Aside from being part of the Marriott family of brands, the Moxy and the Otis don't have much in common—except they're two of the most comfortable places to stay in walking distance of the University of Texas at Austin.
Both built after 2020, the hotels take inspiration from their Texas home, though they approach their experiences in radically different ways. Moxy has a quirky yet authentic personality, providing a casual, more communal experience that may appeal greatest to students and their friends. The Otis takes on a more refined approach, providing a higher-end local experience, though one with no shortage of music-inspired personality.
Below, we break down each component of the guest journey to help you decide which university favorite fits you best.
The Arrivals
Moxy
It starts with fun. Like many other Moxy hotels, guests are greeted with a free arrival drink from the bar. To settle in, there’s also a station for free water, coffee (in the morning), and lollipops.
Hotel team members are friendly and their personalities shine through. On a recent visit, the manager was wearing a Bachelorette “Final Rose Material” shirt under her blazer in honor of Valentine’s Day.
The Otis
Dressed in polished attire, the entire team exudes the professionalism you'd expect at a higher-end hotel like this one. At check-in, guests are told the sunrise and sunset times to know when to enjoy the rooftop views.
Afterwards, guests are invited to the vinyl collection to explore the 1,000 options for records. Vinyl ambassadors from UT Austin’s Butler School of Music share local favorites and a bit of history, while curating the perfect playlist for each guest’s music needs.
The Rooms
Moxy
On the walk over, custom carpets are full of funny sayings like, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life…but so was yesterday and look how that turned out.”
In the room itself, Texas-inspired bedding, chairs, and artwork make it feel like Austin. The bedside retro phone even offers bedtime stories. To make the space feel roomier without sacrificing affordability, the design is unlike other hotels. Rooms don’t have closets (instead, there’s storage under the bed and hangers on the wall), the sink is sometimes in the bedroom, and there is a pull-down wall desk.
The Otis
Beautifully designed, the rooms feel spacious and radiate simple, clean luxury. An espresso machine, activity guide, and custom artwork by UT students are the perfect touches to complement the picturesque views of the city.
Every guest room has a record player, which starts out with Texas singers Leon Bridges and Janis Joplin. Records can be changed throughout the stay, making it feel like a true home away from home for families.
The Restaurants
Moxy
There is one restaurant option: Zombie Taco. Open from 7am until midnight, the name is fitting. Favorites include the crispy fish taco, spicy brisket taco, or cinnamon churros. With an option to order from the street window, some students grab food to go and pay with their student ID. Others head inside with a couple of friends to hang out in a comfortable booth.
The Otis
Open for all-day dining, Acre 41 is directly connected to the lobby and serves steaks that are popular with hotel guests and locals alike. For simpler food, Burger Bar is a street-side option, and students can use their ID cards to enjoy a quick bite.
A few blocks away, after squeezing through a busy Chick-fil-A and Raising Cane’s, there's One MICHELIN Star Olamaie. Chefs Michael Fojtasek and Amanda Turner serve creative Southern cuisine in a 100-year-old renovated clapboard home with highlights like gumbo, chick pressé, and a buttermilk biscuit.
The Public Spaces
Moxy
The lobby is the heart of this Moxy. With games like Pac-Man and shuffleboard, it simply feels right for guests to gather.
At the center of the space, the check-in counter is directly connected to Bar Moxy. Students meet in the cafe area with their friends to do group projects or just chat. Business travelers and parents seamlessly fit right in, with some saying they feel happily reminded of their youth.
The playlist is a true millennial moment, with artists that meet generations in the middle (think: Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, and Jennifer Lopez). Texas imagery is everywhere, with armadillos wearing cowboy hats, “HOWDY” signs, longhorns, and everything in between.
In the evening, equipped with warm fire pits, the courtyard named Backyard turns into a multigenerational hangout where guests play ping pong, throw “axes,” and challenge each other to giant Jenga. Best saved for the next morning, it's also connected to the quirky gym that has quotes like, “Squats? I thought you said shots!”
The Otis
Guests can bar hop without ever leaving the hotel.
Starting with the most stunning one, the Otopia Rooftop offers breathtaking views of the university, including the UT Tower, football stadium, and business school. The space has a picturesque pool and a bar with plenty of food and drink options. In the wintertime, igloos with record players (and Christmas-themed music) add a special touch.
Moving downstairs to the second floor, Bar AC offers Spanish-inspired flavors with wraparound patio views. Next to the lobby, Acre 41 Bar rounds it out with a beautiful selection of gin.
The lobby feels professional. Many guests are here on business and waiting for their next meeting. The music is definitely not pop, with more of a Wild West feel nostalgic of earlier times. The hotel is quite large–other facilities include the rooftop gym with skyline views, and 18,000 square feet of conference and meeting space (again, with record players!).
The Locations
Both are near the heart of the university, each only a ten-minute walk from the UT Tower. On campus, some of the most exciting activities happen at the nearby Moody Center, from UT basketball games to big-name concerts (think: Madonna, George Strait, and Justin Bieber), which is fitting for the "Live Music Capital of the World."
The hotels offer quick access to Guadalupe Street next to campus, which is fondly nicknamed “The Drag” for its history of horse-drawn trolleys. Even though it’s a lively area, safety is a top priority. There are ample Austin police, UT police, and West Campus Ambassadors (a university-funded program that sends people to walk with anyone who calls).
Moxy
The hotel is on the north side of campus, directly on Guadalupe Street, which captures the vibe of the neighborhood. Next door, Hole In The Wall hosts live musicians every evening as part of its 50-year legacy in the city.
The Otis
Being near the south of campus, The Otis is noticeably closer to many prime attractions in Austin. It is blocks away from the Bullock Texas State History Museum and closer to Downtown Austin, including the Texas Capitol.
The Deals
Moxy
As one of the most affordable MICHELIN Guide hotels in Austin, rates often fall in the $100s and $200s.
Book Moxy Austin - University with The MICHELIN Guide →
The Otis
For its more luxurious experience, the price tends to be a bit higher, typically ranging from the $200s to $400s.
Book The Otis Hotel, Autograph Collection with The MICHELIN Guide →
