Hotel Saint Cecilia
As Austin’s busiest month of tourism approaches, many local businesses scramble to accommodate the hordes of festival-goers and artists that make the city their home for a few weeks in March. South Austin’s Hotel Saint Cecilia, however, has been booked whole months in advance, as travelers in the know make sure to stake their claim on one of the property’s 14 eclectic rooms.
The hotel, which is named after the patron saint of music and poetry, is situated on private, wooded grounds, offering guests a chance to relax away from—but within walking distance of—the bright lights of Downtown Austin. The artistic décor, inspired by rock n roll culture and Beat-era philosophy, makes the Saint Cecilia a coveted destination for many artists.
“The hotel is small so it fills up fast, especially for the festival weekends. We will usually finalize room bookings several months out,” explains Kevin Osterhaus of Bunkhouse Management, the group founded by Liz Lambert of Hotel San Jose fame.
Lambert herself is deeply entrenched in the artistic landscape that inspires and supports the Saint Cecilia. The story of her success is largely dependent on her DIY work ethic and genuine interest in the eclectic communities her ventures attract. After leaving her job at the Texas Attorney General’s office, Lambert bought a 1930s motor court that had gone to seed, transforming it into the South Congress landmark Hotel San Jose.
The San Jose wasn’t an immediate success; for three years, while Lambert tweaked her business plan and secured financing, she cultivated a hands-on approach to managing her property, running the hotel herself. At the time, the place mostly consisted of long-term, oftentimes downtrodden, tenants. Lambert saw an opportunity to chronicle the stories of these unique residents, and began filming them. The resulting documentary, The Last Days of the San Jose, stands as a testament to Lambert’s commitment to both promoting the arts and putting her own spin on the world around her.
Riding the success of the San Jose, Lambert snapped up an adjacent property and opened Jo’s Coffee, which now has a sister site downtown. Expanding her reach outside of Austin, she next went to West Texas to start up the Thunderbird (though she later sold her stake) before beginning work on the Hotel Saint Cecilia, which opened in 2008. The Saint Cecilia caters more specifically to the artistic crowd than Lambert’s past endeavors, citing creatives like William Burroughs, the Rolling Stones, Miró, and Warhol as stylistic inspiration.
“So much thought went into creating space that was inspiring to artists and non-artists alike,” says Osterhaus of the hotel’s reputation for attracting high-profile guests. “However, the obvious influence that music and poetry have on the experience make it a natural fit for music industry travelers. Some industry guests have really been attracted to the privacy and exclusivity of the Saint Cecilia.”
The property’s design is heavily reliant on its secluded elements; the Saint Cecilia offers three grand studios, five uniquely decorated suites, and six poolside bungalows, each with enough space to make residents feel like they’re living in their own private home.
“The design in many cases seems influenced by a time of elegance and excess in music,” says Osterhaus. “At the same time, there is so much great space for all guests to explore and be inspired. There are beautiful huge trees, a large rolling lawn, secluded balconies, and a private lounge.” However, it’s the hotel’s impressively wide range of amenities that really sets the place apart from other vacation spots.
In addition to offering 24-hour concierge service and twice-daily maid service, Saint Cecilia staffers are committed to providing guests with absolutely anything they might need. The hotel encourages travelers to bring their dogs along with them, and there are bikes available for those wanting to explore neighboring Travis Heights and South Congress communities. But it’s the Saint Cecilia’s artful twist on creating a truly home-like atmosphere that goes far beyond the basic.
Feel like staying in? Guests are invited to browse The Saint Cecilia Library, a treasure trove of DVDs and books, complete with an assemblage of vintage vinyl that would make even serious collectors green with envy. Grab a treat from the mini-bar—stocked with local favorites like Baraka Bars, Hill Country honey, and fresh baked pastries—and curl up with a Bob Dylan biography while you listen to Blood on the Tracks on your in-room sound system, which includes a turntable and iPod hookup.
Guests have responded so positively to the Saint Cecilia’s innovative approach to personally tailored hospitality that Bunkhouse has been able to more rapidly expand their growth over the past few years. In 2009 the group purchased San Antonio’s Havana Riverwalk Inn, the latest property to undergo Lambert’s specialized makeover process. Additionally, they opened the El Cosmico, a vintage trailer hotel and campground offering a modern twist on hippie sensibilities, out in Marfa.
The Bunkhouse team, helmed by Lambert, are certainly establishing a name for themselves throughout Texas by catering to those whose interests they truly understand; it’s their dedication to promoting the art and design that influences their own work that attracts the glowing attention they’ve become accustomed to receiving.
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