The Best Hotels to Book in Waco, Texas

A short stroll from Baylor University, cozy colorful rooms in the Warehouse District in downtown Waco puts you a short distance from the scenic, 7mi (11km) Brazos Riverwalk. Don’t miss the famous Magnolia Market, where you can tuck into lunch from a local food truck. The hotel’s shuttle service will take you anywhere within 3mi (5km), but when the sightseeing is done, relax by the indoor pool followed by shrimp tacos and a signature cocktail at Brazos Bar & Bistro.

A mile (1.6km) from Baylor University and Magnolia Market shopping complex, Aloft favors a fun take on hospitality with pixel-patterned blinds and colorful city murals. Fixer Upper fans must take the Aloft shuttle to the Magnolia Market at the Silos created by Chip and Joanna Gaines. When you return, wind down in the 24-hour fitness center or enjoy a local craft beer and live music at the industrial-chic WXYZ Bar.

Close to the attractions in the downtown area, you can sip your morning coffee while looking out your window or balcony of your comfortable suite over the banks of the Brazos River. The hotel’s landscaped gardens are worth a wander in before you take in the sights up close with a walk to the nearby Waco River Park or the Dr. Pepper Museum. Don’t forget to take advantage of being next door to the Waco Suspension Bridge and jump on the hotel’s local shuttle to the Zoo, less than a mile away (1.6km).

This Waco hotel is 5mi (8km) from downtown with easy access on Interstate 35. However, it’s all too easy to make yourself comfortable here, with modern rooms with wood effect floors and furniture. Jump in the heated indoor pool and follow that up with a turkey pesto sandwich or chicken Caesar salad from the Placery, open from 6am to midnight. You must, however, set foot outside to visit the Central Texas Marketplace, home to multiple shops and even more restaurants.

Step out of the Courtyard and into downtown Waco, where you can explore the area’s many shops and attractions. Guests love the lounge and lobby for the modern decor, cozy gas fire, and relaxing atmosphere, not to mention the media pods for privacy. The luxurious rooms and suites with polished wood and thick drapes will make it hard to leave, but when you’re hungry, go grab dinner or drinks at the hotel’s casual Bistro spot or sit out in the courtyard.

Another downtown option in Waco is Springhill Suites, within easy walking distance of restaurants such as Twisted Root Burger Co. or Ninfa’s Mexican. Your streamlined digs also allow for plenty of room to relax and include kitchens for cooking up your own feasts. When it’s time for sightseeing, you’re only 2mi (3km) from Cameron Park Zoo. If you’ve arrived by electric car that’s not an issue, you can charge it at the charging stations on site.

This Waco hotel next to the stadium is designed for extended stays and does a lot to help you feel right at home in its light-filled studios or one-bedroom suites with neat kitchens, from being pet-friendly to offering grocery shopping services. Your home-from-home garden will be an attractive outdoor courtyard with a firepit. Relax at the year-round pool or on the putting greens. Don’t forget to stop by Crumbl Cookies for dessert heaven just across the street.

If you’re looking for a hotel for longer than a weekend, this extended-stay spot with smartly-styled gray, brown, and white suites with kitchens, a gym, and a basketball court should tick all boxes. Located in Woodway, a quiet offshoot of Waco, it’s only 20 minutes from Baylor and downtown. But you may not even want to leave, with a cool courtyard and contemporary fire pit, as well as a space for dinner and drinks.