This oasis in the heart of Austin is a private enclave in the middle of a quiet residential neighborhood.

Frame Hotel — SoCo

Amenities

Wifi

Rooms

27

Reviewed by Alexandra Toto

Why book?

In the heart of Austin’s iconic South Congress, these two family-owned sister properties under the Frame Hotel umbrella offer a tranquil respite, rooted in the Japanese concept of “omotenashi”—a philosophy of impeccable hospitality that offers an acute attention to detail and close attunement to guests' needs, accompanied by an anticipatory approach to ensuring they’re fulfilled.

Set the scene

Leave the buzz of the bustling city behind (while remaining in the center of it) and be immersed in tranquility from the second you open the hulking metal door of Frame Hotel – SoCo. Inside, a bubbling fountain and koi pond set the tone for serenity.

At Frame Hotel – Treehouse, you will be welcomed by a 250-year-old live oak, encircled by uniquely designed rooms and a communal hangout area that feels like your coolest friend’s living room—complete with a fridge stocked with complimentary local beer and wine. Visitors arrive as strangers, leave as friends, and return together. It’s a laid-back vibe that caters to guests ages 18+ and allows for connecting, unplugging, or a little bit of both.

As owner Richard Lent says of the intentionally designed properties, “We don’t want to paint the picture for you, we just want to be the best frame.” A.k.a., you can expect a feeling of awe, comfort, and essentialism from your home base, an escape perfect for introverts and gatherings of those closest to you.

The backstory

Richard Lent comes from a long family bloodline of hospitality, growing up in New York’s West Village, where multiple generations of his family owned and operated the famed sailor’s hotel—first called The Knickerbocker, later The Keller. Fast forward to January 2025, and Richard, alongside his wife Lauren, opened the doors to Frame Hotels in Austin, Texas. His connection to the property dates back to a visit to Kimber Modern (now Frame Hotel – Treehouse) years ago, when he first expressed interest to none other than Kimber herself, the owner at the time. Years later, when it came time to sell, there was only one person she had in mind—Richard. The Frame vision has now come to life, and strikes the perfect harmony between the charm of a boutique stay and the privacy and ease of an Airbnb.

The rooms

Both locations feature rooms arranged loosely around communal courtyards, each dotted with a smattering of tables, chairs, and, at Treehouse, a hammock woven from repurposed seatbelts. Private decks and patios—some cozy, others sprawling—offer ultimate privacy and open-air unwinding. Those seeking a bit of slow travel will find solace in these secluded properties.

The main distinction between the two escapes is that Treehouse boasts suites that are all different in design, whereas SoCo offers a more uniform aesthetic, with every suite mostly mirroring the next. In each of SoCo’s walk-in showers, a skylight drenches you in natural night as you rinse off—while you’ll find spacious soaking tubs in some of Treehouse’s suites (book Suite B for the turquoise tiles that surround you while you soak). Adding to the artistic allure, the hotel showcases States of Matter, an unmissable, awe-inducing, and exclusive custom photo collection shot for Frame by David Needleman (his first series not focused on portraiture). All rooms feature tantalizing Sferra linens, making for a pristine sleep.

Food and drink

There is no on-site restaurant, but the common area at Treehouse offers complimentary alcoholic beverages from local wineries and breweries, along with creature comforts like Texas Coffee Traders coffee, Richard’s Rainwater (still and sparkling), and plenty of space to relax on luxe Four Hands sofas and Arne Jacobson egg chairs.

The neighborhood/area

South Congress is the place to be when you visit Austin. Iconic stops like the “I Love You So Much” mural, Allens Boots, and a parade of vintage neon signs set the scene, while street musicians provide a live soundtrack as you wander between upscale boutiques and quirky thrift shops. Frame Hotel’s guest portal offers everything you need to know about the area, with insider recommendations on restaurants, music, shopping, sightseeing, and more. Don’t miss Amy’s Ice Cream for inventive scoops, and Chapulin Cantina for festive Mexican fare—both are worth stopping at while strolling down the street.

The service

Though this hotel is reminiscent of an Airbnb with its keyless entry, on-call assistance is at your fingertips by text or call. The online portal is one of the most seamless I’ve encountered, providing instant access to everything you might need—from restaurant recommendations to a mini-map guiding you to your room. It even includes details on the carefully curated art and furniture selections—so if you fall in love with a piece, you can purchase it effortlessly through the portal.

Eco effort

Limited plastics are used here.

Accessibility

The SoCo property is all ground-level, and has an ADA-compliant room available. The Treehouse property does have stairs and no elevator option.

Anything left to mention?

From function to atmosphere, the space oozes ease. Automatic LED lights will glow when walking up the stairs to the bathroom and kitchenette level at SoCo—a seamless touch for those late-night water runs. In general, the variety of ways you can customize the lighting in the space is second to none, allowing you to set the perfect ambiance at any moment.

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