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Westins spg.com Hill Country properties nice for me

from $80 bidding Priceline...

New Braunfels area is very cute but anywhere in there...

Bandera for more of a cowby vibe...

Hilton del Rio downtown an oldie but a goodie good deals

if no conventions in town.

New Braunfels is between there but doesn't have a plethora of hotels for lodging. There are several nice ones in Gruene, which is right on the edge of New Braunfels on the Guadalupe River. Gruene Apple Bed and Breakfast is there too and we've had friends stay there but we never have.

There's an Embassy Suites in San Marcos (north of New Braunfels) and a Courtyard in NB. There's a La Quinta in a terrible location but it may suit your needs.

At that time, you may get a good deal on a vacation rental, which NB has a lot of.

There are other threads on this where people have weighed in on the best "base":

http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/where-to-stay-in-hill-country-in-texas.cfm#last-comment

http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/asking-for-texas-recs-for-a-friend.cfm

I'm a big fan of Fredericksburg. Lots of good hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, shops, museums and close to historical sites. Located about 1.5 hours from both Austin and San Antonio. I suggest you check it out as well.

I would pick SA or Austin, but not somewhere in between. Or maybe A few days in each. Yes, Fredricksburg is a nice little town and very close to one of my favorite places in Texas, Enchanted Rock. But I don't think it makes a good base for exploring Austin and SA for 4 nights. It's 1.5 hrs from each, but they are only 1.5hrs apart as well.

Personally I'd do 2 nights Austin, make a long loop through FB area, then 2 nights in SA. It depends on your interests either in those cities or in smaller hill country towns, lakes, nature, etc.

I agree with J62. Spend a couple of nights in Austin and a couple of nights in San Antonio. I recommend staying directly on the Riverwalk when in San Antonio.

Agree With J62 as well. 4 nights you will be doing too much driving. As a compromise, you could start in Austin the first two nights and leave early the day you head to SA and take the long way there, via 290, head to Fredericksburg for a few hours, then to SA. Or leave early and stop in Gruene (off IH 35) on the way to SA.

I agree with other posters, stay in Austin for a couple of days and then go to San Antonio. Yes, there are things to see and do in San Marcos, Fredericksburg, Gruene, New Braunfels, Wimberly, etc. but for your 4 day trip, make the major cities your overnight locations. If you had more time to do a leisurely trip, our advice might be different. Enjoy your visit to the Lone Star State, and you'll come back when you have more time!