The hardest part about planning a trip to Austin, is deciding where to stay. From laid-back East Austin to the shopping metropolis of South Congress, there’s a plethora of resorts and hotels in Austin for every type of traveler and budget. In fact, Austin’s hotel scene is so impressive that it’s often hard to leave the properties, thanks to spectacular amenities from photogenic rooftop pools to on-site bars and eateries like Lutie’s Garden Restaurant at the Commodore Perry Estate and Watertrade cocktail bar at the South Congress Hotel.

Aside from beautiful pools and delectable dining options, the best places to stay in Austin have some truly unique amenities — an on-demand margarita cart, complimentary Mercedes-Benz house cars and complimentary Polaroid cameras to borrow. Whether you are traveling for business or a family vacation, there’s a place to stay in Austin, Texas that will check all the boxes.

Neighborhood: East Austin 
Best for: Friend getaways, solo travelers and couples.
Amenities: Stellar on-site restaurants and bars, including the rooftop Gin Bar.
Pets welcome: Dogs and service animals are allowed. 
Parking: Paid valet parking.

This modern five-story hotel is located in the heart of East Austin just steps away from the neighborhood’s hottest bars, breweries and restaurants. The essence of the smoke-free hotel’s design are the floor-to-ceiling windows, custom Wood Castle millwork and marble-accented bathrooms. Each of the 83 rooms includes custom-built beds with fine linens, Bluetooth speaker, a personal fridge and bath amenities from Grown Alchemist. Opt for the 538-square-foot balcony room for city views.

Stop by the rooftop Gin Bar to sample one of over 90 gin varieties from around the world. Other on-site dining options include the Goan- and Portuguese-inspired fare at Vixen’s Wedding and the sandwiches and pizza from the street-level Lefty’s Brick Bar, which also serves breakfast. 

Find it: Arrive Austin, 1813 E. 6th St., Austin, TX 78702; 737-242-8080

Neighborhood: Downtown Austin
Best for: Couples, friend getaways and business travelers.
Amenities: Rooftop pool, an intimate guest-only bar, Verbena Spa, fitness center with Peloton bikes, poolside restaurant and bars.
Pets welcome: Yes, there is a fee and a portion is donated to a local animal charity. 
Parking: Paid on-site parking.

Located on the quiet end of West Second Street, this 244-room hotel was designed by Kelly Wearstler. Rooms feature an earth-toned color scheme and high-end finishing touches like marble bathrooms and distressed hardwoods along with great guest amenities like Bluetooth speakers, Apple TV and bedside controls for the lighting and window shades. 

It’s easy to stay in shape with the hotel’s regular yoga classes, fitness center with Peloton bikes and personal training upon request. Pamper yourself at the Verbena Spa for a body scrub, facial or massage. And for dining, choose between La Piscina, the poolside Mexican restaurant or The Peacock, a Mediterranean grill. Afterward, sip a cocktail at Goldie’s Sunken Bar, a guest-only bar that seats 30, or The Quill Room, a living room-style lounge. 

Neighborhood: Hill Country (Dripping Springs)
Best for: Families, friend getaways and couples. 
Amenities: Pool, restaurant, complimentary and paid on-site programs, fire pit and hiking trails.
Pets welcome: Yes, in the Estate rooms only with a fee.
Parking: Complimentary on-site parking.

This tranquil Hill Country getaway in Dripping Springs is only 28 miles from downtown Austin, and it’s a nature haven that’s worth the drive. Accommodation options range from single hotel rooms to spacious suites and standalone cottages. Many rooms are decorated with period antiques from the owner’s private collection. 

The estate rooms and terrace suite also include a handcrafted stone bathtub. The large pool and on-site upscale eatery, Tillie’s, will make it hard to leave the property. In addition to its picturesque location, Camp Lucy offers an abundance of guest activities. Go for a hike, spend a few hours fishing, feed the resident alpacas or try out archery and hatchet-throwing. An olive oil tasting or mixology class are also options. 

Find it: Camp Lucy, 3509 Creek Road, Dripping Springs, TX 78620; 512-894-4400

Neighborhood: Hancock 
Best for: Couples, parents-to-be, solo travelers, families and friend getaways. 
Amenities: A range of curated experiences from tequila tasting to botanical drawing, multiple restaurants and bars and a Mercedes-Benz house car program.
Pets welcome: Yes, with a required deposit. 
Parking: Paid overnight parking is available

This 1928 Gatsby-era mansion complete with 10 acres of lush gardens was restored by Auberge Resorts into one of Austin’s most unique luxury hotels. Famed San Francisco-based designer Ken Fulk served as creative director for the project’s interiors and the on-site Lutie’s Restaurant. 

The highlight of the mansion’s five original rooms is the pink-hued LaVerne Suite — the walls and ceiling are covered in a flowering branch pattern fabric. All suite bathrooms feature a freestanding soaking tub and rain shower. And a new three-story inn built on the property includes 42 guest rooms and seven terraced suites adorned with Texas and mid-century Italian decorative pieces.

