The 189-room Driskill Hotel sets a new standard for historic hotels. The hotel was built in 1886 and beautifully restored, and the gleaming marble floors, towering columns, and stained-glass ceilings evoke a bygone era. Tasteful, elegant rooms follow suit with designer furnishings, towering ceilings with crown moldings, brocade carpeting, and pretty bathrooms with black marble floors and counters (but shower/tub combos). They're a bit small, though -- but that's to be expected in a historic downtown hotel. There's no pool or other on-site amenities besides a nice fitness center and small massage room, but the location in the heart of Austin's famous Sixth Street entertainment district is prime.
The 189-room Driskill Hotel sets a new standard for historic hotels. The hotel was built in 1886 and beautifully restored, and the gleaming marble floors, towering columns, and stained-glass ceilings evoke a bygone era. Tasteful, elegant rooms follow suit with designer furnishings, towering ceilings with crown moldings, brocade carpeting, and pretty bathrooms with black marble floors and counters (but shower/tub combos). They're a bit small, though -- but that's to be expected in a historic downtown hotel. There's no pool or other on-site amenities besides a nice fitness center and small massage room, but the location in the heart of Austin's famous Sixth Street entertainment district is prime.
W Austin is a luxury hotel located in the heart of Austin's 2nd Street District, close to sights, shopping, and entertainment. The hotel's 251 rooms are housed on the first 16 floors of a mixed hotel-and-condo tower, and a minimalist design throughout incorporates elements of Southwestern decor. Rooms are average in size, comfortably stylish, and feature modern amenities, like flat-screen TVs, minibars, and espresso machines. The hotel's Living Room bar areas and rooftop pool are popular gathering spots for Austinites, and the on-site restaurant, Trace, is one of the city's culinary hot spots. This is the trendiest hotel in the Downtown area, but travelers in search for a more traditional stay might prefer the beautifully restored 1886 The Driskill Hotel, though there is no pool there.
W Austin is a luxury hotel located in the heart of Austin's 2nd Street District, close to sights, shopping, and entertainment. The hotel's 251 rooms are housed on the first 16 floors of a mixed hotel-and-condo tower, and a minimalist design throughout incorporates elements of Southwestern decor. Rooms are average in size, comfortably stylish, and feature modern amenities, like flat-screen TVs, minibars, and espresso machines. The hotel's Living Room bar areas and rooftop pool are popular gathering spots for Austinites, and the on-site restaurant, Trace, is one of the city's culinary hot spots. This is the trendiest hotel in the Downtown area, but travelers in search for a more traditional stay might prefer the beautifully restored 1886 The Driskill Hotel, though there is no pool there.
As far as Holiday Inns go, this three-pearl hotel is a nice one, thanks to renovations that finished up in 2017. However, location isn't ideal for those without a car -- most tourist and business attractions in Austin are within driving distance, and the hotel's free shuttle gets booked quickly. However, the 322 rooms are modernized and there's an outdoor pool that overlooks Town Lake. Surprisingly, breakfast isn't free, and it's expensive for the average chain fare it is. For a mid-range option more centrally located, the Hampton Inn & Suites downtown is a block away from the city's convention center, though it lacks lake vistas.
As far as Holiday Inns go, this three-pearl hotel is a nice one, thanks to renovations that finished up in 2017. However, location isn't ideal for those without a car -- most tourist and business attractions in Austin are within driving distance, and the hotel's free shuttle gets booked quickly. However, the 322 rooms are modernized and there's an outdoor pool that overlooks Town Lake. Surprisingly, breakfast isn't free, and it's expensive for the average chain fare it is. For a mid-range option more centrally located, the Hampton Inn & Suites downtown is a block away from the city's convention center, though it lacks lake vistas.
