Austin › Best Austin Hotels
Updated: June 20, 2023
By Santorini Dave
Our Favorite Austin Hotels
• 5-star Hotel: Four Seasons
• 4-star Hotel: JW Marriott
• 3-star Hotel: Austin Motel
• For Families: Four Seasons
• For Couples: Heywood
• Hotel Pool: Fairmont
• Near 6th Street: Driskill
• Near Airport: Hyatt Place
Austin Hotels – Tips & Recommendations
- Best Luxury Hotels in Austin: The Four Seasons • The Driskill • Fairmont Austin
- Best Boutique Hotels in Austin: Kimpton Van Zandt • Heywood Hotel • Archer Hotel • The Carpenter
- Best Cheap & Midrange Hotels in Austin: Aiden by Best Western • Austin Motel • Holiday Inn Austin • Hotel Indigo • Omni Austin
- Best Family Hotels in Austin: The Four Seasons (family of 5 or 6) • South Congress Hotel (family of 4)
The 13 Best Hotels in Austin, Texas
The historic and enchanting Driskill Hotel in downtown Austin.
1. The Four Seasons
The best luxury hotel in Austin. Located next to the Rainey Street Historic District on the banks of Lady Bird Lake (aka Colorado River), full of southwestern style and hospitality. All rooms offer fabulous views of the lake or Austin cityscape. Other features include outdoor heated saltwater pool, spa, library of Texan-authored books, complimentary bikes, and an onsite restaurant overlooking the lake – with a separate menu for your pet. Rooms have large flat-screen TVs, iHome docking station, L’Occitane bath products, thick bathrobes, and evening turndown. Two signature Taylor guitars are available on loan for guest use. Brilliant location within walking distance of key attractions (Congress Avenue Bridge & 6th Street music scene).
Hotel Phone: +1 512-478-4500
2. The Driskill
Set in a historical 1886 Austin city center landmark, the Driskill oozers charm and history, and offers nightly live music, weekly Sunday Blues Brunch, and entertainment booked in conjunction with famous music venue, Antone’s. Monthly Beer Dinners are hosted onsite with a 3-course dinner. The hotel features spa treatments, fitness center, an award-winning restaurant, and is pet-friendly. Fabulous location.
Hotel Phone: +1 512-439-1234
3. Heywood Hotel
This fantastic small boutique hotel, set in a modernized 1925 Craftsman bungalow within walking distance of 6th Street, offers 7 stylish rooms and complimentary locally roasted coffee. Has a front terrace with porch swings. Hotel decor and furniture features local artists and designers, and reclaimed hardwood floors. Rooms Squeezebox jukebox with free music streaming, white noise machine, handmade beds, luxury mattress, spacious bathrooms with large tubs, and luxury, full-size toiletries. Complimentary bicycles are available to guests. Many key attractions & restaurants located nearby.
Hotel Phone: +1 512-271-5522
4. Fairmont Austin
Luxury high-rise hotel located near the Convention Center downtown. Rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows (many with views of Lady Bird Lake and the Capitol building) and elegant, contemporary design. There’s a large rooftop pool and sun deck, as well as a 2,800 square foot fitness center and five different restaurant and bar offerings. Guests at their award-winning spa enjoy beautiful solariums with saline soaking tubs, dry saunas, eucalyptus steam rooms, and sweeping views of the city.
Hotel Phone: +1 512-600-2000
5. Archer Hotel
Casually luxurious hotel that celebrates Texas with a young, fun vibe. Comfortable rooms and suites feature colorful murals and Nespresso machines. Their fantastic in-house bar and farm-to-table restaurant are well-known for a offering a great happy hour and brunch, and they provide both in-room service as well as service to the hotel’s fabulous seasonal outdoor pool deck. Located in the heart of Austin’s popular Domain shopping district.
Hotel Phone: +1 512-836-5700
6. The Carpenter
A hip and laid-back design hotel housed in a former union hall near Zilker Park. Rooms are spare but comforable, with an appealing mid-century minimalist aesthetic; all have small balconies. Common spaces are cool and relaxed, including an excellent in-house restaurant and coffee shop. Their outdoor pool deck is a mid-century stunner, lined in teak and shaded by pecan trees. Pet-friendly, too. The Carpenter is set in a great location, walking distance to the park, restaurants, and coffee shops.
