If you’re planning a Texas road trip, stopping off in the Texan capital of Austin is a must. As the fourth-biggest state in the Lone Star State, though, choosing where to stay in Austin isn’t always easy.
With a variety of exciting areas & neighborhoods to choose from, finding the best hotels in Austin can seem daunting. (Austin is, after all, home to almost a million people and spreads out over 300 square miles!) Within the city’s diverse accommodation scene, you’ll find lodgings to suit every taste, quirk, and travel budget.
Need a hand finding somewhere to lay your head in Texas’s capital? Find the perfect area and hotel with this complete guide to the best places to stay in Austin, TX!
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our other hotel & accommodations guides and our Texas Travel Guide for recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
Best places to stay in Austin, TX
With Austin’s reputation for loving all things weird and being a haven for outcasts, you’ll find many different areas & neighborhoods to explore, each with its own unique vibes.
For first-time visitors, Downtown Austin is the obvious choice. The city center area is chock-loaded with top-notch cultural venues, restaurants, nightlife options, and many of the city’s most popular hotels.
The less central neighborhoods are a great choice for your Austin accommodations, too. From the more residential East Austin to the artsy and hipster South Congress to the college-town vibes of Central Austin, you’re sure to find an area that’s perfect for your itinerary.
The best areas to stay in Austin, TX, are:
Downtown Austin
✓ Best area to stay in Austin for history buffs & nightlife
Want to hunker down in the heart of the city center, surrounded by historic landmarks like the Texas State Capitol? Pack your bags and lay down your head in Downtown Austin.
If you’re looking for a neighborhood bursting with culture, Downtown Austin is it. The area is home to some of the top tourist attractions in Austin, including Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater and the Red River Cultural District.
Around Downtown Austin, you’ll find plenty of live music venues, especially along the notorious nightlife havens of East 6th Street, 2nd Street District, and the more student-friendly Red River Street.
Here “for a good time, not a long time”? Especially if you’ve only got one day in Austin, search for accommodation in Downtown Austin and spend your nights in the heart of the action. You’ll find plenty of big-name hotel chains and boutique options here.
Hampton Inn and Suites Austin University Capitol
Looking to stay right in the heart of the action? The Hampton Inn and Suites Austin University Capitol is less than a mile from the Texas State Capitol Building, 6th Street, and the University of Texas at Austin. After a day of roaming around the city, kick back and relax at the Hampton Inn and Suites’ gorgeous rooftop pool. There are worse ways to spend an evening!
Canopy By Hilton Austin Downtown
Featuring a rooftop pool and a delicious in-house restaurant, Canopy By Hilton Austin Downtown is a popular place to stay, especially among couples. With a whole host of amenities, including a business center, a fitness center, and even a billiards room, you can make the most of your trip. Ready to explore your surroundings? Grab one of the hotel’s free bike rentals and ride to your heart’s content.
JW Marriott Austin
Want to have a prime spot to base yourself in Downtown Austin? Located just 0.6 miles away from the Texas State Capitol Building is the JW Marriott Austin. Start your day off right at the on-site coffee shop. After a long day of exploring, kick back and relax in the hotel’s luxurious spa.
Hotel ZaZa Austin
Looking for a stylish spot to lay your head? Check out the Hotel ZaZa Austin for a more boutique feel. With a 24-hour concierge, a shuttle service, and a full fitness center complete with a gorgeous pool, you’re bound to find everything you need in this beautifully designed, centrally-located luxury hotel.
Rainey Street Historic District
✓ Best neighborhood to stay in Austin for food trucks & laid-back vibes
Wanting a neighborhood that’s a little bit more laid back but still offers plenty of historical buildings? Lay your head down in the Rainey Street Historic District, and enjoy a less hectic—but no less entertaining—trip.
Categorized by its bungalow bars and food truck scene, Rainey Street Historic District is popular with tourists and locals alike, especially with Millennials. Into arts & culture, especially by Latino artists? Rainey Street Historic District is also home to the Mexican American Cultural Center, providing an excellent day out right on your doorstep.
If you’re in need of some nature after a long night out on 6th Street, Rainey Street Historic District also borders Lady Bird Park; it’s the ideal place to stay for entertainment, outdoor activities, and food.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown
Looking for a home away from home? Check out the Homewood Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown. Featuring full lounging spaces and kitchenettes in each suite, you can eat out as much or as little as you want. Just a two-minute walk from bustling Rainey Street doesn’t hurt either!
Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt, an IHG Hotel
Wanting expansive views of the Austin skyline as you sip cocktails by the side of a rooftop pool? Well then, you need to check into the Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt, an IHG Hotel. Located just 0.6 miles from 6th Street and with a gorgeous on-site spa to unwind at after a long day of exploring Austin, it’s a great spot for couples looking for an escape.
Fairmont Austin
Coming to Austin for an event or conference? The Fairmont Austin is located just 100m away from the Austin Convention Center, making it the perfect base. With several on-site restaurants, bars, and cafes, you’ll find plenty of choices, even if you’re too tired to wander the 0.4 miles to 6th Street.
East Austin
✓ Top place to stay in Austin for foodies, hipsters, and culture lovers
Looking to get a delicious plate full of authentic Texas barbecue? Spend your nights in the more residential neighborhood of East Austin, home to the famous Franklin Barbecue.
