Downright Austin

Downright Austin, a Renaissance Hotel, is a major large-scale property in the heart of downtown, offering 367 stylish guest rooms and a dynamic setting for corporate events, conferences, and trade shows. Following a multimillion-dollar transformation and rebranding in 2024 from the former Sheraton at the Capitol, this hotel has been completely reimagined to serve large groups seeking a premium, centrally-located experience. Its location is ideal for corporate travel, placing attendees just blocks from the Texas State Capitol and the Moody Amphitheater, and within walking distance of the University of Texas at Austin and the Austin Convention Center.

The hotel is built to accommodate significant, multi-day events, featuring over 31,000 square feet of total indoor and outdoor function space. This substantial space is distributed across 18 meeting rooms, providing exceptional flexibility for event planners. The anchor of the event center is the 9,600-square-foot Capitol Ballroom. This main venue is capable of hosting up to 1,200 guests for a reception, 1,100 in a theater configuration, or 800 for a banquet, making it a perfect choice for general sessions or large galas. For a premier outdoor experience, the 2,704-square-foot Capitol View Terrace offers a stunning backdrop for networking events, while other flexible spaces like “The Lawn” provide unique breakout options complete with a vintage Airstream cocktail bar.

Sourcing a venue and managing a large room block for a major conference is a massive logistical challenge. This is the exact kind of travel chaos Engine was built to eliminate. For operations managers and project-based companies, booking 300+ rooms on consumer websites is impossible. Our platform is designed for this complexity. Engine specializes in end-to-end group booking and event travel, providing dedicated trip managers who can source the perfect venue, manage the contract, and handle rooming lists for over 9,000 travelers. We deliver fast quotes and professional service, removing the administrative nightmare of event coordination.

The attendee experience at Downright Austin is supported by first-class amenities. The 367 guest rooms and five suites are thoughtfully designed for the modern traveler, featuring pillowtop mattresses, mini-fridges, and dedicated laptop workspaces. Guests can unwind at the outdoor pool, maintain their routine at the 24-hour fitness center, or grab essentials from the on-site business center. The hotel features two new culinary concepts: Morningbird, a walk-up counter perfect for breakfast tacos and coffee, and Swim Club, a poolside bar serving wood-fired bites.

For finance teams, the real value of using Engine is the financial control. Instead of chasing contractors for receipts and struggling with spreadsheet-based expense tracking, our platform provides perfect cost allocation. You can track all travel expenses by project code or job number. Furthermore, our Direct Bill feature solves cash flow and reconciliation headaches. Engine can extend a line of credit to pay for all your group’s hotel bookings upfront, and you receive a single, unified monthly invoice. This consolidated billing simplifies your accounting and lets your team focus on the event.