The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
701 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
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About
#33 of 242 hotels in Austin
Location
4.9
Cleanliness
4.8
Service
4.6
Value
4.2
Travelers' Choice
GreenLeaders Bronze level
Immerse yourself in Austin's history and charm amid the unbridled elegance of the The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel, located in the heart of The Live Music Capital of the World. Our Sonesta love of art comes to life in this splendid hotel - from our historic Art Deco façade and sophisticated décor to our carefully crafted cocktails and cuisine. Settle in to our beautifully appointed rooms and suites, and let our Texas hospitality wash over you.
Our two upscale-dining establishments add memorable flavors to your stay, as does our historic bar. Experience the Peloton Bike in our fitness center. Our 6,000 square feet of meeting and event space are all located on one level, adding convenience to your gathering of up to 400 attendees. And it's all centrally located at our Congress Avenue hotel in downtown Austin near famed attractions like Sixth Street and Rainey Street just to name a few.
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Property amenities
Paid private parking on-site
Wifi
Pool
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Business Center with Internet Access
Parking
Indoor pool
Heated pool
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Baggage storage
Concierge
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
ATM on site
Doorperson
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
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Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Room service
Safe
VIP room facilities
Iron
Flatscreen TV
On-demand movies
Room types
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Classic
Historic Hotel
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
100Great for walkers
Grade: 100 out of 100
160Restaurantswithin 0.3 miles
96Attractionswithin 0.3 miles
701 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Getting there
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1666Reviews14Q+A100Room tips
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Parking and the parking fees are REDICULOUS! Just know going in, if you are going to park here, it is $78.50 per night! Yes, that is accurate. $52 per night plus 3 different taxes per night. The hotel is old, no nightly housekeeping unless you specify that you want it (which is fine) but I am not sure what you're really getting for the cost. And the "resort" fees as well... The nickel and diming is crazy...
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Just be careful walking around with all the homeless nearby.
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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.
Helpful
Response from Rodney Hartfield, Guest Services / Front Office at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded 2 weeks ago
Thank you for your review and sharing your concern. Unfortunately it has gotten very expensive to operate a parking garage in downtown Austin. We apologize that you experienced that.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hotel's Favorite
The night concierge didn't not upgrade me when they had it available and was quite rude. She also refused to give me my free food and beverage that came with being a GOLD member on Expedia. The morning people checked my room for headphones and they went missing. I wasn't able to use my food or beverage and was still charged overall terrible experience, bc the bar was never available. Will not be staying here again.
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Date of stay: December 2022
Location
Cleanliness
Service
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.
Helpful
Response from Rodney Hartfield, Guest Services / Front Office at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded Dec 31, 2022
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback regarding your experience with The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta. Your comments are important to us, as they provide us an opportunity to better serve our guests. We deeply regret that your Expedia benefits were not delivered. We appreciate you sharing your experience.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
It was our first time staying at this hotel. The photos looked great, the location was perfect. After staying there, we were very disappointed. The nice parts of our visit were the helpful lady at check in, the very comfortable bed, and the location of the hotel. The valet upon arrival was rude, unhelpful and not the type of first impression that you hope for. Also, the bathroom ceiling above the shower had mold on it. We noticed this when we were rinsing our hair. That was really unsettling to see. Also, I wanted to soak in the tub, but there were lots of chips in the tub refinishing that poked my skin so it was not possible to enjoy a bath. I am concerned about other hotel guests and the potential environmental issues that they may experience with mold.
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
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.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Rodney Hartfield, Guest Services / Front Office at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded 2 weeks ago
Thank you for your Trip Advisor review. We are glad to hear that our location worked well for your visit to Austin. And thank you for acknowledging the helpful lady at check in. We are terribly sorry about the bathroom ceiling and we will have this addressed so no other guest has the same experience.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is a beautiful and classy hotel. We didn’t stay at the hotel but stopped after dinner for a drink and a cigar on the 2nd floor. Terrace. The bartending staff of Mark and Cody were amazing! Not only were they on top of everything, they were also very friendly and professional. We will def be coming back to see them next time we’re in Austin!
