This lakeside hotel in Austin boasts the city’s best views

The Loren has a prime location on the banks of Austin’s Lady Bird Lake – Lydia Spencer-Elliott tries out its impressive facilities and rooftop dining

May 25, 2026 - 03:15

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This lakeside hotel in Austin boasts the city’s best views

As well as panoramic views across Austin’s Lady Bird Lake, this boutique hotel offers a luxurious spa, an exceptional restaurant and proximity to the city’s coolest area

Location

The Loren sits beside the south shore of Lady Bird Lake, with a boardwalk for running, walking and cycling on its doorstep. The area feels calm and close to nature, while also being close to all that Austin has to offer. Importantly, it’s only a 10-minute walk to Terry Black’s Barbecue, which is considered the best BBQ in town.

To reach downtown attractions including the Texas Capitol building or the University of Texas campus, hop into a (self-driving!) Uber for around five minutes. Or it’s a 45-minute walk, which can be pleasant on your first day in the city as there’s a lot to see.

In the opposite direction from the hotel, about a 15-minute stroll away, is South Congress Avenue (SoCo); a cool area of the city which is home to the famous Allens Boots shop (Dua Lipa is a customer), live music venues such as The Continental Club, and endless great dinner and drinks spots.

The hotel is roughly 20-minute drive from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. If you prefer to use public transport, take the CapMetro Route 20 bus from the airport towards Downtown, get off at Riverside Drive and walk for 10 minutes.

The vibe

The Loren at Lady Bird Lake doesn’t just want you to feel close to the lake and nearby Butler Metro Park, it wants you to feel connected to it. There are touches of blue and green throughout, including cascading plants that hang on the walls in the lobby.

Overall, the hotel is upmarket but contemporary, with mid-century furniture and curated art on the walls. It attracts a chic, laidback crowd.

The well-designed lobby at The Loren

The well-designed lobby at The Loren (The Loren)

Service

The atmosphere is intimate at The Loren. Staff are attentive and on hand to answer questions about the city, even drawing out a route of where to sightsee on a map for me, so I could set off feeling well-informed on my first day exploring the area.

Lemon, cucumber, or mint water is left in the lobby every day, which is a nice touch given that temperatures in the city can reach up into the high 30s.

Bed and bath

The Loren at Lady Bird Lake has 108 rooms and 26 suites. All come with a king-size bed and a large desk for working. The suites also benefit from a spacious and relaxing lounge area.

In the morning, the views over the lake from the floor-to-ceiling windows in my studio King Suite were transfixing. Every room category, whether King, Premier, Courtyard or Suite, comes with a good-sized wardrobe, robes, a fully-stocked minibar, a speaker, a television, and a coffee making station.

All bathrooms have a rainfall shower and large mirrors, with a separate bath as an added bonus in the bigger rooms.

Food and drink

The hotel’s upmarket restaurant, Nido, describes itself as “Austin’s most glamorous respite” – and it’s a claim that it lives up to. Eight floors above West Riverside Drive, the food spot has unparalleled views of the city’s skyline (which is particularly gorgeous at night) and an excellent wine list.

Menu highlights include: grilled oysters, tuna carpaccio, snow crab claws, saffron aioli octopus, grilled trout and lobster. Essentially, it’s a seafood lover’s dream, but there’s plenty for meat eaters and vegetarians, too.

The hotel’s upmarket restaurant boasts unparalleled views over Austin’s skyline

The hotel’s upmarket restaurant boasts unparalleled views over Austin’s skyline (The Loren)

Expect a cool crowd kicking back on sofas in the al fresco dining area, listening to the local musicians that are invited to play at the bar, or basking in the sun while enjoying the views.

Room rates at the hotel don’t include breakfast. However, you can order a la carte options at Nido (or room service) for an additional charge of around $14 to $24 (£10 to £18) depending on what you go for. The staff are accommodating and diligent about dietary requirements.

Facilities

Above the bustle of Austin on the eighth floor, The Loren’s rooftop pool area is a calming oasis from which to enjoy the views. Food and drink from Nido is served straight to your sun lounger.

The state-of-the-art fitness centre, which is equipped with Peloton bikes and Hydrow rowing machines, enjoys similarly stunning views.

The hotel also has an impressive spa, Milk + Honey at The Loren, which offers treatments from massages to hydrofacials at 15 per cent off for hotel guests. I enjoyed a relaxing 60-minute Signature Massage to relieve the tension in my shoulders before heading out to explore the city.

The hotel’s rooftop pool is the perfect place to chill

The hotel’s rooftop pool is the perfect place to chill (The Loren)

Accessibility

All areas of The Loren, including the rooftop pool, are accessible for wheelchair users, and the upper floors are serviced by lifts. Lowered sinks and grab rails are installed in all bathrooms.

Pet policy

Dogs weighing up to 20kg are welcome at The Loren for a $100 (£74) non-refundable charge per dog, per stay, with a maximum of two dogs allowed per room.

Check-in/check-out

Check-in is from 3pm, check-out is 12 noon.

Family-friendly?

The Loren welcomes families with children, with two-bedroom suites available for small families. Cots can be added to standard rooms for free upon request.

While there’s no kids’ club, board games and puzzles are available. Child-friendly food options are on offer at the hotel’s restaurant, Nido.