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"Clearly I'm in Austin this week ;) Wanted to get my thoughts on the Hyatt down, this is the 2nd or 3rd time I've stayed here as I usually…" read more »
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Years ago, when they first opened and the rooms cost considerably less money, I stayed at the hotel and found it quite enjoyable. That was in the previous millennium, so I can't attest to the quality of the rooms today.
The bar lounge is a different story. i go there several times a year and usually have a good time and undoubtedly run into others that i know who are also there for a nice glass of wine on their patio.
It's a good place to meet up with friends or for the first date. Not terribly pricey and the food available is pretty good. As a side note, it is mostly outside, so if the weather is on the extremes of hot or cold or rainy it's not so fun so you might want to go elsewhere.
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HAPPY HOUR. That's it, and it rocks.
Michelada mix is amazing. And I will polish off 5 when I go, don't tempt me HSJ.
I bet the rooms are as swanky as the outdoor patio. Maybe I will find out soon.
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Like the minimalist decor and great location. A little loud at night and way too trendy for its own good. Now a little $$.
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I go here for the outdoor courtyard to have a few drinks with a group of friends. Cute and trendy and right in the thick of things on South Congress.
I have no knowledge of the suites themselves, but I CAN tell you that their lounge is absolutely impeccable masterpiece, as it departs from the hustle of South Congress and into a garden of placidity. From the class stemware with atypical red wine varietals to the cocktails with bright fruits that we didn't get keen on only because we didn't try to get familiar with them. But from the views, they looked spectacular. The space is airy and festive without being the center of attention -- yet the people occupying its domain are put into fashion by the perfectly situated patio furniture.
Best be aware of the $$, however.
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Meh. This just applies to the bar--I've never stayed. It's a solid crowd and atmosphere. The last time we were there we had a great conversation with a cool couple. However the drinks are overpriced/mediocre and there's no liquor. The ordering system is awkward.
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I've made it to Austin at least 10 times over the past few years and all the locals tell me this is the place to stay. So whenever I'm headed to Austin I give the Hotel San Jose a call, but they are always booked or a bit out of my price range. Sigh.
There wasn't much shot of me getting a room here during SXSW last week. Instead I went corporate with my stay at the Hyatt, but I did make it here 1 night for a few drinks. I followed Allison P's lead and ordered the champassion. Champassion= champagne with passion fruit. This drink should be renamed "the Andrea" because it is so my type of drink...so much so that I had 2 of them. It's also garnished with raspberries, but apparently they were running a bit short of them because the first one I ordered had blackberries in it instead. Whatever though, still in the berry fam.
The atmosphere were very spring break like, but in a classy way...it made me want to break out the sundresses. Service was a bit on the slow side, but I guess that's to be expected at a hotel during Austin's busiest week of the year.
I still hope to be able to stay here one day, but in the meantime I'm satisfied coming here to sip on a champassion.
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I fell in love with Hotel San Jose from the moment I stepped into the lobby. The decoration was subtle and yet so cozy. The gentleman behind the desk was very friendly and offered to help help carry our things to the room. We only had a few thing so we carried the things ourselves.
The room was located towards the back and it had a view of the courtyard. The room was small but perfect enough for two. The bed was big and extremely comfortable. The desk area was neat and the posters on the walls gave the room a little attitude. The bathroom was clean and appealing. A poem (The Second Coming) was pinned just by the mirror. A small but powerful detail. The gift box included a lot of old-school (think Cracker Jacks, real Coke bottles) and groovy local products.
Comfy bathrobes were provided during our stay. In addition, an IPod console was a very welcomed appliance. We hooked up my old IPod nano and dance the night away. Not before stopping by the bar, of course. We ordered their famous Champassion, which is sparkling wine with passion fruit and raspberries, and they were very refreshing and unique. The bar looks nothing like your regular bar, think more of a large counter in your home. This added to the cozy factor of the hotel.
We did not want to leave when the time came to check out. We got lucky in that we got a room, and a nice one at that, on a Saturday night. I highly recommend Hotel San Jose to anyone who wishes to get away from a stressful routine. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. It was my first time and it will certainly not be the last.
