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Cheaper
Average
Higher
About
4.5
#4 of 237 hotels in Austin
Location
4.8
Cleanliness
4.6
Service
4.3
Value
3.8
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The Hotel San Jose is located on South Congress Avenue, a few blocks south of where the Colorado River runs through downtown Austin. Originally built in 1939 as an "ultramodern motor court," the San Jose has since been transformed into a secluded urban bungalow-style hotel in the heart of one of the city's most beloved neighborhoods.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Quaint
Trendy
Languages Spoken
English
Location
1316 S Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704-2433
Hotel San Jose
537 reviews
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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Hotel San Jose enjoys acclaim for its trendy atmosphere and stylish, comfortable rooms infused with local charm. Nestled in a prime spot, the hotel offers easy access to nearby dining and attractions, earning praise for its location. Cleanliness is a highlight, with the property and rooms well-kept and inviting.
The staff's warm and attentive service adds to the hotel's appeal, although opinions on value vary with some guests finding it pricey. The amenities, including the inviting courtyard, contribute to the hotel's popularity among travelers.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Chic
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Well-appointed
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The location is great – in the heart of South Congress easily accessible to all the restaurants, shops and nightlife the area has to offer. The property is lovely with a beautiful garden courtyard to get away from the hustle and bustle of the street and enjoy your Joe’s coffee, a small and cozy pool area and several little seating areas tucked away with the rooms.
The bungalow style rooms are charming, the rooms are clean and modern, the amenities are luxe, but the noise is a real thing. I was in a second floor room, away from the noise of the street, but could hear everything going on in the rooms next door to me. There may be rooms that have better acoustics, if this is a concern for you, I would ask about it.
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Date of stay: April 2021
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Traveled on business
Room Tip:Book a room off South Congress
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We picked this hotel for its location as it was so close to many of the bars and restaurants we wanted to visit while in Austin. After staying in Dallas and Houston, where we relied on cars to get around, it was so nice to be able to go out in the evening and walk to have dinner or drinks. Our room was quite basic but because we were so busy in Austin and out for most of the day - and evening - we didn't spend a whole lot of time in the room so it didn't matter too much and I think this is definitely the kind of hotel which you use as a base to explore the surrounding neighbourhood or spend time in the social areas of the hotel.
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Date of stay: September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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I was fortunate enough to be booked at the Hotel San Jose for a singing competition that I won to be the opening act (for Lurleen Ladd) at an Austin Club (Parker Jazz Club). Traveling Solo, I did not know what to expect or where I would be staying. Alas, I arrived at the Hotel San Jose and was greeted by the warmest and most informative employees who immediately made me feel at home and comfortable. The hotel was beautiful with a coffee to cocktails bar open 8 to 10 every day, free coffee and a unique shop - From the check-in desk to the bar through to the outside courtyard with tables, it was just beautifully arranged and landscaped and obviously popular! My room on the first floor with a gate and my own patio was just perfect. A petite suite that was efficient and beautiful from the soaps to the linens and the bed, it was truly a wonderful place to stay. In addition to the perfect accommodations, it was the absolute perfect location on Congress, which is a vintage, cool, neon, OMG so fun part of town. This area must represent the best of Austin and what the Austin Vibe is all about! I was also welcome to there other sister locations and cafes on the same street. I can't say enough about this hotel. I simply loved it. I am looking forward to returning to Austin and definitely returning to the Hotel San Jose!
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Date of stay: December 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip:Yes - Stay here! It is the absolute best place to stay in Austin Texas!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rheanna Gonzales, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel San Jose
Responded Dec 16, 2022
It was such a blast to have you here with us! Thank you for your kind words about the staff, the property, the accommodations, and the location--we're so happy to hear you loved Hotel San Jose as much as we do! Until next time!
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This is a cool looking place in a cool neighborhood but that's where it ends. It's double the price of a 4* hotel (this is only 2*), the rooms are noisey, basic and bright (no curtains just privacy/half light shades) and full of mosquitos. If you like hip, can sleep anywhere and like wasting your money, then this is an excellent choice.
