Rakel S.
Yelp
The Frances Modern is truly a haven! I've stayed in loads of hotels and AirBnBs all over Austin and in every neighborhood -- South, North, East, West, and central -- and this now is my absolutely favorite place to stay.
It's beautifully designed for relaxation and comfort. Somehow it was tranquil and chill while being right across the street from great live music and food trucks (with Hippie Ice snow cones -- perfect during the August heat!) at Kenny Dorham's Backyard. (There's a noise ordinance that kept things quiet after 10:30, which was perfect.)
The Frances is an easy walk to cute boutiques, world-famous Franklin Barbecue, and Vintage bookshop and wine bar, and you can rent a bike across the street for a quick jaunt down to E. 6th street or over to downtown to get to even more restaurants, nightlife, and shopping. There's also a rooftop deck lounge area with a killer view of the Austin skyline.
Everyone -- innkeepers and housekeepers alike -- was incredibly friendly and made our stay delightful. We had the chance to stay in both a Medium Plus room, which had a balcony where we could stand and listen to the live music, and in the Suite, which was spacious, luxurious, and perfect. All of the colors and materials were soothing and soft. And after a long day roaming around in the 100-degree-plus heat, it was great to soak our tired muscles in the tub and cool off in the AC before venturing out for more Austin fun.
We also loved that the hotel had a fancy coffeemaker where we could get espresso drinks, coffee, or hot water for tea, plus there's a fridge full of tasty, local Waterloo sparkling water. There's also free parking - a huge plus! On each floor, there were bookshelves in the common area that had plenty to read, as well as some games, tarot cards, and other design touches.
The owner, Vicki Faust, has created someplace truly special, a beautifully designed sanctuary with all the creature comforts and a quintessentially cool & friendly Austin vibe. If I could live in this place, I would!