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Austin Motel
Category: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Hotels [Edit]
1220 S Congress AveAustin, TX 78704
Neighborhoods: 78704 (South Austin), SoCo (S. Congress Ave.), Bouldin Creek
(512) 441-1157
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
66 reviews for Austin Motel
Review Highlights
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"You're so close to Jo's coffee, the Continental Club, Amy's..." In 4 reviews -
"Kitschy and fun, i loved this motel." In 10 reviews -
"Congress near all the funky stores and shops." In 8 reviews
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66 reviews in English
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Review from Monica S.
New Orleans, LA
3/9/2012
Just got back from a 3 night stay in Austin and was very pleased with my experience at the Austin Motel. From the jump, we were greeted by a very friendly front deskman, who indulged us with details on the weird backward parking situation up and down S. Congress. He kept it brief but was very nice and got us in and out so we could do what we came for- enjoy the city!
The place is definitely a "motel," which I personally think adds to the overall kitschy and low-key vibe of this street. We stayed in room 129, the Egyptian room. It had a large couch, love seat, table w/ chairs, queen-sized bed, and closet. The decor was purposely (I think) somewhat tacky but quite comfortable and clean. We had a bit of a view of S. Congress and the motel's famous sign. Throughout our stay, the internet access was spotty, but the front desk was attentive when I called to ask about it. Our rooms were cleaned regularly. Perhaps important to note that there is no bar or hot food here, but you are literally steps from excellent eating, drinking, and wonderful boutique shopping. We were never disturbed by staff or other guests. It was just what we needed!
In sum, if you are coming for a luxurious trip, this is not for you. If you are coming to hit the streets and enjoy the city and need an adequate place to shower and sleep with distinct Austin charm, this is your place.
C'mon. You know how you are. Picky, particular, like to be coddled? Not for you. Low-key, sense of humor, desire to dive in to the local spirit? Perfect for you! -
Review from Stasia M.
Austin, TX
2/29/2012
Ahhh, Austin Motel.......I've stayed here 3x now and will continue to stay there when needed as well as refer friends and family there when they come to visit. You can get a room for $85 a night including tax and you absolutely can't beat the location, rooms have kind of a Santa Fe feel to them and are fairly clean. It's not that you're even within walking distance of things to do, you are in the heart of it!
The reason for not giving this place 5 stars is because on all 3 occasions that I've stayed there the service has been horrible. The way the front desk treats people is far from the overall Austin niceness. So just remember when you check in that it's not personal, many people have been treated poorly before you and I'm sure many more to come.
Jo's coffee is right across the street, San Jose hotel is next to Jo's and great for a glass of wine. Also, the Continental Club and the Gallery are across the street too and they have live music nightly. -
Review from Amanda P.
1/24/2012
Gotta say, I love the Austin Motel. Our room was super cool and the whole property has a really cool vibe. It's the perfect place to stay if you're visiting Austin and want to do some exploring downtown or on Congress
Right after we checked in, we went for a walk down Congress, then took in a show at the Continental Club, which is right across the street. There are so many cool places to check out. Walk across the river and you are downtown.
The pool is pretty awesome and even though it's right on the street, it's surrounded by greenery that gives it a very private feel. Love the pool.
There are a couple cats that live on the property and they just kind of hang around. I think the management works really hard to keep the place clean and well-maintained and the staff is super friendly. I also bought a cool Austin Motel shirt from the front desk and I get a lot of compliments on it as it showcases the awesome phallic-looking Austin Motel sign.
Perfect location, great price, cool rooms. I'm staying there next time I go back. -
Review from James J.
Chicago, IL
3/26/2012
Great location. Crap hotel. Frumpy beds. Less amenities than a super 8. Staff doesn't get it. Strange policies and practices. Don't feel welcome at all. Wouldn't ever stay here again.
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Review from P. C.
