Not even fully unobstructed views of the Caribbean’s best beach could defeat the Westin Austin Downtown’s lit up city views from its rooftop pool.
The rooftop pool in downtown Austin recently took home Travel Agent’s first “The Cool Pool of the World” contest by defeating the Somerset on Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos in the finals.
While the Somerset garnered 22,090 tallies, the Westin Austin Downtown’s deep fan base managed to register a whopping 26,008 votes. The combined 48,098 votes are especially high when you consider voting for the championship was only open for four days.
The Westin Austin Downtown will now be featured in the May 15 issue of Travel Agent magazine, along with the other contenders from the contest.
Here’s a look at what makes the rooftop pool at the Westin Austin so special:
Azul, which is said to be Austin’s highest rooftop pool and bar, is the newest addition to Westin Austin Downtown and just opened to the public about a year ago. For 2017, Azul is reemerging with an entirely renovated space, providing increased seating capacity, cabanas, and a brand new food and drink concept.
With views of downtown Austin, Lady Bird Lake, and the surrounding area, Azul also features daily happy hours, DJs, live music each weekend, and monthly parties and events.
The new drink menu will feature a full selection of hand-crafted draft cocktails available by the glass or pitcher; a daytime drink menu that will feature edible cocktails; and nighttime offerings like sunset-themed cocktails or wines by the glass.
A brand new food menu will consist of refreshing and sharable offerings that fit into three categories: "Bites," which include Tajin spiced Edamame and Texas peach sorbet; "Bowls," which include the Austin Acai Bowl and the Poke Bowl; and "Bentos," which includes such Mexican offerings as roasted salsa, guacamole and ceviche.
The bar/pool features luxurious cabanas, a fire pit and 180-degree views of Austin. Azul is open to the public during from 3 - 9 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. On Fridays and Saturdays the pool is reserved for hotel guests. Azul serves specialty cocktails and beers on draft.
Westin Austin Downtown offers various rooftop programing, from a wellness package that includes rooftop yoga classes to a "Guitar Rockstar" package that includes rooftop guitar lessons with a local band, an in-room guitar, exclusive VIP access to famous venues and historic blues clubs and more. Also, guests have the opportunity to play on stage at a local music venue with a live band.
Visit www.westinaustindowntown.com and keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for all your latest travel news. Be sure to follow Travel Agent’s Joe Pike on Twitter @TravelPike and Instagram @pike5260. For more cool hotel pools, follow us on Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/travelagentmag/cool-hotel-pools.