5 Best Hotels in East Austin, Austin

This 15-room boutique hotel is the ultimate choice for travelers looking to explore the city's vibrant and historic east side. It occupies a prime spot on the bustling East 11th Street, just across the street from the popular Kenny Dorham's Backyard food truck and live music venue and within walking distance of the areas's best shops and restaurants. Virtual check-in and concierge services make guests feel like they're arriving home, and communal, open-aired lounges with custom coffee stations and stocked minibars on every floor enhance the feeling that the whole property is an extended living room for the chic clientele. No two rooms are alike, but each sport an eclectic mix of inspired decor and luxury amenities. The first floor restaurant, Poeta, is a fabulous Italian eatery serving all day menus to guests and locals alike. Some rooms have lovely patios overlooking the bustling street below and the two-story suite with full-kitchen and a clawfoot soaking tub is worth the splurge.

The East Austin Hotel provides another incredible access point to the burgeoning East Sixth Street district, teeming with delicious local restaurants, hip boutiques, and live music venues. Some of the 75 rooms have shared bathrooms for budget travelers, while others provide private, well-appointed rooms overlook the pool. The pool area hosts live music and parties on select weekends. The on-site restaurant, along with the rooftop and poolside bars, offers diverse menus throughout the day.

This boutique hotel debuted amidst the rapidly gentrifying strip of East Cesar Chavez, and the neighborhood has continued to flourish around the restored 1920s bungalow, elevating its desirable indie locale. The exterior, with a front porch and hanging basket chairs, is quaintly retro, and interiors are sleek and sophisticated, with mid-century modern style and historic accents, like original long-leaf pine floors. Seven rooms, each slightly different, are split between the original bungalow and the second floor of an adjacent building, accessed by a communal courtyard. Popular shops and restaurants and the hive of East Sixth bars are within walking distance. You can also explore with complimentary bicycles. Full-property group rentals are available.

For no-frills, reasonably priced lodging close to downtown, you could do worse than this basic two-story brick motel located just east of the northbound I–35 access road. There's an outdoor pool and decent views of downtown from the second floor. Rooms come with clean, hardwood floors, but the furniture is outdated and the beds fairly shabby, but for these prices it's hard to complain. An employee cautions to beware of "party people," so ask for a quieter room, away from highway noise, especially during UT home games and citywide festivals like SXSW. Breakfast is free but nothing special, with the exception of Texas-shape waffles. Franklin Barbecue is a short walk away.