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With the arrival of March, we could all use a vacation. Although Spring Break season is around the corner, the pandemic at hand has made traveling and vacations challenging.
If you're looking for a mini staycation this month, look no further than at some of Austin's most beautifully decorated and acclaimed Airbnb Plus locations that will have you wondering if you're still in town.
Airbnb announced the hotel-like service of "Airbnb Plus" in 2018, offering guests with a one-of-a kind experience in extraordinary locations. According to the service, you can still feel safe at these locations knowing they are 100% well-maintained and hosts are taking extra precautions at cleaning and providing a COVID-19 safe space. Airbnb Plus hosts are known for great reviews, attention to detail and thoughtfully designed homes.
House in Travis Heights
Listed at a rental rate of $153 per night, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom house is a perfect getaway for a relaxing weekend and ravishing aesthetics. With a beautiful heated saltwater pool and a carefully decorated bedroom, you can have your own private resort outside of the city. This property does not have a kitchen, so plan to order takeout from some local places around town for a true staycation experience.
Cottage in East Austin
Listed at a rental rate of $151 per night, this signature East Austin cottage should be your next staycation location for a cozy weekend. Originally built in 1930 by the Calcasieu Lumber Company, the cottage has custom woodwork, hardwood floors, vaulted pine ceilings and carefully detailed decor. Alleviate all your stress by visiting this two-bedroom, one-bathroom beautifully designed cottage.
Tiny house in East Austin
Listed at $119 per night, The Tiny Shiny is a tiny house with a lot of personality and a perfect secluded location for relaxation. If you've ever been curious about tiny house living, visiting The Tiny Shiny is a must to understand the coziness of the small, studio-like establishment. Although near Central East Austin, this unique tiny house will give you the privacy you need and a perfectly cozy experience while walking distance from Austin life.
Guest suite in Barton Hills
This private getaway will trick you into thinking you actually left the city. Listed at a rental rate of $108 per night, the one-bedroom, one-bathroom modern guest suite has great features such as a walk-in rain shower, a queen-size Murphy bed, a gas stove and a perfect location walking distance to South Lamar.
Remodeled trailer in Ford Oaks
Listed in Architectural Digests as one of the best Airbnb's in Austin, this remodeled vintage Spartan trailer is the perfect Austin getaway as sunny and warm weather returns to town. One hundred percent custom build and with new amenities, you will forget you're even in Austin by staying in this secluded, cozy trailer. The property is listed at a rental rate of $131 per night and is the coziest location you'll find for your staycation.
Guesthouse in Bee Cave
Although we wish we could vacation in Spain this year, this beautiful Spanish-style guesthouse is as close as we can get with COVID-19 safe precautions. The four-bedroom, one-bathroom house is a perfect spot to enjoy a relaxing weekend with friends. With a private pool and spa, high ceilings and astonishing decor, you will feel like you're spending the weekend in Spain without having to leave Austin. Listed at a rental rate of $282 per night, the guesthouse can accommodate five people.
Bungalow near Dripping Springs
Looking to get out of the city—but not too far—for your staycation? The Airbnb Plus listing is only a few miles out of the city and right in the Hill Country. Listed at a rental rate of $157 per night, this two-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalow is the perfect country tranquility getaway. Located on a ranch minutes from Dripping Springs and the Austin area, the bungalow features a shaded porch and natural beauty you can only find in this part of Texas. Did we mention the bungalow is in a perfect location if you're looking to visit some wineries and breweries around the Dripping Springs area while cozying it up country style?
Guesthouse in Mueller
Enjoy a relaxing staycation without having to pay a fortune with this Airbnb Plus listing. Listed at a rental rate of $88 per night, this cozy modern guesthouse has all the amenities you need to decompress for a staycation. With one-of-a-kind detail, a private nook to spend your time and a location close to all things Austin, this relaxing guesthouse has everything you need to relax.
Guesthouse in Brentwood
Listed at a rental rate of $130 per night, the two-bedroom, one-bathroom upscale guesthouse can accommodate four guests and is listed as an enhanced clean location, proving to be a COVID-19 safe environment. With a private balcony, beautifully decorated interior and great location in Central Austin, this guesthouse is a must-visit if you're looking for a relaxing and fun time.
Townhouse at Zilker
Nothing says Keep Austin Weird better than this quirky Zilker townhouse. With so many colorful touches and carefully decorated rooms, this one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom townhouse is packed with vibrant colors, patterns and thoughtful decor for a true Austin experience. Only a short walking distance from Zilker Park, this listing has a rental rate of $138 per night and can accommodate four guests.
Guesthouse in East Austin
Listed at a rental rate of $125 per night, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom guesthouse is a true charm in East Austin. With a perfect location for anything you might need, this small "Casita" will provide you with tranquility and relaxation for an ideal staycation without being far from home. The property is secluded and surrounded by trees to ensure you have a quiet, peaceful time, and the wonderfully bright and carefully decorated interior will have you wishing you booked to stay more nights.
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Popular
Barton Springs pool will reopen on Saturday after being closed since late June due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Barton Springs and Deep Eddy pools will reopen this Saturday on a modified schedule after being closed for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Austin parks and recreation department announced that a limited number of its pool facilities will reopen this weekend. The other reopened pools are Springwoods in North Austin, Bartholomew in East Austin and Big Stacy in South Austin.
@AustinCityParks resumes modified year-round pool operations on Sat., Sep. 26. No reservations required; capacities… https://t.co/SVDzzSqd7Q— Austin Parks & Rec (@Austin Parks & Rec) 1600979189.0
No reservations will be required, but capacity limits will be enforced. Once a pool reaches capacity, new swimmers will only be allowed in on a one-in, one-out basis.
Patrons are asked to limit their visits to two hours.
A list of the pools that are reopening can be found here.
PARD closed both Barton Springs and Deep Eddy, along with a host of other parks facilities, in late June to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Previously the pools had been open on a limited, reservations-only basis.
The announcement comes after the average number of new confirmed cases each day has increased about 50% since Sept. 1. The Hospital admissions rate is declining as the majority of those cases are among the 10-29 age group.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced last week that, in most of the state, businesses that had been limited to 50% capacity could expand to 75% capacity. This order applies to restaurants, office buildings, libraries, museums and gyms, among other businesses.
Abbott cited the decline in new COVID cases and related hospitalizations as reason for the change. While the daily caseload has declined post-surge, Texas has reported more new COVID cases than any other state in the last two weeks, according to a data analysis by the New York Times, and more than 15,000 Texans have died from the disease.
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The city of Austin warned residents in a tweet about the potential return to Lady Bird Lake of the blue-green algae that killed several dogs last summer.
We’re approaching a time of increased risk for harmful algae on Lady Bird Lake based on seasonal conditions. 🚫 Av… https://t.co/KdM68m5rAq— City of Austin (@City of Austin) 1592417565.0
The contract that the city signed with the University of Texas for monitoring the algae stipulates that testing will begin in July.
The algae bloomed around Red Bud Isle and other popular dog destinations in August of last year and kept Lady Bird Lake closed to pets until well into late fall, when cold temperatures arrived.
A hot, dry summer contributed to conditions that allowed the algae to grow to toxic levels, and scientists expect to see more of it in the future.
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