Bordering Lady Bird Lake and championing Austin’s history through the excellent French Legation Museum, East Austin is a neighborhood that’s always changing. The area is quickly becoming a hub for vibrant eateries, culture, and entertainment.
Want to find up-and-coming bars, bands, and artists? Head to East Cesar Chavez and get up to date with the next big thing.
East Austin is great for foodies, culture vultures, and younger couples looking to have a good time.
East Austin Hotel
Want to enjoy the relaxing vibe of an enclosed sun terrace with a pool while still being in the heart of Austin? Check into the East Austin Hotel and get the best of both worlds. With stylish design notes throughout the hotel and each room being furnished with a desk, the hotel is great whether you’re in Austin for work, play—or a bit of both!
DoubleTree by Hilton Austin-University Area
Located in the heart of the University district, the DoubleTree by Hilton Austin-University Area is a hive of activity. With an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, and on-site restaurant, the DoubleTree by Hilton has all the amenities you’ll need for your journey.
Heywood Hotel
Want to keep an eye on your carbon footprint while you travel? Check into the Heywood Hotel, an eco-hotel, located in bustling East Cesar Chavez. Focusing on entertainment, all rooms feature iPod docking stations and streaming services. Start the day with a cup of complimentary locally roasted coffee in the lobby.
ARRIVE Austin
With ARRIVE Austin, it’s all about location, location, location. Based on East 6th Street, this gorgeous hotel is surrounded by food trucks, bars, and restaurants. It’s the perfect choice for young couples or friends who want to get the most out of their trip. Take advantage of the private on-site parking and relaxing terrace.
South Congress
✓ Recommended area in Austin for shopaholics and outdoorsy folk
Looking for an area in South Austin that has a great mix of boutiques, delicious restaurants, and outdoor adventures? You’ll want to check out South Congress.
South Congress (SoCo) is located around bustling South Congress Avenue and covered in beautiful and striking street art. In the neighborhood, you’ll find plenty of weird and wonderful sights, including the famous Cathedral of Junk.
Want to spend some time in the great outdoors? Staying in South Congress is ideal for experiencing both Zilker Park and Barton Springs Pool, with biking trails zigzagging across much of the area.
Austin Motel
Located right on South Congress Avenue, the Austin Motel is a brightly decorated, warm place to lay your head. Featuring free on-site parking with your booking, it’s the ideal base to explore the outdoor spots that South Congress is known for; the hotel is just 1.6 miles away from the popular Barton Springs Pool.
Hyatt Regency Austin
If you’re wanting to hit up the city’s top trails, book a night at the Hyatt Regency Austin. With direct access to some of South Austin’s most popular biking and walking trails, as well as panoramic views of Lady Bird Lake, this property is a convenient adventurer’s dream.
Colton House Hotel
Wanting your Austin accommodation to have a special design flair? Colton House Hotel will tick all your boxes. With a beautiful seasonal outdoor pool, gardens to relax in, and a chicly decorated bar on-site, you’ll find a lot to enjoy at these top-notch lodgings.
Hotel Saint Cecilia
Looking for an A-list experience in the heart of South Congress? Look no further than the Hotel Saint Cecilia. Feel like a VIP in one of the six poolside bungalows, take advantage of the free bike hire, or kick back and relax on the charming and tranquil terrace.
Central Austin
✓ Recommended neighborhood for students and young couples
Looking for more of an upbeat choice for where to stay in Austin? Located next to the University of Texas at Austin, Central Austin has a distinct collegiate vibe, with the popular Spider House Ballroom rockin’ out with regular live music.
Wanting something to do in the daytime? Head to the historic Neill-Cochran House Museum, one of the oldest buildings in the city. Want to stretch your legs while exploring Central Austin? Hit up the Shoal Creek Greenbelt Trail, a multi-purpose trail that’s both dog- and people-friendly!
Moxy Austin – University
Looking for a hotel with a bit of fun injected into the design? Moxy Austin – University has a social vibe based around its bar and shared lounge. Located just 0.6 miles from the University of Texas at Austin, the Moxy sits in a central location, surrounded by bars, boutiques, and vintage stores. It’s the perfect accommodation for first-timers!
Hampton Inn and Suites Austin University Capitol
Want your accommodation to be suitable for both work and play? Check into the Hampton Inn and Suites Austin University Capitol and have the best of both worlds. With a fully decked-out business center, desks, and ergonomic desks in every room, the Hampton Inn and Suites is the ideal spot to remote work while being in the heart of the action when you clock off.
Hotel Ella
Seeking out a boutique hotel experience? The Hotel Ella is the elegant solution that you’ve been searching for. With evening cocktails available at the luxurious poolside and spa services available, Hotel Ella is the ideal place to kick back, relax and recharge in Central Austin.
The Otis Hotel, Autograph Collection
Dreaming of relaxing in a gorgeous rooftop pool with views of the Austin skyline? Check into The Otis Hotel, Autograph Collection, and make those dreams a reality. Located just half a mile from the Texas State Capitol Building, The Otis Hotel, Autograph Collection is in the ideal location for exploring all that Austin has to offer, whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth.
