Best Austin location for hotel
 

Hi y'all,
We're thinking of going to Austin for a long weekend in July -- no particular reason except that we've never been there, we hear it's a nice town, and it's supposedly a great place for music.

I know absolutely nothing about Austin, though. When I start looking at hotels, what area should I be looking for? We're generally three-star hotel folks, we like to be able to walk around safely at night, and want an interesting neighbourhood with good music venues, restaurants, shops, etc.

What hotels/neighbourhoods should I be looking at and what should I avoid?

Thanks! This will be my first visit to Texas other than a plane change at Dallas airport!
<):)
(moi, in my Texas chapeau)

If this is your first time, you're probably better off at a location downtown, near 6th street. There's a bunch of good hotels there.

My favorite hotel in Austin, the San Jose, is on South Congress, a bit far away from most bars and restaurants. It has to be said that the hotel's bar is awesome, that the tex-mex restaurant next door (El Sol y La Luna) is really good, that it is right across the street from the Continental Club and Amy's ice cream, and a couple of blocks away from the fun shops in South Congress and the South Congress Cafe.

Austin is a <i>very</i> fun town and the music is fabulous! We just returned from our first trip and it will definitely not be our last. We loved the vibe and eclectic feel of the city. Sophisticated but casual.

We stayed at Doubletree Suites on 15th. It is very easy to get to from the airport and location is away from the clubby bars on 6th street (which I was grateful for!). Also, it has a full kitchen if you want to have snacks in your room. Two blocks away from the hotel is a cute little cafe serving coffees, breakfast, lunch (dinner?) and bakery items called Arturo's Bakery and Cafe. Very convenient.

Here are a couple of recent Austin threads that may help get you started:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35107457

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35096179

You will love Austin!

Jean, what is the name of the quirky motel on South Congress? It is just before El Sol y La Luna I believe. Is that the one featured on Travel Channel??

These are great -- thanks so much! Is Austin do-able without a car? And when I'm looking at a map, for the part of town I'd enjoy, what cross streets should I be looking for?

Would definitely recommend the downtown area - plenty of nice hotels, near the 6th St music venues and safe. The Doubletree is nice, the Omni, Hilton are all fine. Our favorite is the 4 Seasons - great setting on Town Lake (sorry, Lady Bird Lake), right on the hike and bike trail, great southwestern atmosphere. One of our favorite restaurants is next door, the Shoreline Grill.

Keep Austin Weird!!!

I've been browsing expedia. I love the look of the Driskoll but it's too expensive. I'd consider the Hilton since we just became Hilton points members, so maybe we'd get a break on the price (or at least collect more points) but a suite sounds nice, so I'm going to look at Doubletree too.

The hotels I mentioned (plus the Hyatt) are just off Congress Ave and are on both sides of the Lake. The DoubleTree BeachGirl mentions is just a few blocks off Congress. Congress is Austin's &quot;Main&quot; street and runs south from the Capitol - which is frankly worth a visit; it's actually taller than the Capitol in DC (only we Texans would somehow think it was necessary to do that!)

Beachgirl,

There are two cool hotels on South Congress, one is the San Jose, the other one is the Austin Motel.

Thanks Jean. It is the San Jose Motel. It's funky and fun and just the attitude of South Congress. I am definitely going to give it a try next visit.

goddesstogo, we visited the Driskill and were disappointed with it. The decor was tired and such an old clientele. I enjoyed the cowhide chairs and some of the decor but it just seems it is time for an update. The service at the bar was very good and an impressive single malt whisky list. Glad we didn't splurge on The Driskill. In its day it had to be spectacular. For the money I would take Four Seasons for a splurge.

I would look into renting a car. We only paid $9.95/day and it was well worth it. We were able to drive out to the river area, South Congress (a must do!) and a day trip to Gruene in Hill Country. When we went to the clubs and dinner we took a cab which rarely went over $5 for two people. Well worth it.

I miss South Congress. Great food, patios, eclectic shops and of course, people watching.