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I want to come to Austin and stay at this hotel because it seems like a little oasis in the middle of South Congress. All of the foliage makes it seem like you're entering a secret garden or something like that. Except in this secret garden they serve Champassions - a lovely concoction that is made of champagne, passion fruit juice and fresh raspberries.
There is a bar where you can stand in line to get your drinks or you can just wait for the bartenders to come to your table and serve you. There is also a very miniature pool where you can dip your feet, or your whole body I assume, if you so choose.
And they also have a small offering of snacks like edamame, wasabi peas and cheese plates. It's a lovely place to have a relaxing drink.
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Big Lebowski, The Graduate, and Best in Show. These are the movies that I checked out of Hotel San Jose's video library during my stay (Sullivan's Travels and Duck Soup were in no good shape to watch). They all tempered the vibe of the former rent by the hour, now hip, modernist motel and eased the pain of working from my laptop in my room when I really wanted to tour around Austin and see old friends.
Previous to my stay, I'd only gotten drinks in the bar area near the pool. Nice and relaxing with pretty landscaping with wonderful cacti. The bar is open until midnight, so...well, that's your warning. Everyone is low key noise-wise, however most rooms of all sizes face the bar and the noise travels, and it can get a little noisy. I suggest giving in and getting a glass of wine or beer.
I mention my austere room. Polished concrete floors covered with a few rugs. A few framed concert posters on the walls. Wooden blinds. High gloss wooden furniture dressed with white cotton-covered cushions and tapestry covered pillows, and lots of little cubby holes underneath for storage. My bathroom also had a dressing room with drawers and hangers. Exposed, but very logical. Oh, and I also had a wooden slatted fence covered in a climbing rose bush that encircling my room's patio. So austere, but relaxing and convenient to everything.
The hotel is directly across the street from The Continental Club and down the street from some of the best shopping in the city and some great restaurants. It's a five minute drive to Town Lake's jogging trail, the shops on 2nd street, south 1st, Antone's, or the 6th street and Lamar intersection of awesomeness. Oh, and most importantly, it is a half minute saunter down the steps of the motel to the front of Jo's Coffee Shop: some of the best coffee in the city.
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Just enjoyed a fabulous stay at the San Jose. We really loved the design of the hotel -- especially the rooms - sleek and modern. Even the standard room felt spacious and airy - and had a great roomy bathroom and comfortable beds. The pool is small but a cool place to hang out and we loved the courtyard for drinks at night. Good location and walking distance to plenty of restaurants, bars, shopping -- and Jo's is right next door. They serve the best coffee around and tasty breakfast tacos! We would stay here again next time we're in Austin.
The 98 reviews prior to this one all tell a story that is pretty similar to my own stay at one of Austin's true gems. I just wanted to relay a few points that really made my visit stellar.
I told the woman who took my reservation two months prior that my husband and I would be staying for our first anniversary. I booked a standard room, which is usually close to South Congress, but she said they would note the special occasion and perhaps try to place us closer to the courtyard. Turns out, we were placed in a room right on South Congress, just inside one of the three gates along the busy street. At first I was worried (as I tend to sleep with earplugs because I'm a finicky sleeper), but then I realized that the muffled white noise from the traffic was actually quite soothing.
Also upon entering the room (this is where my mention of the special occasion really paid off), we discovered yellow rose petals strewn across the crisp white bed linens and the stained concrete floor, as well as a hand-written "Happy Anniversary" note from the staff and a complimentary bottle of wine. Now THAT's what I call a personal touch. I was shocked, perhaps because I never guessed a hotel could offer such thoughtful service.
We'll definitely be back next year, and will recommend the San Jose far and wide in the coming year.
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Review of Courtyard only
Don't think for a minute that you have to check in to the Hotel San Jose to enjoy its breathtaking views and realizing atmosphere. Some friends and I gathered there to share a bottle for happy hour. Great selections, service, and all around good time. It's away from the noisy SoCo venues enough to make for a lovely time without the bustle. What a great place to stop before dining out!
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I stayed in a grand suite during the film portion of sxsw this year. I loved the layout and grounds. If the weather was nicer I probably would have gave this an extra star but after experiencing an after dark check-in, non-lighted and (due to the rain) muddy pathway made me almost wish I stayed in an interior corporate hotel with bell service....
