Advertorial • June 2015
Five ways to experience the luxury side of Austin
The Texan capital is known for its quirkiness – but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a premium break there too. And with British Airways being the only UK carrier to fly direct to Austin, now’s the time to take a trip
Hip hotels
To experience true Texan quality, Austin has plenty of hotels to choose from. The contemporary Omni Austin Hotel is situated in the heart of the city, and boasts a heated rooftop pool and great views of the sixth street entertainment district. If you want to avoid the bustle of a big establishment, try Hotel St Cecilia – an calm oasis in the middle of downtown. For a four-star retreat on the banks of the city’s lake, try the elegant and spacious Radisson Hotel & Suites Austin Downtown.
Braggable dining experiences
There’s more to Austin than breakfast tacos, food trucks and dive bars. At Laundrette Executive Chef Rene Ortiz and pastry chef Laura Sawicki are fearless in the kitchen. Try charred octopus, Prince Edward Island mussels, and kale with almonds and balsamic vinaigrette. Or visit Apis. Inspired by the honeybee, this restaurant overlooks the Pedernales River and serves contemporary American cuisine all with a touch of honey. Honey-glazed rohan duck with wild fennel, coriander and blood orange is a highlight.
Unmissable culture
With a buzzing live music scene, world-class sightseeing and a wealth of outdoor activities, there’s never a dull moment in Austin. Music-lovers can choose from more than 200 venues hosting gigs in every genre, from jazz to country and punk. Visit in October to experience the ever popular Austin City Limits Music Festival with performances this year from the Foo Fighters, Drake, and Florence + The Machine. Literature fans will enjoy the Texas Book Festival. Established in 1995, the annual event hosts 250 authors and 40,000 guests with book readings, craft activities and a storybook fashion show. Cinephiles should schedule in a trip to October’s Austin Film Festival, where visitors can get an insider’s view of filmmaking through the eyes of some of the industry’s leading professionals.
Premium travel with BA
Your Austin holiday starts the moment you board your flight. With World Traveller Plus you can enjoy a wider seat, more legroom and a smaller cabin, plus a larger free baggage allowance. Customers in Club World can take advantage of a fully flat bed, access to the Executive Club lounges and luxurious spa treatments, plus dedicated check-in desks and priority boarding.
Sporting thrills
Love cars? Austin is home to the Circuit of The Americas – the place for world-class motorsports and entertainment. Set on 1,500 acres, it hosts the only Formula 1 race in America – the US Grand Prix – as well as ESPN’s X Games, MotoGP, the FIA World Endurance Championship and Tudor United SportsCar Championship sports car series. The site is also home to the Austin360 Amphitheater, which regularly hosts concerts by world-class performers.
This article has been tagged Destination, Travel Tips