The 175-room Lakeway Resort and Spa sits on a high bluff overlooking Lake Travis in Austin. With three pools, a swim-up bar, a spa, kid-friendly activities, and nearby golf and water sports, the Lakeway can be a nice getaway with lots to do. Plus, the hotel is only a half-hour drive from the more urban area of Austin. The facilities are not luxury-grade -- the furniture and decor in the common areas look a bit worn -- but the rooms are newer and upscale, and the views are breathtaking. The Lakeway also costs about half as much as the similarly-rated Travaasa Austin, which is 25 minutes away.
The 175-room Lakeway Resort and Spa sits on a high bluff overlooking Lake Travis in Austin. With three pools, a swim-up bar, a spa, kid-friendly activities, and nearby golf and water sports, the Lakeway can be a nice getaway with lots to do. Plus, the hotel is only a half-hour drive from the more urban area of Austin. The facilities are not luxury-grade -- the furniture and decor in the common areas look a bit worn -- but the rooms are newer and upscale, and the views are breathtaking. The Lakeway also costs about half as much as the similarly-rated Travaasa Austin, which is 25 minutes away.
The three-pearl Best Western Premier Bryan College Station is a solid mid-range pick with a wealth of property features. At a 15-minute drive from the center of the Texas A&M University campus, it’s a bit farther than some other area hotels, but travelers can save a bit of money by staying here. The hotel has no restaurant, but it does offer a lobby lounge with evening light fare and a free hot breakfast buffet with solid reviews from previous guests. A year-round outdoor pool, hot tub, and 24-hour fitness center are also on-site. The 100 spacious, contemporary guest rooms have a decent amount of style, and all come with 42-inch flat-screen TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Suites are available. Hyatt Place College Station is closer to Texas A&M campus and has an indoor pool, but its room rates are often a bit higher, especially on football weekends.
The three-pearl Best Western Premier Bryan College Station is a solid mid-range pick with a wealth of property features. At a 15-minute drive from the center of the Texas A&M University campus, it’s a bit farther than some other area hotels, but travelers can save a bit of money by staying here. The hotel has no restaurant, but it does offer a lobby lounge with evening light fare and a free hot breakfast buffet with solid reviews from previous guests. A year-round outdoor pool, hot tub, and 24-hour fitness center are also on-site. The 100 spacious, contemporary guest rooms have a decent amount of style, and all come with 42-inch flat-screen TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Suites are available. Hyatt Place College Station is closer to Texas A&M campus and has an indoor pool, but its room rates are often a bit higher, especially on football weekends.
The small Microtel Inn & Suites Aransas Pass is a no-frills facility that enjoys a good location between the Texas mainland and outlying Port Aransas. Rooms are bland and feature oddly placed tube TVs. The pool is nice but basic, and there’s no fitness center, but guests do get a free breakfast and in-room Wi-Fi. Overall, it's a solid choice for the budget-conscious looking for a clean, basic hotel, and not necessarily much in the way of amenities.
The small Microtel Inn & Suites Aransas Pass is a no-frills facility that enjoys a good location between the Texas mainland and outlying Port Aransas. Rooms are bland and feature oddly placed tube TVs. The pool is nice but basic, and there’s no fitness center, but guests do get a free breakfast and in-room Wi-Fi. Overall, it's a solid choice for the budget-conscious looking for a clean, basic hotel, and not necessarily much in the way of amenities.
Like a city unto itself, the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center is a huge indoor complex with more than 1500 guest rooms and suites, many of which look out over a glass atrium filled with perfectly manicured gardens and even a vineyard, as well as several restaurants and bars. With tons of kid-friendly activities and even a water park open in the summer, there’s plenty to fill a vacation. It's also close to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and has numerous meeting rooms of varying sizes, making it a popular place for conferences. There is a daily resort fee and extra fees for parking, so the costs can make this a pricey stay, but some travelers may find the convenience and luxury worth it.
Like a city unto itself, the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center is a huge indoor complex with more than 1500 guest rooms and suites, many of which look out over a glass atrium filled with perfectly manicured gardens and even a vineyard, as well as several restaurants and bars. With tons of kid-friendly activities and even a water park open in the summer, there’s plenty to fill a vacation. It's also close to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and has numerous meeting rooms of varying sizes, making it a popular place for conferences. There is a daily resort fee and extra fees for parking, so the costs can make this a pricey stay, but some travelers may find the convenience and luxury worth it.
The 222-room Georgetown Suites is a mid-range, all-suite hotel that was originally built as an apartment complex in the '80s. A great value in an otherwise pricey neighborhood, this property has large rooms with full kitchens, free breakfasts, and a fitness center. While it doesn't have some of the bells and whistles that some of its neighbors do, the price is hard to beat. Convenient on-site amenities include a rooftop sundeck with lounge chairs, a business center, laundry room, and fitness center. Many shops and restaurants are within easy walking distance. For a more stylish option that’s closer to the metro and tourist attractions, consider the nearby Avenue Suites Georgetown, though prices tend to be higher.
