Hotel Granduca Austin

A luxury Italian Villa in the middle of Texas? Sì, grazie! And Hotel Graduca Austin isn’t the first, it’s the second. (There’s another in Houston.) Completed in 2015, the 10-story cream-colored building, perched on a hilltop with exceptional views, is finished with green shutters and a porte-cochère. Inspired by a 16th century palace of Adalberto Malatesta, the Duke of Monfallito, decor is quintessential Tuscan: rustic tiled floors, Old World circular chandeliers, dark wood doors, framed portraits lining the walls, and a central courtyard with burnt-orange accents and stone benches. Despite being on the outskirts of Austin, it’s one of the area’s top hotels, occupied frequently by vacationing or visiting couples, though there’s room enough for families, too.

Guests rave about the epic panoramic views from Hotel Granduca Austin, which sits on a hillside about 10 miles from downtown Austin. While it’s just off Loop 360, the scenic area feels considerably farther away from anything that could be considered hustle and bustle -- though there is an ultra-modern Apple office right across the way that slightly disrupts the Tuscan ambiance. The affluent West Lake Hills Texas area is a haven for luxury homes and expansive golf courses, and while it’s a little out of the way of downtown action, guests can get over there by car in about 15 minutes to half hour, depending on traffic. There’s also a small business area just a mile down the road with a few cafes and restaurants. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is about a half-hour drive. Self-parking is free; valet will cost extra. 

The property's Tuscan style extends to the guest rooms where decor is more high-end homey than downright opulent. Details like cream-colored walls and carpets, rustic exposed-beam accents, and traditional wood furnishings set the tone. Contemporary beige-tiled bathrooms feature wrought-iron fixtures and marble-topped wood sinks, though the highlight is the huge walk-in showers that you can sit or standup in. However, some bathrooms, oddly, have curtain closures instead of doors.

Rooms start at a spacious 480 square feet, with suites and one- and two-bedroom apartments that top out at a whopping 1,350 square feet. All rooms are well equipped with minibars (though guests note needing key-access), microwaves, and Keurig coffeemakers, in addition to flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, electric safes, bathrobes, and individual toiletries. Higher room categories might add antique accents, living or dining areas, sofa beds, Juliet balconies, walk-in closets, full kitchens, or bathrooms with separate showers and tubs.

Amenities here include just about everything you might want, done with panache. Arguably, the highlight is the outdoor pool area which includes a hot tub, a wading area with submerged loungers, rust-orange cabanas, a pool bar, and a slew of cushioned wicker lounge chairs. Another star amenity is the classy Italian restaurant Visconti Ristorante, which serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus the long lobby bar, dotted in leathery bar stools finished with nailhead trim. The bar features craft cocktails, casual dining, and live music on the weekend, plus a Thursday Italian-style happy hour, where free apps are served with cocktails, wine, and beer. Some guests have noted pricey food and, occasionally, slow restaurant or bar service.

Other amenities include 8,000-square feet of meeting and event space, two spa treatment rooms, a somewhat oddly decorated but well-equipped gym with a sauna and steam room, fitness classes, a business center with computers and printers for guest use, and a beautiful, wood-floored billiards room with a pool table and club chairs in tufted red velvet. Pets are allowed in specific rooms for an extra per-stay fee. Expect high-end service, like concierge service and 24-hour room service, along with free Wi-Fi and parking.