But after settling into the modern decor room and uber cute bathroom I was ready to take in the lobby and the famous cheese plate which was the highlight of my stay at the San Jose. I had a small plate which was perfect for someone who wants a light snack before a late dinner. They had homemade olives were were quite tasty. Hugo the bartender was friendly and gave me thorough explanation of the different wines available.
The hotel is in a great locale. Other notable walking points for drinks, food and SHOPPING!
They really should separate the posts on here to show reviews for actual hotel stays versus only the bar. I agree with a majority of the hotel postings on here - if you tend to travel for business your perspective of the hotel will be a little different. While I do appreciate the minimalist modern decor, I do have to say that some could also equate it to a prison room. Negatives: The toilet ran, the heater was noisy, and the walls are REALLY thin. The seating area (wannabe couch) was nice for a solo seater for incremental moments....Luckily didn't have to work from this area too often. I will note the bed was VERY comfortable!
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Very cool spot, right in the middle of great Austin activity -a number of one of a kind shops & food places within walking distance. If you need to venture further, this is a good starting point.
The retro update is great. Everything about the hotel has a cool vibe - from check in w/ the friendly laid back staff, strolling through the garden setting to your room and then the Room. My room had different colors, spacious work space area, fun lamps & chairs, flooring was a combination of cement & tile. Their mini bar is set in a wooden box base with an acrylic clear top. Inside you had bottles of pop, large Spanish chocolate bars, circa 1960's cracker jacks and all kind of other goodies.
Their outside lounge is wonderful - sit at a table under the veranda, have a cool beverage, listen to the birds and chill.
Love this place. I shall return!
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A review for either the bar or the hotel equals the same review- 5 stars.
For the first month after moving to Austin, I mentioned to my wife that it did not seem all that different from Houston. Every time I had visited over the last 4 years I loved Austin, but after first moving here I was basically sleeping in air conditioned apartment, wake up, work, study, go to sleep in air conditioned apartment. So she wanted to show me how special Austin was for our first anniversary.
Hotel San Jose did the trick. As a hotel it was fantastic for the 'staycation.' (full disclosure- I just wanted to write a review that included the most ridiculous phrase I have heard in the last year.)
As a bar/night spot it is now the first place I bring out of town guests. One of my pleasures in life is ordering the cheese plate, drinking a Tecate, and sitting near the pool.
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My husband picked this hotel and it was a great decision! Our room was the standard and it was very cool. The room was simple and just the right size for us.
I came down to Austin for the TXMPA Lobby Day and the hotel was just a few minutes from the Capitol. We also enjoyed having all of the restaurants and shops nearby which was a big plus. One night for dinner we walked to Guero's and another night we walked to Homeslice Pizza. And of course there is Jo's right next door.
Right outside of our room was a garden/sitting area that was very charming. I went out there with my laptop to do some work and it was nice to be outside. We had a white rosebush just outside our room and the roses smelled so good!
We rented Welcome to the Dollhouse while we were there...wiener dog!!!
Good times are happening at the San Jose Hotel.
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I stayed here for a weekend when a friend was getting married. Great location, though be warned that the no-bath singles are right on South Congress across from the Continental club. The patio is well done and the wine bar service gives it a certain kitch hip. This is not your father's motel. The only reason I don't give five stars is that, while they promised me they would comp a room when they had to kick out my college party crowd neighbors at 3am, they didn't remember when I checked out a few days later.
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I stayed in the Grand Suite for 3 nights and when asking before booking the hotel, I was told by the staff that the hotel was, indeed, quiet and that I wouldn't hear much with the room I was staying in. Yeah, not so much. The first night. I returned from a wonderful dinner, but had a headache and wanted to try and get some sleep, but even being at the back of the property didn't save me from the loud music and very loud people in the courtyard. I was told it would close down at midnight (it was perhaps 10pm), but people didn't filter out of there until past 1:30am. On top of that, when I'm paying that much for a room, I don't expect to hear sleazy conversations filled with pretty graphic sexual details, or hearing yelling and too many things I would expect from 15 year olds. I also would expect a more high quality bathroom. I promise I'm not a prude, but I do enjoy my peace and privacy and don't feel I was given accurate information upfront when asked.