I like the hilton by fourth. Another option for your points (I'm a hilton honors person too) in the hampton inn &amp; suites on 2nd and san jacinto. both are walking distance to 6th street and the older (mid 20's to late 30's) 4th and colorado. There's not a lot of bars per se concentrated on congress street. You're better off going up and down 6th street (from i-35 are to about a block past congress) is where the bars are concentrated. 4th and colorado has a different vibe.

I like the doubletree too. it's walking distance for me but for most people, it's not that near as the other hotels are. If you want suites, get the hampton I mentioned above although their suites do not have a stove but have a microwave and fridge.

gtg, how about a GTG? :-D

Seriously, if you want to meet a few Texas Fodorites let me know so swisshiker and I can organize something.

PS You do know Austin is REALLY hot and humid in July, right?? ;-)

You guys are the best. I'm glad to hear I don't need to feel bad about not being able to afford the Driskill. Phew! I think we'll aim for Hilton or Hilton-related digs.

I'd love an Austin GTG!! Can we do lunch?

P_M, I LOVE hot! I LOVE humid! Do you know where I live? Do you know that it's snowed here almost every day since the beginning of December? Bring on that heat-wave, baby! I'm ready! 8-)

Good attitude, goddesstogo! BUT, we <i>will</i> remind you of your enthusiasm for humidity and heat after your trip! ;)

(( frizzy, sweaty hair emoticon ))

I LAUGH -- ha! ha! -- at the frizzy hair threat! Frizzy is my natural look!

Austin is Humid ???. . come to Houston for humid!!!

Of course we can do lunch!! :-D Please type me when you get a chance. thegreatpumpkin24 at yahoo.

Uh oh. I'm having trouble convincing SO that we need to go to Austin (or anywhere) this summer. :(
Negotiations are in progress. [-o&lt;

&lt; come to Houston for humid &gt;

Yep. I went to college in Austin (grew up in SE Tex). I thought Austin was really dry. Had a roommate one year from Amarillo. He complained about how humid Austin was. Just depends on what you're used to!!

gtg, perhaps you could suggest coming for the 4th of July? Maybe your SO will enjoy seeing the fireworks. **==

Well, I'm working on it, P_M. July 1 is a holiday here. It's a Tuesday and I get Monday off as well, so we could come on Saturday and leave on Tuesday.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

\:D/ YAY! We're coming to Austin in July!

My SO was a little concerned about the heat but I've promised that every time he gets too hot, I'll buy him a tall, cool drink in an air-conditioned bar. And we'll stay in a hotel with a pool. Actually, the idea was originally his -- he's a big music fan.

I can get a really good rate at the Hilton Garden Inn downtown -- is that OK?

And yes, I definitely want to meet the Texas Fodorites! Lunch, dinner -- whatever works for you.

I'm going to start pulling ideas off these threads. Can you recommend:

- best music venues (blues, rock)
- best Texas bbq
- any places to dance
- best bargain shopping
- anything else you can think of

I'm SO excited! \:D/

YAY indeed, I'm so excited about your visit!! :-D

The Hilton Garden Inn is in an OK location but if you can get a little closer to Congress Ave that would be best. Needless to say that will cost more, but hey, the Canadian $ is kicking the US $'s butt so you can splurge!! :-)) But seriously, that hotel will be OK if the others won't work for you.

I will put on my thinking cap C:) and try to answer some of your other questions. I'm not much of a shopper and I'm not a fan of BBQ but you'll have plenty of ideas before your trip.

I'm doing lunch with goddesstogo!! YEEEEHAWWWW!!!! &lt;):)

Wait! I wanna say it too...YEEEEHAWWWW!!!!

How far is the Hilton Garden Inn from Congress Avenue? I'll keep looking for a bit before I make a commitment.

try the hilton on 4th or the hampton on 2nd and san jacinto.

best shopping? san marcus outlets - best in texas is only 40 min away on i-35!!!\\not a big bbq fan either - sorry.

Those look like possibilities, as does the other Hilton (on 4th). What do you think about the location of the Hyatt Regency (on Barton Springs, which I think is the lake) for location?

that's a nice hotel - but i still like hilton best. perhaps it's beause i like to be within walking distance to all the nightlife...