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Date of stay: August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I hate giving this charming hotel an "average" rating. Maybe when it was first built many years ago, Congress was a quieter street. But it's VERY loud staying here and we cut our stay early (I paid in advance for our stay so we just left and moved over to a different hotel). Our room had a glass door which certainly didn't help. It was also located right on the outdoor lounge which plays music until 10pm and then rearranges the chairs (dragging them) and cleaning up. I needed to get to sleep early due to jet lag (and a mtg the next day) and it was impossible even with my sound machine. If you are a young hipster and don't care about the above, it's great. But the sleep quality just wasn't there, which, for me, was a deal breaker. Especially for the price. My partner felt the same way, unfortunately.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Emma Herbst, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel San Jose
Responded Oct 30, 2023
Hello! Thank you so much for taking the time to share about your stay at Hotel San Jose! I'm sorry to hear that you didn't find your room comfortable! Our property was built nearly 100 years ago, so you’re correct in thinking that it has been around far longer than some of our newer neighbors. A feature of a historic property is that each of our rooms have their own personality and quirks. Our goal is to accurately match any given guest to a room that compliments their needs and expectations– we never want a guest to depart early as a result of a bad room fit! From what I can gather from the specifics of your review, I believe you stayed in one of Grand Standards that is uniquely situated on and accessed through our Lounge Courtyard. While a part of a general room type that we offer, room 44 is a one-of-a-kind room that is wholly unlike any other room at Hotel San Jose and one of our absolute favorites. That being said, its unique location can present its own problems, given its proximity to a public area. We’re so sorry to hear that it did not meet your needs and disrupted your sleep. May I suggest either a Petite Suite or a Grand Suite on your next visit? These two room types, especially our Grand Suite, are much quieter than some of the other rooms on site and might better suit your needs. While typically more expensive than our Standards and Grand Standards, it would be my absolute pleasure to match the rate of our Standard with a complementary upgrade into one of our quieter suites. Please know that our 24-hour desk is always available to help out in the moment with any concerns--we would have loved to explore other options with you while you were on property to ensure your time with us had been as comfortable as possible! We'd love to welcome you back for a second try at a different room type if you're ever looking to head back our direction. I would love to speak with you about your experience and explore further resolutions over email– my personal work email is emma.herbst@bunkhousegroup.com. I look forward to hearing from you! Best, Emma Herbst Front Desk Manager at Hotel San Jose
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Impeccable service from check-in to check-out, with helpful front desk staff and the best bartender, Tiffany, who made us a DELICIOUS spicy margarita that was waiting for us upon arrival! The room (and patio!) was beautiful and spacious, with a cool Austin vibe that felt so luxurious. The soaps in the shower smelled so good that my only regret the whole stay is not buying them! The location was unbelievable—we walked to cool shops, had lunch, and then came back to the hotel to cool off and swim in the pool before our dinner reservation, which was also within walking distance. Our stay was a memory we will cherish! We will definitely be back!
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Date of stay: July 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Emma Herbst, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel San Jose
Responded Jul 26, 2024
McKinley! It was such a treat to get to host y'all-- welcome to the San Jose family! Tiffany is a sweetheart and we are so lucky to have her. I'll make sure she catches word of your kind feedback. Know that there is always a place for y'all at Hotel San Jose and we look forward to making some future memories with y'all. Thank you, again! Emma Herbst Front Desk Manager at Hotel San Jose
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My wife and I have been stay-cationing here since they opened. We absolutely love this hotel and the atmosphere. We recently stayed for our 20th wedding anniversary and were looking forward to it. After we checked in and they showed us to our room they informed us that there was a dance party next to the pool. Our room faced the pool and one the DJ started the music we realized it would not be the peaceful evening we had hoped for. I spoke to the manager, Emma, and she offered two other options for. My wife is handicap and Emma was worried the quieter option would be less accessable, I informed her it was perfect. We moved and enjoyed our time. Thank you Emma!
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rheanna Gonzales, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel San Jose
Responded Jun 30, 2023
Darby, so many things to thank you for--having us be a part of your escapes for so many years, choosing us to celebrate such an incredible anniversary, your flexibility, and your kind words about Emma! We can't wait to welcome you back again for many more years to come.
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Hotel San Jose may be my favorite place to stay whenever I go into Austin. Even though it’s on the busy street of South Congress the rooms feel tucked away and very cozy. The rooms I have stayed in are simple and comfortable. Perfect for the kind of person that doesn’t spend too much time in the room and more time out and about. The landscaping is wonderful and the shade from the trees is appreciated in the summer time. Love this hotel so much it really is a gem.
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rheanna Gonzales, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel San Jose
Responded Jul 20, 2023
Mac, we so appreciate you taking the time to share about your experiences at Hotel San Jose! It's such a pleasure to know you've enjoyed our oasis on South Congress for so many years. We can't wait to welcome you back for many more.
