30th
My boilerplate SXSWi hotel recommendations
‘Tis the season, and it seems that everyone wakes up on 12/1 and realizes that they’re about to get screwed on SXSWi hotels. Which they are, hehe.
First —SXSW isn’t lying to you about the housing desk — it really is great and it really does work. I’d mostly recommend calling them first.
That said, everyone wants “inside intel” of which, in truth, there is very little, but alas! Nearest to the convention center are the downtown versions of:
- Hilton ($$$)
- Hampton Inn ($$)
- Mariott ($$)
All three are roughly equivalent.
Also in the neighborhood but within walking distance are: LaQuinta ($$), Radisson ($$), Omni ($$$), Four Seasons ($$$$), Intercontinental ($$$$) and the Driskill ($$$$). I’m probably missing a few too.
For some hip + authentic Austin fare (each a $5-7 cab ride away), I’d recommend….
Our good friend BJ’s VerdeCamp ($$):
http://www.verdecamp.com
And the Hotel San Jose ($$):
http://www.sanjosehotel.com/
And the Austin Motel ($$):
http://austinmotel.com/
And the Kimber Modern ($$$):
http://www.kimbermodern.com/
And if you’re looking for something a little more tucked away and neighborhood-y ($10-12 cab ride):
Adams House ($$):
http://www.theadamshouse.com/
Mansion at Judge’s Hill ($$):
http://www.mansionatjudgeshill.com/
And if you have too much money on your hands and want to feel like a rockstar:
http://www.hotelstcecilia.com/
One last recommendation would be UT’s Executive Education Center — it’s on campus, close to downtown, and of excellent quality. Only downside is that it is a little corporate.
Finally, the new W is under construction and they originally claimed that they’d be operational by this week, but they’re not even close and will be lucky if they’re ready by SXSWi. But, it’s conceivably an option…
No matter what, rates are inflated during SXSWi — so be prepared and book as soon as possible — it will get very hard to find a room in 2010.
Hope this helps!
PS — $$ estimates are graded on a curve — ALL hotels during SXSWi are more than any human can afford.
PPS — At least half of the aforementioned venues are likely sold out by the time you read this. Hence why the housing desk is a good first call.
Austinites — what am I missing?