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Traveled on business
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.
Helpful
Response from Rodney Hartfield, Guest Services / Front Office at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded 4 weeks ago
Love it! Thank you for your great review. Our bar team are always coming up with creative new cocktails. Please come back and check out what's new.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed here for a wedding. We called in advance because we had to check in early so that we could make an event for the wedding and they told us that it would not be an issue. When we showed up, they told us that the room was available to check in but there was a $25/hour charge for every hour in advance of the check in time which ended up being $150. In addition, the front desk agent, by the name of Oscar, was very rude and condescending to us as well as the the guests behind us. I understand a hotel is a business and more money is better than less money but this seemed a bit excessive, not to mention, Oscar's hostility and condescending nature did not help. If you would like to stay at a hotel that has a good customer experience and tries to help their guests, make sure you find another hotel…
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: There is a $25/hour early check in fee. They do not tell you this in advance
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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.
Helpful
Response from Rodney Hartfield, Guest Services / Front Office at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded May 1, 2023
Hello ad1206. Your review is highly unusual for our property. We are extremely sorry that your trip was started off with someone that was not friendly and hospitable. We take a lot of pride in providing a luxury experience and treating our guest with utmost respect. Thank you for sharing your experience so we can seek out areas that need to be addressed and improved. Please let us know if you will be returning to Austin in the future, as we would love an opportunity to make it up to you.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Do not stay at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel, terrible! Old and dirty, the pullout bed mattress was stained and dirty as was the bathtub. The staff was nice, however would not waste my money to stay here again. I left a night early and stayed somewhere else, unfortunately the hotel refused to give me a refund for the second night. Don't waste your money!!!!!!
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
Location
Service
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.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Rodney Hartfield, Guest Services / Front Office at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded May 1, 2023
Thank you Dream523512 for sharing your experience. We apologize that your experience was not up to our normal high standards. We take a lot of pride in offering the cleanest rooms and the friendliest service. We strive to improve and we appreciate you sharing your concerns.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Very excellent service and friendly staff. Price are very reasonable and good.very professional service and friendly people.people are very great.people are very great and service is very amazing. Thanks for providing the good service.
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Date of stay: January 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.
Helpful
Response from Rodney Hartfield, Guest Services / Front Office at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded Feb 10, 2023
Thank you so much for your great review. We are very pleased that you had such a great experience staying with us. Our service is getting better everyday. Come back soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I stayed here for a weekend while attending Austin Film Festival. I signed up for the Sonesta travel pass before my trip and got an upgraded room at check in. It was clean, quiet, and comfortable. I just had to hop in the elevator to attend panels in the ballroom or assembly room. Plus, the hotel is next door to The Paramount and State theaters, which made seeing festival movies convenient. If you miss happy hour, the hotel restaurants are pricey. But Caroline, across the street, is very good. The room coffee and tea weren’t good—it could have been the coffee maker. Overall it was a pleasant stay with a friendly, helpful hotel staff.
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Date of stay: October 2022
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip: Sign up for Sonesta travel pass
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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.
