As someone who resides in a Ritz Carlton Residence, I hold my standards of quality pretty high, and the Proper Hotel Austin certainly doesn't disappoint. What initially drew me to this hotel was its Kelly Wearstler inspiration, reflected in its decor, spa, and inviting ambiance. From the moment you pull up, the concierge is quick to welcome you and assist with your luggage. The front desk staff did their best to accommodate my room requests and even offered to show me different room options. The spa is undoubtedly the best in all of Austin; I visited it twice during my short two-night stay, even bringing friends along. Their restaurants offer some of the tastiest dishes in Austin, catering to those who are health-conscious as well. The hotel is very well-staffed, so despite some days being crowded, there are always staff members around to assist. Even the turn-down service and how they organize everything during room cleaning stood out to me. I was initially worried about hearing noise is my room on the weekend from the restaurants, but thankfully it stops at 10 pm. The staff are receptive to feedback and go out of their way to ensure guests have an excellent stay and want to return.

Tracks with what the hospitality industry thinks my generation wants from “luxury” hotels: stylish build-out, buzzy F&B spaces, and optimized for likes on socials, while service takes a back seat. After all, we’re just here for the vibes, right? Keep in mind, this hotel has good bones. However, the service quality is too inconsistent to place it in the luxury category. None of the employees standing in front of the hotel offered assistance with bags upon arrival. In contrast, two very friendly front desk employees provided a seamless check-in and asked if bag assistance was needed. I'm not the only one from my organization staying here. Apparently, some were offered champagne on arrival; I was not. There was also no welcome amenity, usually fairly standard at a true five-star hotel. Aesthetic elements throughout the room and public spaces of the hotel demonstrated a clear design philosophy, and the build quality of most appeared to be exceptional. Tech in the room is well-executed. Food and beverage outlets were top-notch, particularly La Piscina and The Peacock. However, the late/early shift crew lacked hospitality, communication regarding the pool was inconsistent, and on the last day, despite assurances, the pool was locked during open hours (I had to visit the front desk twice to obtain entry). While the spa had friendly staff at reception, the facility lacked basic luxury spa amenities (just one funky-smelling steam room). Additionally, I experienced one of the worst massages I’ve ever had. The gym was good—new machines, though it lacked the little extras you’d expect in a luxury establishment. The front desk staff radiated indifference upon departure, despite not being busy. No assistance was offered for getting bags to the airport transfer. When I started writing this review, I was inclined to compare the Austin Proper to the Reykjavik EDITION. Both have bold and appealing aesthetics, high-quality toiletries, buzzy social spaces with an emphasis on innovative food and beverage options—and inconsistent service outside of that. Both hotels also have a very loose definition of what constitutes a “view” room. Note that the view from the room in my pictures is still mostly an office building, even if you're up against the far left wall on the bed or the far left side of the window. What contrasts these two establishments is how they handle feedback. Whereas the Reykjavik EDITION offered half-hearted apologies (and that’s it), the Austin Proper clearly has a stellar employee managing guest relations who reached out with sincerity and worked to understand my complaints and provide resolution. While I am heartened by the post-stay conversation with the guest relations manager, my experience indicates that Austin Proper is not operating as a true five-star hotel. Hopefully, that will change.

Very well thought our design aesthetic. Courteous staff and well maintained suites. This hotel made my first trip to Austin Texas memorable!

Placed in an amazing location in DT Austin… from the amazing arrival experience with the valet and doormen to the check-in process, Proper Austin spares no expense on services, details and amenities! I didn’t open one door for myself from my car door to the front door! Exceptional service!

My wife and I live in Austin and decided to do a staycation for our anniversary. No regrets! The staff, the decor, the dining options, the rooms, the spa, everything exceeded our expectations. We will be staying here again!