The Four Seasons Austin is one of the city’s most beloved and well-known luxury properties, enjoying a prime downtown location and phenomenal lake views. The service and amenities are top-notch, as you’d expect from the Four Seasons. The rooms, however, do not deliver the level of luxury you'd expect from the brand; they're comfortable enough, and feature up-to-date technology, but the decor feels generic and a little dated.
The Four Seasons Austin is one of the city’s most beloved and well-known luxury properties, enjoying a prime downtown location and phenomenal lake views. The service and amenities are top-notch, as you’d expect from the Four Seasons. The rooms, however, do not deliver the level of luxury you'd expect from the brand; they're comfortable enough, and feature up-to-date technology, but the decor feels generic and a little dated.
The Omni is an upscale chain geared toward business travelers, with a prime downtown location within walking distance of the Sixth Street entertainment district. The soaring atrium lobby is bright and gleaming, the warm rooms have Texas-inspired decor and flat-screen TVs, and the chic rooftop pool with excellent city views is a notable draw. But most rooms have windows facing the atrium rather than the outside, which means that views are obstructed and privacy can be an issue.
The Omni is an upscale chain geared toward business travelers, with a prime downtown location within walking distance of the Sixth Street entertainment district. The soaring atrium lobby is bright and gleaming, the warm rooms have Texas-inspired decor and flat-screen TVs, and the chic rooftop pool with excellent city views is a notable draw. But most rooms have windows facing the atrium rather than the outside, which means that views are obstructed and privacy can be an issue.
Located in the heart of downtown Austin, the InterContinental Stephen F. Austin dates back to 1924 as the city's first high-rise building. The hotel also boasts one of the best restaurants in town, and its bar -- with the only terrace on Congress Avenue -- is a gathering spot for legislators. All 189 rooms were renovated with an old-Texas design in 2013, and they're comfortably outfitted with great beds, Keurig machines, and flat-screen TVs, however, some noise does trickle in from the hallway. Although a tiny indoor lap pool, hot tub, and fitness center are well-maintained, the hotel notably lacks a spa. Nearby options worth considering include The Driskill for history or the Omni for a rooftop pool.
Located in the heart of downtown Austin, the InterContinental Stephen F. Austin dates back to 1924 as the city's first high-rise building. The hotel also boasts one of the best restaurants in town, and its bar -- with the only terrace on Congress Avenue -- is a gathering spot for legislators. All 189 rooms were renovated with an old-Texas design in 2013, and they're comfortably outfitted with great beds, Keurig machines, and flat-screen TVs, however, some noise does trickle in from the hallway. Although a tiny indoor lap pool, hot tub, and fitness center are well-maintained, the hotel notably lacks a spa. Nearby options worth considering include The Driskill for history or the Omni for a rooftop pool.
The mid-range, 209-room Hampton Inn & Suites Austin-Downtown/Convention Center is a block from the Austin Convention Center and an easy walk to other attractions. It has an impressive lobby with rich-wood paneling and a covered terrace on the second floor overlooking the street. A free hot breakfast buffet is included in the room rates, and there's an on-site cafe and bar, a rooftop pool, fitness center, and meeting space. But the valet-only parking can be expensive. Rooms are spacious and attractively styled -- they have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and the hotel provides room service from two nearby restaurants. Suites add microwaves, wet bars, and sleeper sofas. Rates are competitive with other downtown hotels, but travelers might want to also check out the Hyatt Place Austin Downtown next door, which has comparable rates and amenities.
The mid-range, 209-room Hampton Inn & Suites Austin-Downtown/Convention Center is a block from the Austin Convention Center and an easy walk to other attractions. It has an impressive lobby with rich-wood paneling and a covered terrace on the second floor overlooking the street. A free hot breakfast buffet is included in the room rates, and there's an on-site cafe and bar, a rooftop pool, fitness center, and meeting space. But the valet-only parking can be expensive. Rooms are spacious and attractively styled -- they have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and the hotel provides room service from two nearby restaurants. Suites add microwaves, wet bars, and sleeper sofas. Rates are competitive with other downtown hotels, but travelers might want to also check out the Hyatt Place Austin Downtown next door, which has comparable rates and amenities.