Maybe if they changed their policies, I would consider staying again since during the day, it was quiet, and the rooms were what I expected. For now, they've lost all of the incoming business they would have received from me since I travel to Austin often.
Pros: Love the art around the room, fairly comfy beds, iPod docking station, able to hookup my laptop to the LCD, dog friendly.
What I would like to see improved: Better soundproofing and privacy of the guests staying at the hotel. Higher quality bathrooms considering the price.
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Absolutely one of my favorite Austin hangouts. I've spent a night or two here as well and it's super zen spartan decor which I love, but just think single swinging light bulb and you get the idea. Use your imagination. I had other distractions myself...
It's also the coolest place to meet people for drinks. A great brie platter and nice choice of wine and beer and simple servings. Hip service people that are unobtrusive and great music, which of course is not hard to find in Austin.
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Whether on a vacation or staycation (better for my budget), visit the San Jose Hotel. It has the perfect little outdoor patio to enjoy a drink and snack with a date or a group of friends. The micheladas are good, but not my favorite in town. The people watching is fantastic and it's fun to think about what celebrities just might be around.
One day I hope, as rob m. says, I can "get a room and do naughty things" at the San Jose. Until then, a little flirting on the patio isn't too bad.
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Since Jens B. has thrown down the competition gauntlet between myself and the fabulous Tara M., I thought it only fitting that my next Yelp be one that I associate with Tara!
You see, Tara and her girl, Mia, threw me a "doggie shower" when I first adopted my pup, Mindy. At the time, I had never even MET Tara, so this was truly unexpected and turned out to be an absolutely delightful day! The Hotel San Jose was PERFECT for the gathering. I truly think this may be the most dog-friendly place where the two-leggeds can kick back and drink and nibble while their four-legged "kids" run around.
The HSJ's patio is completely enclosed, so the pups can "run around" in a very literal sense. You're allowed to let your pup off-leash here. Within minutes of our arrival with our furry friends, our server brought out a big bowl of water. And later in the afternoon, one of the guys working here appeared on the scene with a handful of specially-made, HSJ, organic doggie treats for the kids!
Never fear, the HSJ has lots to offer humans, as well. It's a beautiful, peaceful, minimalist hotel that I would thoroughly enjoy staying at anytime, and which I routinely recommend to out-of-town guests who would rather experience a bit of Austin flavor than stay in a cookie cutter chain hotel. Or, you can just come by to relax on the patio with a drink and a snack. The options in both of these categories are a little more limited than I'd like. As far as alcohol, they have only beer, wine, and related drinks like micheladas, sangria and tinto de verano (wine mixed with orange soda - lovely!). For food, they have a couple of cheese plates (great ones, though - I took a pic of the one we ordered that day and posted it here) and edamame...maybe one or two other options, but not much.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the tranquil, beautiful atmosphere and dog-friendliness of the HSJ earn it a special place in my heart. Forget the Hotel California - I'll take the HSJ, any day!
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Review is for the bar/patio... best outdoor patio/lounge to grab a drink on a warm Austin night. Perfect!
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I had the most fantastic afternoon on the back patio pool lounge area today with some fellow yelpers. It was the perfect place for Michelle C.'s "Puppy Shower" since it is fenced in and the Puppers could roam around and do what dogs do. While the humans enjoyed drink of choice and finger foods.
I love the ambiance of this place. It has a modern design that has a swanky, hipster, casual feel all in one.
Today we got there shortly after opening time (3PM Friday -Sunday) (5PM the rest of the week) and the waitress let us know straight up that she was the only one on staff and the service might be slow. There were 3 large groups on the patio and I did notice any slow service at all.
I had the Malbec red wine that was perfectly paired with the hard cheese that was on the cheese plate and the edamame. The cheese plate was huge and included bread, 3 wedges of cheese, grapes, diced Apple and olives.
I am always trying to find a place I can bring the butt sniffer that serves adult cocktails and serves figure friendly bar food. This place gets a full 5 stars in all categories!
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I am in love with sitting on the back patio with a champassion (champagne with passion fruit juice, garnished with raspberries). I also love the plate of bread, cheese and fruit you can order to snack on. It's perfect for grabbing a drink in the afternoon or early evening.
