The MICHELIN Guide just arrived in Texas—now is the time to eat your way through the city. The capital of America's second-largest state, Austin has a feel that's completely unique in the South. It has the barbecue, yes, but also a musical reputation that's earned it the nickname the "Live Music Capital of the World"—think South by Southwest, Austin City Limits and endless local venues—as well as a booming tech scene that keeps it busy with business travel and a cultural history defined by the motto, "Keep Austin Weird."
Below, our hotel guide to the city—for every type of traveler.
Where to Stay:.
- South Congress (SoCo): The city's most iconic district has some of our favorite stays, hotels as eccentric and personality-forward as SoCo itself.
- Downtown: Befitting the business district, a crop of luxury boutiques that feel more grown-up, though they're not without their own personality.
- And beyond: A great mix of styles and vibes, with less tourists.
What to Look For:
- Music perks: Hotels offer live performances and other musical tie-ins, particularly during South by Southwest (March) and Austin City Limits (October).
- Restaurants: Four of our Austin hotels also feature MICHELIN-selected restaurants.
Who You Are & What You’ll Spend:
- Family? Couple? Longhorn? See the top picks.
- Something more affordable or a hotel for a splurge? The breakdown.
South Congress: The Extremely Austin and Delightfully Weird
Quirky, artsy, and alfresco: these hotels aren’t just essential Austin because they’re in the city’s most must-visit neighborhood—although that’s certainly part of their appeal. Each one, in its own way, is a little tribute to the spirit of Austin—the wonderful, whimsical, and weird. Read more.
Sometimes you’re just looking for an upscale hotel with a pool, a bar, and a gym. These deliver, with an air of refined boutique luxury on top of the basics. Read more.
MICHELIN Hotels with MICHELIN Restaurants
In 2024, the MICHELIN Guide launched its Austin restaurant selection. Three of its picks are in MICHELIN-selected hotels—Lutie’s in Commodore Perry Estate, Maie Day in the South Congress Hotel, and Garrison in the Fairmont Austin—combining top-notch stays with destination-worthy restaurants.
The Live Music Capital of (the Hotel) World
The hottest hotels in Austin embrace the music. Places like the Austin Proper, the Carpenter, and the Thompson offer perks ranging from their own official South by Southwest concerts, to VIP tables at blue's clubs, to in-room record players. See more.
Family, Couple, or College?
Families:
Many of the hotels in the Downtown business district suit families who appreciate a nice breakfast, a pool, and fine service. Try the Fairmont Austin Gold Experience, for one, for an elevated experience with all the resources (and many dining and entertainment options) of the city's largest hotel. For those with grown-up children, the Frame Hotel (adults-only) is a cozy favorite for family reunions.Couples:
Try one of Austin's most exclusive retreats, the ones that reserve their spaces just for guests. The Commodore Perry Estate, with its sprawling, Italianate gardens, is Southern romance defined. The Heywood Hotel, a tiny hotel made from the owner's old home, is another cozy, Key getaway.Visitors to UT Austin:
Parents' weekend? Go with the Otis. Gen Z visiting a friend? Try the Moxy. Both hotels are just by campus, but offer two very different aesthetics. Dive into our side-by-side comparison, here.What's Your Budget?
More Affordable
Our most consistently affordable hotel in the city is the Moxy, just next to the University of Austin Texas and part of a youth-forward brand, complete with backyard courtyard and burger bar. For something a little more upscale, the Arrive is Austin's most affordable MICHELIN Key Hotel. Explore the experience with a MICHELIN writer, here.
More of a Splurge
Our Inspectors gave more than a single Key to only one hotel in Austin: making the Commodore Perry Estate our official top pick for the city. With on-site MICHELIN restaurant, it's our pick for a splurge, staycation, or long meditation in the gardens. Go inside with one Inspector's in-depth diary of their stay.
Great Hotels in Austin's 'Other' Neighborhoods
