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    Let's Have a Pool Day

    Take a dip at Downright Austin's retro-fab Swim Club with this summer stay exclusive

    CultureMap Create
    Jun 28, 2024 | 12:00 pm
    Downright Austin Swim Club

    Everyone in the pool.

    Photo courtesy of Downright Austin

    The retro-fabulous Swim Club made a splash recently with its debut at the newly opened Downright Austin hotel, and now there's an even more enticing way to come experience it for yourself.

    Showcasing a creatively fabulous interior design theme, the multi-level dining space is built into an empty pool; some diners eat on the deck, and others on the pool floor. A window out into the working pool is half-submerged in water, providing a glimpse at swimmers beneath the surface. (Consider this when picking a bathing suit for the occasion.)

    Everything in the "pool" is a vibrant turquoise, from the tiles, to the tables, and the benches that blend seamlessly into the walls. Outside, everything is a fun and flirty Barbie pink.

    The historic pool-turned-social club has some serious street cred thanks to the leadership of Travis Tober, known for one of Austin's favorite bars, Nickel City. The menu offers tastes of "endless summers and backyard grilling" with bites like brick-oven pizzas and Baja fish tacos.

    Downright AustinSeriously upgrade your pool snacks. Photo courtesy of Downright Austin

    The drinks are certainly Insta-worthy and include the Skinny Dippin', with coconut-washed Illegal mezcal, Aperol, Strega, berries, and ginger-turmeric; the Frozen Aperol Spritz, with Aperol, Skyy berry vodka, citrus, grapefruit, and a prosecco “tooter"; and the Sharks in the Water, with Haku vodka, Roku gin, Marie Brizard blue curaçao, pineapple, coconut, and a Giffard framboise “tooter.”

    Although the Swim Club sounds like a private club, it is open to the public. The Swim Club Dining Room's hours are 11 am-10 pm Sundays through Thursdays, and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 am-11 pm. The bar stays open until midnight Sundays through Thursdays, and 2 am Friday and Saturdays. Pool service is available daily from 11 am to close.

    Kicking off June 30 at noon, the Sunday Splashdown summer series poolside parties will feature weekly drink specials and beats from favorite vinyl DJs. Reservations are now available at swimclubaustin.com.

    Beginning July 18 from 5-10 pm, Swim Club will offer half-off on pizzas and Frozen Aperol Spritzes every Thursday.

    Located in downtown Austin, Downright Austin features a bold, postmodern lobby experience, 367 stylish guest rooms including five suites, 31,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, and new culinary concepts, all within blocks of the Texas State Capitol and Moody Amphitheater.

    And now you can make your summer unforgettable with an extended stay at the Downright Austin. Book a three-night stay by July 4, 2024, and enjoy the third night on the house. Be sure to use the promotional code BOG when making your online reservation or calling 1-800-228-9290 to book.

    Though you must book by the Fourth of July, this special is good on stays through August 31, 2024.

    Now all you have to do is pack your best swimsuit(s) and get ready to unwind, soak up the sun, and sip on a cocktail.

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    schedule your pto

    Far West Texas city recognized as a top travel destination for 2026

    Amber Heckler
    Dec 15, 2025 | 2:30 pm
    El Paso, Texas
    Photo by Raul Miranda on Unsplash
    El Paso was named one of the "Rising Star Destinations" to book for a vacation in 2026.

    A new 2026 Travel Trends Forecast from vacation rental marketplace HomeToGo has unveiled the top U.S. cities that are on travelers' minds for the next year, and one unsuspecting far West Texas city was included on the list: El Paso.

    El Paso was named one of six most sought-after "Rising Star Destinations" in the Southwest and Mountain West regions. Search trends revealed traveler interest in El Paso skyrocketed 191 percent year-over-year, with vacationers pining after "desert landscapes" and "frontier-style towns with modern Western flair."

    To determine where travelers are planning on booking their 2026 vacations, HomeToGo surveyed 1,000 American adults from November 26-28, 2025 to discover which locales offer "both affordability and under-the-radar appeal." Search interest and price insights were based on observed searches executed via HomeToGo's website from August 1-November 15, 2025, with a check-in date during 2026.

    The reports findings show the vacation accommodations in El Paso cost a median $62.21 per night, earning the city a reputation for being more affordable than Texas' major cities like Dallas or Houston. HomeToGo also said travelers are "increasingly turning to smaller [Southwestern] towns" to find accommodations rather than booking a stay at a large resort.

    Additionally, younger travelers like Gen Zers and Millennials are driving the shift toward these hidden gem destinations after collecting inspiration from social media sites like Instagram and TikTok.

    "Western destinations are seeing a rise in interest, fueled by a broader cultural moment that has placed such locations firmly in the spotlight," the report's author wrote. "In 2025, artists such as Beyoncé and Sabrina Carpenter brought fresh takes on the visual language of country music firmly into the mainstream, with this movement further amplified across social media platforms."

    There's plenty to do in the self-proclaimed "Sun City," such as hiking in Franklin Mountains State Park or Guadalupe Mountains National Park, visiting local museums, and much more.

    Other top "Neo-Western Revival" destinations to visit in 2026 include:

    • Marana, Arizona
    • Cañon City, Colorado
    • Yucca Valley, California
    • Queen Creek, Arizona
    • Bisbee, Arizona
    "According to the survey findings, 76 percent of U.S. travelers plan to go on vacation in 2026, with over a quarter (26 percent) actively booking longer and more extravagant breaks," the report said. "Fifty-seven percent plan to spend more on vacations in comparison to 2025, indicating that the appetite for travel is clearly growing."
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