Hotel Phone: +1 512-682-5300
7. Van Zandt
Named after legendary guitarist Townes Van Zandt, this hip boutique hotel is decorated with music-focused artwork and boasts 319 modern-designed suites and guestrooms. With beautiful dark wood paneling, bronze accents, and sleek furniture, all rooms include minibar, yoga mats, boot puller, Bluetooth speakers, free high-speed wifi, luxury Atelier Bloem products, and either lake or cityscape view. Hotel amenities include a rooftop pool, full-service outdoor bar, onsite restaurant & café, morning coffee and tea service, and complimentary custom bikes. True Texas hospitality is enjoyed during social hour with complimentary beer, wine, and margaritas in the living room. Fabulous location with easy access to hike-and-bike trails, Lady Bird Lake & Rainey Street Historic District.
Hotel Phone: +1 512-542-5300
8. South Congress Hotel
With the SoCo strip four blocks on either side and downtown only 1 mile away, this boutique hotel offers a year-round rooftop outdoor pool, café, and views of the Austin skyline. Locally designed and decorated in a slightly retro, minimalist style, facilities include sun terrace, three restaurants, coffee shop, juice bar, fitness center, spa services, and retro bicycles for rent. Rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, Matteo bed linens, locally sourced minibar, sizeable walk-in shower, Bigelow bath products, custom bathrobes, Apple TV, and exclusive access to 40+ Alamo Drafthouse films. Trendy but still kid-friendly.
Hotel Phone: +1 512-920-6405
9. Hotel Ella
An artistic & historic landmark in downtown Austin, this timeless boutique hotel is a restored turn-of-the-19th-century manor house, featuring a large wrap-around porch, terrace, and a picnic area on the grounds. Outdoor pool and poolside bar with evening cocktails, in-house restaurant, spa service, fitness center, complimentary coffee, onsite paid parking and electric vehicle charging station. Each room has a flat-panel TV, curated minibar, private bathroom with lush bath products and microfiber bathrobes. Pet friendly.
Hotel Phone: +1 512-495-1800
10. W Austin
Attached to the iconic Moody Theater, the W itself plays a large part in the local scene, hosting DJ parties, live music shows, and other events regularly. It has fantastic views of the downtown skyline, full-service luxury spa, outdoor pool with private cabanas, poolside bar and grill, onsite farm-to-table restaurant, 4 lounges, 3 bars, and multilingual & attentive staff. Each room is decorated with works from local photographer Scott Newton. Located in the 2nd Street District – a highly walkable area with restaurants, sightseeing, music venues, and nightspots.
Hotel Phone: +1 512-542-3600
11. Westin Downtown
Located directly across the street from the legendary live music nightclub, Antone’s, this downtown hotel features a year-round outdoor heated pool, rooftop bar with fire pits, fitness center with yoga classes, 19,000 sq ft of event space, mini market, restaurant, bar and lounge with Friday brunch, live music events, and bar crawls. Rooms are modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows, signature Heavenly bed, fresh-brew Starbucks coffee & tea, and plush robes. Valet parking is available at additional cost, but dogs are welcome for free and get their own Heavenly bed and doggy beer. Prime location.
Hotel Phone: +1 512-391-2333
12. Saint Cecilia
Rock n’ roll-inspired and named after the patron saint of poetry and music, this quirky, elegant and cozy boutique hotel is set in a renovated 1880s Victorian house and is frequented by musicians and celebrities. 14 stylish rooms with pool views or river views, well-stocked minibars, organic handcrafted beds, turntable with Geneva sound system, and bathrooms well-stocked with fancy body care products. In-room spa treatments are also available. One suite includes a private terrace and garden with outdoor shower and firepit. The hotel boasts lush landscaped grounds with outdoor movie nights, 50 foot heated outdoor swimming pool with 6 poolside bungalows, kitchen for breakfast, bar-lounge with live music nights, lending library of vintage LPs, and complimentary retro bicycle rentals. A 1970s Citroën sometimes acts as a guest taxi. Brilliant location, two blocks from South Congress strip and two miles from Barton Springs Pool.
Hotel Phone: +1 512-852-2400
13. Hotel San Jose
Hip and affordable, this is a cool converted 1970s style motel in the heart of the South Congress district. Features include a garden with covered deck, outdoor fireplace & swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, free onsite parking, onsite coffee shop, restaurant with themed dinners and live music nights, and continental breakfast served daily. Pet-friendly. Each room has a flat-screen TV, desk, mini-fridge, and bar, and some rooms have a terrace. The hotel is conveniently located right on South Congress Avenue, one of the city’s busiest streets, with key attractions nearby.
Hotel Phone: +1 512-444-7322
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