Austin is the state’s capital city of Texas and is known for its lively music and is often described as the world’s live music capital. The historic town of Austin is bustling with modern skyscrapers and a diverse culture. Downtown Austin is known for its eclectic live music venues and excellent restaurants. Iconic dishes in Austin include barbeque brisket beef and Migas Tacos and there is a mixing pot of cuisines to be discovered.
The weather in Austin is warm for three-quarters of the year with moderate temperatures during winter, which is why there are so many great outdoor activities to do. Many people come to Austin to enjoy the outdoors and there are excellent hiking trails, watersports, and there are 220 parks.
Austin is also striving to improve its sustainability and reduce its impact on the environment. The local government, non-profit organizations, and sustainability groups are collectively working to improve the city’s carbon footprint and help Austin be as eco-friendly as possible. The Austin Energy Community Solar Program provides local-generated energy to its customers and many residents, and commercial building owners are adding solar panels to their buildings.
As the world becomes more eco-conscious, it is becoming easier to minimize your carbon footprint when you travel. The following five hotels in Austin have been selected for their efforts toward protecting the environment and their sustainable practices.
Read on for the 5 best sustainable hotels in Austin, Texas.
Recommended eco-hotels:
Heywood Hotel
The Heywood Hotel is located in the center of the city in the East District, near 6th Street, an area known for its live music bars and restaurants. The hotel is excellently located for those looking to join in the party atmosphere of the capital and is easy to reach using public transport.
The Heywood is a stylish and modern hotel, with contemporary features and natural wood furniture in the guest rooms and hotel spaces.
Guest rooms are well-sized and decorated with bold graphic wallpaper or art. Modern amenities are included in each room such as flat-screen TVs, minibars and fridges, and phone charging docs. Each room has a very cozy and warm atmosphere while remaining modern, and each room has its own armchair for guests to relax in. The Heywood offers all its guests complimentary fresh roasted coffee in the lobby and there is free parking and the option to borrow bicycles to see the city.
What makes the Heywood Hotel sustainable?
The hotel has a mission to inspire sustainable travel and actively works to reduce the environmental impact of traveling. The Heywood Hotel does this by shining a light on sustainability and encouraging guests to take an active part. The Heywood does this by
- The hotel uses energy-efficient heating and cooling systems throughout the hotel
- The hotel uses energy-efficient lighting such as LED lights
- Cleans with eco-friendly products
- Stocks eco-friendly shampoo and soap
- Has removed single-use plastics such as straws and toiletries
- Sources from locally owned businesses
- Trains staff in sustainability practices
Hotel details
Address:
1609 East Cesar Chavez, Austin, TX 78702, United States of America.
Guest rating:
4.7 out of 5
Price per night:
From $209
Hotel Van Zandt
The Hotel Van Zandt is located in a trendy neighborhood of central Austin, close to the popular live bars and music venues that Austin is well known for. The hotel has a sophisticated feel with a beautiful lobby and an impressive roof-top pool and bar area.
Hotel Van Zandt also has a wonderful restaurant, Geraldine’s, which is located on the 4th floor and offers excellent modern Texas cuisine and superb live music including Jazz Brunches. The hotel’s bar, Living Room, is also a brilliant place to unwind at Hotel Van Zandt, with an attractive cocktail and beer menu.
The guest rooms have a sense of dark sophistication with dark-painted walls and dark furniture, crisp white linens, and a minimalistic style. Each room has excellent modern amenities such as flat-screen cable TVs, a minibar, a walk-in shower, and large bright windows overlooking Austin. The rooftop pool and bar area is a popular place for guests to hang-out, and enjoy a cocktail while viewing the striking Austin skyline. The hotel is also conveniently located near attractions such as the Ladybird Lake, Austin Convention center, and Bullock Texas State History Museum.
What makes Hotel Van Zandt sustainable?
Hotel Van Zandt has put in place many practices to help protect the environment and move towards becoming a more eco-friendly hotel option in the heart of Austin.
- Single-use plastics have been removed from use in the hotel
- Single-use plastic toiletries have been replaced with eco-friendly alternatives.
- Water-efficient toilets and showers are installed in all the guest rooms
- Energy-efficient lighting such as LED lights are used throughout the hotel
- The hotel makes efforts to reduce food waste
- Waste from the hotel is recycled where possible and recycling bins are provided for guest use.
- Most of the food at the hotel is locally sourced
- The hotel offers electric car charging ports for its guests.
Hotel details
Address:
605 Davis Street, Austin, TX 78701, United States of America.
Guest rating:
4.0 out of 5
Price per night:
From $160
Moxy Austin University
The Moxy Austin-University hotel is a fun and modern hotel with a boutique hotel style. The hotel is one of two Marriott’s youth-focused hotels aimed at providing accommodation that will suit university students as well as their parents and academics. The hotel is located north of the downtown area next to the University of Texas’s campus, which is also an excellent area for entertainment with the Blanton Museum of Art and the Texas Memorial Stadium nearby.
The playful vibe of the hotel begins from the moment you check in and are handed a complimentary cocktail alongside your keycard. The hotel also has a buzzing restaurant called Zombie Taco that serves Texan tacos 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, perfect for those late-night food cravings.
