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SXSW 2017 Survival Guide

Written by Whitt Kelly | January 27, 2017
When planning for big festivals like Austin, TX’s SXSW, accommodations are often an afterthought. You find a place to stay that’s affordable, close and confortable: done! But what if something was missing from that approach? What if your hotel could make your actual festival experience better? Well, Westin Austin Downtown can. See below for a few of the SXSW dedicated offerings, new for 2017.

RxTX

A play on the abbreviation for medical prescriptions, “Rx,” and the postal abbreviation for Texas, “TX,” RxTX is Westin Austin Downtown’s cure-all for long days at the festival. Debuting for SXSW, RxTX is aimed to help guests function at their highest levels of enjoyment during the festival (and recover quickly). The offering includes:
  • Access to the Run Concierge throughout the stay
  • Morning juice delivered to room from Superfoods RX menu
  • Restorative cocktail/elixir from Stella San Jac upon arrival back to hotel after a busy day
  • Morning yoga in partnership with local studios
  • The “Stella Southern Cure” for those who’ve over-indulged. It's weird, it's folky, it’s Austin and, most importantly, it will cure your damn hangover.
  • Welcome Amenity includes the “Hipster Survival Kit” – a branded water bottle, make-your-own Bloody Mary kit, a listening guide for the festival curated by Lead Concierge Dave Dart, and of course, a t-shirt from a local up-and-coming band for street cred.

Guitar Hero

Westin Austin Downtown offers an experience that allows guests to put their money where their mouth is and not only learn a new skill, but perform that new skill on stage in front of a live audience. The hotel’s new Guitar Hero offering involves an in-room guitar upon arrival; exclusive VIP access to a notable historic blues club, private guitar lessons from a local musician on the rooftop, and the chance to play live with a local band on-stage at one of Austin’s famous music venues where many of the city’s best musicians have played before.

Your Personal SXSW Music Concierge

With a prime location in the Live Music Capital of the World, just steps from some of Austin’s most notable venues, Westin Austin Downtown has a Music Concierge on staff who can provide guests with the best knowledge and expertise of the local music scene. The Music Concierge (real name Dave Dart) has created a series of Spotify Playlists showcasing the top local bands not to be missed. Guests can listen to these playlists in advance of their visit, or can use them as a guide map for who to see while in town. The Music Concierge is also available to create a personalized itinerary (curated based on musical taste and preference of guests) of the best shows and venues to see during their stay, and even VIP access to certain venues and concerts.