White Lodging is proud to announce the opening of the dual branded Aloft and Element hotel complex in downtown Austin, Texas. In addition to the 32-story development offering the 278-room Aloft Austin Downtown and 144-room Element Austin Downtown, the property features Caroline, an on-site restaurant, coffeehouse and bakery, as well as Upstairs at Caroline, an urban background playground complete with a bar for the 21+ locals and guests.
“We are thrilled to bring two exciting hotel properties together and into one building to the downtown Austin market,” said General Manager, David Meisner. “The Aloft brand offers a tech-forward, vibrant experience and a modern style that is different by design, while the first Element in Austin will appeal to those wishing to be a bit more zen, balancing between life and work with a focus on wellness on the road.”
Located at the intersection of Congress Avenue and 7th Street, Caroline’s urban and contemporary feel is complemented by an uncomplicated, communal and lively atmosphere. The neighborhood spot is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner serving traditional American cuisine with unique local touches coupled with made-from-scratch bakery items. Signature dishes on the market-driven menu include the Artichoke Benedict, Quinoa Chili Bowl and Hot & Crunchy Halibut. Caroline is the perfect place to gather for coffee or cocktails, a quick bite or a full meal, a formal dining experience or a causal get together for those who live, work and play in the neighborhood.
“Caroline is welcoming to everyone, and we hope locals treat it as their go-to spot regardless of the meal or experience they’re looking for,” Meisner said. “We are excited to make our mark in the vibrant weekend brunch scene with regularly scheduled live music performances in addition to games such as foosball, cornhole, Jenga and billiards. Upstairs at Caroline is the outdoor social environment everyone craves for both after-work and weekend play.”
Aloft Austin Downtown and Element Austin Downtown are within walking distance to the renowned 6th Street Entertainment District live music venues, restaurants and shops. Also nearby are the Warehouse District, the 2nd Street District, the Austin Convention Center, the University of Texas at Austin campus and the Texas State Capitol Building. The hotels will share amenities including an oversized 24-hour fitness center and nearly 1,380 square feet of flexible meeting space, ideal for both business meetings and social gatherings. Fast and free Wi-Fi will be available throughout the hotel.
Aloft Austin Downtown will feature spacious, loft-like rooms with high ceilings, oversized windows, an ultra-comfortable platform bed and large walk-in showers with complimentary Bliss Spa® products. A convenient grab-n-go kiosk will offer an array of sweet, savory and healthy food, snacks and drinks available 24 hours a day.
Upstairs at Caroline will offer the perfect spot to enjoy a refreshing cocktail while catching up-and-coming music acts with Live at Aloft Hotels. It will feature an open air second-floor terrace that overlooks Congress Avenue.
Aloft Hotels is a trailblazer in the live-music scene worldwide. The brand has always been committed to cutting-edge music programming, leading the way as an industry innovator by supporting live acts in its hotels through its Live at Aloft Hotels music program held on properties across the globe. The popular, no-cover acoustic sets showcase emerging talent with live, intimate performances in the hotel for both guests and music-loving locals.
Element Austin Downtown will boast light-filled studios as well as one-bedroom suites featuring fluid designs, modular furniture, flat-screen televisions, large desks with open shelving and custom-designed closets. Bathrooms will be spa-inspired, with an invigorating rain shower and dual-flush toilet. Rooms will also offer fully equipped kitchens and the signature Heavenly® Bed. Guests can stay on the move with the Element brand’s Bikes to Borrow program and enjoy fun and free extras including complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, the signature RISE breakfast, RELAX evening reception, and salon bar carts stocked with premium wines and beers, soft drinks and snacks, available after hours.
Aloft Austin Downtown and Element Austin Downtown are owned by an affiliate of White Lodging; REI Real Estate, Inc.; and Poe Companies and will be managed by White Lodging. They will be the 22nd and 23rd White Lodging managed hotels in the Austin area.
White Lodging Services Corporation was established in 1985 and is today one of America’s largest and fastest growing hotel ownership, development, and management companies. An innovative trendsetter with high-performing convention and lifestyle hotels in its portfolio, White Lodging boasts more than 165-premium hotels, 30 restaurants and 30 brands — including Marriott International, Inc., Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Global, and InterContinental Hotel Group — in 19 states across the U.S.
With more than 125 hotels now open in nearly 20 countries and territories around the world, Aloft Hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., delivers a fresh approach to the traditional staid hotel landscape. For the ‘always on’ next generation of traveler, the Aloft brand offers a tech-forward, vibrant experience and a modern style that is different by design. Aloft is proud to participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Starwood Preferred Guest®. Members can now link accounts with Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer.
Element® Hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., is made to order for guests in the know and on the go. Its bright design defies convention, bathing guest rooms and public spaces in natural light. Stylish and sustainable throughout, Element offers extended stay comfort with a conscience and lots of signature amenities from its healthy RISE breakfast and RELAX evening reception to saline swimming pools, spacious fitness centers, bikes to borrow and electric vehicle charging stations. Element made history in 2008 as the only major hotel brand to pursue LEED certification for high-performance buildings brand-wide. Element is proud to participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Starwood Preferred Guest®. Members can now link accounts with Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer.