October 23-25, 2026. Circuit of the Americas (COTA) is 15 miles southeast of downtown Austin. Guests can plan ahead with prepaid parking or use rideshare service to the McAngus Lot, where COTA provides a complimentary tram to the Ticketmaster Box Office near the Grand Plaza. Back on Rainey Street, Brass Poppy, the hotel’s neighborhood cocktail lounge, is open, and Geraldine’s is ready for dinner and live music after a day at the track.
From the Hotel to the Track
The Formula 1 US Grand Prix runs at Circuit of the Americas, 15 miles southeast of downtown Austin. Guests who drive need to purchase parking in advance. Rideshare arrivals use the McAngus Lot, where a complimentary COTA tram transports guests to the Ticketmaster Box Office near the Grand Plaza. Race-weekend traffic plans can change, so check COTA’s current travel guidance before departure.
Explore the Neighborhood
Race day doesn’t end at the checkered flag. It moves two blocks over. Fans still replaying the race fill the patios, string lights glow in the oak trees, and the crowd stays out later than a normal Friday. You don’t need a car, a reservation, or a plan. Just walk downstairs. Hotel Van Zandt sits inside all of it, close enough that the neighborhood becomes part of your stay instead of a separate outing.
Settle Into Your Space
Select rooms frame Austin’s downtown skyline, with sheer curtains softening the light against the dark concrete and brick facade. Mark Zeff’s design carries rough-around-the-edges sophistication throughout, with mid-century leather seating, Edison-bulb lighting, and saturated color. Rooms and suites provide a comfortable reset between days at COTA.
Mornings on the Pool Deck
Race-day mornings belong to the rooftop pool, eight stories above Rainey Street with a clear line to Austin’s downtown skyline. Turquoise water, cabana daybeds, and a swim-up bar set the scene under the October sun. The pool deck stays open year-round, making it an easy place to reset before a day trackside.
Discuss the Day Over Dinner
Geraldine’s, on the hotel’s fourth floor, delivers modern Mexican cuisine with Southern influence. A barrel-vaulted ceiling strung with Edison bulbs sets the scene, with live music Thursday through Sunday nights from 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM. The menu changes with the seasons, with current dishes including Al Pastor, Ostiones, 48-hour Short Rib with mole negro, and Pato, a 21-day aged duck breast. Reserve your table early because race weekend fills up fast.
For Pre- and Post-Race Drinks
Brass Poppy sits inside Hotel Van Zandt: art nouveau-inspired, red-lit, with curated vinyl stacked on the shelves and well-made cocktails on every table. The ‘Little Red Corvette’ combines Mijenta blanco tequila, Chareau aloe liqueur, cherry puree, and fresh lime juice. Or try the ‘Hotel Room Service’, Espolòn blanco tequila with strawberry, hot honey, and orange liqueur. Pull up a chair for a game of chess. Drink in the moment.
Bar Hours
Monday–Thursday: 12 PM–12 AM
Friday: 12 PM–1 AM
Saturday: 3 PM–1 AM
Sunday: 3 PM–11 PM
Two Texan Showdowns. One Address.
Texas plays Ole Miss in college football at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, October 24. It’s the first time the two teams have met in Austin as SEC (Southeastern Conference) rivals. The game has a flex kickoff window of 2:30-3:30 PM or 5:00-7:00 PM CT, with the exact time and network to be announced. Stretch your trip into a four-day run instead: arrive Thursday, catch Formula 1 practice on Friday, choose Saturday qualifying or the Longhorns, then head to COTA for Sunday’s race. The Stay in the Groove multi-night package is built for exactly this kind of stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guests who drive to COTA need to purchase parking in advance. Rideshare arrivals use the McAngus Lot, where a complimentary COTA tram transports guests to the Ticketmaster Box Office near the Grand Plaza. Check COTA’s current travel guidance before departure because race-weekend traffic plans can change.
Circuit of the Americas is 15 miles southeast of downtown Austin. Allow extra travel time on race days and check COTA’s current transportation guidance before leaving the hotel.
Yes. Hotel Van Zandt’s rooftop pool deck is open year-round. Check with the hotel for current daily hours during your stay.
Stay in the Groove is Hotel Van Zandt’s multi-night offer. Contact reservations for F1-weekend availability and current pricing.
Yes, and you’ll want one booked early. F1 weekend is one of the busiest stretches of the year in Austin, so reserve your table at Geraldine’s well before you arrive.