Hotel Ella to Open Its Historic Doors Late Summer in Austin

  • May 23, 2013
Hotel Ella to Open Its Historic Doors Late Summer in Austin
General Manager Steve Shotsberger says of the project, “We are excited to breathe new life to such a magnificent property. Hotel Ella combines the grandeur of old Texas with sophisticated design, personalized service and world-class amenities. The property truly offers a hotel experience in Austin unlike any other.”

Hotel Ella's debut will unveil a multimillion dollar renovation, injecting a renewed sense of life into the esteemed structure while preserving the rich history of the property. Ella Wooten, the namesake of the hotel, received the property with her husband, Goodall, as a wedding gift in 1898. Known for her impeccable taste and forward-thinking style, Ella oversaw an extensive renovation of the original house in 1910, transforming it into the Greek revival structure that stands today. Not stopping there, Ella hired Neiman Marcus to redecorate the mansion in 1925 at a cost of $10,000.

The current renovation will boast a complete redesign of the 48 expansive guestrooms, and introduce new outdoor space featuring a cabana-lined lap pool and a wrap-around veranda overlooking the expansive front lawn. Michael Hsu Office of Architecture will instill a new, refined vision for the property into the design while maintaining its stately elegance. Hsu will take the existing architectural elements, such as the original columns, mantle work and crown moldings, and fuse them with modern interpretations, never losing sight of the grand structure.
Also new to Hotel Ella is Goodall's restaurant, a sophisticated neighborhood concept which will feature top food purveyors from Austin and beyond and whose name pays homage to the original owner of the property, Dr. Goodall Wooten. Executive Chef Scott Mechura is designing a menu that will stay true to the casual nature of Austin but will meet the high standards of cuisine for which the Southern town is known.

Hotel Ella is the only property in Texas that is a member of the exclusive group, Small Luxury Hotels of the World™. Rates from September 1 through November 30 begin at $319 per room, per night, based on double occupancy. For more information and to make reservations, please call (512) 495-1800 or visit www.hotelella.com.