The Allandale is located next to an apartment complex, and feels like it could be an extension of it. Its worn multi-room suites come with full kitchens, living rooms, old tube TVs, and dated furniture. It's about a 15-minute drive from Downtown Austin, but it's within walking distance of the Norris Conference Centers, and the free hot breakfast is a cut above standard continental fare.

The two-and-a-half-pearl Kings Hotel is an unassuming guest house with an interior that’s eclectic, to say the least, but guests are primarily here for its location on Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach, close to the amusement park. Guests rave about the free breakfast, while in the evening, the breakfast room turns into a vegan restaurant serving mostly Italian fare. The 12 rooms were updated with bold, contemporary decor since new owners took over in 2016, and they have kettles, free toiletries, flat-screen TVs, and hairdryers. Bathrooms, however, are tiny. Guests looking to stay closer to the city center might want to check out the Melville Hotel, a short stroll from Blackpool Tower.