Mike Culver joined the Fairmont Austin as general manager in mid-January, coming from a previous position in Dallas as general manager of the recently opened JW Marriott Dallas Arts District. Culver will oversee property operations as well as its staff of more than 800 employees.
“Meeting all the amazing people that make Fairmont Austin so special has been a highlight since joining at the start of 2025,” says Culver. “This property has more than 800 team members, so it is a continuing process to get to know and learn from everyone.” Culver has been in the hospitality industry for more than a decade and notes it has always complemented his values and interests. “A career in hospitality was a natural fit,” he says. “I have always enjoyed the personal connections you can make with your colleagues and guests, but I also enjoy that no two days are identical in this business.”
The Fairmont Austin is situated in the heart of downtown Austin, a 37-story property—the largest Fairmont property in the U.S.—with 1,048 guest rooms and suites and views of Lady Bird Lake and the city skyline. It also is home to Garrison, one of last year’s Michelin Guide Recommended restaurants, serving up elevated American cuisine. Groups can dine together in its private dining room, which can accommodate up to 16 seated or 25 standing.
“Fairmont Austin offers more than 140,000 square feet of event space to accommodate everything from intimate gatherings to grand galas and large-scale conferences,” Culver adds. “Our prime downtown location features grand views and a multitude of on-site offerings and nearby attractions. We have it all—from a full hotel buyout, including six dining venues and 24-hour in-room dining service, to small breakout rooms across five meeting floors to the Manchester Ballroom, which is over 31,000 square feet.”
The hotel’s on-site events team can assist planners with pre- and post-event consultation, customized culinary options, and selecting the right space for each individual event. Planners also might arrange spa and pool time for attendees at the Fairmont Spa Austin, home to nine treatment rooms, solariums with saltwater soaking pools, European-inspired saunas, and steam grottos overlooking downtown.