Amenities include a 50-foot pool lined with bright yellow lounge chairs for lounging, a 24-hour fitness center and an array of experiences from tequila tasting and botanical drawing to chef-prepared picnics and a private custom-hat session.

Guests of Commodore Perry Estate may also borrow the Mercedes-Benz house cars which are available on a first-come, first-served basis for up to four hours of use.

Neighborhood: Downtown Austin
Best for: Families, business travelers and couples 
Amenities: Heated saltwater pool, spa, fitness center, afternoon tea, on-demand margarita cart, restaurants and bars.
Pets welcome: Yes. Pet sitting is also available for a fee. 
Parking: Paid self and valet parking.

Nestled on three acres along the edge of Lady Bird Lake, the Four Seasons Hotel Austin feels more like a lush nature resort than a city hotel. Opt for one of the lakeside balcony rooms or specialty suites with separate living and sleeping areas. All rooms feature polished modern decor, flat-screen TVs, white noise machines, Bluetooth-enabled speakers and twice-daily housekeeping. 

Take a dip in the saltwater pool, play a round of bocce ball or relax in a hammock. Then, press the margarita button on your guest room phone to take advantage of the on-demand margarita cart daily from 3-6 p.m. From Monday to Thursday, there is also a Texas-inspired afternoon tea, called A-TEA-X, featuring small bites, hot teas and cocktails. Other dining options include the ground-level Ciclo, restauranteur Richard Sandoval’s modern Texas kitchen and Live Oak, a cocktail bar with a Guadalajara-inspired menu.  

Neighborhood: Travis Heights 
Best for: Solo travelers and couples.
Amenities: In-room turntable and sound system and access to a vintage LP library, book library, exclusive hotel dining and heated pool.
Pets welcome: Yes with a small fee. 
Parking: Free gated parking.

The most photographed spot of this 20-room luxury boutique hotel is the vintage neon sign that spells the word “soul” over the 50-foot heated pool.  Named after the patron saint of music and poetry, all rooms and suites offer Rega turntables and Geneva sound systems. An on-site lending library allows guests to borrow a selection of vintage LPs and books ranging from rock biographies to poetry anthologies. 

The centerpieces of this lush private sanctuary are the 1888 Victorian home and a large oak tree. The bedding in each of the rooms—five suites, three studios, six garden suites and six poolside bungalows—is handmade by the revered Swedish brand Hastens. Suite five even includes an upright piano, a tribute to the hotel’s namesake. For meals, the on-site Hotel Saint Cecilia Lounge serves hotel guests and private club members exclusively. In addition, the boutiques and bustling eateries of South Congress Avenue are just a short walk away. 

Neighborhood: South Congress
Best for: Couples, friend getaways and solo travelers 
Amenities:  Pool, courtyard lounge bar and restaurant, typewriters and Polaroid cameras may be borrowed from the front desk.
Pets welcome: Yes, with a fee. 
Parking: Paid parking in an on-site lot.

Originally a 1930s motor court inn, Hotel San José is a South Congress staple that fell into disrepair before being transformed by hotelier Liz Lambert into a lush courtyard boutique hotel. The interior of the 40-room hotel features a Texas minimalist style with bed platforms made from reclaimed wood, custom saddle leather chairs by furniture designer Jamey Garza and granite pathways.

Relax in the bamboo-enclosed pool or in the tranquil garden courtyard with a drink or cheese board from the lounge bar. Borrow a typewriter and a Polaroid camera from the front desk — they’re among the most unique amenities of any hotel in Austin. 

Located in the parking lot of Hotel San José, Jo’s Coffee is another iconic Austin destination famous for its “I Love You So Much” mural. Don’t miss the hotel’s regular events with live music and DJs, including the monthly first Thursday party with Austin Motel featuring T-shirt printing. Looking gor even more fun? Plan your stay around the hotel’s annual events — their famed Chili Cook-Off and a five-day South by San José festival during SXSW. 

Find it: Hotel San José, 1316 South Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704; 512-852-2350

Neighborhood: Downtown Austin
Best for: Business travelers, foodies, couples and friend getaways
Amenities: Esteemed Luminaire restaurant, Austin music-scene inspired decor, impressive city views from guest rooms, 24-hour fitness center with Peloton bikes.
Pets welcome: Yes
Parking: Paid 24-hour valet service with unlimited in/out privileges.

The Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin is one of the newest additions to the downtown skyline. The 31-story building offers unmatched views of the city. The modern boho-chic decor is a tribute to Austin’s music scene, with guitar-amp nightstands and vintage concert posters from the neighboring historic theaters in guest rooms. The elevator lobbies feature large glass portraits of musicians Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Janis Joplin, who all have ties to Austin.  

The 246-room hotel was designed to look like an art gallery with work from both local and Texas artists — including wire bats in each bathroom, a nod to the Mexican free-tailed bat colony that resides underneath Congress Avenue Bridge. A 24-hour fitness center with Peloton bikes, in-room Chromecast, meeting facilities, room service and digital check-in are just a few of the property’s luxe amenities.

