You’re finally doing it: You’ve decided to visit Austin, Texas.
You’ve booked your flight and you’ve planned out your local activities. You’re ready to explore the amazing food scene and experience Austin nightlife, and you even have a few day trips planned.
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But the all-important question remains: Where should you stay? Texas’ capital has a wide variety of properties from major brands, as well as quirky boutique hotels and plenty of Airbnb options.
Here are some of the best picks, whether you’re paying in points or cash.
Marriott
Fans of Marriott’s Bonvoy program are the clear winners in Austin, with dozens of options to choose from. Pricing across Marriott’s portfolio in the city is relatively affordable compared to its rising cost of living: Here, you’ll find some great deals and unique experiences from Category 2 to Category 6 properties. In fact, Austin might be a destination where it’s worth your while to book in cash in order to earn points toward stays at properties where your points can provide outsized value for very expensive hotels.
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Related: Everything you need to know about the Marriott Bonvoy program and redemptions
Take the JW Marriott, for example. This Category 6 property is located in the heart of Austin’s business district, and the points rate is a standard 43,000 points per night thanks to the chain’s current promotion. However, you can book a room right now from just $134 per night before taxes and fees. Bonvoy points are worth 0.8 cents apiece according to TPG’s current valuations, meaning your 43,000 points are worth $344 in cash — a whopping $210 difference in value from the $134 cash rate.
Related: How to get outsized value out of your points and miles
Similarly, save your points and use cash to book the affordable Aloft/Element hybrid hotel near the iconic Paramount Theatre. The Aloft hotel is a Category 5 property while the Element is classified as a Category 6. Cash rates begin as low as $82 per night for the Aloft and at $89 for the Element, while standard award nights are currently priced at 31,000 and 43,000 Bonvoy points, respectively, per night.
Even if you’re a fan of the W brand, I’d skip the Austin location. While the pool deck is cute and offers great private cabana space in addition to a few lounge chairs, the pool itself is shallow, narrow and usually crammed with people drinking White Claws during non-pandemic times. If you want a great pool with a stunning view of downtown, check out the Westin a mile or two east instead.
Forget everything you think you know about Texas. This beautiful new hotel in downtown Austin is the latest outpost of the luxury boutique Proper brand, which itself falls under Marriott’s Design Hotels umbrella. Somehow, the hotel manages to layer a million different colors and patterns into a cohesive, beautiful experience: Kelly Wearstler’s vision blends local designers and materials with unique pieces sourced from around the world.
The 244 hotel rooms and suites at the Proper span 10 tiers, from the base-level King room all the way up, literally, to the Penthouse Suite. The King room is the only option that’s bookable on points, at 43,000 Bonvoy points for a standard award night or $260 per night before taxes and fees. All rooms are available to book in cash, including lake-view balcony suites that can cost up to $3,100 per night.
Hyatt
If you’re a World of Hyatt member looking for a luxurious getaway, you’re in luck: You can book one of Austin’s nicest five-star retreats, the all-inclusive Miraval Austin resort, located just outside the city near Lake Travis.
Since the property is all-inclusive, you’ll be charged by the number of people rather than a flat room rate. Cash rates begin at $640 per night for the first occupant, with an additional charge for a second person. Award night rates begin at 45,000 World of Hyatt points and you’ll pay an additional 20,000 points for the second occupant in the room. Reservations can only be booked by calling an agent at 866-792-3395.
Each award night at Miraval includes luxury accommodations, a $175 nightly resort credit per person, healthy meals, freshly prepared snacks and nonalcoholic beverages, plus access to a wide array of complimentary daily wellness activities, lectures, yoga, meditation, fitness classes and more. The resort is a non-tipping property.
For a more down-to-earth stay, the Category 4 Hyatt Regency Austin overlooks the gorgeous Lady Bird Lake and its hike-and-bike trails. Rates begin at $110 or 15,000 Hyatt points per night.
Related: Your ultimate guide to the World of Hyatt rewards program
True budget travelers will also be happy with two different Hyatt properties in the downtown area. As with the Marriott hotels in Austin, you’ll get a better deal paying in cash and saving your points for more valuable redemptions.
Related: Incredible hotels you’d never know belong to Hyatt
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Cash rates for both the Category 4 Hyatt Place and Category 3 Hyatt House properties in downtown Austin begin at $71 to $75 per night right now, while you’ll spend 15,000 and 12,000 Hyatt points, respectively, for each night booked in points. At TPG’s valuations, those points are worth $255 and $204 at 1.7 cents apiece.
The stunning Category 5 Driskill hotel in downtown Austin is a beautiful relic of Texas history spanning as far back as the 1880s, while offering all the contemporary amenities needed to keep a modern traveler comfortable. You’ll be in the heart of Austin at this beautiful destination, with the famous Sixth Street nightlife scene spanning both sides of the street surrounding the hotel, with both the Capitol and the Congress Avenue Bridge within easy walking distance.