Also, sometimes when friends and I eat at Homeslice and know we will have to wait an hour for a table, we put our name on the list and inform the hostess we are popping over to San Jose for a drink. It's usually perfect timing.
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If I were asked to sum up what's so interesting about Austin into hotel form, it would be this place. It's hip, it's expensive, and it's probably worth it. The brief time I spent in one of the rooms it was decorated with a bed that I might actually buy, a bathroom that I might actually think of myself, and bare concrete floors that were both appropriate and comfortably warm (it was summer, though). It's also comfortably located in on of my favorite neighborhoods anywhere, and they have great landscaping.
If I could only choose one criticism it's that the bar closes at 12:00 AM. It also has the distinction of being the place that some of the guests were spotted eating Popeye's fried chicken in the pool, which has spawned I don' t know how many urban legends among the people I know in Austin.
If you learn one thing from that, it's that strangers won't find it attractive to watch you eat fried chicken while swimming in a pool. Any swimming pool. So just don't do it.
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I had been in Austin for years and somehow never made it to the San Jose until last year. Since then, it's a regular stop. I haven't stayed overnight, but love everything about this place. The landscaping and architecture are beautiful and you feel a million miles removed from the world even though Congress Ave is right outside the door.
Service is always very fast and very friendly - even on busy nights. They draw an eclectic crowd - which has led to some great conversations. It's not the cheapest place around, but well worth spending a few extra dollars for the experience.
I think, that if anyone said: choose one place that embodies Austin, I would choose the Hotel San Jose.
The rooms are spartan, practical beautiful and zen. The courtyard is idyllic and serves a great wine menu and some yummy cheese plates, and can prove very romantic in the late evenings with the good outdoor dj, soft lighting, and bamboo surroundings. It is dog-friendly in an enormous way. I have only brought one of my dogs here, on one occasion...but she was very thrilled at the development. They actually are really cool about letting you let your dog do the runaround thing, which is awesome.
Its a great place to stay for an in-town getaway, and a wonderful place to stop with a dog-friendly happy hour with friends, particularly in the warmer months.
Also charity-generous to dog-friendly charities. Always extra points.
Greatest patio to drink cold sake on and enjoy the evening with friends. So nice, you can also sit around their pool, and it has such a cool austin vibe. This place is definelty for the truly cool people, thats why you can see me there from time to time. Ok, I am really not that cool, but it is a sweet place to hang out.
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I always enjoy my time in Austin, so when my firm asked me to go there on a recruiting trip, I said, "Well, twist my arm, I'll go!" The firm's default hotel for trips to Austin is the Four Seasons, but when they told me it was booked they gave me the option of the Stephen F. Austin or the Omni, neither of which I particularly like. In response I asked if I could stay at the Hotel San Jose, as I'd heard good things about it and liked its style, but had never had the chance to stay there. For better or for worse they set it up for me, and I was excited to stay there.
Overall, the San Jose is a cute, stylish boutique hotel that offers a very Austin-esque experience. Everything about it is very pro-Austin, from the list of local shops to the beer and bottled water. The decor is very clean and modern, although a bit sterile and harsh for my tastes--there's something unwelcoming about coming into a room after a busy day and being greeted by concrete floors and stark white walls. In terms of hospitality, though, the San Jose is top notch--many of the things that would cost extra at another hotel are thrown in for free here (e.g., bottled water, internet, CD/ipod rentals, even a couple of beers).
The downside, though, is that the Hotel San Jose is extremely lacking in terms of value. My room (the petite suite) cost $295 a night, which is comparable with most luxury hotels in Austin, and even though it was a company expense, I felt like I did not get much bang for the buck. The room was relatively small even for a "suite" and the room itself felt like it lacked high production values (e.g., no bathtub, cheap bed covers (though the sheets and pillows were nice), old-school regular door keys, unfinished tile in the bathroom). Also, considering the cold concrete floors, I thought they could have at least thrown in some cheap house slippers (they do offer some flip-flops, but they are $10). Now, I can understand that some of this can be attributed to the retro-modern feel of the hotel, but sometimes you just want to stay someplace a little more posh. I thought my room should have gone for $240 tops.
Also, this is definitely not a business travelers hotel. The wireless internet (a necessity for the business traveler) was slow and sometimes did not work at all, the walls are PAPER-THIN so you can hear the TV from the next room as clearly as yours, and the rooms have hardly any usable desk workspace. And if you stay there on the weekend, expect loud music from the outdoor lounge to be audible until at least 1 am (even though the lounge closes at 12, it appears that the staff likes to listen to the music as they clean up).
All in all, the Hotel San Jose is good if you're looking for accommodations that can supplement your "authentic Austin experience," but it is overpriced, or alternatively, feels a little cheap on the inside. While I enjoyed my time there just for the sake of experiencing it, I doubt I will ever stay there again, and that's probably how a lot of people will feel after staying there.
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Short and Sweet review of the LOUNGE of the San Jose ... because there are already like 5 million reviews of this place!
1. Location, Location, Location. I can't get over how the hotel is tucked away behind a wall of ivy. i love that! I can't tell you how many times I have walked right passed it without blinking an eye. It's like the Secret Garden but for grown-ups. Yay Grown-ups!
2. Ambiance is very intimate with a dash of SoCo class... make sense?! Perfect place for a romantic sip and see or a ladies get together. The vibe is very chill and laid back. Complete South Congress attitude.
3. The menu, it's meh... I'm sure there are wonderful things that line the menu of this establishment but I didn't really check it out. I was peer pressured {thanks Tara} into trying a champassion and no complaints from this lady! I would appreciate a few more belly filling eats to grace the page of the menu but I understand that's probably not what their going for here.
Overall, a great little place to grab a drink and relax.
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I absolutely love this place! As I've said before, Hotel San Jose and Jo's Cafe pretty much cemented our decision to move to Austin. I thought it exemplified what great things I had heard about Austin, easing my apprehension about moving away from NYC.
We stayed here when we were visiting Austin and trying to make a decision on which job offer my fiance should accept. A grad student recommended this hotel. We were trying to cut down on costs, so we got a shared room, where you have your own room but share a bathroom with three other rooms. It was only $95 a night! Total steal, considering you're in the middle of one of the most desirable areas in Austin.
HOTEL STAY: I admired the hotel's aesthetic: clean and modern while comfortable at the same time. The hardwood floors in our room were painted cherry red and there were vintage posters adorning our walls. They even had an iPod dock! Yay. The room was on the small side, but that was a minor point compared to all the other benefits.
LOUNGE: We moved quite literally across the street and come here often for drinks. Their courtyard feels very intimate and romantic, even though you are right at the beginning of the South Congress drag. We had drinks here right after we got engaged! It was the perfect setting.
They only have beer and wine, but a lot of the drinks are tasty. I like getting a beer michelada style or the passion-something (I forget). R. likes getting a tinto verano, which is wine mixed with orange juice. They have a great cheese plate, where $12 will get you a wooden cutting board filled with two cups of olives, three cheeses, a bunch of fruit and a loaf of bread. It's great if you haven't had dinner yet and want a little snack.
I highly, highly recommend this place to people! It's comfortable and modern and has a terrific lounge where you can relax at the end of the day.
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I really can't make much of an annex on San Jose poolside bar, so for my purposes I'll just append it before a glossary is created to navigate all 66 reviews. Number 67 in-yo-face:
I took my friend in here on a whim one Saturday night, and we were not disappointed in any sense of the word. That night our bartender had a jar of white wine sangria they had concocted earlier in the evening. I had never heard of this spin on a timeless drink before, so I had to give it a shot - also impressive. The lighting, simple weather-proof furniture and natural privacy created with walls of bamboo reminded both of us of different beloved areas of Mexico. While my friend was thinking of a hotel at the base of Durango mountains, my mind was lingering in a nameless hotel in Merida, where earth-toned pillows covered the perimeter of the core courtyard, white flowing hammocks swayed with couples in the dimmed lamp lights, and the underground v.i.p room with its calming, meditative candles.
Basically we got the same ol' feelin from just sitting poolside - its a great place to catch up. And you'd be surprised how much your mind can wander here.
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Favorite Austin boutique hotel.
DECOR: Clean lines, modern, comfy. Love the patio and pool area too. Great bar area with dramatic, good design for meeting friends in the evening.
