Inner City Sanctums
Ring in the new year at Austin's best hotels
Flyer for NYE at San Jose
Lakeway Resort
W HotelCourtesy of W Austin
Travaasa
Hotel San Jose
Sometimes escape is all you need to be happy — believe me, it's one of many personal manifestos. But don't run away to Times Square or Rio this New Year's Eve. Stick around town — because Austin's best hotels are hosting some of the biggest bashes of the year, complete with fancy dresses, live music and deep discounts on room rates. These radical parties will make your year-ending evening spectacularly special no matter how familiar the surroundings.
The creative bees at Hotel San Jose have been busy buzzing around behind the scenes to bring you "All Tomorrows Party: A Warhol Factory New Year's Eve." And the hippest hive mind in town promises to perfectly fuse the present with the oncoming future with a decadent night full of dancing, live DJs, a photo booth by Alison Narro and, of course, a champagne toast at midnight. Like a true underground, there's no cover, just show up unannounced in your best 60s duds — black and white attire encouraged, but not required — and boogie down, bebe.
Or welcome in the new year at W Austin's "Drop the Ball" party. Their Living Room Lounge is about a million times better than yours, so do yourself a favor and reserve a seat for the ultimate evening of elegant relaxation, which will include welcome cocktails, "nibbles" plates courtesy of TRACE Chef de Cuisine, Paul Hargrove, a bottle of Nicolas Feuillatte champagne, live beats from DJ Rich and commemorative party favors.
Lakeway Resort & Spa will also be offering another chic celebration, with a gourmet meal prepared by Executive Chef Jeff Axline, live music performed by Andrea Marie and the Magnolia Band and a long night of dancing alongside vistas overlooking Lake Travis. Save yourself the drive home after your complimentary glass of champagne at midnight and reserve a discounted room for the last night of 2011.
And what better night to indulge in some old-school charm than the last night of the year? Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel is throwing a classic celebration fit for every flapper girl's dreams. Glitzy guests will enjoy a night of prohibition-era jazz — courtesy of The Danielle Reich Trio — a cigar roller on the terrace preparing custom cigars to order, cocktails and complimentary bottles of Imperial Brut Champagne, special menu and hors d'oeuvres from Chef Patrick Newman and a traditional balloon drop at midnight.
Or steer clear of the city fêtes in favor of a relaxing evening in the Hill Country. Travaasa Austin's New Year's Eve package includes everything you'll need for a calm countdown to midnight: a gourmet, locally-sourced five-course dinner menu featuring traditional "good luck" ingredients, live entertainment and a midnight toast under a perfectly starry sky thanks to Travaasa's ideal location inside the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. After a long night of celebratory cocktails, guests will wake up to a complimentary "Sprayology Party Relief" spa treatment suited to cure your year's worst hangover.
DIIV's set was moody, but propulsive thanks to strong bass lines.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Zachary Cole Smith can always be counted on for a nostalgic 'fit.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Starcleaner Reunion singer Jo Roman keeps the beat.Photo by Brianna Caleri
From the looks of it, no one had a better time onstage than Wayne Coyne, frontman of the Flaming Lips.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The tinsel whip was one of many props.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Flaming Lips are known for touring with huge inflatables.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A joyful crowd reacts to being blasted with confetti during the Flaming Lips' set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Ty Segall was king of the guitar jams.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Segall's painted jeans were probably the most unique fashion statement all weekend.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Psych Fest uniform: Earthy shorts and calf tattoos.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thomas Attar Bellier of Al-Qasar plays a beautifully adorned electric saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The more mics, the better for Al-Qasar.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A closer look at the saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Lyrics in Arabic brought extra gravitas to the set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
How's that for a desert hallucination?Photo by Brianna Caleri
New Candys guitarist Emanuele Zanardo puts a physical flourish in his playing.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A portal opens...Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Black Angels interrupted the technicolor parade for a largely black-and-white set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Black Angels bassist Misti Hamrick-French basks in the cold glow of a strobe light.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Dumbo Gets Mad reminds us that Italians just get fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Luca Bergomi gets in on bassist Ivan Torelli's shot.Photo by Brianna Caleri
LA LOM bassist Jake Faulkner captures the sun.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Zac Sokolow danced for the whole set, which happened to be on his birthday.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's grandstanding added flavor to the show, which ultimately didn't need psychedelic visuals.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's howls cut through the air, hardly amplified.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Trish Toledo paid homage to mothers and couples in her romantic set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Not a practical shoe for a rainy weekend. We salute her sacrifice for fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thee Sacred Souls closed out the festival with a brass section.Photo by Brianna Caleri
This backup singer was exquisitely styled in blue.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Singer Josh Lane snapped a photo of an adoring audience. See you next time, Josh.Photo by Brianna Caleri