Plattsburgh, NY
2/24/2012
Loved the Austin Motel - it's pretty basic and funky in style with an awesome kidney-shaped pool. I found it to be clean, in a great location, and super affordable! The Continental Club is directly across the street, and the hipster thrift stores and eclectic shops are just a block or so up SoCo. Downtown is in the other direction, just a mile or two away and accessible by cab or bus (the bus system is great, and super cheap if not free, depending on where you're going). Also, just a block or two up toward the shopping district is quite possibly my favorite coffee shop anywhere, Jo's. I fell in love with both the vibe and the coffee.
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Review from Craig K.
Seattle, WA
2/21/2012
This is a HIP Palm Springs-ish alternative to Hotel San Jose for a fraction of the price and is RIGHT in the heart of all the action in Austin, TX. It's not NEW by any means, but great with every room having it's own theme. We stayed in the the private suite in the original portion of the hotel and enjoyed it very much for 2 nights.
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Review from jennifer s.
La Conner, WA
9/14/2011
I loved this place, and here is why:
1) Location - we had breakfast and our evening prefunk at the Snackbar which is right next door. Super friendly place with good food, and they even sell little lotions and shampoos (the motel is sadly lacking in those items). We could walk across the street to the Continental Club, and at night when we were drunk and hungry at 2am we could grab a slice of pizza at Home Slice and walk back to the motel. Really good restaurants are within walking distance.
2) The Pool - is awesome.
3) Friendly Staff
4) Price - very affordable. We would not have been able to afford our trip to Austin had we not found this place.
5) Clean rooms - not fancy, the furniture was basic and the TV tiny, but clean and comfortable -
Review from Dan R.
Chattanooga, TN
6/5/2011
I see people on here complaining that it's "run down". It's not. The best words to describe this place are Spartan and Colorful. There was not much table space for computers, suitcases, etc. The TV was small and had a fuzzy picture on some channels. And the bathroom was extremely tiny. But, hello! You're not this close to tons of stuff in Austin to hang out in motel, are you? Are you!?
Lest your germaphobic brains start to worry, this place is also very CLEAN. I am more impressed with the cleanliness of this motel than almost any chain hotel, including the high-end ones.
It was very QUIET, too, We stayed in room 145 in the upper-back. I couldn't hear much of anything from our room, except for the noise of our air conditioner battling the scorching, early June heat.
So, for price, cleanliness, and colorfulness, it's a great place to stay.
Run down? No.
Basic? Yes.
Funky? Hell, Yes. -
Review from Andrew W.
Philadelphia, PA
10/4/2011 6 Check-ins Here
I stayed here with a few friends in one of their larger room... it was great. It is in the perfect location, has a pretty nice pool, and the suite was big enough to have some pre-gaming festivities before heading out.
The staff was nice, although there as a bit of confusion at first when we realized that we'd need two cots to comfortably sleep 4 single guys in the suite. It worked out.
Definitely a place to check out if you are looking for a quirky alternative to a traditional hotel. Sweet sign, too. -
Review from Meg G.
Madison, WI
9/11/2011
Location, location, freaking LOCATION. The best you could ask for in Austin. I got everywhere from there, man (to paraphrase the man in black). The wandering on South Congress is a solo travellin' gals dream.
Pool: top notch. Towels: not so much. Meh, that's no big deal. Rooms: I was only in one, but it was fine. Comfy, spruced up a bit with kitschy-ness. Were it not for the weird decorations, It wouldn't be much to crow about. But I'd still stay there just for the location and pool.
Staff is about as friendly as one might expect in a Chicago hipster place, but my experiences with Austin over-all made me think there was something weird going on here. Least friendly staff anywhere I went in Austin, but just in that "we might stare semi-blankly at you and say hmmm if you try to make conversation" not in an overtly rude way, so it's tolerable.
Also, letting your cats out near that traffic is damn irresponsible, I don't care what other people think. It's just plain stupid and having personally seen what horrible despicable things people do to outdoor cats and how strongly I feel about it, I took a way a whole two stars because of it. Take what you'd like from that bit of information in this review, and if you just don't care about that kind of thing, that's your beef. It matters greatly to me and it doesn't make your place "charming" to be callous with pets lives. -
Review from John K.
Portland, OR
5/11/2011
My wife, 7-year-old son and I stayed here for four nights last week and really liked it. Yes, this is definitely a "quirky" motel but our room was very clean and the area was great for shops and food.
I've seen some reviews that mention problems with the staff but everyone we encountered was great and very friendly.
I've also seen some people complain about the walls being thin but we never heard anyone on either side of us and only some mild thumping from up above. There is more noise coming through the door/window from the parking lot as people leave or arrive early or late than from adjacent rooms, at least in our experience.
My only true complaint is the water pressure/temperature in the shower that changes with little or no warning but that's probably to be expected at an older place like this.
Oh, there was also free wi-fi, which was great to have for looking up directions and Yelp reviews of nearby eateries on my iPad.
If I were to offer one suggestion to the motel it would be blackout drapes! Austin is a city where you stay out late and then sleep in and our room had white, wooden venetian blinds with sheer white curtains which did next to nothing to block out the morning sun. Plus, the curtains hang down in front of the air conditioner so we had to roll them up from the bottom and rest the fabric on the A/C unit so they didn't block the air coming out.
I'm not saying there aren't better places to stay but, for the money and the location, this place will be my first choice for future visits. I'll just bring my own blackout drapes next time! -
Review from rebecca B.
San Antonio, TX
11/15/2010
Avant garde mumbo jumbo with shabby chic gone mad. Very eclectic, but generally nicely done. Popular I'd argue largely due to location - at the center of a fun part of "soco" with shops, bars and restaurants very near by.
They are quick to remind you that they are a "small hotel" which translates for them to "these are the rules, the rules do NOT bend". So if you were thinking about flexibility with check in/out? Forget it. And the attitude grows if you attempt to persuade them with your story. She even went so far as to suggest I try staying somewhere else instead.
The bed was lumpy, the bathroom tiny. i could be mistaken but i think the tile floor in there was heated tho. Oh and important::: No hairdryer supplied and limited shampoo supplies. (its a small hotel you know). Towels were thin and discolored (maybe part of the shabby chic thing?)
I don't know if I'd stay here again... maybe if i had a really good rate. After all, i didn't see any bugs. -
Review from Carly B.
11/5/2010 1 Check-in Here
When we were booking a room for Austin, the toss-up was between here and Hotel San Jose (which would have been a splurge as far as the hotel budget was concerned).
This place won for the pool and the price. It didn't look too bad, and we could certainly handle a rundown room for a few nights, couldn't we?
Turns out, our room was clean, comfortable and not really dated at all, despite being in the older building. This room had laminate hardwood floors (instead of carpets which contributes to most of the gross factor anyway), wasn't stinky, and had newer bedding. The towels were the only thing that were a bit.....well-loved. And the bed is not the most comfortable in the world. Our room also had a couch. The outlet in the bathroom was hard to find but I eventually located (check the light, it's up there).
But for the price? Heck yeah! Not only was the reservation-taker over the phone nice, the check-in guy was very cool and helpful. The prices they quote on the website are post-tax so there are no crazy surprises. The motel is smack dab in the middle of a really cool area and right next to Snack Bar and the pool was great for afternoon reading and relaxing.
I still oogled Hotel San Jose when we walked by, but did not regret staying at Austin Motel at all. -
Review from Scott R.
The Colony, TX
2/25/2012
Great place to stay. Clean room and an awesome pool to sit by, day or night.
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Review from Martin V.
Columbia, SC
5/6/2011
Quirky is apparently code for run down here. The walls are paper thin and you can hear everything going on in the rooms around you, so if you are a light sleeper or enjoy a little privacy you may want to check in somewhere else. Location wise though it is fantastic and really thats the only saving grace here. The staff is not really helpful at all, and they are absolutely set on their check in - check out times, so don't bother trying to ask for early check ins or whatnot.
