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At more than 270 square miles, Austin spreads out much larger than some of America’s most populous cities. San Francisco clocks in at just under 47 square miles, while Manhattan island offers a packed 23 square miles of space.
Thanks to the SXSW festival, among other cultural draws, downtown Austin is a popular spot for exploring the city. And the Texas capital has been seeing a hotel boom in recent years. Here’s where to stay within Austin City Limits.
South Congress Hotel
Located on bustling South Congress Street, this chic boutique property is a short walk from popular restaurants, bars and shops. A rooftop pool offers plenty of space to luxuriate above all the action, and several in-house restaurants as well as a trendy lobby bar popular with locals offer plenty of reasons to just not leave the property.
Hotel Van Zandt
The Hotel Van Zandt is so close to the corner of Rainey Street that you can hear a medley of music rising from several bars come each afternoon. This music-themed Kimpton property is popular with families and groups alike—and bachelor/bachelorette parties crowd by the pool on weekends, where there are rentable cabanas and an outdoor bar, plus an attached restaurant.
East Austin Hotel
Immerse yourself in Austin’s coolest neighborhood at this new hotel and hangout for Austinites, who gain access via daily pool pass. The rooms are cozy and affordable and a rooftop bar offers extra space to stretch out. Countless cafes, coffee shops, restaurants, bars and more are close by in this livable yet trendy stretch of city.
The LINE Austin
One of downtown Austin’s newest properties, The LINE opened in July 2018, a renovation of a former hotel chain that expands the LINE brand beyond Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. In the heart of the city, The LINE offers convenient access to all parts of Austin, as well as an infinity pool overlooking Lady Bird Lake, plus a cafe, coffee shop at restaurant.
The Carpenter Hotel
Set in an old union hall on the edge of Zilker Park, this new hotel combines nostalgia with trendiness, with rooms that are simple but stylish. The hotel’s restaurant, Carpenters Hall, is located inside the former union cafeteria and serves up new-school Texas fare, like a shareable chicken schnitzel, delightfully crisp and served with sides like tomato salad and homemade spaetzle.
Hotel Ella
A charming, historic property just off the campus of UT Austin, Hotel Ella wvokes Austin’s turn-of-the-century past with its architecture and decor, while celebrating modern Austin by welcoming local artists to showcase artwork and perform. The 47 rooms in this mid-size hotel are comfortably appointed, and none are too far from the backyard pool.
Lake Austin Spa Resort
For a staycation within the city, check into this luxury getaway set on the waters of Lake Austin. The waterfront resort offers diverse fitness and wellness programming, holistic spa treatments, nutritious cuisine as well as a slew of calendar events to help you leave feeling your best.
