotel Van Zandt – Austin’s Music-Infused Gem! ★★★★★

As a seasoned traveler with a penchant for unique, immersive experiences, I can confidently say that Hotel Van Zandt in Austin, Texas, is a standout in the heart of the Live Music Capital of the World. Nestled in the vibrant Rainey Street Historic District, this boutique hotel is a love letter to Austin’s musical soul, blending Southern hospitality with a chic, music-centric vibe that left me utterly charmed.

Arrival & First Impressions From the moment I stepped into the lobby, I was greeted by a cool, eclectic energy. The decor—think French horn chandeliers, vinyl record art, and vintage concert posters—sets the stage for an experience that’s unmistakably Austin. The staff welcomed me with genuine warmth, offering a complimentary Twisted X Austin Lager at check-in, which was the perfect touch after a long day of travel. The lobby’s Brass Poppy bar, with its moody lighting and retro-modern vibe, invited me to linger with a craft cocktail before even heading to my room.

The Room – A Stylish Retreat I stayed in a Spa King room, and let me tell you, it was a haven of comfort and style. The 515-square-foot space felt spacious yet cozy, with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing stunning views of Lady Bird Lake and the Austin skyline. The design—crisp white linens, dark wood accents, and bronze detailing—struck a perfect balance between luxurious and laid-back. The oversized soaking tub was a highlight, perfect for unwinding after a night out on Rainey Street. Thoughtful touches like a yoga mat, Bluetooth speakers, and locally inspired minibar items (hello, Topo Chico and BBQ almonds!) made the room feel personalized and tied to Austin’s culture. The bed, draped in plush Frette bedding, was so comfortable I struggled to get up for my morning coffee.

Amenities & Vibe Hotel Van Zandt leans hard into its music theme, and it works. Geraldine’s, the hotel’s signature restaurant and music venue, is a must-visit. I caught a live performance there one evening, and the local band, paired with a plate of bourbon-glazed cauliflower and a craft cocktail, made for an unforgettable night. The rooftop pool deck is another gem—lounging by the saltwater pool with a cocktail in hand and views of the city skyline felt like a mini-vacation in itself. The complimentary happy hour in the lobby, complete with margaritas and vinyl tunes, was a delightful way to kick off the evening. The 24-hour fitness center and free PUBLIC bike rentals were bonuses for staying active and exploring the nearby Lady Bird.

Location You couldn’t ask for a better spot. Steps from Rainey Street’s buzzing bars and food trucks, and a short walk to the Red River Cultural District, the hotel is perfectly positioned for soaking up Austin’s nightlife and culture. I loved being able to stroll to the river for a morning jog or hop over to 6th Street for some live music. The proximity to the Austin Convention Center and Texas State Capitol makes it ideal for business traveler.

Service The staff deserves a standing ovation. From the front desk to the poolside waitstaff, everyone was friendly, attentive, and eager to share local recommendations. When I mentioned a headache one morning, the front desk team went above and beyond to ensure I had what I needed, even after the coffee shop had closed. This level of care made me feel like a VIP. I want to thank Forrest for his special attention at the pool. Your love for your job exudes through your service.

Pro Tip: Book a lake-view room for the best views and a quieter experience, and don’t miss the jazz brunch at Geraldine’s for a true taste of...

I booked this place when I got into town with my fiance on my birthday 4/11. For context purposes I’m 7 months pregnant with my first baby at the moment it’s 4/16 now writing this. As soon as we arrived we paid $70 for parking we walked into a hotel that smelled like wet dog and floors covered in liquid and were not greeted by anyone. When trying to book a room the man helping me was extremely fidgety, anxious, and unhelpful took 20 minutes of me standing up on my feet at night after sitting in a car for 3 hours to get to the point. He made up some story saying he could get me a room upgrade discount because the suite I wanted wasn’t available the night we came but was available the 12th-16th so I paid for the only king room available just for the night only receiving a key for that room. While I was still at the desk he proceeded to provide me with a more expensive reservation than what I would’ve paid online coming out to $2438.95. I paid it on 4/11 this total was for the suite at the desk I had already booked the king room on my phone for the night. As soon as we got to our room we smelled dog everywhere it was very gross and we started breaking out in hives, sneezing, coughing, allergies. It was so bad I couldn’t sleep until 5am that night because I couldn’t breathe but I finally fell asleep when I woke up it was around 8:30am choking because I couldn’t breathe it was so bad even though we had a full day of work at Cota we decided to call the desk and let them know we’d definitely be checking out. We packed up all our stuff and let valet know we wouldn’t be coming back. Everyone at the front desk was busy and on their phones so I just left I only booked the king room for the night and never picked up the key card for the suite and they’re so unorganized now that I’ve had to inform my bank that I still haven’t been reimbursed they just noticed I left because there’s nothing but hippie children (me a 23 year old talking about 30 year olds) working at the desk. Now they’re trying to act like they were clueless and didn’t know anything so here’s the receipts. They also decided to lie and say “they’ve been trying to get in contact with me” when the first and last call I have from them was 9:37pm 4/15 who calls a pregnant woman at 9:40pm in fact who calls anyone that late absolutely zero professionalism or respect. The bath robes were extremely dirty and already ran through, the shower head was barely enough to cover my body at 4’11 130 lbs, it smelled like wet dog everywhere, it was extremely loud all throughout the night in the halls and outside the hotel as well, and there was wine spilled all over the lobby floor left uncleaned from check in to check out next day. If I’d slipped and fell yall would’ve had a nasty...