Overall, it wasn't bad for a short stay, but I recommend the Hotel San Jose (right next door) as a MUCH cooler and nicer place to stay overall. -
Review from lauren F.
Austin, TX
6/26/2010
It is in a great spot on Congress. Big rooms. Beautiful pool. Keep Austin Weird Kitch rooms. Great price.
but,
don't try to have any fun. This place has more rules than the DMV.
No Drinking by pool.
No talking after 9.
No waiting for your cabbie on the premises after you check out.
Lastly the staff was nice enough to take our $ with a smile.
Then basically GET OUT. I did need to call back to clarify some extra charges, and got bitched out. Didn't need that, I only needed an explanation.
If you have the $$ to stay at the San Jose,,, just doors away DO!!!!! I just gave this place a shot, for the pricetag. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
The Hotel San Jose is SWEET!!! The staff is SWEET! -
Review from Don R.
Austin, TX
3/30/2009
Pure Kitschy genius on South Congress. I don't really know what Kitschy means, or if I spelled it right but I think it describes the Austin Motel.
Whomever had the original idea to take an old motor court inn and fix it up to into a hip destination resort was a smarter person than me.
Our AC went out in our house on a Friday night last summer, luckily I was in Houston, so my wife had to suffer through Friday night alone. Saturday night, we were at a friends birthday party (READ: KEGGER!) so even though it sucked, we were in a state of mind to deal with the heat. About 2pm Sunday, I couldn't take it anymore. I thought of where to stay and on a whim called the Austin Motel. Turns out they had a room, ~$100, we put on our swimsuits and headed down to South Congress.
Check-in was a breeze, the desk lady had the same Honda fit as my wife. We got room 144 in the back. The room was clean crisp and best of all very cold. The bed was comfortable, the AC was a little loud but we welcomed it.
The pool was all we thought it could be, although lacking the hot rock-star groupies I was anticipating. I don't know why but I was thinking there was going to be kind of a Suicide Girls reunion party going on. Topless tattooed women everywhere, or something. Not sure what put that into my head, but it was just us and another couple. The water was the perfect break from the heat though. It was exactly what we needed.
One caveat about the pool though, no booze is allowed. Not sure why, and no word about if they enforce the rule, but they seem pretty serious about it in their literature.
They also have different themed rooms, I have never stayed in one. Apparently during busy weekends the place is so popular that it can be booked months in advance. We were lucky they had a room that Sunday. I counted 35 rooms total, their website says 41, so I must have missed some. I would specifically recommend it for a in town getaway for Austin residents. Don't expect the lap of luxury, our room was basic, clean and comfortable, but that is what we needed that night.
Reviewer's Note: Although no one using the word "SOCO" was harmed during my stay, I cannot guarantee the safety of anyone using that word around me. -
Review from Kerry P.
8/28/2008
Keep Austin wierd...the only liberal oasis in a state of conservative Christian, right-wing Republican, straight white American males (just to quote Todd Snider...and grossly stereotype the state we love to hate).
Two years ago my life was on a completely different course. I was going to attend law school at the University of Texas. I was moving Austin with my best friend from college. I was going to ditch my California identity for just a few more years and kick it in the south.
Needless to say, due to unforeseen circumstances this didn't happen. But gawd, Austin ROCKS! The Austin Motel is nestled right where I wanted to live...right on S. Congress near all the funky stores and shops. The tag line rang true...this place is far out. Totally affordable for a couple night's stay, chill employees and more than adequate accomodations. The decor can be equated to a bad acid trip, but when you're walking distance to downtown and still on the edge of the town action, who really cares.
Anybody looking for a luxury retreat should check out the San Jose next door, but I will stay here ANYTIME I'm in town. -
Review from Kate M.
Point Richmond, CA
2/4/2008
Stay here if you enjoy experiencing something new and a little funky, and/or if you want to be easy walking distance to the fun shops and restaurants along South Congress.
