Sleep Well, Do Good.
Despite uncertainty, Heywood Hotel doubles down on goodwill.
Words by Christopher Ferguson photos by Eric Morales
A cherished boutique hotel looks toward a careful, limited reopening after paying staff for months of local volunteering during the COVID-19 shutdown.
Since opening its doors nearly a decade ago, East Austin’s Heywood Hotel has hosted thousands of out-of-towners, staycationers, and small groups.
With just seven unique rooms, each sporting a sophisticated and minimal aesthetic, the emphasis has always been on providing a curated and authentic local Austin experience. A passionate team of concierges boast an encyclopedic knowledge of the city, tailoring itineraries to each guest and often making recommendations to visitors well before they arrive.
After checking in, guests can use one of the hotel’s free bicycles to explore the neighborhood or peruse a map of 99 handpicked places that are walkable or bikeable from Heywood’s prime location on East Cesar Chavez.
This mission to celebrate and support the community it calls home has earned the hotel a reputation for unparalleled hospitality in the heart of the city.
These community bonds came into sharp focus in March after the virus forced hotels, restaurants, and event spaces into sudden hibernation. The shockwave was immediate and palpable as businesses across the city faced harsh realities requiring staff furloughs or even shuttering outright.
Kathy Setzer, owner and general manager at Heywood, had a different idea. Instead of disbanding her tight-knit staff, she used the hotel’s small business stimulus loan to keep payroll running for anyone who chose to volunteer with a local nonprofit.
Months later, the “Sleep Well, Do Good” project has an eye-popping and growing list of accomplishments.
Extra toilet paper and surplus food were donated to the Rebekah Baines Johnson Center, an East Austin senior center that serves economically disadvantaged elders. Likewise, Heywood’s staff donated and delivered 125 box fans during Family Eldercare’s summer fan drive. Over 1,000 handwritten notes were donated to Meals on Wheels Central Texas, and the team partnered with ATX Hospital Meals to help deliver meals to local healthcare workers.
A comprehensive list of Heywood’s volunteer initiatives can be found on their website or by searching the hashtag #HeywoodHelps.
By keeping her team intact and motivated while the hotel’s operations were paused, Kathy notes her staff has only grown closer and even more devoted to the East Austin community they serve.
Did You Know?
With industry leading cleaning and safety policies, as well as rooms equipped with private entrances, isolated air conditioning, and access to the fresh air of a central courtyard, the Heywood provides a safe, socially distanced stay for lucky guests.
Contact:
(512) 271-5522
1609 East Cesar Chavez Street
heywoodhotel.com
hey@heywoodhotel.com
@heywoodhotel