Instead of a traditional street-level lobby, the ground floor is occupied by Luminaire, an indoor/outdoor restaurant serving up seasonal Texas fare and charcuterie from famed San Antonio chef and six-time James Beard Foundation finalist Steve McHugh. The lobby shares the eighth floor with the Las Bis, a trendy bar with an outdoor patio. 

Neighborhood: Domain 
Best for: Families, couples, friend getaways, music lovers and soccer fans.
Amenities: Pool, restaurant and food truck, fire pits, lawn games and complimentary bicycle rentals.
Pets welcome: Yes, with a non-refundable pet fee. 
Parking: Complimentary self-parking.

This relaxed luxury hotel focuses on creating a Texas environment with a rocking-chair-lined wraparound porch, a resort-style courtyard, fire pits, food trucks and live music every Thursday through Saturday. All rooms include a sitting area, work desks, a retro 1950s-style refrigerator and flat panel TVs. The junior suite even has a claw-footed soaking tub.

The on-site Water Trough restaurant offers cocktails and casual dining with a Hill Country-inspired menu. Located in the Domain shopping and entertainment district, Lone Star Court is also close to the Q2 Stadium, home of Austin FC. 

Find it: Lone Star Court, 10901 Domain Drive, Austin, TX 78758; 512-814-2625

Neighborhood: South Congress 
Best for: Families, friend getaways, couples, solo travelers, business travelers and foodies.
Amenities: Pool, multiple restaurants and bars, motorcycle rentals, two boutiques, concierge services and personal shopping.
Pets welcome: Yes. Dogs are allowed at no extra charge. 
Parking: Paid valet and self-parking options with electric charging stations and access to a Tesla supercharger.

This 83-room boutique hotel is family-owned and located on South Congress Avenue in the center of one of the city’s busiest shopping and dining hotspots. The modern rooms and suites all feature mini-bars and large walk-in showers, and amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, motorcycle rentals, in-room dining and a stunning pool — arguably one of the best pools in Austin. During the summer months, book a luxurious poolside suite that has a private balcony.

Neighborhood: Downtown Austin
Best for: Business travelers, solo travelers, couples and history buffs.
Amenities: Driskill experiences, restaurant, cafe and bakery, bar and fitness center.
Pets welcome: Yes, with a nonrefundable fee. 
Parking: Paid valet parking

The historic five-story Driskill Hotel is an Austin icon and the only hotel on Sixth Street, the heart of the downtown nightlife scene. Aside from stunning decor — a marble-floored lobby with a stained glass dome, hand-painted wall designs and a carpet pattern that depicts the city’s grid between 1853 and 1890 — the hotel played a key role in Texas history. The Romanesque-style building was opened by the hotel’s namesake, cattle baron Jesse Driskill in 1886.

Dine at the on-site Driskill Grill where Lyndon Baines Johnson went on his first date with his future wife Lady Bird in 1934. The hotel later became the headquarters for the White House press corps, and a suite was perpetually reserved for Johnson during his presidency. The suite, aptly named the LBJ Suite, is one of seven spacious suites available for guests, along with a series of king and queen rooms with art deco-style bathrooms.  

The hotel’s Driskill experiences include afternoon tea, art and history tours and Driskill Holidays.

Find it: The Driskill, 604 Brazos St., Austin, TX 78701; 512-439-1234

Neighborhood: Downtown/Lady Bird Lake 
Best for: Couples, solo travelers, families, business travelers and friend getaways. 
Amenities: Saltwater infinity pool, 24-hour fitness center, in-room spa services, rooftop lounge, free bike and paddleboard rentals, free yoga classes and tarot card readings, Veracruz All Natural.
Pets welcome: Yes. Pets stay for free.
Parking: Paid valet parking.

The hardest decision about staying at The Line Austin is choosing between a room with a view of the downtown skyline or Lady Bird Lake. If you’ll be exploring the latter, the hotel’s free bike and paddleboard rentals pair perfectly with its location along Lady Bird Lake.

All rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows. (Don’t worry, there are blackout curtains for those who want to sleep in after a late night out). Additionally, art is the centerpiece of this hotel — all of the spacious modern rooms and suites feature work by local artists, while the east lobby gallery features rotating exhibits.

The Line Austin offers a six-week artist residency where artists create work in the hotel and hold free events for guests. The hotel’s exterior wall along Congress Avenue features a permanent 12-story-tall mural celebrating women. 

For dinner, reserve a table at the lakeside restaurant Arlo Grey, a concept by “Top Chef” winner Kristen Kish, featuring dishes inspired by French and Italian traditions made with Central Texas ingredients. Head to the hotel’s rooftop lounge P6 for seasonal cocktails paired with views of the city and Lady Bird Lake. For another great meal option, grab a taco or three from the street-level Veracruz All Natural, arguably one of the best taco spots in Austin, and one of the hotel’s best all-day amenities. 

Find it: The Line Austin, 111 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX 78701; 512-478-9611

This story was edited by Hearst Newspapers Managing Editor Kristina Moy; you can contact her at kristina.moy@hearst.com.