1 Hotel Austin officially opened on September 17, 2026, as the first 1 Hotels property in Texas. The 252-room hotel, including 60 suites, is located within the 74-story Waterline building, the tallest tower in Texas near the Rainey Street District in downtown Austin. The hotel introduces a new luxury lifestyle offering by 1 Hotels, a brand founded by Barry Sternlicht and aligned with Starwood Hotels, emphasizing nature-led design and sustainability.
Sustainable Architecture and Nature-Inspired Design
The hotel’s architecture was developed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, with HKS Architects serving as architect of record, and interiors designed by Studio MAI collaborating with Starwood Hotels’ team. The design
incorporates natural materials such as locally quarried limestone, oak, and reclaimed wood sourced from historic American structures. Over 4,000 plants representing more than 30 species are integrated throughout, including a living plant wall that brings Central Texas’ natural landscape indoors.
Dining Venues Reflecting Austin’s Culinary Culture
1 Hotel Austin features three distinct food and beverage outlets. Alteño, led by James Beard Award nominee Chef Johnny Curiel, is the first Austin restaurant from the chef and serves campestre-style cuisine rooted in the Jalisco Highlands. Its bar includes over 40 varieties of mezcal alongside other Mexican spirits. Neighbors Café and Wine Bar is the first of its kind
in the 1 Hotels collection, highlighting Mediterranean wines with a calendar of community events such as Matcha Mondays. The rooftop bar and restaurant watr sits 16 stories above the city and offers Japanese-inspired cuisine alongside an innovative sustainable cocktail program.
Wellness Facilities and Programs
The hotel dedicates an entire wellness floor featuring a fitness center with modern cardio and strength equipment, a yoga studio, and the Bamford Wellness Spa with six treatment rooms, including a couples suite. Bamford Spa, founded by Carole Bamford, provides organic and sustainable treatments reflecting holistic wellness principles. Guests can join weekly three-mile Sunday run clubs around Lady Bird Lake
and receive complimentary three-day passes to Monroe, a private local members club offering additional fitness amenities such as sauna and cold plunge.
Art Installations and Community Engagement
Art plays a prominent role at 1 Hotel Austin, with installations connecting Austin’s environment and history. Nate Page created a large installation inspired by a historic Rainey Street bungalow spanning all guest room floors. At Neighbors Café and Wine Bar, Christian Kasperkovitz painted a site-specific mural using clay from Waller Creek. The hotel actively promotes community engagement with event programming such as natural clothing-dye workshops and monthly gatherings aimed at fostering connection among guests and locals.
According to
Barry Sternlicht, Founder of 1 Hotels, the Austin location exemplifies the brand’s DNA of celebrating nature and sustainable living, noting the city’s balance between urban life and natural beauty. Raul Leal, CEO of Starwood Hotels, described the hotel as a new energy for Austin centered on community, wellness, and sustainability, designed as a welcoming hub for travelers and residents. Chef Johnny Curiel said opening Alteño in Austin fulfilled a long-held dream emphasizing hospitality and shared meals.
