The hotels in downtown are not in my budget and I'd prefer a 4 star hotel. What is the next best and closest area near downtown, 6th street? We are driving from Houston so transportation is not an issue. Also, how is parking in downtown?
I'm a big fan of Priceline and Hotwire especially if exact location is not a problem - usually get 4-star at a reasonable price.
Parking downtown is a challenge to say the least. There are some surface lots, and parking garages, but parking rates have skyrocketed in the last few years. Expect to pay at least $10 - $15 to park downtown a weekend night. Staying downtown and being within walking distance to the bars, clubs, music venues, and restaurants is really your best bet. As Octoboy noted, you could use Priceline or Hotwire, or some other opaque site to get a four star downtown for less. Most of the nicer hotels are downtown, so if you stay outside of the downtown area to get a lower rate, you are going to be a not as nice hotel. There is a new-ish Westin at the Domain, that may be four star, or close. The Domain is good for shopping and there are some nice restaurants there, but it's not very Austin-y, and you'll have to drive to get downtown.
Thanks for your post! I just won a bid on Priceline at the Radisson in Downtown for $115/night. I wasn't able to get 4 stars, but 3 1/2 will do.
tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g30196-d217734-…
this is what you are looking for on Congress on 7th, one block from 6th street. We pricelined it for $90.00.
mk