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Nestled in the heart of bustling trendy South Congress, is Hotel San Jose. You need to take a moment to imagine the hectic outside to appreciate the near instant zen you will experience when you step inside the massive perimeter fence of Hotel Sqn Jose. Once inside the courtyard your senses will delight in the crunch of decomposed granite underfoot, the well composed landscape and the quiet hum of strangers now friends lounging under the oak canopy of the center gathering courtyard (if your lucky on a perfect weather evening you may catch the sounds of local musicians strumming, this is Austin after all). As a luxury international and relocation real estate professional, my clients look to me for guidance on where to go, stay and eat while learning their new city (or trying it out) - Hotel San Jose is my go to for Austin. Beyond the fun retro style of the building and grounds, the staff is consistently welcoming and quick to offer help or guidance when called for. Fresh coffee at the ready in the morning is a luxury treat. Or step across to Jo's coffee (an Instagram worthy spot of its own) and order a latte charged to your room. No card required. It's the attention to detail that takes experience next level. Old brass room keys, scrumptious bathrobes, comfy beds and cool high thread count sheets to name a few. And when you are rested and ready for a bit of Austin night life- simply step outside the "secret garden" fence. Food, live music and shopping are just short steps away. If you are a traditional minded tourist, ie Holiday Inn is your jam, this is not the place for you.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip:A great rate Austin perk: parking on site included w room.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rheanna Gonzales, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel San Jose
Responded Feb 28, 2023
Thank you, thank you, Bess, for your generous and kind words about Hotel San Jose. It's fabulous to know that some of your favorite things are also ours--the feeling of serenity within our grounds, the little details, the comfy beds, and our incredible neighborhood. We look forward hosting you and your clients for many more years!
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We have stayed here at least once a year for about 10 years. Each time the hotel is staffed by friendly and helpful people at reception, the bar and elsewhere, and proves its place as one of the best in Austin. It’s a lovely compound, providing a nice refuge from the rest of the busy SoCo scene.
About the rooms - there are larger setups in the central courtyard building. Those facing the outdoor bar seating and pool are larger and livelier, with secluded or private patio areas. In the back of the building, the rooms are quieter and smaller with shared outdoor spaces, some accessed up stairs in the second floor. The bar has delicious snacks, and you might come home one night to find some on a tray in your room, with a carafe of filtered water (important for rehydration after the nightlife of Austin).
The rows of rooms built from the old motor court motel that was the basis for the Hotel San Jose get progressively more secluded as you move farther from the central core of the complex. They are a bit larger, and some offer private or shared patio spaces. I loved the room I stayed in May 2023 - it featured a large sitting area with daybed that looked into the sleeping area in the back.
The mini bar is a treasure chest of local waters, snacks and beverages. The gift shop (like those at other Bunkhouse properties - I’m looking at you, Hotel Magdalena, which is a block away) have interesting and worthwhile discoveries.
Jo’s, the coffee shop in the parking lot, is where I start each day. There are people that have worked there for years, and they are kind, the coffee is fantastic, and the breakfast tacos that show up around 8am each morning are great. Get there early, and you’ll see the locals, and their friendly dogs, and will probably see groups of friends jogging or riding bikes along Congress.
I do love the Hotel San Jose, and can’t wait to stay there again. And they’re dog friendly!
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Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Rooms overlooking the courtyard can have more noise when the weather is nice. Ask for one farther...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Emma Herbst, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel San Jose
Responded May 6, 2024
Mark- What a flattering and thorough review from your stay! I'm so happy that y'all got to enjoy another stay with us and have continued to enjoy yourselves over this past decade-- South Congress is always changing and offers something new at every turn but I'm touched to know that y'all have taken this journey with us. We'll be sure to get you into a room similar to the one y'all enjoyed back in May of last year (or, should you be interested in exploring further options, we're more than happy to offer you a glimpse into those rooms as well)! I'll be sure to let the rest of our staff (and our resident Jo's dogs) know of you kind praise-- we truly are so lucky to have guests such as yourself. Don't be a stranger and we look forward to seeing y'all in May of 2025, if not sooner. Warmly, Emma Herbst Front Desk Manager & the rest of your friends at Team San Jose
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Hello,
Thank you for your interest in Hotel San Jose. We do welcome dogs of all sizes. They are $10/night per dog and we love our four-legged friends.
The vine growing on the outside of the building is called Fig Ivy.
Hope this helps and we see you in the future!
Kindest Regards,
Meghan Hughes, GM
Our beds are queen sized pillow-top mattresses with custom sheets and down alternative pillows.
We believe they are very comfortable and are range from medium to firm in support. Please let us know if you have more questions regarding our property. You can always reach out to me directly.
Kindest Regards,
Meghan Hughes
GM
There are more places to choose from in the Austin area.
PRICE RANGE
$233 - $370 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
san jose austin, hotel san jose austin, san jose hotel austin
LOCATION
United StatesTexasAustinSouth Austin
NUMBER OF ROOMS
40
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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