In This Article:
The results are in: Austin's Colton House Hotel on South Congress Avenue is a Tripadvisor 2023 Travelers' Choice award winner.
The travel website says the award recognizes businesses that have received “great” traveler reviews on the site over the past 12 months.
"Earning a Travelers’ Choice Award demonstrates that you have provided great experiences to those who matter most: your guests," said John Boris, chief growth officer at Tripadvisor. "With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat."
Colton House opened in early 2021 at 2510 S. Congress Ave., just south of the new H-E-B going up on the corner of South Congress Avenue and Oltorf Street. The boutique hotel features 80 suites with one-, two- and three-bedroom units that are equipped with a kitchenette or full kitchen and living room. Spaces range from 460 to 1,170 square feet, significantly larger than a standard hotel room, and many include in-room washers and dryers.
More: A new luxury hotel is coming to Austin. Here's what we know about upcoming projects.
The hotel, which includes an outdoor pool, is targeting a variety of travelers, including families with children and pets; friend and family gatherings; or visitors on business.
Other Colton amenities include Simona's Coffee + Cocktail Bar, which offers coffee, tea, wine and spirits, along with food from an on-site food truck. In addition, there is an outdoor space of 5,000 square feet around heritage live oak trees that can be used to play bocce ball, croquet and lawn bowling.
Scott Matthews, general manager of Colton House, said the hotel faced challenges opening during the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel plummeted.
"It was not ideal timing by any means," Matthews said. "We did it and we are catching our stride. We are excited about the Tripadvisor recognition, and we are excited to be part of the South Congress cornerstone."
The Austin-based hotel group, which also operates a location in Chicago, is now focusing on events.
"The Austin market is great for this. Whether it's 25 people doing a meeting, a corporate retreat, happy hours, anniversaries, baby showers," Matthews said. "We're an Airbnb with services and amenities that you won't get at an Airbnb, such as a pool and coffee bar. We provide services that an Airbnb does not."
More: H-E-B opening new store in fastest-growing city in America this week. Here's what to know
Colton House's Tripadvisor award comes as Source Strategies, a San Antonio-based consulting firm that tracks the lodging industry, just released new figures showing an encouraging hospitality bounce back. Among the findings: