Downtown Austin Hotels

Amongst the top hotels in the city, InterContinental Stephen F Austin occupies a towering, historic building right in the middle of downtown Austin; the 189 room/suite, 13 floor hotel at 701 Congress Avenue is four blocks from the Texas State Capitol, one block from the famous 6th Street entertainment district and within walking distance of many shops, restaurants & bars. As expected for a 5 star luxury hotel the InterContinental has comprehensive facilities including two restaurants, a lounge/bar with an outdoor terrace overlooking the city, an executive floor, concierge, health/fitness center (sauna and massage services available), spa, airline/tour desks, an indoor pool, and four meeting rooms.

The most central of the two Holiday Inn hotels in Austin is located beside Town Lake on the Colorado River, a few blocks southeast of the high-rise buildings of the downtown district. This is a big hotel of 13 floors and 319 rooms (renovated in 2008), many enjoying fine views over the lake and areas of adjoining parkland. All have free internet access, a microwave and a refrigerator. The Holiday Inn is also right next to I-35, reached from exits 233 or 233B. On site facilities are a restaurant and lounge/bar (open for breakfast, lunch, dinner & room service), an outdoor pool, convenience store, fitness center, business center and 3,442 sq ft of meetings space.

The most central Courtyard hotel in Austin takes up half a block between 4th St, 5th St, Trinity St and San Jacinto Blvd - a new, 11 storey building shared with the extended stay Residence Inn. Austin Convention Center is just across the street, the State Capitol is 0.7 miles north, and I-35 runs past 4 blocks east. Facilities at the Courtyard include a sports bar/grill (Champion's), open for breakfast, lunch & dinner, and a Starbucks, also serving food all day. Drinks and snacks can be purchased 24 hours a day at the hotel's convenience store, while for leisure the usual three facilities of a pool (indoor), hot tub and fitness center are available. Meetings and events are catered for by 9 rooms totaling 6,600 sq ft of space.

The largest of the four Residence Inn by Marriott properties in Austin occupies half of an imposing, 12 floor building at the intersection of 4th St with San Jacinto Blvd (the other part is home to the Courtyard hotel) - a short walk from most of the main sites in the downtown area, such as the Convention Center and the 6th Street entertainment district. The hotel features 179 bright, modern, well equipped suites - all contain a queen bed, pull out sofa and a full kitchen - plus an indoor pool, whirlpool and fitness room. Hot breakfast and evening reception (Mon-Thu) are both provided free of charge. Other facilities shared with the Courtyard include a restaurant, bar, coffee shop and 6,600 sq ft of meeting/event space.

The eastern Quality Inn hotel in Amarillo is just north of I-40, 2 blocks west of exit 71 (Ross St) along SE 17th Ave, in a rural/residential setting close to El Alamo Park which offers a picnic area, childrens' playground and various kinds of sports. The hotel offers a free full breakfast and an outdoor pool/hot tub at the front of the property, surrounded by landscaped gardens.