I agree that the design for the proposed downtown Austin hotel seem to be a bit bland. Most hotel designs tend in that direction for whatever reason.
Westin operates medium sized or large hotels (including some vintage or historic properties) in city centers and major edge city locations (like the Domain hopes to become someday), as well as sprawling and luxurious resorts. Westin does not dot the highways with suburban motel-like properties. With the exception of the resorts, a careful look at Westin locations reveals that the properties are in the center or very near the center of downtown areas or major "edge city" areas
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin...a/us/list.html