Latest news with #AustinMotel
Eater
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
We, As Kitsch-Lovers, Approve of OLIPOP's New Retro-Cool Hotel Rooms
Leave it to a soda brand to bring me the kitsch hotel stay of my dreams. OLIPOP — as in, yes, the prebiotic soda company that has us addicted to its gut-friendly facsimiles for root beer, cream soda, and Hawaiian Punch — has decided to enter the world of unique hotel stays by launching a series of retro-inspired, themed, ephemeral hotel rooms in Austin, Texas. And as my coworker and I confirmed to one another on Slack, 'the rooms are actually so cute.' Feast your eyes on my personal favorite, crowned the 2002 Cherry Cola Suite: It feels like no collaboration is off-limits in this new era of chaos marketing (see: the new Tresemmé hot sauce), and while a lot of these food collaborations balloon into surrealist territory that steers them away from brand authenticity, I'm absolutely here for the fantasy that OLIPOP is pitching us, which is that of a 'Time Travel Agency' takeover of the Austin Motel from June 24 to July 8. As OLIPOP explains, 'guests can enter for a chance to win one of three immersive, soda-inspired suites [that bring] an OLIPOP flavor to life through the lens of a different decade.' In addition to the Cherry Cola Suite, there will also be a 1986 Cream Soda Suite decked out in pastel stripes, neon lights, and retro arcade details… … As well as the 1995 Strawberry Vanilla Suite, which pays homage to OLIPOP's (honestly very taste) Strawberry Vanilla prebiotic soda, and is described by the company as having 'all-pink everything and '90s maximalism at its finest.' All of the rooms feel inspired by theatrically decorated, vintage-inspired hotels and motels like the iconic The Madonna Inn (as seen in many a photo shoot and music video), upstate New York's The Roxbury (known for its coconut-cream-pie-themed room), and the numerous themed couples' hotels in the Poconos. Over the years, Airbnb and other brands have offered elaborate, raffle-based themed hotel stays — often, to promote the likes of Hocus Pocus 2 or Shrek (the latter of which had an incredible swamp set-up), so it's actually nice to see another company throw its vacation hat into the ring in a way that doesn't feel haphazardly inauthentic. It has also been a big year for soda, from the 'dirty' concoctions of Mormon wives to Addison Rae's earworm 'Diet Pepsi' — which evokes a smart branding nod to Britney Spears' 2000s partnership with the company (even if Spears was adamant about not drinking diet Pepsi, 'just regular Pepsi'). In any case, I will absolutely co-sign the creation of more kitsch hotel rooms, particularly when it feels like America's own retro love hotels are increasingly going out of business. Will OLIPOP continue to dip its toes into more experimental — and experiential — marketing techniques à la Liquid Death? Time will tell if the company veers into similar shock marketing territory, but I hope it stays the course of curating activations with identity coherency. Oh, and shag rugs. Learn more about how to stay at OLIPOP's themed rooms here . See More: Add to Cart Eater at Home Shopping and Pantry Guides Travel Guides
Axios
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Where to find hotel pool passes in Austin
Beyond Austin's beautiful public pools and swimming holes, a growing number of hotels are opening their doors to let locals enjoy their chic pool decks. We've rounded up some options to keep you cool during the hottest time of year. W Austin The newly renovated hotel 's wet deck has become a popular spot to spend a day under rentable cabanas and verandas while enjoying DJs every Sunday. Pool passes start at $35. Austin Motel The iconic Austin Motel on South Congress has brought back its daily pool pass and reopened Rocky's Bar. Day passes are available daily 11am–10pm. $25 passes Monday through Thursday, and $50 passes Friday through Sunday. Pro tip: Join the Austin Motel's Swim Club for daily pool access, monthly member happy hours and a welcome tote. Hotel Magdalena Take a dip in the hotel pool noon–5pm, enjoy complimentary WiFi and towel service and grab drinks from the outdoor Magdalena Bar. A classic pool pass starts at $25, or you can find packages for two people ($45–$65) or family passes ($95–$125). Azul Rooftop Head to the 20th floor of The Westin for city views from a pool in the heart of Austin. Pool passes are $40 Sunday–Thursday and $60 for Friday and Saturday. Cabana and day passes for couples are also available. South Congress Hotel A day pass to this rooftop pool on South Congress Avenue includes drink and food service, a poolside bar and cabana rentals. Pool passes start at $75 for adults and $15 for children from 11am–7pm. Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa Take it up a notch with a luxurious day at Omni Barton Creek's Mokara Spa. A $99 pool pass gives you access to a rooftop pool, sauna, steam room and hot tub. Body and facial treatments are available for purchase. The Line Enjoy views of Lady Bird Lake and South Congress while swimming at The Line's heated saltwater infinity pool. $40 weekday and weekend day passes are available online. Omni Downtown Omni Downtown's Summer Saturdays are back — a weekly rooftop pool party launching Memorial Day weekend and continuing every Saturday, noon–5pm, through September.
