The original weird Austin lodging — a 1938 motel on South Congress that has been a local institution for decades with its neon 'So Close Yet So Far Out' sign, kidney-shaped pool, and cheerful eccentricity at prices that undercut everything nearby.
Why We Chose It
The Austin Motel is a 1938 motor court that has been operating continuously since before Austin was cool — the kidney-shaped pool, the vintage neon sign reading 'So Close Yet So Far Out,' and the mix of travelers, musicians, and long-term residents give it a personality that no new-build boutique hotel can manufacture. Rooms have been updated without losing the retro character. The location on South Congress puts you walking distance from Hotel San José, Jo's Coffee, and the best of SoCo. The pool is the social center of the property. Austin Motel offers the most character per dollar of any Austin accommodation.
What Stands Out
- 'So Close Yet So Far Out' neon sign — an Austin landmark
- 1938 motor court — the original weird Austin lodging
- Kidney-shaped pool — social center of the property
- South Congress location — walk to everything on SoCo
- Character that no new build can manufacture