Helpful
Response from Rodney Hartfield, Guest Services / Front Office at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded Nov 5, 2022
Thank you for your 5 Bubble review. We are pleased to hear that our location worked so well for attending the Austin Film Festival. And thank you for commenting on our staff being friendly and helpful. Hopefully we can make this a tradition and we will see you next year for the film festival.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I typically only write positive reviews, but my 4 night stay was so unpleasant I had to post. Room is beyond tired: pleather chair so cracked it would snag your clothes; tub finish so chipped we initially thought tub was dirty; dirty wall vents and cobwebs; thermostat didn't work; light bulbs burned out; bathroom light timer broken (so lights wouldn't stay on). In spite of many calls to front desk, no one came to fix anything. But the MOST problematic occurrence was cleaner leaving door open (as if to enter/exit room for service) but NO CLEANING STAFF on floor. So lucky nothing was stolen. We were part of a large group (over 20 rooms) attending a family wedding and many others had similar experience. If you want to stay near the capital building, suggest Aloft or Marriott (family members staying at these properties were happy). Asked to speak with manager - no call back. I had booked months ahead, and requested 3 rooms near each other on same floor (travelling with elderly parent). I called hotel 72 hours before arrival reminding my request for quiet rooms near each other. Given 4th floor rooms on opposite ends of floor, across from ice machine, and facing noisy bar (lots of street noise tile early hours). I could go on, but bottom line: book elsewhere.…
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Date of stay: October 2022
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.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Rodney Hartfield, Guest Services / Front Office at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded Nov 5, 2022
Dear kointo, We are truly sorry that you did not have and enjoyable stay with us. We strive to provide excellent service and clearly we let you down. We have a lot to learn from your review and we appreciate your time and detailed review. We hope that we can earn back your business in the future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The great thing about this hotel is that it's close to the capitol building and the bars on 6th Street. The bad thing is that it's close to the capitol building and the bars on 6th Street. I was accosted several times walking from the hotel to the convention center by homeless crackheads on the street, which impacted the overall comfort of my stay. That is not the fault of the hotel, but the hotel itself is very nice along with the staff. The Roaring Fork is located in the hotel lobby, which was very convenient. I was not sure about the housekeeping service as it seemed to be hit or miss with no pattern. Most hotels have bottled water in the room upon arrival. That was not a big deal breaker as there was water in the lobby, but it's a nice touch that is missed when not present. The biggest deal breakers at this hotel: The coffee in the room was absolute &*%$. Having the little coffee machine in the room was sooooo promising...until that first sip. I could not even drink it. I spat it out, and I have a high tolerance for &*%^ coffee. For business travelers, IT IS ALL ABOUT THE COFFEE. Also, one could not open the windows for fresh air (at least in my room). We were at the mercy of the recirculated HVAC air. Fortunately, we had control of the thermostat. The bed was COMFORTABLE, which is always the most important. Bottom Line: I would stay here again. Thankfully, there is a quality coffee shop across the street. You may have to step over a few homeless crackheads either begging your for money or screaming at you in the early morning while you don your pajamas because you had to leave the hotel to get a brew you could actually drink.…
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Traveled on business
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: You will either face a noisy street, or look over an ugly rooftop with HVAC equipment. Pick your...
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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.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Rodney Hartfield, Guest Services / Front Office at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded Oct 23, 2022
Thank you William TheSilent for your detailed review. We are pleased that you enjoyed our bed, location, Roaring Fork and found our staff nice. Thank you for expressing your opinion on the in room coffee, we are due for a much better quality and are addressing that issue. We appreciate your business and your time. We hope you can get to stay with us again in the near future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PRICE RANGE
$208 - $286 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
intercontinental stephen f. austin hotel austin, intercontinental austin
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin
LOCATION
United StatesTexasAustinDowntown
NUMBER OF ROOMS
190
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Claim Your ListingTHE STEPHEN F AUSTIN ROYAL SONESTA HOTEL $191 ($̶2̶3̶9̶) - Updated 2023 Prices & Reviews - TX
Frequently Asked Questions about The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Bad Wolf Ghost Tours (0.09 miles), Pete's Dueling Piano Bar (0.3 miles), and The Driskill (0.07 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an indoor pool, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel?
Yes, paid private parking on-site and paid private parking nearby are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Azul Rooftop, Stella San Jac, and Eddie V's Prime Seafood.
Are there opportunities to exercise at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel?
Yes, guests have access to an indoor pool and a fitness center during their stay.
Is The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.1 miles away from the center of Austin.
Are any cleaning services offered at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Are pets allowed at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Does The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business center, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.