Booked into the W using our Starpoints. My wife and I frequent Starwood properties (with some Marriott ones thrown in) as often as possible, so we had a lot of points. We've both stayed in W properties before, so knew the hip, "scene" atmosphere in advance. We were booked into a Spectacular room for our Saturday through Thursday stay (just AFTER SXSW) and in advance had arranged for a crib for our 14-month-old daughter.
Unfortunately, the Spectacular rooms apparently only have a shower, which would make it difficult to bathe our baby. Plus, the room was very small, and the crib made it impossible to move around. We had to put the crib in the short hallway leading to the room door, but that blocked the bathroom access. So we asked on Saturday evening if they could move us to a room with a bathtub. They were booked on Saturday night, but were able to move us to a Cool Corner suite for the remainder of the trip, albeit at a charge of $150/night. The new room was far larger, with a sitting room area separate from the bedroom and both a bathtub and a shower. It also allowed us to put the baby to sleep in a dark room and still stay awake to watch TV, read, etc.
We had hoped to use the new pool deck that opened earlier in the month, but the warm weather left the night we arrived and returned after we departed. One day was breezy but sunny, so we hung out there with the baby and some friends for drinks. I can only imagine the scene it must be on warm weekends. I was told that they may be opening it up to the public some time this summer, for a cover charge. But for now it is for hotel guests and any friends they bring up. A separate cabana area was under construction, with what looked like a small, private pool area. Oh, by the way...the real pool area, while VERY chic and impressive, looks nothing like the rendering on the hotel website.
The staff were always helpful, friendly, and attentive, though the waiter who attended to our breakfast in the Trace restaurant neglected to tell us there was a separate kids menu. Of course, we should have asked. But later that day I saw that the room service menu offered kids food for each meal, so I assume that they would also serve that in the restaurant.
One of--if not THE--highlights for us was the SWEAT gym. It's a full-service gym with great equipment. Since it is apparently shared by the people who live at the W Residences, it makes sense that it's impressive. But it's much nicer than the facilities at other W properties.
We loved the location, which is right down in the heart of the bar/restaurant/social area of Austin. It made it easy to get out for meals and to walk around.
Getting our rental car wasn't a problem at all. I read about delays, but the car was always waiting for us when we came down from our room, so long as we called ahead. But, at $29 a night for the valet parking, that type of service is expected.
All in all it was a very comfortable, luxe, fun hotel. I would totally go back with my wife for a fun weekend.
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