I wouldn't send someone like my mom here unless someone assured me they'd applied some bleach to the tile in the bathroom though! A bit more scrubbing really would kick out the dingy and wouldn't, in my opinion, hurt the kitschy and fun atmosphere.
I like that the TV sports the same wide range of cable stations that a private home would have. So many hotels I've stayed in recently offer only about 10 channels. It was fun to geek out on HGTV for a couple of hours the other night.
Staff is down-to-earth, responsive, smart and friendly. The lobby cat, Troy, was also quite welcoming.
They do now have free wifi, but it was flaky and one night didn't work at all. Also it kicks you off whatever page you're on once every two hours and asks you to log in - tough luck if you were in the middle of typing something like a Yelp review. However, there are some free wifi connections in the area although the signal is quite low, so be prepared for slowness.
You can't beat the price.
I did miss being able to phone up for room service, though! -
Review from Michael C.
Houston, TX
12/17/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Austin Motel is a quircky and cool little motel on South Congress.
The location is great. They are walking distance to many hip shops, bars, and restaurants. It is also very close to downtown. A cab ride to sixth street wouldn't cost you very much. In the mornings, you can walk right across the street, to Jo's Coffee for a quick breakfast.
The rooms are not fancy, but they are unique.
They also have a nice pool area. -
Review from Frances S.
Austin, TX
12/19/2011
Get some end tables for the bedside. You can get them right there at st. vincent's store. Very uptight security guard. Kind of dumpy rooms.
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Review from Beth F.
Boulder, CO
5/12/2010
I was ready to love this place. Cheap, kitschy places are right up my alley. Not to mention how much I love wallpaper murals. Weird, but true. This hotel was a let-down.
Here's the upside: It is convenient and relatively inexpensive - the service at the front desk was great. The mural wallpaper tickled my fancy.
Here's my issue: it's not comfortable. In any way. The showerhead sprayed everywhere. The sheets & towels were really old. The pillows and mattresses were really uncomfortable. You only have 2 choices with the air conditioner - blasting and loud or off and swampy. The room smelled musty.
This motel would be awesome if they threw on some new showerheads and splurged for some new pillows and sheets. If you are just planning on falling asleep after a bunch of drinks and getting out of your room, this place is great. I didn't want to spend any extra waking moments in my room. Too me, it was less "retro" and more outdated crappy. -
Review from nicole c.
San Carlos, CA
7/2/2008
The Austin Motel.
The good: The location is great. Tons of shops, restaurants, (and a couple bars) along south congress that are right outside your door. The pool is really nice (not Four Seasons nice, but nice for a motel). Staff is super friendly. And most importantly, the price can't be beat.
The bad: the walls are paper thin. We stayed at the motel for 4 nights. 4 nights and 4 early mornings of a baby crying NON-stop in the room on one side of us and a couple really trying to make a baby in the room on the other side of us. And the rooms aren't really as "kitschy' as I was expecting from all the reviews. One wall is a painted mural, but otherwise it's your basic, cheap motel room.
Would I stay there again? Absolutely.
If your priority is finding a place in a great location for cheap, the austin motel is perfect. If you're looking for nice, quiet rooms.... this is not for you. -
Review from Kimmie R.
New Orleans, LA
7/19/2011
We love the Austin Motel. Mind you, my partner and I are low maintenance, and we would rather savor local flavor than stay in a luxury motel/hotel. The staff was super friendly. The 50s pool amazing, and there were only a few other folks swimming, the 3 nights we were there. So the towels are threadbare...bring your own. Our tiny room was very clean and comfortable. The location can't be beat, and we truly loved the kitschiness of the motel. We will be back, and if you can handle a truly fun, quirky, charming place to stay...this is it!!!
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Review from Rachel C.
Chicago, IL
7/18/2009
My best girlfriend and I stayed here on the weekend leading up to my Sunday wedding. We did get criticized by family members, who asked why we were staying in such a funky hotel *away* from all of our reserved wedding-block hotels. They answered their own question.
Our hotel room was an oasis of calm for me in a storm of flower arrangements, chiffon, overpriced tent rentals, crazed "wedding ladies" who run the marital-industrial complex, dress fittings, hair disasters, hissy fits, family idiosyncrasies etc. We got up in the mornings, went down to Jo's Coffee, had breakfast tacos, and my friend went for a swim in the gorgeous pool while I went about my preparations, calmly, and in an evironment of the Austin I was used to when I lived here. Free, reliable Internet was available, and it helped me out big-time with planning.
Very nice, laid-back atmosphere. The staff was extremely nice.
You can't beat the location. You can't beat the price for the location. You just about can't beat the price, period.
Our saddest moment was when we realized El Sol y La Luna had moved. We had spent many mornings there during the 90s feasting on migas con hongos. Had looked forward to wandering over in pajamas and flip-flops. -
Review from Edie H.
San Francisco, CA
3/12/2007
I actually didn't really like Austin Motel when I stayed here for 2 nights waiting for my furniture to arrive. Now I appreciate it's supreme location.
Not a pampering place, but roll out of bed and you're at El Sol y Luna for breakfast migas. Roll a little bit further and you're getting an iced Jo at Jo's.
Not for you if you want room service, good TVs, or plushy bathrooms. A great base if you want to be in the heart of SoCo for cheap. -
Review from Gus J.
San Francisco, CA
4/30/2007
The location of the Austin Motel can't be beat. Really. Fantastic location.
The ammeneties for the price left a little to be desired for my tastes. The decor of the few rooms I saw was really cute, and if you're into shabby chic, you're good to go. Personally, I would have liked the placemats tacked to the wall as decoration in my room to have been a bit less dusty. Maybe a dusting once every year... or ten. The shower curtain fell down on me the first time I hopped in for a wash, and the pipes made the sound of a psychotic screaming banshee as the water pelted me first scalding, then freezing, then scalding... in a rapid cycling of painful frustration (each time i showered).
The pool area did look nice, but it was unseasonably cold while I was in town so unfortunately I didn't get to use it. For the price, it wouldn't hurt to have 2 keys for rooms with 2 beds in them either. -
Review from Cheri L.
San Francisco, CA
2/10/2010
OK, so I stayed at the Driskill Hotel downtown before I stayed at the Austin Motel. That said, this place is cheap and ideal for those on a budget and not expecting to spend a lot of time in a hotel room. Besides, if you stay at the Austin Motel, you'll probably either be out at the pool or strolling along South Congress Avenue all day.
I booked a room for $80 (tax included) and it was pretty basic, but with quirky decor: cowboy boots and horseshoes and star motifs on the walls. The bed was nothing special, and the bathroom had old features. (I don't really care for those cheap bar soaps wrapped in paper...)
But it's an eclectic, family-operated motel, with rich history, and it's an affordable pick for peeps that want to stay very close to the bustle of SoCo.
It's by no means a posh, luxurious stay, but if you're thinking about booking a room here, you probably already know this.
A cute black cat sits on a heart-shaped rug in the funky lobby. Yay! -
Review from Kristin S.
Chicago, IL
11/14/2010
Like others have said, if you're looking for a kitschy atmosphere and great location, Austin Motel is it. The price is hard to beat as well. That being said, I'm glad my fiancé and I stayed there during our last, long weekend trip, but I don't think I'd stay there again.
We were only able to get a reservation by taking a recent cancellation for a 2 Queen bedroom. The grounds are fun, with lots of hip décor, and the pool seemed great, though it was too cold for us to use while we were there. Our room was... fine. We were staying in one on an upper level. It reminded me of when you crash at a friend's place right out of college.
Everything is pretty old and has a strange smell. It seemed clean enough, though the towels and the blankets are well-worn. Our shower was a bit scary, with a wide, gaping drain that ate my shampoo bottle's lid. The walls are T-H-I-N, so if you're a light sleeper, or have a strict schedule that requires a certain amount of sleep (or if you want some privacy), this is not the place for you. We could hear our neighbors' conversations incredibly well.
