When Liz Lambert decided to buy the seedy 1930's motor lodge across from the Austin Continental Club on South Congress, people must have thought she was crazy. You have to admire a person who looks at a motel known to house prostitutes, drug dealers and the like and thinks, "this is it...I love it!" Hotel San Jose became the first of a series of collaborations with the San Antonio-based architect group, Lake Flato. Together they created serene, zen-like outdoor settings, used lots of natural design elements such as cedar gates and arbors and thought out every small detail to capture a cool, restful place. With concrete floors in the rooms, it is not warm and cozy, however, what lacks in traditional comfort is made up in other areas. Each room stocks Malin + Goetz bath products which are amazing. The cotton robes are kimono style and resemble a Mexican blanket with brightly colored stripes. The glasses in the room are made by a Mexican glass company and almost beg for a fresh lime on the side. Austin is it's own flavor of cowboy chic. Sort of vintage Hollywood meets west Texas. This bungalow boutique hotel with succulents everywhere really nails the hip vibe. I will most definitely be showing their other hotels in the future. Kinda makes me want to throw out the boxwoods and rest my cowboy boots among the cactus. Ole!

Photos via Hotel San Jose & Remodelista