Austin, Texas has quickly become one of the premier destinations for music lovers in the U.S., And between the annual SXSW Music Festival and the numerous venues for live music, both big and small, it’s easy to see why. However, finding an affordable place to stay when enjoying this music scene is easier said than done.
Our favorite nice but cheap hotels in Downtown Austin include the East Austin Hotel and Omni Austin. The Hyatt Place Downtown Austin is also an inexpensive, yet nice, option for staying in Downtown Austin, close to the music.
So, what can you do to ensure that your musical journey to Austin is both fun and affordable? Well, below, we have highlighted five of the best hotels for visitors to the city that are plenty nice and easy on the pocketbook. Be sure to read on for the pertinent details for each hotel, along with other tips that are sure to save you money.
Table of Contents
What Is the Best Area to Stay in, in Austin, Texas?
The good news for those visiting Austin is that there are multiple neighborhoods with their own benefits and considerations for visitors. All of these areas have their advantages, and they’re each close enough to the downtown area that you can still be a part of the action.
The vibe of each neighborhood can vary widely. For example, Downtown Austin is more compact and urban, while the South Congress area is full of artists and fun boutique stores.
Below, we will look at a few of the best neighborhoods for audiophiles who want to be close to the source:
- South Congress: Long one of the most bohemian neighborhoods in Austin, the South Congress (or SoCo) neighborhood is popular with tourists and music lovers alike. Funky cafes and restaurants abound, and art lovers will enjoy checking out the many galleries that the area provides.
- Downtown Austin: In terms of walkability and things to do, you really can’t do much better than Downtown Austin. And thanks to its central location, you can easily explore other neighborhoods, even if this will likely require a rental car or taking a Lyft. Most of the best music venues in the city can be found on Red River St.
- East Austin: One of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in this rapidly growing city, East Austin is a diverse and vibrant community with a lot to offer in terms of dining and entertainment. We highly recommend Stay Gold for a funky lounge vibe that serves up classic cocktails along with plenty of jazz and soul-inspired music on the menu as well.
- Zilker: Home to the Zilker Brewing Co., this up-and-coming neighborhood has many great bars and restaurants, several of which offer live music seven days a week. One spot visitors to Zilker should be sure to check out is The Saxon Pub, which has great happy hour deals along with its fantastic and varied musical offerings.
- Gruene: If you are looking for a taste of “old” Austin, look no further than Gruene Hall, a veritable time capsule of 1800s country style and living. This vintage dance hall is the place to go for those that want some of the best blues and Americana around.
Why are Hotels in Austin So Expensive?
The reason why hotels in Austin can be more expensive when compared to other cities comes down to basic economics: supply and demand. In short, the supply of hotels that the city contains hasn’t been able to keep up with Austin’s rapid expansion over the years. At the same time, the demand for hotel rooms has likewise exploded as Austin has become Texas’s premier vacation destination.
For music lovers, this means that finding an affordable place to stay while enjoying the city’s famed music scene has become more and more difficult. But fear not, finding a nice place to stay on a budget is still possible, even in Austin, as long as you know where to look. To aid in your hotel search, we’ve compiled the following list of hotels for your consideration.
5 Nice Yet Cheap Hotels in Downtown Austin
The following five hotels have been chosen for the pleasant ambiance and clutch amenities that they provide, all at a reasonable price. Please read on to find what each has to offer and to see which you may want to try next time you’re in Texas’s capital city.
East Austin Hotel
If you are on a budget but still want some style in your choice of hotel, this boutique option is well worth checking out. The rooms are Scandinavian-inspired and nicely appointed, with robes and custom-scented bathroom amenities available in each room. Best of all, this hotel is locally owned and operated, so you are sure to have an authentic Austin experience anytime you choose to stay here.
What you’ll love about it: The choice is yours when it comes to the style of your room, with savings possible for many options. This includes inexpensive rooms with shared European-style bathrooms to more luxe poolside suites.
Something to consider before booking: Important to note for those looking for lodging that accepts pets: dogs are allowed at this hotel. However, there is a $30 a night fee, and each additional dog and night will cost an additional $35. The weight of all dogs combined cannot exceed 100 lbs.
Omni Austin Hotel
The Omni Austin is an excellent choice for those that want a central location at a price that will be easy on the pocketbook. All that 6th Street’s entertainment district has to offer is just a quick jaunt away, and the Austin Convention Center is likewise nearby. Highlights of this hotel include a heated rooftop pool that provides great views of the city, along with the ability to take a dip!
What you’ll love about it: Party a little too hard the previous night? No worries, a cup of quality java should set you straight. And one can be easily had thanks to the hotel’s onsite café, Morsel’s Coffee Bar, which means you won’t even have to change out of your pajamas.
Something to consider before booking: While WiFI can be free for some guests, others will have to pay for the privilege of accessing the hotel’s internet. Who pays for WiFi (and who doesn’t) can come down to membership in a rewards program or room type.
The Westin Austin Downtown
Westin is a brand that is synonymous with high-quality service in the hotel space, so it should come as no surprise that this Downtown Austin location lives up to this reputation. And music lovers won’t have to go far to catch some quality tunes, as live music is often on tap at the hotel’s on-property lounge (which also features an open-concept kitchen and inventive cocktails).
What you’ll love about it: This hotel is part of the Marriott BONVoy network that will allow members to accrue perks and discounts for each night they book.
Something to consider before booking: While a night at this location will still be under $200, that may be more than some are willing to pay for lodging—especially when there are cheaper options on this list.
Sonder – The Catherine
Located in the SoCo district, The Catherine offers several amenities that are rare at this given price point—including a spa, pool, and free parking. There is no front desk at this property, and guests will have to use a lockbox to check in outside of business hours.
What you’ll love about it: Access to the pool area is complimentary to all guests and is a feature that can be hard to find at this price point, especially in this Austin neighborhood.
Something to consider before booking: The Catherine is on the south bank of the Colorado River, which means guests will have to journey over a nearby bridge to get to downtown Austin (which is still within walking distance).
Hyatt Place Austin Downtown
The Hyatt Place Austin provides a prime downtown location for all of your adventures in the city, with most local highlights being within easy walking distance. Amenities include a fitness center, pool, free internet, complimentary breakfast, and the possibility of a digital check-in.
What you’ll love about it: This hotel is just three blocks from 6th Street and all of the live music that the area offers.
Something to consider before booking: Dining is available 24/7, though, at some hours, guests may be limited to “grab-and-go” options, such as prepacked snacks, salads, and pastries.
Where Should You Not Stay in Austin?
Spend any amount of time in Austin, and one thing will become almost immediately clear, the traffic is terrible. Gridlock does not even begin to describe the state of flow that vehicles can spend trying to transit even short distances in the area. This is yet another symptom of Austin’s decades-long population boom and one that should impact where you choose to stay during your visit.
There simply are not enough major roads connecting most parts of the city, and this means that if driving can be avoided—it should be. (It should also be noted that public transit is either non-existent or unreliable in many parts of the city.) Thinking of staying in the ‘burbs to save some money on lodging? Think again! As the cost of hailing a ride to Downtown Austin can quickly add up.
Luckily, all of the above hotels are located in highly walkable neighborhoods. This means that you can easily walk from your hotel to dinner and a show at a local venue afterward, all without having to take your car keys out of your pocket.
If you prefer Airbnb over hotels then here is airbnb experiences in Austin you can take a look at.
Final Word: The Best Affordable Hotels in Austin for Music Lovers
And there you have it, five of the best hotels for music lovers in Austin, Texas. While each hotel will have its features to consider, all of the above-recommended hotels are of uniformly high quality and, most importantly, can be booked for a weekend trip without breaking the bank.
So, next time you are in Austin, be sure to give one of these hotels a try, and if you still have questions about the city or where to stay, please don’t hesitate to reach out! We hope you have enjoyed reading about all of the hotel options that Austin has to offer and that you’ve enjoyed yourself along the way. Until next time, thank you for reading and enjoy the music!