Check this Out
Heavenly new South Austin hotel brings 1970s lakeside vibes to South Congress
Hotel Magdalena, the newest hotel from Austin-based Bunkhouse Group, is drawing back the curtain on some very interesting new details.
Located in South Congress Avenue's Music Lane development, just steps from the Hotel Saint Cecilia — another Bunkhouse property — the Magdalena boasts a pool, restaurant, and several private spaces for events and "hanging out." Though the exact date is still to be determined, a release says the property should be open by spring 2020, and a website is offering reservations beginning as soon as June.
The hotel was designed by Lake Flato, the same firm behind the Hotel San Jose; El Cosmico; and the Hotel San Cristobal, Bunkhouse's hotel in Todos Santos, Mexico. Inspired by "Barton Springs in Austin and 1970s lakeside culture," the Magdalena features four new buildings connected by walkways and courtyards. A pool in the middle of the property adds to the '70s lake vibes while individual porches cultivate the laid-back feeling evoked by most Bunkhouse projects.
Inside the Magdalena's 89 rooms (by far the largest Bunkhouse offering to date), guests will find custom Spanish tile of either red, blue, or green. And, notes the release, most rooms "are situated to allow natural light from both the east and west."
Also checking into the property is Summer House on Music Lane, a restaurant led by Jeffrey Hundelt, former culinary director for Launderette and Fresa's. Summer House will "focus on grilled local meats and seasonal vegetables with bold accompaniments and bright salads, embracing Texas roots."
Cooking will be done in an open kitchen on a live-fire grill and rotisserie. To balance all that heat, Summer House will curate a wine list of organic and biodynamic varietals and offer ice-cold cocktails, perfect for sipping on its large (covered!) patio.
