LUXE LAURELS

Historic Texas property lodges onto Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best list for 2021

The Austin property is tops in Texas.

Courtesy of Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection

A reimagined historic landmark tucked away in Austin’s Hyde Park neighborhood continues to garner praise from one of the most popular travel publications on the planet.

Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection, the glamorous 10-acre retreat that was originally built in 1928 as the country home of Nannie Lewette “Lutie” and Commodore Edgar Perry, has been named the No. 1 resort hotel in all of Texas on Travel + Leisure’s 2021 World’s Best list.

Though likely a welcome accolade, this is not the first time the property — the first luxury urban hotel of its kind and a modern interpretation of a local treasure that seamlessly blends European elegance with Texas hospitality — has received recognition from Travel + Leisure. Earlier this year, the publication named Commodore Perry Estate one of the world’s best new hotels, making it one of only two Texas properties to grace that list.

The estate, now an Auberge property, was re-envisioned by designer Ken Fulk, who helped lovingly bring the historic property into the 21st century while maintaining its longtime majestic allure. In addition to housing 54 rooms and suites, including five luxurious signature suites, Commodore Perry Estate is also home to Lutie’s Garden Restaurant, the newly opened Jazz Age-inspired eatery serving elevated Texas cuisine along with a side of undeniable glamour.

Other Commodore Perry Estate amenities include a dramatic oval swimming pool, lush sunken gardens, a state-of-the-art fitness center, plenty of events space, and an array of experiential programming.

Travel + Leisure’s annual survey gathers reader input about the world’s best destinations, hotels, resorts, spas, cities, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, rental-car agencies, and more, tapping the travel media brand’s audience of 35 million readers to create the World’s Best Awards.

As part of the recognition, Commodore Perry Estate will be featured in the magazine’s October 2021 issue and on travelandleisure.com.

“It’s an honor for Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection to be celebrated as Texas’ No. 1 resort hotel on Travel + Leisure’s esteemed list,” says Marco Bustamante, general manager of the property, in a release. “We are proud of our dedicated Texan team, whose commitment to creating immersive guest experiences and offering the highest level of personalized service have earned this incredible distinction.”

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Airline News

Frontier Airlines adds two new destination cities out of DFW Airport

Frontier Airlines/ Facebook

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Low-cost Denver-based Frontier Airlines has launched nonstop service from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to two new destinations in Central America.

According to a release, the carrier will offer the following new flights:

Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA) - weekly
San Salvador, El Salvador (SAL) - 2x/week

With these new routes, Frontier will serve 40 destinations nonstop from DFW, exemplifying Frontier’s impressive network growth as it continues to add more affordable and convenient travel options across the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America.

The frequency of the flights is a little confusing. Guatemala City is "weekly" which seems to imply "once a week." San Salvador is "2x/week" which seems to imply two flights a week. However, if you try to book a flight to either city, you get all sorts of options, including weekends and a few randomly spaced weekdays. And the flight availability extends only through January.

Frontier Airlines VP of network and operations design Josh Flyr says in a statement that "there’s a lot to be excited about" including their expanding network and their rolling out First Class in early 2026.

Other changes at Frontier include UpFront Plus seating, an upgraded seating option with extra leg and elbow room in the first two rows of the aircraft, with choice of a window or aisle seat with extra legroom and a guaranteed empty middle seat.

To celebrate, they'll offer a fare sale starting at $79. Tickets must be purchased by 10:59 pm Dallas time on December 30, 2025. Sale fares are valid for nonstop travel on select days of the week January 5-April 13, 2026. Blackout dates apply on March 9 and March 31, and from April 1-6. And a 14-day advance purchase is required.

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