Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2008 > December > 06 > Entry
A personal first at the St. Cecilia Hotel
I wouldn’t call the moment historic, but I was tickled nonetheless to be the first-ever guest invited into the St. Cecilia Hotel lounge. It wasn’t until my departure from the transformed Victorian compound that trend-spotter Elaine Garza pointed out my accidental pioneer status. I felt, for a moment, special.
The St. Cecilia is the latest project from cultural prognosticator Liz Lambert, who helped revolutionize nearby South Congress Avenue with the Hotel San Jose (occupancy still at 95 percent, when the rest of Austin’s hotel industry is looking at less than 65 percent) and the coolest SoCo business ever — Jo’s Hot Coffee.
Lambert and friends started with the lacy, hilltop 1886 Miller-Crockett house, long used for weddings, special events and a bed-and-breakfast, on Academy Drive (up behind Doc’s Motorworks). Over many months they created a ultra-boutique 14-room hotel. Not a bed and breakfast. A real hotel with private room entries and patios, as well as a subte rock ‘n’ roll theme. The old building is split into a few super-suites outfitted with outrageous furniture collected by Lambert in her travels. (Priced, I must say, to a rock star’s budget.)
I actually preferred the more modern “bungalows” and the lounge/lobby, designed in streamlined sensitivity by the estimable Emily Little. The two-story bungalows — perfect for parties — surround a long, inviting pool. The lounge — sorry, for patrons only — is a little wonder, with overstuffed furniture, fireplace and thoughtfully selected eats and drinks. I could have lingered there for hours with Lambert, her girlfriend and Out 100 selection Amy Cook, of course Garza, and the hotel’s able GM, Michael Nestor.
I loved hearing about the process of developing the hotel’s vibe, which includes turntables in every room and a limited selection of vinyl to rent. We guarantee that some post-concert parties staged here will be legendary, but, according to Lambert and crew, under control. People will surely respect what enormous that care went into designing, renovating and maintaining such an enchanted retreat.
Look for design and style writer Melanie Spencer’s profile of Lambert and St. Cecilia in the American-Statesman soon. Also, photos to come soon.
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By elizabeth
December 11, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Is the lounge open to the public or hotel guests only?