Adina

The kitchen was supposed to be fully stocked, but the baking sheets were so coated in grease and cake that we bought our own. There was mold in the bathrooms, which hadn't been properly cleaned, and ants were in all the first-floor beds. One person found ants in bed, and two people in our group left with ants in their suitcases. The cameras inside the property made everyone feel incredibly uncomfortable, too. The first bedroom had a huge chunk missing from the wall. We were explicitly warned that damaging the walls meant a $1,000 fine, and we didn't damage them. Yet the damage left by previously fined guests still hadn't been fixed. This was a really disgusting stay, especially with our privacy feeling invaded. It wasn't one problem, but a bunch: greasy sheet pans, mold on the shower curtain, dust in the minisplits, and actual holes in the walls despite the $1,000 fine and the explanation that they wouldn't fix them. This place felt predatory and, even without the interior cameras, like a safety hazard. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a private, clean, bug-free stay in ATX.

The house and our suite were beautiful and immaculately clean, with super comfortable beds and blackout curtains. It was in a quiet area but still close to restaurants and downtown. We booked through Grand Welcome Austin, which was an absolute breeze, and I can't say enough good things about them. Getting in was a bit of a hassle: our code didn't work when we arrived at 4pm, and the cleaner also showed up then, explaining there'd been a miscommunication. We waited almost another hour for access. Not a huge deal, but something to keep in mind. The shower was the biggest headache. It only gave a few small streams with terrible pressure, and on two days the water never warmed up, so we all took sink baths instead. That's rough after a full day exploring Austin. The Roman shades in every bedroom were broken, and one window's latch had broken off. Both seem like easy fixes. Still, the place served us for a quick weekend trip.

The main thing to know if you're coming with other guests is that the bedrooms have no doors or curtains, so there's no privacy. I assume that's part of the open feel, and if it doesn't bother you, I'd definitely recommend the place. We loved the historic neighborhood, which was surprisingly quiet. Original Austin High School, now ACC, is right next door, and Shoal Creek trail is an easy walk, taking you downtown to plenty of restaurants, bars, and patios. The Capitol building is a few blocks away. Inside, the decor was spot on, the space felt open and bright, and it was very clean. The beds were amazing. The community kitchen and dining area had what we needed to cook, plus enough seating for guests to have their own spot. Complimentary coffee for the French press in the morning was a nice touch. The sweet owners were staying there during our visit, hands on and always checking that we had what we needed.

After more than three months sheltering at home, I really needed a quick getaway from work travel. Safety was my main concern, and reading about Adina's COVID-19 precautions, including a full-property disinfection using binary ionization technology, put me at ease enough to book right away. The hotel feels like a museum, with each room its own piece of art. Check out the posted pictures, you'll fall in love. We expected to arrive a little after 10pm, and the owners were understanding and flexible about check-in. After a full workday and a long drive, the super-comfy bed felt like heaven. We had breakfast and coffee in the lounge the next morning. Restaurants and bars were shut down during our Austin weekend, but that wasn't a problem. The hotel is close to attractions you can enjoy while keeping your distance. Outdoorsy? Go to Lady Bird Lake and rent a kayak or paddle board. For food, Austin has plenty of delicious restaurants, and getting takeout for picnics at the Capitol, UT, or Lady Bird Lake was pleasant and relaxing. Thanks to the owners for a wonderful stay. We'll definitely be back.