You won’t lack for fine dining here, either. The Driskill Grill served President and Lady Bird Johnson — for whom the nearby lake is named — on their first date, and the Driskill Bar serves up some of the best cocktails in the state of Texas.
Just keep an eye out for ghosts: Both the spirits of hotel founder Jesse Driskill and a jilted bride are said to walk the hallways.
The Driskill is part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt, and even participates in the Work From Hyatt program from unheard-of rates beginning at $110 per night before taxes and fees. Or pay with points: This Category 5 property offers award nights from 20,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
IHG
Related: Here’s how to maximize IHG redemptions by earning top-tier status
You can get some great IHG redemption value in Austin, as TPG’s own Katie Genter has proven. If you time your plans right, you can snag a room at the Hotel Indigo downtown for as little as 15,000 IHG points per night or from $120 per night.
Related: How I safely and affordably escaped for a sanity staycation in Austin during the pandemic
If you’d prefer a little more personality, the Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt has created a beautiful homage to Austin’s art and music scene in its lobby and room decor. Rooms are lower than usual in 2021, beginning at 30,000 IHG points most nights, or $175 before taxes and fees.
Related: The award traveler’s guide to IHG Rewards Club redemptions
Unfortunately, the Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt is one of IHG’s only luxury properties in the Texas Hill Country. Budget travelers can choose from a slew of Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express properties scattered throughout popular areas of Austin, with prices for all properties beginning at $78 or 20,000 IHG points per night.
IHG is the exception to the cash versus points value; all points rates fall pretty closely in line with the cash value of each room.
Hilton
Hilton was one of 2020’s most customer-friendly brands, with the Hilton Honors rewards program taking home the prestigious title of “best hotel loyalty program” at the 2020 TPG Awards.
I personally find the Hilton hotel options in Austin a little lackluster despite having the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and the top-tier Diamond status that comes as a perk of the card. A number of budget brand hotels are available from $60 or 14,000 Hilton Honors points per night, including Hampton Inn and DoubleTree properties sprinkled throughout the Hill Country.
That being said, there are a few noteworthy deals for Hilton enthusiasts who want a little bit more luxury. The eponymous Hilton Austin is centrally located near the Austin Convention Center, and can be booked in cash from $102 per night, or as low as 19,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
The newly opened Canopy by Hilton Austin Downtown may be popular with travelers interested in staying in the heart of the nightlife district. (Phrased another way, this might not be the best property for people who value going to bed early in a super-quiet environment.) Cash rates begin at $156, or 34,000 Hilton Honors points for a double queen room. Once again, you’ll get the best value if you pay in cash: 34,000 Hilton points are worth $204 according to TPG valuations.
The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: 7 reasons to get the Hilton Aspire credit card
As always, Hilton offers great points-earning potential among hotel brands for Aspire cardholders who book in cash — and that’s before the triple-stack on returns.
- Book Hilton hotels directly through the brand website using a shopping portal, which allows you to earn elite-qualifying nights and enjoy elite status perks.
- If you pay with your Hilton Aspire Card, you’ll receive a number of benefits and upgrade opportunities with the included Diamond status.
- Paying with the Aspire also earns you up to 34 points per dollar on most stays — an impressive 20.4% return at TPG’s valuations.
- If you find an Amex Offer for a Hilton booking, you save even more with a rare quadruple-stack.
Accor
This French chain isn’t as well known in the U.S. as its major competitors. However, the five-star Fairmont Austin is a solid contender for your attention on your next trip down to Austin. Its central location right at the top of Rainey Street, great restaurants and stunning pool deck add charm and attraction to the huge property, which hosts many South by Southwest events during non-pandemic times.
To book, transfer Capital One miles or pay in cash with a card that earns bonus rewards on travel spend. Rooms begin at $125 per night, with a 10% discount for Accor Live Limitless members.
Free agents
The following properties aren’t affiliated with any major hotel chains, but are some of my favorite spots in Austin and can easily be booked through Hotels.com for a unique, local experience:
- Central to everything: Carpenter Hotel
- Midcentury modern: South Congress Hotel (with great coworking space in the lobby!)
- Quirky and nostalgic: Austin Motel
- Pink with 1960s charm: East Austin Hotel
- Alamo-era hipster: Native Hostel
- Seven-room boutique vibes: Kimber Modern
- New and artsy: Colton House Hotel
- Lush luxury: Hotel Saint Cecilia
- Sleek and contemporary: Arrive
Don’t forget to pay for all of these properties with a credit card that earns bonus points on travel. And you can also use a shopping portal with Hotels.com to earn additional cash back in addition to one free night for every 10 nights you stay.
Related stories:
- The best road trips to take from Austin
- 9 unforgettable activities in Austin
- Planning a family trip to Austin
- Miles Away podcast: Escape the winter blues in Austin
Featured photo courtesy of Colton House Hotel by Ayuma Photography
SPONSORED: With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.
And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free.
These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.
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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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