The 222-room Georgetown Suites is a mid-range, all-suite hotel that was originally built as an apartment complex in the '80s. A great value in an otherwise pricey neighborhood, this property has large rooms with full kitchens, free breakfasts, and a fitness center. While it doesn't have some of the bells and whistles that some of its neighbors do, the price is hard to beat. Convenient on-site amenities include a rooftop sundeck with lounge chairs, a business center, laundry room, and fitness center. Many shops and restaurants are within easy walking distance. For a more stylish option that’s closer to the metro and tourist attractions, consider the nearby Avenue Suites Georgetown, though prices tend to be higher.
The Casulo offers chic boutique style at an affordable price, with contemporary, zen-like decor, and rooms all featuring big soaking tubs (most next to peek-a-boo glass windows). But it's a 10-minute drive south of downtown Austin, so no popular tourist sights are within walking distance, and there's no full restaurant on-site -- just a bar and lobby cafe.
The Casulo offers chic boutique style at an affordable price, with contemporary, zen-like decor, and rooms all featuring big soaking tubs (most next to peek-a-boo glass windows). But it's a 10-minute drive south of downtown Austin, so no popular tourist sights are within walking distance, and there's no full restaurant on-site -- just a bar and lobby cafe.
This three-pearl, pet-friendly Northwest Austin hotel has suites with kitchens and living areas that make it popular with extended-stay business travelers and families. The location provides easy access to the highway, as well as shopping centers, but it's close to a 30-minute drive from downtown. Features include an outdoor swimming pool with gas grills for cooking, a 24-hour fitness center and business center, free shuttle service to area attractions, an impressive free breakfast, and free Wi-Fi throughout. An on-site restaurant and bar, and laundry facilities round out the amenities. It's worth comparing rates with the nearby Staybridge Suites Austin NW, which has free weeknight receptions that include beer, wine, and a light dinner.
This three-pearl, pet-friendly Northwest Austin hotel has suites with kitchens and living areas that make it popular with extended-stay business travelers and families. The location provides easy access to the highway, as well as shopping centers, but it's close to a 30-minute drive from downtown. Features include an outdoor swimming pool with gas grills for cooking, a 24-hour fitness center and business center, free shuttle service to area attractions, an impressive free breakfast, and free Wi-Fi throughout. An on-site restaurant and bar, and laundry facilities round out the amenities. It's worth comparing rates with the nearby Staybridge Suites Austin NW, which has free weeknight receptions that include beer, wine, and a light dinner.
The 118-room Staybridge Suites San Antonio NW is a mid-range chain hotel that appeals to budget-conscious travelers wanting to stay close to Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Suites and studios are spacious and light, featuring fully equipped kitchenettes, sofa beds, and dining areas, but most are showing wear and there have been reports of cleanliness issues. The outdoor pool is heated in the colder months and features a kiddy section and separate whirlpool, while the gym, although cramped, offers an array of machines. This is overall an average pick for the price, but freebies such as shuttle service within a three-mile radius, Wi-Fi, breakfast, laundry, and parking add value. The hotel hosts evening receptions with drinks and small bites several times per week, but there is no full restaurant. In this price range, the Wyndham Garden San Antonio near La Cantera is more modern.
The 118-room Staybridge Suites San Antonio NW is a mid-range chain hotel that appeals to budget-conscious travelers wanting to stay close to Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Suites and studios are spacious and light, featuring fully equipped kitchenettes, sofa beds, and dining areas, but most are showing wear and there have been reports of cleanliness issues. The outdoor pool is heated in the colder months and features a kiddy section and separate whirlpool, while the gym, although cramped, offers an array of machines. This is overall an average pick for the price, but freebies such as shuttle service within a three-mile radius, Wi-Fi, breakfast, laundry, and parking add value. The hotel hosts evening receptions with drinks and small bites several times per week, but there is no full restaurant. In this price range, the Wyndham Garden San Antonio near La Cantera is more modern.
The Four Points Sheraton San Antonio Downtown is a good choice for business travelers seeking a comfortable, spacious place to get work done during their stay, or for families needing just a little more space. Although still technically downtown, the trade-off for the lower price point and extra space is being a little farther from the main tourist areas than other downtown hotels. But for the price, the spacious and comfy rooms, and lovely outdoor pool create a great value -- as long as you don't mind the extra walk.
The Four Points Sheraton San Antonio Downtown is a good choice for business travelers seeking a comfortable, spacious place to get work done during their stay, or for families needing just a little more space. Although still technically downtown, the trade-off for the lower price point and extra space is being a little farther from the main tourist areas than other downtown hotels. But for the price, the spacious and comfy rooms, and lovely outdoor pool create a great value -- as long as you don't mind the extra walk.