Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the opening of the highly anticipated Thompson Austin and Tommie Austin Hotels in Austin.
Located in a prestigious mixed-use development by Magellan Development Group, Geolo Capital, BLG Capital Advisors and Wanxiang America Real Estate Group, the two properties will open as Hyatt’s newest lifestyle hotels. Located at the intersection of 5th and San Jacinto and just 15 minutes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, both concepts bring exciting new dining, entertainment and cultural experiences to downtown Austin, creating a vibrant destination for locals and visitors alike.
“Thompson Austin and Tommie Austin each bring something unique and new to the vibrant city of Austin,” she says Managing director Nate Hardesty.
“The Thompson Austin is the newest cultural hub with exceptional service, an upscale social scene and highly coveted food and beverage offerings, while the Tommie Austin is a reinvented hotel experience created for exploring vibrant neighborhoods. Austin is one of the most popular travel destinations and serves as home to many inspiring people and businesses that we are honored to have.”
Luxurious, modern Thompson Austin is poised to become the capital’s premier urban playground. It features 212 guest rooms and suites; 17 apartments; a 6,700-square-foot wellness center with a sports simulator and private fitness rooms; a pool deck surrounded by lush greenery with al fresco dining; street-level dining experiences led by James Beard Award-winning chef Mashama Bailey and her partner Johno Morisano; and more than 10,000 square feet of private indoor and outdoor event space. All guest rooms, suites and residences reflect the property’s elegant style with artisanal touches such as nightly turndown service, DS & DURGA bathroom amenities with the Thompson Hotel’s signature brand fragrance, fine in-room cuisine by Executive Chef Mashama and much more.
Curated by an ethos that celebrates Austin’s rebellious spirit, the Thompson Austin features exteriors by bKL Architecture and interiors designed by KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group. Common spaces showcase striking concrete walls and bespoke elements, including a uniquely designed reception desk inspired by rough-cut gemstones and a custom Shou Sugi Ban wood ceiling — both nods to the local landscape. In contrast, bold mixed metal finishes, hints of soft leather and lush greenery create warmth in the space.
Tommie Austin, opening under the playful JdV by Hyatt brand, is a new urban hotel experience designed to encourage interaction and serve as an epicenter for creativity and adventure. Designed by Venice-based Studio Collective, the hotel features 193 king-size rooms and offers the efficiency and flexibility of a select service while taking advantage of the amenities of a dynamic place. Built for functionality with contactless kiosk check-in machines and mobile room access, the hotel welcomes guests with a young, all-day counter serving specialty coffees from Greater Goods Coffee Co., craft beer, natural wines and whimsical retail outlets as an innovative alternative become the traditional lobby.
Evoking the boundless charm of the vast high desert lands surrounding West Texas, Tommie Austin’s guest rooms embody details reminiscent of natural elements, including comfortable, tactile furnishings, Southwest American-inspired materials and textures, combined with bold, ethnic geometric patterns. Guests will see six dramatic panoramic images above each bed, taken by famed local photographer Kenny Braun, featuring images from the Guadalupe Mountain Range to Big Bend Ranch State Park. Upon entering, guests are greeted by a 10 x 6 foot mural specially curated by Tom Jean Webb, telling a narrative influenced by the Southwest and its surroundings. Created to hint at a transformative atmosphere and visual experience, the mural has an emotive element intended to stimulate conversation and engagement in Tommie guests and visitors alike.
A taste of Austin
Thompson Austin and Tommie Austin will open in cadence in early 2022 and together offer several unique dining concepts including a fourth floor restaurant and bar concept, a street level restaurant and market and a ground floor cafe and wine bar.
From the perspective of Gray Spaces partners Mashama Bailey, James Beard Best Chef 2019: Southeast, and Johno Morisano, The Diner Bar and The Gray Market will both anchor hotels as day-to-night dining destinations, serving dishes daily on the ground floor . Each plays with the duo’s interpretation of Port City Southern Food while incorporating additional inspiration from regional ingredients and local Texas flavors. Located in the lobby of the Thompson Austin, Diner Bar will be a casual, fine-dining restaurant and bar with a lively, sociable spirit, serving dishes like country pasta, while The Gray Market draws inspiration from its original Savannah location as a community gathering leaves spot with counter service, grab-and-go items, and supplies like a Sunday Fried Chicken set with Pullman bread and homemade pickles.
On the fourth floor entertainment deck, Land and Sea Dept will open Wax Myrtle’s Club & Pool, a unique poolside restaurant and bar featuring contemporary al fresco dining. Led by Executive Chef Nick Erven, Thompson Austin, and Tommie Austin, diners can expect a menu that emphasizes seasonal and local ingredients, with a focus on modern American fare, in addition to monthly programs such as local and guest DJs, demonstrations, and live performances . Dish highlights include black-eyed pea falafel with pickled tomatillo and buttermilk, and griddled gulf shrimp with bone marrow chili butter and sesame seeds. A menu of innovative drinks curated by consultant Shelby Allison and helmed by Wax Myrtle’s beverage director Ben Carrington complements each dish with curated originals and revived classics. Highlights include the Happy House with Sotol, Blanco Tequila, spiced grapefruit syrup, lime and sparkling wine, and the Moontower with gin, vermouth, herbal honey oxymel, lemon oil and local olives.
Instead of a traditional hotel lobby, tommie Austin guests will find an all-day coffee shop featuring Austin-based Greater Goods Coffee Co., a small coffee roaster dedicated to sourcing, roasting, and serving high-quality specialty coffees with an emphasis on creativity community. As a casual wine bar and popular happy hour location, guests can also enjoy a curated menu of local, premium and natural wines that celebrate the region; craft beers from Austin breweries; and a collection of whimsical retail stores to browse through.
Meet me downtown
Thompson Austin offers over 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space spread over the second and fourth floors. With elevated features like 20-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, the hotel introduces a collection of venues never before seen in the city. Traditional offerings include the Red River Ballroom (3,890 square feet), Bass Boardroom (1,336 square feet), Singer Boardroom (311 square feet), Newton Boardroom (467 square feet), and Kelley Boardroom (348 square feet), each ranked by notable Personalities are named from the history of the Texas Hill Country. Additionally, the fourth floor Bayberry Room and Patio features 3,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space that can be used for private receptions, acoustic sets, performances and screenings.
A local welcome
To celebrate the opening, Thompson Austin and Tommie Austin partnered with local retailers to create unique, immersive experiences to welcome guests to the heart of the city.
Exuding true Texas hospitality, Thompson Austin has worked with Tecovas to create the Kick Up Your Boots package. In addition to their stay, guests receive a Southern-inspired gift bag with branded whiskey glasses, a headscarf and a local spirits tasting, as well as a $250 Tecovas gift card with round-trip transportation to and from the retail store. Thompson Austin will be offering a second package, the “Have It All” package, including a $100 food and beverage credit, a Chef’s choice of welcome gift, a branded leather bag, two tickets to The Contemporary Austin, a $20 -Big Henry’s Vinyl & Gifts gift card, curated Tecovas gift bag and free parking.
tommie austin partners with austin detours to curate a truly local guest experience to kick off the grand opening. The package includes a two-night stay, a $20 credit to Tommie Austin Cafe, a branded YETI tumbler, and an immersive street art experience for two led by Austin Detours.
Nightly room rates are seasonal and start at $329 per night at the Thompson Austin and $199 per night at the Tommie Austin.
