Often times, guests can experience a more interesting and authentic stay at smaller boutique properties which don’t have to cater to big corporate clients or parent companies. On a recent visit to Texas we found just that kind of property, unsurprisingly part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection, a group that prides itself on curating some of the coolest hotels around. Hotel Ella was once a Classical Revival mansion built between 1898 and 1900, and now is a boutique property open to guests visiting Austin.

The property is named for the former owner of the mansion, Ella Wooten, a local doyenne of design. In 1925 she hired Stanley Marcus of Neiman Marcus to redecorate the massive house at a cost of $10,000, the equivalent of $1 million in today’s dollars. Following extensive renovations and updates, the property was reborn as the Hotel Ella in 2013. It is now home to 47 gorgeous guest rooms, including ten impressive suites.

The hotel also features a stylish Parlor Bar and Goodall’s, an American bistro serving classic cuisine with both indoor and outdoor dining spaces. The hotel’s beautiful architecture, carefully preserved interior detail and equally-enticing landscaped grounds truly sets it apart.

In 2015, SLH celebrates its 25th anniversary, and their portfolio grew by 56 hotels in 2014. According to SLH CEO Paul Kerr, “We expect 2015 to be a very strong year. We have a lot of celebrating to do for our 25th year, and will soon be revealing a special campaign to mark our silver anniversary; it will involve our Club Members, journalists and our travel trade friends, so stay tuned!”