Fodor's Expert Review Inn at Pearl Street

Name: Inn at Pearl Street
Address: 809 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78701, United States
Telephone: 512-478–0051
Price range: $$$

809 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78701, United States See on Map

Lauren Modery

Guests can choose from a variety of rooms on this well-appointed Judges Hill compound, with an original 1900s guesthouse, a private cottage, and garage apartments, all connected with charming cobblestone drives. The rooms are comfortable and individually themed, with antique touches, like claw foot tubs and four-poster beds, in addition to modern comforts of Wi-Fi and flatscreen TVs in every room. The adjacent four-room cottage and private “tree house” apartment are convenient for families or extended stays.

room

High ceilings, large windows and Victorian-era décor help remind guests that things like cell phones and email can be checked at another time.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Guests can choose room packages that include massages, in-room breakfast, and champagne with flowers.

bathroom

Though the inn is small, the bathroom packs a lot of space with its tall Victorian ceilings. Soak in one of the clawfoot tubs and relax afterward in a provided terry cloth bathrobe.

lobby

Located in the grand entranceway of this old house, the lobby welcomes guests with an abundance of ornate trimmings and homey furniture.

There’s no restaurant or bar located at the inn, but for an additional fee, guests can add in-room breakfast to their tab.

LOCATION

Getting Around

With its central locale, it’s easy to walk to many nearby destinations. For those wanting to enjoy the sights of downtown, an Uber ride or pedicab will get you there in no time.

Restaurants

Austin’s beloved Indian restaurant The Clay Pit (11-minute walk) offers a popular lunch buffet or finer dining menu for the evenings. For those looking for a truly genuine Texas experience, the Texas Chili Parlor (16-minute walk), with its inexpensive menu, down-home décor and patrons with cowboy boots and hats, is a must. Upscale Southern fare is available at the James Beard-nominated Olamaie (8-minute walk).

Bars

Known for their BBQ, Freedmen’s (8-minute walk) also has its fair share of delicious cocktails and whiskey flights. The string lights strung across the patio of the century-old venue is a must for soaking in Austin’s warm nights. If catching local acts is your thing, check out the iconic Hole in the Wall (17-minute walk) where the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Spoon honed their skills.

WHY WE LIKE IT

19^th century architecture is hard to come by in Austin, so accommodations set in a bygone era are surely a treat. When everything has become so modernized, immersing oneself in vintage surroundings can be a much needed break, and the Inn at Pearl Street does the trick.