HotelChatter

If you're down with braving the Texas July heat, grab a few LoneStar beers and head to the park. We guarantee a fantastic people-watching experience (the locals urge us to "Keep Austin Weird") and you'll probably make some new buddies as Texans are generally a friendly kind. But really, the thought of spreading ourselves out on a picnic blanket under the 100 degree sun listening to orchestral renditions of Sousa marches is not so appealing to us, so we scoped out some alternatives.

The Hyatt Regency Austin looks out directly onto Zilker Park and the chances of seeing the fireworks show look promising. You can start your night off by downing one of the lobby bar's Texas-sized margaritas (huge, we're not kidding) and hey-- the LaVista restaurant was noted by the Austin Chronicle for serving the best fajitas in Austin (which is a pretty big deal).

Maybe you'll want to skip the hot dogs and beer and class it up just a little, huh? As far as big brand hotels go, this particular HR feels a lot more like an independent joint with a lobby decked out to resemble Texas' hill country.

 If big white columns and old Southern opulence is your thing, we suggest the Mansion at Judges Hill. The hotel has a classic-yet-modern feel to it (is that even possible?) and spacious balconies that are perfect for, oh, we don't know... sipping a nice whiskey and admiring the Independence Day Show, perhaps?

The tallest hotel in Austin, at 31 stories, is the Hilton Austin Convention Center. We pinky-promise that you'll be able to see some fireworks from one of the top few floors while taking in a view of the gorgeous Austin skyline. Yes it's a big-brand cookie-cutter hotel, but it also offers some of the best views in the city and has some affordable rooms starting at $179.

[Photo: Citizen Rob]

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· Hotels in Austin [HotelChatter]

Story By Jenna

Tags: Fourth of July Hotels / Austin Hotel Reviews

by Jenna