While walking around the great neighborhood, I stared longingly at the Hotel San Jose each time we passed. Our next trip will definitely include an upgrade to this place down the street. -
Review from David P.
Denver, CO
11/10/2010 2 Check-ins Here
So the gf and I visit Austin and decide we want somewhere kind of unique to stay. She finds the Austin Motel, makes a reservation and I kind of shutter at the photos they have online.
Then again, I don't ever know what to expect out of motels - I stay in them so rarely.
The checkin office, located under the extremely phallic sign, had all of the charm of your grandmother's living room. The desk attended was really good at introducing us to the Austin lifestyle: "Are there any cool bars within walking distance?" We ask him. Being from Denver, we walk all over the damn place. He looks out the big front windows and points at the only two bars visible from where he was standing.
In Austin - if you can't see it, you probably can't walk to it.
The room was surprisingly nice. Big, hardwood floors. The TV was nice and archaic, poised atop antique furniture. The couch was lumpy, the bed was lumpy, and the overall construction of the room seemed kind of odd. One side had a hallway that led to. . .nothing?
Staying here didn't feel like staying in a hotel. The rooms had a very "staying in Aunt Jane's guest room" feel. The mattress you sleep on is whatever your cousin Joey slept on before he left for college.
The pool was actually lagoon like. The only draw back is trying to relax while the ever-busy Congress Ave rushed by a few feet away. Booze wasn't allowed by the pool. In fact, the whole hotel had a very strict "no partying policy" that I'm sure was instated after it had fallen victim to the thrashings of countless music-festival-goers.
Overall, it's not a bad little motel. As long as you weren't expecting anything like a Radisson. -
Review from Justin V.
2/8/2007
Cool, affordable, great South Austin location, kind and conscientious staff. I liked it so much that I'm planning on making it my default Austin overnight location.
Minus 1 for the lack of amenities and kind-of lame decor. I've stayed in plenty of cheap but funky places that do a little better in terms of style. But that's ok. -
Review from Sara K.
Austin, TX
4/14/2009
The phallic sign on SoCo is an embodiment of Austin itself.
Jake G, my fiance, was sweet enough to book a room at this local establishment a year or so ago. While the location is great and the motel and lives up to the "Austin-y" (a term I use often) persona, I was underwhelmed.
Our room was small, tilted due to some foundation issues (our bed literally leaned to one side) and was muggy (moist even - although I hate that word) upon arrival. However, we sucked it up and tried to enjoy our night. The staff was welcoming and the room was brightly colored, however I couldn't get over our tilted room! I mean, how was I supposed to sleep when I felt like I was rolling down a hill the entire night?
I guess my word of advice would be to make sure you didn't get a tilted room... Not great help, I know.
At least the price somewhat made up for it...? It was reasonably priced for the hotels/motels in the area and for Austin in general.Listed in: The 78704
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Review from jared H.
Houston, TX
2/17/2010
Dont let the website fool you, its not as highend as youre thinking. But what this hotel lacks (hot tub, fitness center, etc) it makes up for by location, staff, and feel.
The location was great. There was 20 or so of us staying there for a bachelor party so being on a street with tons of food and drinkerys to fill our down time was great. It is also close to downtown so the cab ride isnt that much.
The staff was very friendly, attentive, and quick. Check in and out was a breeze. I guess the look and feel wasnt what a lot of people would have expected, (my wall had a desert mural on it= awesome) but if you are looking to experience something a little different, its perfect.
If you are looking for a conveniently located motel, at a decent price, with access to all austin has to offer, the austin motel is a just that. -
Review from allie k.
Minneapolis, MN
5/2/2010
I ended up staying here by myself on a whim. It's located about three hung-over steps from several excellent coffee shops, so I figured that I couldn't go wrong. My first impression was something like, "Well, I'll either get murdered here tonight or have a great time!"- clearly the latter was true.
