Hotel Saint Cecilia

That bathtub is still on my mind, and the Hästens bed gave me the best sleep I can remember. The custom kimono robes and Le Labo/Grown Alchemist toiletries added a lovely touch. I also had a tasty coquito and delicious Salmon delivered to my room, with excellent service. Hotel Saint Cecilia has a distinctive blend of rock 'n roll style and quiet luxury. My room felt like a retreat, and the vintage record player and lobby vinyl library were such fun details. The staff made us feel incredibly welcome from the moment we arrived. Everyone, from the front desk to the pool bartenders, was knowledgeable and eager to help. Ryan was especially charming and knew so much about the property that I caught myself sharing random hotel facts with my friends. It was a memorable stay, and I can’t wait to return.

At $900 a night, I expected a lot more comfort and service. This felt like a three-star hotel charging five-star prices, and I wouldn’t return. The property is listed as five stars on Google, but my experience didn’t come close to that. The team seemed inexperienced and the hotel poorly managed, which surprised me for a Hyatt property. Our room was uncomfortable in basic ways. There was no full-length mirror or coffee machine, and no iron or ironing board. When we asked for an iron, it took more than 24 hours to arrive. We’re early risers, but room service doesn’t start until 7am, so we couldn’t get coffee when we woke up. For a hotel carrying a five-star label, having neither an in-room coffee machine nor 24-hour room service is unacceptable to me. Lighting was another problem. The room was so dim that even doing makeup in the bathroom was difficult, especially without a lighted vanity mirror. Opening the shades helped during the day, but the hotel is only one story and people walked past just a few feet away, so we lost our privacy. There were a couple of positives: the property is pretty, South Congress fun is just steps away, and access to the wonderful Kollective gym is a short walk away. The pool, though, wasn’t clean. Staff were friendly, but not competent enough for the price. I’m confused by the good reviews. It felt designed for Instagram instead of comfort.

I haven't stayed here, but I decided against booking after struggling to find clear parking information. It was missing from the property's own website, and I only found it by accidentally coming across a hidden menu on the Hyatt site. That’s a frustrating problem with redirected hotel websites. The menu says parking in the hotel lot isn’t guaranteed, and lists paid street parking or paid parking next door at Arlyn Studios, 200 Academy Drive as alternatives. I’m a Texas local, and when driving to places in the state, on-site parking is a must for me. I also need transparency about availability and any parking fees. At these rates, I don’t want to risk leaving my car somewhere on the street and not knowing how far I’ll have to walk. How can a property of this caliber not know in advance whether guests will have a space on-site?

Warm service, lovely grounds, pet-friendly rooms, and free parking, which is a rarity. It’s just a stone’s throw from South Congress. One of Austin’s best hotels!