Where to Stay in Austin: The Best Neighborhoods and Hotels for Partiers, Hipsters, and Everyone in Between

Austin, Texas
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While the campaign to keep Austin weird may or may not be succeeding — Austinites all have their own opinion about the rapidly changing city — the Texas capital certainly is unique, with distinct neighborhoods characterizing different facets of Austin city life. On Rainey Street, colorful former homes welcome in the partying hoards, while blocks away on Sixth Street, traffic shuts down for University of Texas students and visitors to roam between shot bars and bar parties spilling out into foot traffic. Pockets of downtown Austin quiet down over the weekends, while more residential neighborhoods like East Austin and South Congress are at their best on weekend afternoons.

Here's where to stay in Austin, Texas.

Where to Stay Near Rainey Street

The best hotels in Austin for bachelor or bachelorette weekend festivities are located along Rainey Street. One of the city's two essential party areas, Rainey Street is strewn with colorful houses-turned-bars, most with outdoor patios and spacious backyards for drinking and fueling up with food from nearby food trucks. DJs blast dance music throughout the bars well into the night and early morning, if it's a weekend, while the surrounding hotels carry on the party vibe when you eventually roll out of bed in the morning (okay, early afternoon).

Rainey Street entertainment district with restaurant bar in Austin Texas
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Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt

This stylish music-themed property looms over Rainey Street. A pool with a spacious party deck and bar, as well as the connected restaurant, Geraldine's, which hosts live music most nights, are packed with partiers and relaxers on sunny afternoons. A daily complimentary wine, beer, and margarita hour in the Van Zandt's lobby also ensures everyone is in a party mood before dark.

(512) 542-5300, hotelvanzandt.com

To book: expedia.com

Fairmont Austin

With more than 1,000 rooms and 37 stories high, the Fairmont Austin, which opened just in time for South by Southwest in March 2018, is one of the city's largest and glitziest properties. Inside, the vibe is Miami-meets-Texas, with colorful interiors, neon lights wherever you look, and a palm-tree-adorned pool area featuring outdoor TVs, plenty of lounge space, and an enviable view of the skyline.

(512) 600-2000, fairmont.com/austin/

To book: expedia.com

Where to Stay in Downtown Austin

A hub of activity during the workweek, downtown Austin is where you'll find the city's skyscrapers, office buildings, and yes, hotels. Affordable deals can be found at some of the best hotels in Austin on weekends, when business travelers are less likely to be staying downtown — the amount of available hotel rooms means prices remain reasonable throughout this central area, so you may end up finding a real bargain.

Texas Flag Over Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas
Ryan Conine/Getty Images

The Line Hotel

Officially opened in June 2018, this trendy property, housed in an iconic 1960s-era building, is the result of a $75 million dollar renovation. Some rooms offer incredible views of Lady Bird Lake, as does the hotel's restaurant, Arlo Grey, helmed by "Top Chef" winner Kristen Kish. Across the street, Austin's first official food hall, Fareground, is just steps away for more bites by culinarily influential Austinites.

(512) 478-9611, thelinehotel.com

To book: expedia.com

The Driskill

Known as the oldest operating hotel in Austin, this late 19th-century hotel is packed with character. Now operated by Hyatt, guest rooms in the historic Romanesque building range in size from petite rooms for those who just need a place to sleep to balcony-equipped suites.

(512) 439-1234, hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/texas/the-driskill/aushd

To book: expedia.com

Where to Stay in East Austin

Though areas of Austin are walkable, the city itself isn't quite a Mecca for those who love strolling from site to site. East Austin, however, is easy to navigate without a car and guided by pedestrian sidewalks that take visitors from the Rosewood restaurant, located in a Victorian home, to the farmer's market and streets full of boutiques and old school Tex-Mex joints.

East Side Showroom, East 6th St, Austin
Kylie McLaughlin/Getty Images

The Frances Modern Inn

Formerly The Cat Noir Hotel, this three-star boutique hotel nestled on Eleventh Street — and located across the street from a food truck park — offers spacious rooms, a communal rooftop with 360-degree views, and a community feel, thanks in part to a casual café that also serves as the check-in area.

(512) 675-0011, thefrancesmoderninn.com

To book: expedia.com

Heywood Hotel

Tucked into East Cesar Chavez Street, checking into this design-focused boutique hotel feels more like getting settled in a room at your friend's dreamy Austin vacation home. Rooms are all uniquely and creatively appointed and the property is surrounded by walkable destinations.

(512) 271-5522, heywoodhotel.com

To book: expedia.com

Where to Stay in South Congress

One of the most recognizable areas of Austin to out-of-towners is South Congress, a revitalized shopping and dining district with views of the Texas State Capitol building. The neighborhood is also home to several now-famous Austin relics like the iconic "I Love You So Much" mural and other vintage neon signage. In short, this is the perfect spot to spend a weekend in Austin.

South Congress Avenue looking to CBD, Austin, TX
Kylie McLaughlin/Getty Images

South Congress Hotel

Stylish, spacious, and often full of locals at happy hour, this hotel is built on prime real estate in South Congress. A rooftop pool, as well as its proximity to all of South Congress' shops and restaurants sweeten the deal.

(512) 920-6405, southcongresshotel.com

To book: expedia.com

Hotel San José

This 40-room bungalow-style hotel is a renovated version of a 1930s motor inn at the same location. The new iteration is hypermodern and relaxed, with a spacious outdoor dining and drinking area and a small backyard pool that attracts guests and Austinites alike.

(512) 852-2350, bunkhousehotels.com/hotel-san-jose

To book: expedia.com

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