The staff were all funny and friendly. The pool had an amazing retro, lagoon-like feel. I would highly recommend the Austin motel for adults who can appreciate its divey-chic charm. -
Review from Noel A.
Huntington Beach, CA
6/9/2009 2 photos
Carl Spackler, Bill Murray's character from Caddyshack, works here! I believe he is the groundskeeper, and his nemesis is a lizard. This is Austin after all. Don't think there are very many Gophers. As we swam in the big, kidney shaped pool, my boyfriend and I made this observation. It was quite entertaining and pretty hilarious.
Had a great time here. The room REEKED of smoke, but they didn't have any non-smoking. Oh well, at least we were in a great location, the rates are reasonable, and the bed was comfy. We weren't woken up by the sounds of elevators, doors slamming, or maids knocking so that was an added bonus as well! I'd totally stay here again!Listed in: Deep in Da Heart o' Texas
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Review from vidor h.
Austin, TX
11/3/2008
Ok, I had to review it since I mentioned it.
It gets 4 stars because it fits, not because of it's superb amenities.
Austin Motel is a local, mish-mash, laid-back "motel". Goofy decor is half the fun.
When moving BACK to austin after 11 years, we stayed here for a couple of days. Being next to San Jose (where we didnt stay) It also belayed a fresh statement of what Austin is, was and has become. This is how i remember it, at least. Austin Motel being the old crunchy dude in jeans, versus the fashionista in a fake cowboy hat.
Dont get me wrong, I love San Jose and I am friends with it's creators, but it's a side of Austin I don't relate to very well.
Austin Motel is kinda trashy (in a good way) but clean and funky at the same time. -
Review from Larry M.
Austin, TX
2/25/2007 1 photo
This place IS cheap. As little as $65 in the heart of South Congress, within walking distance from Town Lake and downtown? Ri-donk-ulous.
And it's bathed in kitsch, so definitely a charming stay.
Given the great price, there are no hard core perks here...the beds aren't particularly comfortable (however they've been updated since I stayed there in 2004), rooms are tiny, and there's not a lot of extras.
There is a wonderful pool and ac/heat, so regardless of the time spent in your room, great deal for great location. Fills up quickly before SXSW and ACL fests, so book way, way, way ahead. -
Review from Jackson R.
Austin, TX
11/27/2006
Known so well by it's phallic neon sign, the Austin Motel is a landmark on South Congress.
It's also a great place to stay. The rooms have cool tile floors, have a nice open area, and feel very homey.
You're so close to Jo's coffee, the Continental Club, Amy's Ice Cream and all of the South Congress antique stores. A super choice if you're visiting from out of town and are looking for something with character, or if you're a local and looking for a fun place to rent out for a night. It's much cheaper than the Driskill. -
Review from John D.
Round Rock, TX
11/27/2006
If I were to draw up a blueprint of an Austin weekend for out of towners looking to see what makes this town unique, I would make sure they stayed at the Austin Motel.
For the life of me, I'm not entirely sure the Austin Motel is the nicest place to stay in town. Actually, I'm pretty sure it isn't. On the flip side, and more importantly, the Austin Motel is clean, hospitable, and absolutely exhales everything that makes Austin what it is.
The location is close to anything you might possibly want to get in to and the pool is every bit as good as advertised. I've often wished to have an overnight stay at the Austin Motel "just because", and I live here. -
Review from Stephanie H.
Oak Cliff, TX
6/6/2009
I love this place. Used to drive by and wonder what it was like inside when I lived in Austin back in the 90's. Then moved to Dallas and, on trips to Austin, I finally had a reason to stay there.
The room decor is definitely kitschy and a little bit out-dated, but that's all part of the charm, I suppose. The prices used to be reasonable before "SoCo" got all cool and hipster and stuff. Now, it's a little out of my price range.
If I had the money to spend, I'd stay here again for sure. But since I'm not rollin' in the dough, I'd just as soon crash on my girl Ellen's couch.