SERVICE: Good.
FOOD: Love the in-room breakfast service. Quality food and nice presentation.
OTHER: Quality bath products with organic ingredients.
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Great... rooms for every budget, from the euro style shared bath to the super suites.
Great "scene" spot with imaginative minimalist decor.
Grab a shiner, relax by the pool or fire pit depending on the season and if you're lucky meet an oh so hip south austin girl.
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San Jose, you're in my Austin dreams. I think of the crisp michelada's on your central patio and the warm Austin breeze wafting through your courtyard. I miss my friend Liz, owner/entrepreneur extraordinaire and great supporter of artists all over town and beyond. Your sleek yet comfy rooms and bedding are a refreshing departure from W's and Sheraton's and even B&Bs. I love your Dr. Bronner's in the bathroom, and your video checkout system. Did I mention the late night cocktails under the moon by the pool? I miss those too.
Oh San Jose, I will return to your happening courtyard and blues-filled entry lobby. I will soon again enjoy a cup of Jo's hot coffee next door. I will happily stroll South Congress and enter your unassuming gates after 2am.
Until then, be well and thrive, little Spanish bungalow/motel court turned Austin's awesome hipster hideaway!
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My favorite place in Austin for drinks :) The courtyard at the San Jose Hotel is just great, always a good place to just sit, have a drink and watch people. The staff are very friendly, they have a nice selection of beer, wine and snacks and you can sit around the pool and dip your feet in the water. Even though this is a relatively well known place by now, it's still possible to get a seat most of the time, even thought sometimes it's pretty crowded but the good thing is that most people stop only in for a while, so you can always lounge and enjoy yourself. This is one of the places that I consider very typical for Austin :)
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I stayed here in 2004 and I had a wonderful time. The architecture and design of this hotel is clean and sparse, but poetically so. When you come here, you instantly feel lighter, like the weight of the world is lifted from your shoulders. Most rooms have a sealed concrete floor, are temperature controlled, and immaculate. One platform bed, a desk, a chair or two, and nightstands. Nothing more, nothing less, just right.
The products offered in their showers are usually high quality organic or green brands, like Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Castille Soap and MOP shampoos (at least that's what I got in 2004!).
Sadly, when I tried to book a room for this year's SXSW interactive in early March a few months beforehand, they were fully booked up. A friend of mine told me when she'd tried to book in November the clerk who answered her call just laughed into the receiver before he could tell her they were already booked up. Anyhow, yeah, book early for ACL and SXSW or if you need to be in Austin during those times.
Also, when I last visited in 2004, they would give out free Tyvek swimsuits (yeah, like the FedEx envelope material) to their registered guests in case they forgot their suits. And, last, but not least, you really can't beat a hotel that has a honkin' tray of free granny smith apples waiting for their guests in lobby.
People thought this was:
I've been here twice and love it. It's upscale but not snobby and not rowdy. I'd say for an 27+ crowd. There were a few things to nosh on - not a "bar menu". It's a small patio type place lit by subtle lighting. It's a nice place for a date, if you know what they look like in bright light!
I think I will make it my hang out and continue to update this review.
People thought this was:
The lounge is great. The hotel is great.
In that order...
The lounge at the Hotel San Jose is mostly an outside patio, but weather permitting, it is a charming place to order a glass of wine and sit and talk with friends or sit and answer emails or read a paper or have a smoke and just... relax! Lovely staff, tasty snacks, nice selection of beer and wine. One of my favorite places to meet someone in SOCO.
The boutique hotel at Hotel San Jose is unique, a small, handmade oasis in the middle of all the corporate sameness of nearby downtown chain hotels. The rooms are high design and eclectic, definitely not your Holiday Inn... in all the right ways. Attractive, inspiring, brilliantly crafted, with an intelligent, service oriented staff. Very Austin.
And yes, Jo's, the great little coffee and snacks and beers place on the corner is part of the San Jose family. On a weekend afternoon there's no better place to sit and watch the passing crowd than the patio around Jo's.
People thought this was:
Happy Hour
Neighborhood: East Austin
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Austin, TX
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)
Category: Hotels
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Hotels
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Hotels
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Hotels
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Hotels
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