The 11 Best Hotels in Austin, Texas

Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt feels like a world-class hotel that could find success in any city, yet it boasts such a strong connection to Austin that it’s hard to imagine it anywhere else. The bar’s curated selection of local brews, the nightly live music from some of the best up-and-coming Austin artists, its high-end restaurant Geraldine’s, and the rooftop pool deck that allows you to float among the city’s skyline all work together to give guests a one-of-a-kind stay. If you love rooftop bars, be sure to check out our guide to the best rooftop bars in Austin. Oh, and as for location? Guests are only a short walk away from Rainey Street, a unique entertainment district, and a short taxi ride away from Downtown Austin.

This retro motor inn is famous for its funky retro design and cheeky neon sign. Book a Poolside King room for easy access to the famous kidney-shaped swimming pool and be sure to dine at Joann’s Fine Foods, a diner open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving up tamales and tacos. The motel is conveniently located close to the legendary Continental Club, while downtown is a short walk across another Austin icon, the “bat bridge.”

With 1,048 rooms, the Fairmont Austin is the largest hotel in the city and sits at the southern end of Austin’s Red River Cultural District, the city’s live music hub with several concert venues that host popular musical acts on a nightly basis. Opened in 2018, the hotel offers guests modern rooms and amenities, a food court that stays true to the local flavor, and a hotel bar that is one of the only bars in the country that serves Cristal champagne by the glass.

The first high-rise hotel on Congress Avenue was the 15-story Stephen F Austin, now run by the InterContinental Hotels Group. Standing on one of the city’s historic streets, the hotel offers guests a variety of room types with early-20th-century charm and a uniquely designed pool room. It sits between the Texas State Capitol – a must-see for any visitor – and the rest of Austin’s lively downtown.