The best budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation in Austin, Texas for the 2024 United States Grand Prix on October 18-20
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Austin is a great place to visit any time of the year and due to the massive popularity of the SXSW Festival each spring, the city has plenty of accommodation at all price ranges. Hotels, motels and apartments for rent are scattered throughout the city. There is some accommodation close to the Circuit of The Americas, which is just outside of Austin, but unless you have a car, we recommended staying in downtown Austin, where public transportation is more widely available and the off-track atmosphere is better. In addition to traditional hotel options, Airbnb is popular in Austin, though the local authorities are trying to crack down on the service. As always, you will encounter higher rates on Grand Prix weekend.
Where to Stay Near Circuit of The Americas
With Circuit of The Americas (COTA) having been located in order to take full advantage of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, it makes sense to look at airport hotels if you’re early enough to book that you can beat the teams and F1 media to it. Be aware: on race week, these rooms will be all booked up, so check early and check often when it comes to looking for good rates.
The Hyatt Place Austin Airport won’t come cheap during Grand Prix week, but it’s just a short walk from the terminal, and only 15 minutes’ drive from the track, making it a prime location for anyone staying in Austin solely for the racing. There is also a complimentary airport shuttle available. The hotel features a swimming pool and fitness center. Also with a free shuttle, but boasting gourmet dining within, is the Hilton Austin Airport, which is right next to the Hyatt, and again is a quick drive from the circuit. Rooms in the Hilton cost a little more, but as you’d expect with this chain, you’re paying for quality and a certain level of service.
Where to Stay in Downtown Austin
There is plenty to see and do in the heart of any city, and Austin is a thriving, growing, multicultural place, where you will find lots to do whether there is a Grand Prix on or not. That’s why we think you will enjoy spending time in Downtown Austin. The shuttle point for Downtown is Waterloo Park, and so we’ve focused our prime hotels on the area close to there.
One of the closest hotels to Waterloo Park is La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Austin Capitol / Downtown, which is across the road from another major city landmark, the Capitol Building. It’s a mid–priced option, which offers an outdoor swimming pool, and a well-appointed fitness center.
Over on the other side of Waterloo Park, and just a couple of minutes’ walk from the shuttle stop, is the luxurious Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol, which not only has a superb downtown location, close to all the Austin nightlife, but also has a southwestern-style restaurant, The Yard, if you choose to dine in. The Sheraton is in the Red River Cultural District, one of the best places to base yourself, with a host of concerts taking place every weekend, along with every kind of restaurant, allowing you to find out why Austin is so proud of its food scene.
Perhaps the main nightlife location in Austin is 6th Street, and it would practically be a crime to miss out on the entertainment it provides, even if you’re mostly in the city for the Grand Prix! The Hilton Austin provides superb accommodation right on east 6th Street, where many of the best and liveliest bars and restaurants are situated. For a less costly option that still offers considerable comforts, try the East Austin Hotel, situated on the other side of the Monarch Highway, but still close enough to the center of the city that you could walk there.
Where to Stay in North East Austin
To the north east there are plenty of accommodation options. As the shuttle buses for that area of the city go to COTA from the Travis County Exposition Center, we have tried to focus on hotels that are within a short journey of there. One good option, in the new Miller development, is the Origin Austin, a Wyndham Hotel. This accommodation offers free bike hire, and concierge service, and impressive design touches throughout.
Another mid-priced option that comes with the backing of a multinational chain is the Residence Inn by Marriott Austin – University Area, which, like the Origin, is 15 minutes’ drive from the shuttle site, and which puts you right in the middle of the University of Texas site, a quick walk from the center of Austin.
Austin is a startup and technology hub, and so every year the city is a hive of discussion on the latest tech trends at South by South West. As such, Tech Ridge is a new and growing development, and hotels serve it, many of which are within easy access of the Travis County Expo Center shuttle. If you’re happy to look at apartment-hotels, and self-cater, TownePlace Suites by Marriott Austin Parmer/Tech Ridge provides spotless new rooms, swimming pools, barbeque facilities and a breakfast buffet.
Where to Stay in South West Austin
If you’re staying on the south-west of the city, you may be away from the thriving nightlife of downtown and the university district, but there are perks of being where you are; the area is home to Barton Creek Wilderness Park, which is a seemingly endless expanse of unspoilt nature right next to the city, and one of its main attractions, Twin Falls. By staying here, you’re able to get the shuttle to COTA from the Barton Creek Square shopping mall, and there are accommodation possibilities just five to ten minutes’ drive from that pick-up point, with mall car parking making it all thoroughly convenient.
La Quinta by Wyndham Austin Southwest is within easy access of the freeway, but is also right next to Barton Creek and all it offers. Free WiFi and an outdoor swimming pool are provided. It’s only four minutes’ drive from the shuttle pick-up point at the mall. Just a few more minutes’ drive away is the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Austin SW – Sunset Valley, which is rated highly for its comfortable beds in spite of its mid price, and which also has an outdoor swimming pool – perfect for the Texan weather at Grand Prix time.
Another aparthotel option, Extended Stay America Suites – Austin – Southwest has kitchens in every room, and is intended as accommodation that sits in a similar spot in the market to AirBnbs. The Extended Stay complex is just five minutes’ drive from the shuttle stop.
We made plans to go, but aren’t going to be able to make it, so have made our New Braunfels timesharing available for reasonable cost. https://www.vrbo.com/1145698
Can you please let me know 1. if it’s still available, 2. how much rent for the 3 days ?, and 3. how many bedrooms / how big is the house/apartment ?
The little town of Bastrop southeast of Austin is actually closer and much easier
to navigate to/from the race. We have had a cancellation at our bed and breakfast downtown there, Pecan Street Inn. Look us up and we’ll make sure y’all get there!
My family had a great time in Texas. We had a wonderful time there and enjoyed the culture of the region. The nightlife was fantastic, and the city’s elegance is indescribable. We are in love with the place and explore so many places like San Antonio’s river walk, The Alamo, Space Center Houston, Big Bend National Park, etc. I would like to revisit there.