What would you consider 'walking distance' (in time, for example)? We often take a walk from our house, down the main street to a main intersection. Walking, chatting, window shopping, it might take 20 to 30 minutes. Walking fast it might take 15.

Is it longer than that? Is it a nice walk with shops, etc. and through a good neighbourhood?

I'm still considering the Hilton on 4th but the price there for me is just under $200. At the Hyatt it's about $160 and at the Hilton Garden Inn it's $116. I can't remember the Hampton but I think it's fine there.

It's so hard to judge distances in a city you don't know. I remember asking someone directions in a small town in England. The fellow told us where the theatre was and when I asked if it was a walkable distance he said, oh no, it's way on the other side of town. We decided to walk anyway and it turned out to be about 20 minutes' walk!

it's less than 20 min. the walk from hilton or hampton you would pass restaurants and bars - not really alot of shops but it's a pleasant walk. Less with Hyatt but still a nice walk. If you can get the hampton cheaper, to me that's a better location. Hyatt is right by town lake (lady bird)and should make for a nice atmosphere.

Thanks so much, maria. That's exactly what I wanted to know. A 20-minute walk from anywhere is just fine and it gives me a wider choice of hotels. It will probably be a decision based on a combination of price and nice-ness of swimming pool, since I've promised my SO a pool.

I stayed at the Hilton last year and it was great. I didn't have a car and I walked everywhere, no problem.

Cheryl,
Was that the Hilton on 4th or the Hilton Garden Inn?

I'm hoping to do without a car, so I'm glad to hear you did it, too.

Sorry, it was the Hilton on 4th. It was very well located, and a short (less than 10 minutes) to everything I wanted to see. I walked to bars, the Driskill (love the cowhide seats in the bar!), you name it.

I had some friends who were staying at the Embassy Suites on the other side of Town Lake, and although it wasn't far, I was happy to be staying closer to the sights.

Uh, I meant that it was a short &quot;walk&quot; to everything. Within 10-20 minutes, I could walk anywhere downtown. I paid a little more than my friends did at the Embassy Suites, but I thought it was worth it for the convenience of the location. And I liked the hotel, the staff was super helpful.

yeah, that hilton is very nice. the hampton is as well located too but the hotel is not as nice (but still nice, i mean, just not as nice as hilton). hyatt is on the other side (closer) than embassy but i agree, i prefer to stay at hilton or hampton for that matter. hilton has a nice high floor pool and spa area. hampton has a pool too.

i would rent a car for a day and go to san marcos outlets for shopping (there's 2 side by side why it is huge prime: http://www.primeoutlets.com/cntrdefault.asp?cntrid=1042 and tanger: http://www.tangeroutlet.com/sanmarcos ) or visit lake travis (oasis restaurtant for lunch - nice treetop views of lake travis http://www.oasis-austin.com/gallery.html ) and go up mount bonell and take a peek at the amazing houses by the lake http://austin.citysearch.com/profile/11353900

Here's Thin's thread on his possible Austin visit:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1

yk and bettyk might be talking me out of coming at the beginning of July. Is the heat really going to be horrible? Yes, we'll have a hotel with a pool and plenty of cold margaritas but I can get those at my sister's house five minutes away. I want to do Austin stuff.

Will it really be bad hot end of June/beginning of July?

I can't speak for Austin, but I've lived in Dallas for couple of years, and it is HOT. Dallas is drier than Austin, and it's still unbearable. Basically, everyone just goes from a/c to a/c; nobody goes outside.

That's why I say it's hard to visit Texas in the summer if one actually wants to walk around outside.

DH &amp; I went to Fredericksburg last August. It was so hot I felt like I was melting. In fact, the sidewalk was so hot that I think the soles of my shoes were melting.

The heat is so oppressive that one just wants to stay inside and take a long afternoon nap.

And it's just as hot in June/July...

BTW, I'm someone who gets cold easily and I don't mind temp in the mid 80s. But when the temp hits high 90s to 100s, even I can't tolerate it.

Wusses . .