By Robert Macias
Austin Expert, about.com
Depending on the reason for your visit, you may want to stay close to the central business district or venture into one of Austin’s many fun zones.
Downtown
For most visitors, downtown is the place to be. Austin has a highly walkable and compact downtown area, and there are plenty of things to do. Room rates at the big-name hotels can be a little steep, particularly during big events such as ACL and the Austin Film Festival, but there are still a few affordable hotels downtown.
South Congress Avenue[post_ads_2]
This hip entertainment district in south-central Austin is chock full of antique shops, restaurants and the coolest bar in Austin. Several small hotels line the avenue, and a few boutique hotels and B&Bs are tucked into the adjoining Bouldin Creek neighborhood. The biggest hotel on the strip is the retro-style South Congress Hotel.
The three-story hotel has about a hundred rooms and
is designed to fit in with the style of the old motels along South
Congress. The area is also close to the famous Barton Springs.
University of Texas Campus[post_ads_2]
[post_ads]While the campus is a hub of activity in central Austin, there are only a few hotels near UT.
The stiffly named AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center is
a sprawling complex of buildings along the southern edge of campus.
It’s probably the best bet if you’re in town on business. The nearby
West Campus neighborhood is densely packed with historic homes,
apartment complexes and condominiums. It may be worthwhile to try
booking a privately owned space through services such as Airbnb and HomeAway.
East Austin
If you want to be surrounded
by bearded hipsters and craft beer throughout your stay, consider
getting a room in east Austin. Some of Austin’s best bars
are in this area. While there are a few large hotels near Interstate
35, most of the accommodations east of the highway are small
bed-and-breakfasts.
Near Mass Transit[post_ads_2]
Although the mass
transit options in Austin are limited, the city has a small light rail
system and an extensive network of bus routes. Consider staying at one
of the hotels along the rail line
to save a little money. The train fare varies from $1 to $4, depending
on where you board the train. For an even less glamorous but more
affordable option, you can book a room at a hotel on the No. 10 bus line.
One-way fare is only $1.25. This a popular option for young music fans
in town for South by Southwest or the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
With both of these options, however, you have to keep an eye on the
clock. Late-night routes are few and far between.
