This hotel was clean and easily accessed. The room (or rather suite) had a comfortable bed, a clean bathroom (with great shower water pressure), a kitchenette well stocked with clean pots, pans, dishes, silverware, and glasses, a full refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, electric stovetop, and two televisions with many assorted chairs and sofas. For the most part, a small family could live in this place like it was an apartment! Also, the hotel was easy to access in and out and was located within a mile of many supermarkets and stores. Whole Foods (located a 1/2 mile away) came in handy, as did a Home Depot up the road a mile.

All in all one couldn't ask for more. If you're in Austin for more than a couple nights, stay here-- and cook your dinner at home!

The Staybridge is just as great as the reviews say. Not a thing to complain about. A bonus was that the location is far more convenient than we thought (and we’re longtime former Austin residents). Being at the junction of 360, 183 and Mopac, it was a breeze to head for any part of Austin (awful Austin traffic notwithstanding). We stayed at the Townlake Hyatt on previous visits, and it was so much nicer to not be mired in the downtown chaos for a home base. Another bonus was the 24-hour mini-store at the front desk, providing just about any emergency item you could need, including frozen dinners. Whole Foods (groceries) is only a block away, as well as the excellent Taco Cabana (an Austin tradition). And drive straight out of the Staybridge driveway down Great Hills Trail a few blocks to Pok-E-Joe’s for some of the best BBQ I’ve EVER had, spanning 30 years of living in and visiting Texas (a friend’s dining tip, this visit, for which I’ll be eternally grateful). Whenever we go back to Austin now, we have one less big decision to make – where to stay… it’ll be the Staybridge.

I just spent a long weekend enjoying my stay at the No. 1 ranked hotel in Austin. A last minute check of rates allowed me to cancel my direct reservation with Staybridge and rebook through Orbitz saving $32/night. At $116/night, this was a real bargain. I turned down a waitlist call from the trendy San Jose Hotel on Congress downtown. Their $260/night rate was NO bargain.

I won’t repeat others’ positive comments…’all well founded, but I will relate a pleasant time each morning during breakfast on the patio. The free breakfast buffet was more than adequate. I went for the hot selections of sausage and eggs with a do-it-yourself homemade waffle. I chose to sit on the patio with other guests overlooking the pool and homey landscaping. The birds and tree frogs provided the country sounds…’hard to imagine the freeway was just a couple blocks away.

I watched as the pool attendant…a hotel employee…meticulously cleaned the already spotless pool. I had enjoyed swimming the day before. There was a hamper full of fresh towels late in the day…somebody was paying attention. After he finished the pool, he wiped-down each lounge and every chair, moving from table to table making sure the area was ready for the day’s guests. This impressed me. One expects the bathroom to be spotless and bedding perfect, but Staybridge takes the idea to a new level.

Attention to detail is what sets this hotel apart. The Staybridge may not be the trendy San Jose Hotel on Congress or the historic Driskill Hotel on Sixth, but it reigns as No. 1 in Austin.

This hotel wasn't cheap - we paid $125/night(which actually isn't too bad for Austin) for a 1-bedroom suite, but we also received a lot of value.

Pluses:

* Full suite with full size refrigerator, microwave, stove, and full size dishwasher.
* Clean throughout the hotel. Didn't smell any of the perfumes or deodorizers other hotels use to mask odors.
* Convenient location near the arboretum. Less than a mile, but in a quiet area. Restaurants next door.
* Comfortable beds and pillows.
* Good A/C
* TV had pretty good channel selection including 3 Showtime channels.
* Free full breakfast. Hot items were average quality. Nice sitting area.
* Nicely landscaped area behind the hotel with a small pool.
* Personable service. I actually had two people work on our check-in!
* Free Internet!!!!!!!! Wireless worked pretty good in the room.
* Free parking
* With everything included there were no surprises when I got the bill. Just the room rate and the tax. I really like this because too many hotels hide behind additional charges so that there rate looks better when you book the room. Then when you finally get the bill, you hit the roof.

Minuses:

* Sofa and chair were not very comfortable.
* Tiny shampoo bottle - enough for 1 or 2 uses, not a family of 4.
* Small 24-hour gift shop/market. All the necessaries, but slim pickens.
* 1 elevator which worked fine, but if it's broken, it would be a hassle to walk up to the 3rd or 4th floors.
* They do have an outside company providing room service, but it's mainly breakfast and sandwiches, burgers, or pizza. Not much other choice for dinner.

Still, these complaints are minor and my overall impression is very positive towards the hotel. I will visit again next time I'm in the area.