HYATT house Austin / Arboretum

The apartment-style rooms and services at this three-pearl hotel attract both business travelers on extended-stay trips and families who want the conveniences of home. The 2015-built hotel is pretty and well-maintained, from the outside surrounded by gardens and trees to the welcoming interiors. The lobby and breakfast room have a warm color scheme, plants, and flat-screen TVs, and the hotel is generally quiet -- aside from when the free breakfast is offered. 

This hotel is in the Arboretum area of Austin, a business and residential area that’s in Northwest Austin. It’s ideal for those who want to be in a more quiet, relaxed part of the city, or those who want to be under a 10-minute drive from The Domain mall and Arboretum shopping center. While it's conveniently near the highway, it will still take guests 25 to 30 minutes to reach the downtown area by car. There are other hotels nearby, and restaurants and shops within walking distance. North by Northwest Restaurant and Brewery is a three-minute walk  and Iron Cactus Mexican Restaurant is a five-minute walk away. The University of Texas at Austin is around a 20-minute drive away. Austin International Airport is around 35 minutes away by car, depending on traffic.

The 131 smoke-free rooms are apartment style, with features designed to make guests feel at home. One perk that many long-term travelers take advantage of are the separate kitchens included in suites. The smallest room is 200 square feet and comes with a coffeemaker, while larger studio suites come with fully equipped kitchens and separate living areas with sofa beds. Kitchens have stainless-steel appliances, microwaves, stovetops, full-size refrigerators, dishwashers, and coffeemakers. Deluxe two-bedroom, two-bath suites also come with kitchens and living rooms. All rooms are clean and decorated in sleek, contemporary decor with light-wood furniture, white and gray-accent walls, and white bed linens. Rooms are carpeted and have a piece or two of artwork, as well as spacious desks and comfortable chairs. Also standard are 42-inch flat-screen TVs, charging stations with USB outlets, alarm clock radios, ironing facilities, hairdryers, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are on the larger side and come with spacious showers or shower/tub combos and free toiletries. One complaint that some guests have had is that walls are thin. 

This mid-range hotel has all the expected amenities and then some. Particularly convenient features include a laundry room, free grocery shopping service, and free shuttle service to attractions within a five-mile radius during select times. Also notable are the large outdoor swimming pool with various seating and adjacent barbecue grills. For guests who aren't doing their own cooking, there are a restaurant and bar open in the evenings, serving a variety of cocktails, craft beer, and wine, plus dishes that include vegetarian and gluten-free options. Guests love the free buffet breakfast that has both hot and cold items, including a made-to-order omelet station. There's also a 24-hour shop that sells snacks, drinks and microwave dinners. A business center has computers and printers, and the 24-hour fitness center has a good amount of modern equipment. Wi-Fi is free throughout and pets are allowed for a fee.