The Westin Austin Downtown is a four-pearl property that’s a prime example of the Westin chain brand. It’s located in downtown Austin, near 6th Street and the Austin Convention Center. The hotel offers a great rooftop pool and bar, Southern cuisine restaurant with occasional live music, modern gym, and large meeting rooms. The chain's helpful New Balance fitness gear lending program is also on offer. The 366 guest rooms are contemporary and come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. With a location one block from 6th Street, guests note bothersome noise into the early morning hours, especially on the weekends. Another drawback is a pricey charge for valet parking. The nearby Hyatt Regency Austin is a good alternative that has a quieter environment and three restaurants.
The Westin Austin Downtown is a four-pearl property that’s a prime example of the Westin chain brand. It’s located in downtown Austin, near 6th Street and the Austin Convention Center. The hotel offers a great rooftop pool and bar, Southern cuisine restaurant with occasional live music, modern gym, and large meeting rooms. The chain's helpful New Balance fitness gear lending program is also on offer. The 366 guest rooms are contemporary and come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. With a location one block from 6th Street, guests note bothersome noise into the early morning hours, especially on the weekends. Another drawback is a pricey charge for valet parking. The nearby Hyatt Regency Austin is a good alternative that has a quieter environment and three restaurants.
The four-pearl Hyatt Regency Austin offers great skyline views and a convenient location on Lady Bird Lake, within walking distance of downtown’s attractions including Sixth Street and the convention center. With 45,000 square feet of meeting space and 448 rooms, its a clear choice for meetings and conferences, but amenities such as an outdoor pool with skyline views and a spacious fitness center make it popular with leisure travelers, too. The spacious rooms were upgraded in mid-2016 and have bright and contemporary decor. Many offer great views. Rates are competitive but not inexpensive in an often pricey city. For a good option only one block from the convention center, the mid-range Hampton Inn & Suites Austin Downtown has comparable rates and amenities plus a free hot breakfast.
The four-pearl Hyatt Regency Austin offers great skyline views and a convenient location on Lady Bird Lake, within walking distance of downtown’s attractions including Sixth Street and the convention center. With 45,000 square feet of meeting space and 448 rooms, its a clear choice for meetings and conferences, but amenities such as an outdoor pool with skyline views and a spacious fitness center make it popular with leisure travelers, too. The spacious rooms were upgraded in mid-2016 and have bright and contemporary decor. Many offer great views. Rates are competitive but not inexpensive in an often pricey city. For a good option only one block from the convention center, the mid-range Hampton Inn & Suites Austin Downtown has comparable rates and amenities plus a free hot breakfast.
The upper-middle-range Hilton Garden Inn Austin Downtown/Convention Center has an attractive location within a short walk of the convention center and Sixth Street’s entertainment and dining options. The 18-story property features a rooftop restaurant/bar with sweeping city views, as well as a spacious fitness center and lots of meeting space. However, the outdoor pool is small, and expensive valet parking is the only on-site option. On the upside, the 254 rooms are spacious and have lots of extras, including microwaves, mini-fridges, and Keurig coffeemakers. The mid-range Hyatt Place Austin Downtown adjacent to the convention center offers a good alternative, but expect to pay more.
The upper-middle-range Hilton Garden Inn Austin Downtown/Convention Center has an attractive location within a short walk of the convention center and Sixth Street’s entertainment and dining options. The 18-story property features a rooftop restaurant/bar with sweeping city views, as well as a spacious fitness center and lots of meeting space. However, the outdoor pool is small, and expensive valet parking is the only on-site option. On the upside, the 254 rooms are spacious and have lots of extras, including microwaves, mini-fridges, and Keurig coffeemakers. The mid-range Hyatt Place Austin Downtown adjacent to the convention center offers a good alternative, but expect to pay more.