What’s New: Austin, College Station, Waco
Aloft’s Newest in Austin
The hip Aloft brand fits right in in Austin, so it’s no surprise the chain just opened its second hotel in town—the Aloft Austin Northwest. With 130 loft-style rooms and 1,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, the venue also proffers something for which Austin is well-known: live music. Convenient to locales including the Alamo Drafthouse and arteries like the Lakeline station on Capital MetroRail give guests the option of dining out or traveling crosstown, but the brand’s W XYZ bar will likely do a good job of keeping folks on-site.
The new property is also high tech: Aloft Austin Northwest features SPG Keyless—the industry-first keyless entry system that enables guests to use their smartphone or Apple watch as a room key—and fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the property.
Salute (& Sup) in College Station
Are their vets or military buffs amid your membership? College Station’s Cavalry Court Hotel has a new on-site restaurant where attendees can dig into their mess kits (though we suspect the fare is far tastier than C-rations). The Canteen, with a Texas-inspired menu, is styled after 1950s military culture and offers communal seating, couches, an open patio, pool and fire pit area and serves dishes such as Gulf fish tacos, pork belly sliders and Texas pecan pie. The bar also features a variety of speciality drinks.
The Canteen is open from 4 p.m. until midnight Mondays through Thursdays, noon to midnight Sundays and from noon to 2 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The Canteen also will feature live entertainment.
Small Meetings ‘Fix’ in Waco
Fans of the HGTV series “Fixer Upper” are well aware that the show’s stars call Waco home. The couple opened Magnolia Market at the Silos in October of 2016, and it’s become one of the hottest spots in town since. In addition to the home décor store, there’s also a bakery and garden store, as well as cover picnic area and food trucks parked in the “yard.”
For those planning a smaller, more intimate event or team-building trip, consider Magnolia House, located in historic McGregor, right outside Waco. The house on renovated and designed by Chip and Joanna and is considered a vacation rental. You can book the entire property, which sleeps 8. While it’s booked through June 2017, booking for the second half of the year will open soon.
Source: Visit Austin, Experience Bryan-College Station, Magnolia Market
