Austin Motel - is it worth the quirkiness
 

Hi...I'm a first timer coming down to Austin over Labor Day weekend with my boyfriend. We are in our 40's and looking to enjoy the live music scene. I looked at the pictures online of the Austin Motel and it leaves me wondering if the quirkiness of the motel is worth the location. It seems like a great location but the rooms don't look that comfortable or nice.

Any input on other hotels (not expensive) would be greatly appreciated. Also, any information on where to go to hear some live country music. Can't wait.

Thanks

I was just in Austin at the end of April and we spent a lot of time in the neighborhood of the Austin Motel. We (sister and I, in our 50's)stayed at the Best Western Plus Austin City Hotel for one night. We got a great "grand reopening" rate (which may or may not still be available) and we could drive to the South Congress area (where the Austin Motel is) in probably 5 minutes or less. The Best Western is newly rebranded as such so is recently remodeled, they have a bar and music venue on site (though we didn't go), free breakfast and parking. It has a bit of Austin "quirk" to it which we liked. The beds were comfortable and the rooms were clean. It's right off 35 but we didn't notice the traffic noise much at all. Then again, we were tired! Here's the link:

http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwest...44679&sob=TRIP

We had heard about the Austin Motel and drove by it while we were there. Your take on it is the same as we had. It looked like a place that would appeal to those who like to stay in the old motels on Route 66.

We stayed in a national chain motel that we picked for price with breakfast. It served our purposes.

Sixth Street is an amazing place for music--it totally lives up to its advance publicity. You are bound to find whatever music you want there. Enjoy.

HTtY

We looked at the Austin Motel, but ended up using VRBO, specifically this rental (though we found lots of other options):

http://www.vrbo.com/441369

The owner was great to work with, and the condo is about a ten-minute drive to Sixth Street, max, for reference.

We didn't go hear live music, but we did go to a midnight movie at the Alamo Drafthouse on Sixth. It was 2am when we got out and last call. Insanity. The crowd that night seemed to be more early 20s partiers. Some local friends told us that there's the party-style Sixth Street and then a bit more mellow area as well, but we didn't check it out for ourselves.

If you want to stay in the area, the Hotel San Jose is MUCH better. Great area, vibe, bar, etc. Its practically next door. You can have great music across the street at the Continental Club. Gueros is nearby and they have music outside too. Homeslice Pizza is a block away (OMG) and JOs coffee, right next to the Hotel San Jose, has ocasional music too. And go to the side of Jos and take a picture. They have painted the side of the building green and someone has written "I love you so much" on it. People line up to take their pix under those words. (google it, you will see...)

Very cool VRBO. There are many in the area.

Sixth street has gone waaaay downhill and is not very safe late at night. It's kinda gross actually. So many other places to hear music.

<i>It's kinda gross actually.</i>

Austin, that was my impression, but I was hesitant to say so based on one short experience! We were there for Esther's Follies earlier at night, and drove down there some, without feeling unsafe, but after the movie I just had no desire to be there any longer than I had to.

We did hang out on Rainey Street for a bit, which was much more my speed.

Rainey street is definitely THE hip area these days. There are also several new bars/ music. East of IH35 and off 5th and 6th..

6th needs revitalization.

Thanks for all of the input. We're looking for somewhere cheap but still with comfortable beds, safety, etc. Would love to stay at the Hotel San Jose but too $$$.

We're just looking for some good, old country music and a little two-steppin'. Can you find that in Austin??

Not in Austin itself, but - we took a day and drove around the Hill Country, stopping for awhile at Gruene Hall (pronounced "Green"... we didn't know that :) ). It was Saturday afternoon and there was a band playing, and space in the back for people to dance if they wanted to. I imagine most of the people in there were tourists like us, but it was a lot of fun. Gruene Hall has a lot of artists come through at night. There are dance halls around the area, but I gather that Gruene Hall is one of the better known (maybe the best known).

Here's a video of the band:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenthom...57632886458534

Gruene Hall is the oldest dance hall in Texas and they have live music 7 days a week--great fun! It's only about 40 minutes south of Austin on I-35, depending on traffic.

The Best Western we stayed at (see upthread) definitely had comfy beds and the location was really good!

The lead singer of Texas swing band Asleep at the Wheel has a bar/music venue you might consider:

http://therattleinn.com/

It's on Sixth Street, but it's WEST Sixth and quite a distance from "the" Sixth Street scene--I've been and it's a cool place with a great rooftop deck.

Also look at:

http://www.continentalclub.com/Austin.html

what about the Broken Spoke for dancing? http://www.brokenspokeaustintx.com/ or is it just a tourist trap? -- I was not there at night, but it seemed genuine to me.

I have thought about staying at the Austin Motel, but always end up at Hotel San Jose -- never been sorry.

Really, you do not have to go to Greune for 2 stepping. I don't know where that comes from

Yes, Broken Spoke Tuesday - Sunday night
. The Continetal Club has Dale Watson every Monday night
Donns Depot.
the White Horse

I'm bummed because I don't think Dale Watson is in town when we're there. I really wanted to see him.

Great input...I'm super excited! We want only country music since it's hard to find in Chicago.

2nd on Donn's Depot. What a great bar...you can see 20 somethings on the floor with 70-80 yr olds. Just check the band because sometimes it is country and other times it is "big band".

We visited Austin last week and went to the the Broken Spoke on a Tuesday night. It was one of the highlights of the trip. I think we were the only tourists in the place. The band was excellent and we enjoyed the county dancing.