Best Hotels near St. Edward's University

The Four Seasons brand prides itself on luxury, and this property is no exception. Sitting on the northern shore of Lady Bird Lake (just a block or so from the Austin Convention Center), the Four Seasons Hotel Austin earns rave reviews from travelers thanks to its sumptuous atmosphere and extremely friendly service staff. The accommodations also garner praise: Rooms are decorated in neutral tones and feature cozy furniture, down bedding, flat-screen TVs, L'Occitane bath products and Internet access. Some previous visitors recommend splurging on a balcony room for excellent views of either the lake or downtown Austin. Or, you can save your money for an elegant Ciclo restaurant dinner or a massage at the spa. You'll find excellent vistas from the windows of the deck of Live Oak or the lounge chairs by the outdoor, heated saltwater pool, and you won't have to pay extra for them.

The JW Marriott Austin impresses travelers with its beauty, accommodating staff members and location. Set in the heart of downtown Austin, the hotel puts guests within walking distance of the ever-lively Sixth Street, the Austin Convention Center, the State Capitol building and the Mexic-Arte Museum. This massive JW Marriott has 1,012 rooms and suites, all of which come with work desks with ergonomic chairs, 48-inch LED smart TVs, coffeemakers and Wi-Fi access (for a fee). Marriott rewards program members can offset costs by using points to cover their stays. All guests have access to the property's ample facilities, which include a fitness center, a 24-hour business center and an outdoor rooftop pool surrounded by lounge chairs. When it comes to dining, the JW Marriott is home to an Italian eatery, a Texas-focused restaurant, a burger shop, a Starbucks and a couple bars. Keep in mind that Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and redeem points by choosing to stay here.

Surrounded by some of Austin's favorite entertainment joints and within walking distance of major attractions like the Austin Bats and Zilker Park, The W Austin puts you at the epicenter of the action. Its ultra-chic design may seem somewhat out of place in this funky city, but recent guests said that the guest rooms and amenities live up to the W's reputation. The hotel did infuse a hint of the city's "weird" culture into the decor: Rooms feature throw pillows with brightly stitched designs, offsetting the serene blue hues that envelop the space. Like Austin itself, the W Austin earns high praise from recent guests for its friendly, fun atmosphere, claiming that they felt extremely welcome here. And they're not the only ones: The hotel's Pets Are Welcome (P.A.W.) program makes sure that even the four-legged members of your party are well cared for. Because W Hotels are part of the Marriott hotel family, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and use points here.

Resting serenely on the shores of Lady Bird Lake (across the Congress Avenue Bridge from downtown Austin), the Hyatt Regency Austin is a great choice for families and outdoorsy travelers. Its location garners rave reviews since Sixth Street, Zilker Park and the Austin Bats are just a stone's throw away. Meanwhile, recent guests enjoyed activites on the lake thanks to the Hyatt's boat tours and dinner cruises. Back at the hotel, the location is also convenient for business travelers and small conferences. Though recent visitors say the rooms are comfortable and full of amenities like flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, guests mention that the lodging is beginning to show signs of age. Some visitors also complain of noise traveling easily due to the Hyatt's atrium-centric layout. But recent guests do note that the customer service here is top-notch, and the Marker 10 restaurant hits the spot with its sushi bar and live music. Because this is a Hyatt hotel, Gold Passport loyalty club members can earn and redeem points here.

This boutique Austin hotel boasts a blend of industrial and rustic interiors. Think: wooden floors, mismatched furniture, steel accents and a color scheme of rich brown, dark charcoal, smooth cream and crisp white. Inside the rooms, you'll find hardwood floors, custom furniture, free Wi-Fi access, LED TVs and minibars. The decor was a plus for some travelers and a negative for others, who said they weren't fans of the darker interiors and insufficient lighting. (However, all guests agreed that the hotel staff went above and beyond.) Accommodations offer views of either the interior courtyard, the surrounding neighborhood, the pool or South Congress Avenue. If you upgrade to a suite, you'll enjoy a furnished balcony. You can also schedule an in-room spa treatment or head to tenoverten nail salon for a manicure and pedicure. South Congress Hotel is also home to a rooftop pool (with cushioned lounge chairs), a juice and coffee bar, a 24-hour gym and three eateries. Café No Sé serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch; Central Standard dishes out classic American fare like burgers, steak and seafood; and Otoko is the exclusive 12-seat sushi and kaiseki bar (spots to dine here must be reserved well in advance).