Opening alert

Austin's biggest hotel mounts reopening details for guest rooms and rooftop pool

The Fairmont Austin is reopening next week.

Photo courtesy of Fairmont Austin

The Fairmont Austin — the city's largest hotel — is swinging open its opulent doors soon. In a release, the property announced it is reopening to both guests and visitors beginning June 1.

Like most hotels, the Fairmont shuttered in mid-March in response to the city's shutdown. The downtown skyscraper didn't stay entirely dark, though, repeatedly lighting up its 37-story facade with hopeful messages during its closure.

In a release, Fairmont's owner, Accor, detailed its COVID-19 cleaning procedures, operations that the company says were vetted "by a team of expert advisors" and will be implemented at all properties in North and Central America. Each guest and employee must also undergo a temperature check upon entering the Fairmont. Those who register temps of 99.6 degrees or higher will be subjected to secondary screening process.

“Fairmont Austin’s top priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our guests, colleagues and the local community. Caring for them and creating special moments is at the heart of who we are and what we do,” said Nenad Praporski, general manager of Fairmont Austin, in a release.

“Today, we are laser-focused on keeping our guests and employees safe by preventing the spread of COVID-19 and partnering with top experts to implement new standards of safety and enhanced operational protocols and procedures, which are among the most stringent in the hospitality industry."

Along with welcoming back overnight guests, the 1,048-room Fairmont is also opening its rooftop pool and fitness center, as well as Fulton, an onsite bar and grill, and Good Things, the hotel's coffeeshop. In-room dining will also be available and provided via contactless delivery.

Reservations for Fairmont Austin are now open for stays beginning June 1. The company also announced that due to the current pandemic, it is allowing for cancellations within 24 hours through the summer.

"We are coming back Texas Strong," Praporski said, "and ready to welcome our guests to their home away from home.”

As for the hotel's other Texas property, reopening details for the Fairmont Dallas have not been revealed.

hotels openings

Going To Texas

Luxury bus operator in Austin launches daily route across Texas

Photo courtesy of Gogo Charters

Gogo Charters is now

A charter service for buses, minibuses, and motorcoaches is now launching its first intercity line to major hubs through Central Texas, from San Antonio to Dallas. Gogo Charters is launching a daily luxury bus service meant to "provide a sophisticated alternative to air and rail travel," according to a press release.

The route will stop in San Marcos, Austin, Temple, and Waco along the way. There are also new buses making this journey, offering perks like reclining seats, Wi-Fi, onboard restrooms, and a mobile app with real-time tracking.

The company has not announced fares for the route or what date it will start, although the release states it is due to launch sometime in 2025. There is a landing page on the website confirming the stops and bus features. On the same page, there is a form to sign up for updates when they are available.

"At GOGO Charters, we're not just offering an alternative to air travel; we're elevating the overall travel experience," said Gogo founder Mark Thronson in a news release. "With decades of expertise in transportation and significant investment in technology, we are delivering a superior, luxury travel experience for our customers. The launch of these routes will make it easier for people to stay connected and for cities to thrive, all while offering a seamless, premium travel option."

Texas is the first area to get connected in the United States, but Gogo operates non-daily services in many cities including Atlanta, Denver, Las Vegas, New Orleans, New York, and more. A blog post by the company sets a timeline of two years for adding more connective daily routes across the country.

As the name suggests, Gogo Charters largely focuses on rentals for group trips like field trips, conferences, and off-site parking shuttles.

bus travel