The guest rooms are cozy with a minimal style and designed with comfort in mind. Rooms are fitted with queen-size beds, floating desks, and southwestern-styled comforters. Each room has its own en-suite and has a very college-style vibe, to fit in with the location and University crowd that the hotel attracts. The hotel also has accessible rooms designed with ADA showers and visual alarms and notifications for any guest requiring these features.
The Moxy Austin-University hotel is also very dog-friendly and allows guests to bring their dogs and provides four-legged friends with dog bowls, dog goodie bags, and treats.
What makes Moxy Austin University sustainable?
The Moxy Austin Hotel is part of the Marriott hotel brand, which has a strong commitment to sustainability and to helping hotels reduce their impact on the environment. The Moxy Austing University hotel has implemented the following practices into the running of the hotel:
- Single-use plastics have been removed from use in the hotel
- Water-efficient toilets and showers are installed in all the guest rooms
- Energy-efficient lighting such as LED lights are used throughout the hotel
- The hotel makes efforts to reduce food waste
- Waste from the hotel is recycled where possible and recycling bins are provided for guest use.
- Most of the food at the hotel is locally sourced
- The hotel showcases local artists’ work and uses local art installations throughout the hotel.
Hotel details
Address:
2552 Guadalupe Street, Austin, 78705, United States of America.
Guest rating:
4.4 out of 5
Price per night:
From $99
East Austin Hotel
The East Austin Hotel is a locally owned boutique hotel located in the city center near the lively and fabulous live bars and music venues of Austin. The Austin Convention Center is within walking distance and the Texas Capitol building is just over a mile away.
The hotel has an impressive courtyard swimming pool area with a bar, and a rooftop terrace restaurant for guests to unwind and enjoy an evening meal or cocktail. The hotel has a trendy vibe with neutral tones and a European style to the communal guest areas around the hotel.
Guest rooms have a Scandinavian feel to them with natural wood features and a minimal design.
Each room has a flat-screen TV, air conditioning and a desk area, and clean lines with comfort in mind. Guests can also request adjoining rooms and some of the rooms have balconies that overlook the pool area. The hotel has an excellent restaurant, Second Bar and Kitchen, which serves seasonal, locally sourced modern cuisine.
What makes the East Austin Hotel sustainable?
The East Austin Hotel is eco-conscious and has made excellent steps towards sustainability by incorporating eco-friendly practices into the hotel’s management. These practices include:
- The hotel uses energy-efficient lighting such as LED lights
- Single-use plastics have been removed from use in the hotel
- Single-use plastic toiletries have been replaced with eco-friendly alternatives.
- The hotel sources produce and materials from locally owned businesses
- The hotel trains its staff in sustainability best practices
- Water-efficient toilets and showers are installed in all the guest rooms
- Guests can park their bicycles at the hotel
Hotel details
Address:
1108 East 6th Street, Austin, TX 78702, United States of America.
Guest rating:
4.4 out of 5
Price per night:
From $95
Hotel Saint Cecilia
Hotel Saint Cecilia is a luxurious hotel, located south of Lady Bird Lake in a secluded area of the city. It is the ultimate destination for guests looking to experience the rich musical history of Austin and delve into the city’s live music scene. The hotel was named after the patron saint of music and poetry and has a beautiful library with a collection of vintage vinyl for guests to enjoy.
Rooms have an eclectic style with bold artworks and curated antiques decorating rooms and communal areas. Guests can book stylish studios, poolside bungalows, or spacious suites with garden access and crystal chandeliers.
Hotel Saint Cecilia also has an impressive 50 ft swimming pool adorned with a neon sign to match the hotel’s trendy aesthetic. Here guests can enjoy comfy banana chairs and lounge on soft red sofas. Guests can also borrow one of the hotel’s many bicycles or go shopping at the nearby South Congress Strip. There are some excellent bars and restaurants nearby and the city center is just over a mile away.
What makes the Hotel Saint Cecilia sustainable?
The Hotel Saint Cecilia has made excellent efforts towards becoming a fully sustainable hotel choice. Many eco-friendly practices have been implemented at the hotel such as:
- The hotel farms its own organic and hydroponic produce on the property
- Plant-based menu options are available
- Food waste is reduced through composting
- The hotel has put in place systems to conserve energy when rooms are empty
- The hotel uses energy-efficient heating and cooling systems
- The hotel uses energy-efficient lighting such as LED lights
- Single-use plastics have been removed from use in the hotel
- The hotel sources produce and materials from locally owned businesses
- The hotel trains its staff in sustainability best practices
Hotel details
Address:
12 Academy Drive, Austin, TX 78704, United States of America.
Guest rating:
4.3 out of 5
Price per night:
From $420
How we select the best eco-friendly hotels in Austin
We are a travel research company. We check a lot of details and guest reviews before making a selection. First, we check which hotels follow eco-travel principles. Are they recycling their waste? Do they work with local communities? Are they using renewable energy? Are they not using single-using plastics?
Secondly, we check guest reviews across multiple websites and only list hotels with an aggregated review rating of at least 4 out of 5. So you can be confident you will stay at an eco-friendly hotel in Austin.
More and more people recognize the importance of sustainable travel. Not only is it better for the environment and our planet, but it also often leads to more meaningful experiences. If you’re interested in learning more about eco-tourism, here are some eco-friendly travel tips to get you started.
More Austin guides
Get to know the city even better by reading our other articles about Austin:
