Thompson Austin: Your Luxurious Austin Escape Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the glorious, slightly chaotic world of the Thompson Austin. Forget those cookie-cutter hotel reviews; you're getting the real deal, the unvarnished truth, seasoned with a healthy dose of "OMG, that was AMAZING/a little weird."
Thompson Austin: Your Luxurious Austin Escape Awaits! - A Review from Someone Who's Actually Been There (and May or May Not Need Another Cocktail)
Okay, so Austin. Let's be real: it's a vibe. And the Thompson? It gets the vibe. From the moment you roll up (probably in a Lyft, ‘cause who drives anymore?), you're met with this… presence. Maybe it's the sleek architecture, the floor-to-ceiling windows practically begging for an Insta post, or the general sense of "I'm fabulous and know it." Either way, it draws you in.
First Impressions: Accessibility & Arrival – Smooth Sailing… Mostly.
- Accessibility: Right off the bat, a HUGE thumbs up. I'm not in a wheelchair myself, but I saw ample ramps, elevators, and generally a real effort made to welcome everyone. This is HUGE, and it's something a lot of places just… gloss over. Respect, Thompson. Respect. (But seriously, double-check their specific accessibility details; they're likely on their website, and I'm just giving you the vibe).
- Check-in/out [express/private/contactless]: Seamless. Seriously. Boom, you're in. Boom, you're out. This contactless thing? Genius. Especially after a long flight where your brain is basically scrambled eggs.
- Doorman & Valet Parking: Valet parking is the name of the game (and free car park is also available on-site).
Rooms: Where the Magic (and the Occasional Hiccup) Happens.
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
My room? Oh, it was a scene. Imagine a minimalist haven, all clean lines and calming neutrals. But… with a kick. The bed? Divine. Those blackout curtains? Lifesavers. The slippers? Pure luxury. And the coffee maker? Saved my soul (multiple times). Little details like the plug-ins next to the bed were much appreciated too! And again, the complimentary tea and free bottled water are really good, and the bathroom phone is a nice touch.
- Internet: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (Hallelujah.) The internet worked fine. Nothing to write home about, but reliable enough to post your 'gram-able breakfast (see below).
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Feed Me, Seymour!
Okay, this is where things get really interesting (and where I may or may not have overindulged).
- Restaurants & Lounges: Multiple options! And I mean GOOD options.
- On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: This is a big bonus, especially if mobility is a concern.
- The food: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.
- Breakfast [buffet] Seriously, the breakfast buffet? Let’s just say I developed a very close relationship with the pastries. The coffee was strong, the fruit was fresh, and the whole experience felt… celebratory.
- Poolside bar: This is where I spent a solid afternoon or two. Cocktails flowed, sun was shining, and life was good. They make a mean margarita, by the way.
- Room Service [24-hour]: After a night out, the idea of even thinking about leaving the room to find food was enough to make me cry. The 24-hour room service was a godsend.
- Regarding Food and drinks: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Treat Yourself, You Deserve It!
- Spa/Sauna: Spa, Sauna, Steamroom, Body wrap, Body scrub, Foot bath, Massage.
- Pool with view The pool! Oh, the pool! This is an absolute highlight – a glistening turquoise oasis overlooking the city. It's pure, unadulterated bliss.
- Fitness center, Gym: If you’re one of those people who actually works out on vacation, the gym is well-equipped. I, however, primarily used it to admire the views while pretending to exercise.
- Things to do: In-house activities, and nearby hotspots
- Things to do: The hotel itself had a lot of options.
- Nearby: Austin is a treasure trove of things to do, from the lively music scene to the incredible food (hello, tacos!). The concierge can help you plan anything you could possibly want. The hotel is centrally located, making it easy to explore.
Cleanliness and Safety: Peace of Mind, Finally.
Cleanliness and safety: Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment.
COVID safety measures: The Thompson Austin takes cleanliness seriously. Everything felt immaculate, which is incredibly reassuring. They adhered to the protocols.
Services and Conveniences: They Think of Everything.
Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
Concierge: Super helpful! They’re like your personal Austin gurus. Need a restaurant rec? Boom. Want tickets to a show? Done. Need to know where to find the best queso? They’ve got you.
Laundry service/Dry cleaning: Essential. Especially after you've spilled that margarita down yourself at the poolside bar. (Just me?)
Daily housekeeping: My room was always spick-and-span, which is impressive. (And yes, I tip generously.)
For the Kids:
- For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal. My stay was kid-free, but I saw families there and the staff seemed great at accommodating them.
Getting Around:
- Getting around: Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking.
The Little Things (AKA, the Stuff That Makes a Difference):
- Additional toilet: Always a plus.
- Bathrobes: Soft, fluffy, glorious.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: For families or groups.
- Safety/security feature: The hotel is equipped with safety features.
- Socket near the bed: Crucial for charging your phone and posting the aforementioned pool pics.
**The "Meh
Sapporo Sunshine: 2 Sunny Rooms, 5 Mins to Subway & Airport!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my absolutely chaotic, gloriously messy, and probably slightly disappointing (but hopefully still fun!) itinerary for a stay at the Thompson Austin. This isn't your pristine, perfectly-packaged travel guide. This is the real deal, folks. Prepare for questionable decisions, unexpected meltdowns (maybe mine, maybe yours), and a whole lotta opinion.
Thompson Austin: My Attempt at Chic Texan Bliss (Emphasis on Attempt)
Day 1: Arrival and the Pre-emptive Champagne
- 2:00 PM: Arrival & Check-in - Okay, so I'm picturing smooth sailing. Cool music, friendly faces, maybe a welcome drink that isn't cheap, generic sparkling wine. In reality? Probably a struggle for the elevator, a slight misunderstanding about my room type, and a frantic search for the mini-bar.
- Anecdote: This is the start of a trip. I'm already anxious. But if I get a good room? I can be in a good mood really quickly.
- 2:30 PM: Room Reconnaissance & Panic About the Closet Space - Crucial. Drop my stuff, assess the vibe. Am I fancy enough to be in the room? Does it have a decent view? And OH GOD, is the closet the size of a shoebox? (I packed so much.) My emotional reaction: Pure, unadulterated panic. I will NEED to make a scene if the closet is too small. I will buy more clothes until it is full and overflowing.
- Observation: Luxury hotels always have tiny closets. It's, like, a rule.
- 3:00 PM: Champagne. Or Maybe Just a Long Shower to Contemplate My Life Choices - See anxiety. I'm going to need a drink. Preferably, a very large one. And maybe a good, long shower to wash off the travel grime and, you know, existential dread.
- Opinion: I'm not sure I deserve this trip. Maybe it will be ruined by the weather, or maybe I won't be able to buy the clothes I want, or maybe a waiter will be rude. But I'm here. I'm trying.
- 4:00 PM: Poolside (or Not?) - The Thompson Austin looks like it's got a killer pool. I'm hoping for chilled vibes, maybe a crisp margarita. But knowing me, I’ll probably burn to a crisp within five minutes because I forgot sunscreen.
- Imperfection: I'M IN TEXAS. And I forgot sunscreen!!
- 6:00 PM: "Pre-Dinner Snack" (aka a Small Meal and a Plea to the Hotel Gods) - I might grab a very light bite at the hotel restaurant. Something to keep me from turning into a hangry monster before my actual dinner. I will probably get something wrong.
- Quirkiness: I always order too much food, even when I'm trying to be "good."
- 7:30 PM: Dinner at the Hotel Restaurant (or a Nearby Hot Spot if I Can't Cope with the Hotel Vibes) - I'm hoping for something delicious, maybe even with a view. I’m not above bribing the concierge for a good table.
- Emotional Reaction: I'm a little terrified of fancy restaurants. I always feel like I don't know the rules.
- 9:30 PM: Nightcap at the Rooftop Bar or Bedtime, Depending on How Hard I Faceplanted During the Day - This is my fantasy. In reality, I'll probably be asleep by 10:00 PM after staring at the ceiling, overthinking everything, and then finally passing out from exhaustion.
Day 2: Culture, Shopping, and Potential Meltdown
- 8:00 AM: Wake Up. Cry. Repeat (Maybe Get Coffee First) - Okay, wake up. Assess the damage. Drink coffee. Then cry.
- Rambling: I should go for a run.. should. But likely? I will be curled up in fetal position and not moving for several hours.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast In-Room or Scramble to Find a Trendy Brunch Spot - Room service is always a gamble. Trendy brunch spots are always crowded. This is a tough one. I probably won't eat anything.
- Opinion: Hotel breakfast buffets are depressing. They're the physical manifestation of wasted potential.
- 10:30 AM: Museum Hop - Austin has some great museums. I'm vaguely interested in seeing art, but probably not that interested.
- Messiness: I will get lost, and be late, and probably have a mini-meltdown.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch Near the Museum (or a Panic-Grub at a Food Truck) - I need to eat.
- Anecdote: I once ordered a hot dog from a food truck, and it had pickles. I don't like pickles. I cried.
- 2:00 PM: Shopping Sprees on South Congress Avenue (SoCo) - Retail therapy! This is where I really shine. I love the shops, the energy, the chance to spend way too much money on things I don't need.
- Doubling Down: South Congress is a wonderland! I have to buy at least three new pieces of clothing! And definitely a ridiculous hat. And a pair of boots I will wear once.
- 5:00 PM: Quick Dip in the pool (If I Didn't Get Burned Last Time) - Because I clearly haven’t learned my lesson.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner somewhere different from the night before - Time to explore the Austin food scene! I am expecting bbq.
- Emotional Reaction: I will need a really good meal. I deserve this.
- 9:00 PM: Live Music at the Continental Club or a Quieter Evening at a Speakeasy - I need a fun night! Let's hope I can muster the energy.
- 10:30 PM: Pretend to be a cool person and head to bed. Or maybe eat a whole pizza in my room and watch bad reality TV - I am a mess.
Day 3: The Departure and the Post-Trip Blues
- 8:00 AM: Wake Up. Scream. Pack. - The worst part.
- Imperfection: I will definitely forget something. Probably important.
- 9:00 AM: Last Breakfast (or Skip It and Rush to the Airport) - I might be late for my flight.
- 10:00 AM: Final Glimpse of the Pool (if I didn't melt in the sun) - One last breath of Austin air.
- 11:00 AM: Check Out, With a Slight Sense of Relief - Goodbye, Thompson Austin! It's been… interesting! I'm looking forward to going home.
- 12:00 PM: Airport and Flight - Pray the flight isn't delayed.
- Post-Trip: The post-trip blues. I will probably start planning my next trip immediately, because I need to escape my life.
So, there you have it. My completely honest and utterly imperfect itinerary. Wish me luck. I'm going to need it. And if you see a slightly frazzled person wandering around Austin, probably wearing a ridiculous hat and muttering about tiny closets, come say hi. I'll probably need a friend.
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Thompson Austin: The Real Deal (and My Slightly Chaotic Thoughts on It)
So, what's the *vibe* at the Thompson Austin? Is it actually luxurious or just trying to be?
Okay, buckle up. "Luxury" is a tricky word, right? Like, is it truly luxury if you’re constantly side-eyeing the price tag for the tiny bottle of water? The Thompson Austin *mostly* nails it. The lobby? Gorgeous. Gleaming. Makes you feel like you've accidentally wandered onto a movie set (a good one, not a SyFy Channel special). The staff? Generally, lovely, although I *did* have one waiter at the restaurant who seemed to have forgotten his training on “how to smile.” But hey, everyone has a bad day, right? And honestly, I was more focused on the damn delicious pasta I was eating to hold it against him.
The rooms? Beautifully designed. I loved the floor-to-ceiling windows, especially when I was hungover and just needed to stare out at the city and contemplate all my poor life choices (sorry, Thompson Austin, not your fault!). The beds are seriously cloud-like. I wanted to pack the damn mattress in my suitcase. I really did.
BUT... and here's the human part... I'm not gonna lie, my minibar was a bit of a massacre. I'm talking empty bottles of Topo Chico and rogue gummy bears. It wasn't my finest hour. And yeah, the prices for the fancy snacks were... well, let's just say I'm glad I packed my own granola bars. So, luxury? Mostly. Flawless? Nah. And that’s okay. It’s real life. And probably explains the minibar.
Tell me about the pool situation. Is it Instagram-worthy? And, you know, *actually* enjoyable?
Oh, the pool. Dear god, the pool. Yes, it’s Instagram-worthy. Like, ridiculously so. You'll see a bunch of gorgeous people looking all effortlessly cool while sipping colorful cocktails. And you’ll feel a pang of envy, and maybe wonder if you should have worn that ridiculously expensive swimsuit you bought but never really felt comfortable in.
The real question is: is it *enjoyable*? Well, that depends. If you like a good level of people-watching whilst you are *attempting* to relax, then yes! If you loathe crowds and loud music, maybe not your vibe. It can get a bit... lively. One time, I swear, I saw a dude trying to balance a whole plate of sliders on his head while simultaneously juggling a cocktail. (Okay, maybe I embellished the juggling. But the sliders? Definitely.) There were also those amazing rooftop views, which made me feel like I was in a James Bond movie. Minus the Bond, and the Aston Martin. And the whole espionage thing.
So, yes, enjoyable. But prepare for social performance at its finest. And maybe pack earplugs if you want a quiet moment.
Food & Drink: Is it worth the hype (and the price)? Spill the tea!
Alright, the food. This is where things get... complicated, because that pasta dish I mentioned earlier? *Chef's kiss.* Absolutely divine. Like, I dreamt about it for days. I'd go back just for that pasta. Seriously. Forget everything else. Give me the pasta, and I'm happy.
The cocktails? Inventive and strong. Be warned. They sneak up on you. I may or may not have had a slight memory lapse after a few too many spicy margaritas. My head was throbbing in the morning. But hey, that's the price you pay for a little bit of fun. And the bartender was really cute, so that improved the situation (it didn't, but the point is, it was fun).
But... the prices? Let's just say you might want to budget. It's the kind of place where you might accidentally spend your entire month's grocery budget on one fancy dinner. And maybe a few more cocktails than planned. And I am still judging myself for ordering dessert one evening, but, it was so good. And now I am hungry!
Is the location good for exploring Austin?
Location, location, location! Yep, the Thompson Austin is pretty darn good right smack dab in the middle of downtown, meaning you can easily walk to explore some of the city's best offering. You pretty much can walk to everything. You're close to the restaurants, music venues, and, of course, those iconic Austin food trucks that sell some of the best tacos ever.
However, depending on you and your group, it can be loud! The area is bustling so if you prefer a much quieter area, this might not be your hotel. But you can always shut the windows and enjoy a quieter time and a gorgeous view. On balance, it's a great base for exploring. It's so easy to get around and so many nice things are just a short walk away.
Anything I should *definitely* avoid?
Okay, honesty time: if you're on a tight budget, maybe skip the in-room snacks. Seriously. Unless you're prepared to stare into the abyss of your bank account after check-out. Consider also, if you are easily annoyed by trendy people, this might not be your scene. And I'll say that I got lost a few times. It's a big hotel.
And, as a final PSA, unless you are a professional Instagrammer, don't feel pressured to take a thousand photos. Just breathe, and enjoy being there. Because guess what? You *are* in Austin. And it's pretty awesome.
Okay, big question: Would you go back?
Absolutely. Despite the minibar massacre, the price tags, and the occasional existential crisis brought on by the stylish people, I would 100% go back. That pasta alone is reason enough. The rooftop pool? Yeah, it's fun. The location? Perfect. And let’s be honest, sometimes you just need a little bit of luxurious escapism in your life. And at the end of the day, I would go back. Because... sometimes you need to splurge. And have some pasta. And you know what? I still want that mattress...
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