Photos Baptiste Despois
Ask the Expert
Q: What was the vision for The Frances Modern Inn, and how has it evolved?
A: From the start, we felt the inn had great bones and the best location, but it needed a more distinct personality. The goal became mixing old and new, adding warmth, color, and texture so the space felt inviting instead of sterile. We hired Kim Lewis Design to lead the transformation. The remodel leaned into bold, earthy palettes, layered materials, patterned wallpaper, vintage and local artwork (especially portraits), and the kind of small details that makes a place feel curated over time.
The common areas were reimagined (patios and rooftop included) as “communal living rooms,” designed for guests to linger and connect. A coffee station, a cozy library, and playful touches like tarot cards helped set the tone. One of the most impactful changes, though, was adding live plants throughout the rooms and shared spaces, details that quietly shift the experience from “hotel stay” to “this feels like someone actually lives here.”
Q: What makes East 11th Street such a special location for a boutique hotel in Austin?
A: East 11th is one of the rare streets left in Austin that still feels dense with local character: independent shops, tasty restaurants, and nearby places to spend an entire day without needing to drive. Guests can truly settle into the street, yet still be close to major city anchors like the Moody Center and Texas Capitol, plus the Eastside’s galleries, venues, and late-night energy.
Q:What does it take to run a boutique hotel day-to-day that most guests never see?
A: A boutique experience looks effortless from the outside, but it’s built on constant repetition and high standards. For The Frances, the foundation is housekeeping. With 15 rooms, every day matters. Rooms are filled, turned, reset, and detailed again—often at a pace larger hotels don’t experience in the same way. The innkeepers and housekeepers are the reason the entire operation works.
Q:What makes each stay feel elevated and personal?
A: Cleanliness and communication every single time. The Frances also leans into a style of hospitality that’s friendly without being scripted. Guests are walked to their rooms, greeted with real conversation, and treated like the staff is genuinely glad they arrived. We like to call it “Frances-friendly,” inspired by our grandmother, Frances, who had a gift for making people feel noticed, welcomed, and cared for.
Q:Why do boutique stays fit Austin so well?
A: Because boutique hotels can reflect the city in a more intimate, local way. The Frances is designed to feel rooted in its neighborhood, not separate from it. Now that the remodel is complete and operations are steady, we aim to be more active in the community, especially through events and partnerships.
Q:What nearby spots do you recommend to guests?
A: Starting with our street: Radio Coffee, Paperboy, Quickie Pickie, Old Thousand, Del Mar Kitchen, and Siti. Plus favorites like Nickel City for nightlife and shopping stops such as Take Heart and Apt F. The point is simple; the best of the Eastside is right outside the door, within walking distance.
Q:What do you hope guests leave with?
A:The Frances is for travelers who want something design-forward but personal—people who prefer character over anonymity and love being able to walk to food, drinks, art, and music. The hope is that guests leave feeling cared for, connected, and like they experienced a real slice of Austin.
Q: What’s new at The Frances in 2026?
A: The biggest shift is a stronger focus on gathering. We’ve converted what used to be a garage and parking lot into a lawn and event lounge: spaces designed to host groups, celebrations, and creative meetups. With only 15 rooms, The Frances is sized perfectly for buyouts, wedding parties, and corporate off-sites that want to stay together and experience the neighborhood as a shared trip, not separate itineraries.
Q: What’s the biggest challenge compared to a chain hotel?
A: It’s the math. With 15 rooms, occupancy matters and every turnover counts. Laundry is also a major operation. The Frances uses high-quality linens and outsourced laundry can damage them, so the team handles laundry in-house, washing and ironing while also keeping rooms guest-ready seven days a week.
Q: How does the team deliver boutique-level hospitality consistently?
A: Training starts with the details, especially in housekeeping where there’s a real craft to doing it well. We lean on a trusted friend and former colleague to help set the standards and teach the methods that keep quality consistent. Hiring is a mix of experience and intuition; skill matters, but caring matters more. New hires often work alongside the team first, and the team’s feedback carries real weight because they know who will show up, work hard, and contribute to the culture we’ve created.
Q: What’s been most rewarding, and what’s next?
A: The most rewarding part has been building a team who runs the hotel with confidence and genuine care. Next is bringing the newly activated spaces to life: events in the garden area and shared moments on the rooftop deck that make The Frances feel like the right choice from first stepping foot inside to checkout.
Contact:
(512) 675-0011
1123 E 11th St.
thefrancesmoderninn.com
@thefrancesmoderninn
