The 12 best Airbnbs in Austin for a one-of-a-kind vacation

You might want to pre-warn the kids not to mess with the white furniture at this place; this deluxe condo is pristine on the inside while also having a fun outdoor area for guests to let loose with a game of cornhole or relax around the fire pit. The spacious layout is perfect for people that need their alone time, with slick amenities and comfy beds to make your stay that bit boujier. 

Rooms? Two. Sleeps four guests. 
Mood? Family home with an edge. 
Location perks? Minutes away from dining, shopping, entertainment and local breweries. 
Budget range? Pretty cheap for a whole house. 

Weirdly close to Austin. Well, no, basically in Austin – some of the best coffee in the city is a five-minute walk away (Fleet Coffee) and yet, this place is very ambient and spacious and calming. This is, in part, thanks to the private pool and patio with outdoor furniture. It is also due to the neutral soft interiors, natural light and materials throughout and I guess having this bubble of luxe so close to the city is unusual, so that makes it all the more special. 

Rooms? Three. Sleeps eight guests.
Mood? Bohemian dream.
Location perks? Walking distance from coffee shops, bars and restaurants. 
Budget range? On the pricey side.

This is a custom-designed, very sophisticated-looking tree house/wooden apartment/retreat thing in an acre of forested parkland. There's an outdoor decking area with a grill, lovely interiors, a beautiful garden, trees all around, a full kitchen, a guitar, and a piano. And you are still very much in Austin. How's that for a bit of solace in the city? 

Rooms? One. Sleeps two guests.
Mood? Rustic retreat. 
Location perks? Literally minutes away from the CBD – despite the nature surrounding you.
Budget range? Well priced. 

For downtown convenience AND serious countryside evocation  (there are animals and all sorts), you sure need a night or two in this charming vintage airstream in East Austin. Hidden in a lush backyard with Adirondack chairs to relax in, the trailer offers a claw-foot bathtub, hardwood floors, and an AC for those hot summer nights. A remodeled garden oasis makes you feel like you're far from the city — even though you're only 3.5 miles from downtown. And breathe.

Rooms? One. Sleeps two guests.
Mood? Camping chic.
Location perks? As you're on a living farm, we say embrace your surroundings! 
Budget range? An absolute steal. 

Take a look around this thoughtfully turned out home and you might be struck by how much the overall feel is heading towards a slightly SoCal bohemian vibe. An abundance of white combines with warm wood, natural fibres and nice craft-led accessories. There’s a great breakfast bar in the kitchen area, plus a HUGE fridge-freezer. Which is all the better for storing the provisions to make all those end-of-day cocktails you’ll be consuming in the back yard, right?

Rooms? Two. Sleeps four guests.
Mood? Pretty, feminine and handsome.
Location perks? A quiet base away from the busy-ness of town.
Budget range? A friendly price to keep you happy.

If you’re one of those people who is still stuck debating whether books are better than tablets, this home is maybe not for you. A modernist and contemporary dream combined, this home fully embraces the use of smart tech, up to including a ‘mirror’ in the gym that doubles as a personal trainer (spooky, eh?). Yet along with its forward-thinking use of products, this home also has a softer side, as demonstrated in the bedrooms where elegant linens combine with natural materials and dried flowers. Oh, and the bathroom is flat-out gorgeous.

Rooms? Three. Sleeps six guests.
The mood? Hygge meets tech-y.
Location perks? Hit the water at either Lady Bird Lake or Lake Travis.
Budget range? A little taste of the finer things in life.

So say you want to be reaaalllly relaxed on your getaway – we're talkin' perpetually horizontal, full corpse pose – any time that you aren't out exploring Austin? Well, then there's this self-proclaimed 'private wellness oasis'. It's five minutes from all the city's talking points, but it is an impossible chill place with a private spa, wood everything, steam rooms, outdoor showers, soaking tubs (hot and cold), a sauna, and lovely robes. And that's not all; there are complimentary spa rituals, snacks, bikes, and yoga.  

Rooms? One. Sleeps two guests.
Mood? Zen den.
Location perks? In the heart of East Austin – nestled among the trees. 
Budget range? Spenny AF.

Okay, this isn't the cheapest, but it is completely stunning. Situated on a hilltop above a lake, just off the Colorado River, this place is entirely yours (though there is a 24/7 support team you can call and even a tech-enabled concierge who can book you private chefs, fridge stockings, and mid-stay cleanings). There's a hot tub, a Baja shelf pool, a huge screen on the patio (perfect for watching the Football), and fire pits a'plenty. If you leave the pad at all, you'll notice you're in the super scenic area just on the outskirts of Austin, where nature reserves, canyons, and the Colorado River are all within reach.

Rooms? Three. Sleeps eight guests.
Mood? Bespoke innovation. 
Location perks? Surrounding lake views and the best sunsets around. Enjoy. 
Budget range? As pricey as you'd expect.

We’re big suckers for some nice kitchen décor, which is what first caught our eye about this contemporized casita in East Austin. High ceilings help bring in an abundance of light while those dark green cupboards give the space a blast of heritage chic. See also how this same combination of pastoral paint color and clear, open space continues into both bedrooms, plus the fun tiling and curved vanity closet in the full bathroom. All in? You’ll be heading home with lots of new interior design inspiration.

Rooms? Two. Sleeps four guests.
Mood? Constant Instagram content.
Location perks? Super close to Downtown.
Budget range? A total steal.

Live life like an artist in this beautiful bohemian cottage. Nestled within a large, private garden, this home is like a little doll’s house, filled with teeny treasures in every room. Along with those nice sage green walls, it has a higgledy-piggledy kitchen that belongs on a narrow boat, a romantic alcove for the main bed and even a sweet little spot for getting a bit of desk-work done. The claw-foot tub in the bathroom adds a little note of luxury, while the back porch is the perfect another-cup-of-coffee-before-we-leave spot.

Rooms? One. Sleeps four guests.
The mood? An Austin fairytale.
Location perks? Buy yourself a new book to read on holiday from the local stores.
Budget range? A happy-happy price.

This restored 1909 house is a bachelor or bachelorette party's dream come true (also a murder mystery gang's dream come true to be honest). Five bedrooms, a BBQ fire pit, and a formal dining room allow for large groups to share the huge house in bliss. But for when you want to bring the noise, this is less than a mile from Austin's rowdy 6th Street District. Beauty, history, party. Here we go.

Rooms? Five. Sleeps 10 guests.
Mood? Historic charm.  
Location perks? In the heart of the artistic East End community. 
Budget range? Spenny, but works out well for a large group.

So this one's interesting. What you have is a luxury 700 sq ft apartment complete with panoramic views of the city, a beautiful modern kitchen, and access to a rooftop with both fire pits and a big pool, a gym, and it's... Very reasonably priced. We needn't say more, really. 

Rooms? Three. Sleeps six guests.
Mood? Modern living. 
Location perks? In the center of Downtown – with an array of entertainment on your doorstep. 
Budget range? Surprisingly affordable.