Hotel San José

Stay here if you don’t want to sleep. Terrible stay. The refrigerator in our room made a loud, mechanical noise for about 20min at least 3-4 times through the night. It sounded like a lawn mower in our room, constantly waking us up, so we basically couldn’t sleep the whole night. It was an extremely unpleasant time and I would’ve switched hotels immediately if we were staying for longer than one night in Austin. As soon as I walked up to reception and said my room number, before I even voiced my complaint, the receptionist said “oh the loud refrigerator?” So clearly it’s a known issue, a common complaint that they don’t care to fix. It was 5am and he said just call in the morning and work something out with them. Also if your room is near the street you will hear loud music playing late into the night — it was a Monday night when I stayed. Our bathroom windows face the parking lot and although they’re frosted, every car that parks and leaves shines headlights into the space. No curtains on any of the windows. The blinds facing the public courtyard/walkway do not feel private. I’ve stayed at cheap motels that at least provide curtains. The bathroom is bare bones. No water pressure and the shower temperature is either extremely hot or cold, no in between.

we had an amazing time stopping in for a drink at the bar after our date down the street :) claire treated us so well and gave some real good recommendations for keeping our night going! can’t wait to book a stay here

Claire was great!

What a great visit! The hotel is incredible and the location can't be beat. Quiet and serene while also lively and fun. Claire our bartender may have been the cherry on top, perfect service and so funny! Thanks for making our staycation amazing after such a hard year. Will return!

Had such a great night out here visiting and the bartender Chris was top notch. Totally recommend a visit. Micheladas and cocktails are great.

I had an amazing stay at Austin Motel. The outdoor atmosphere was such a vibe, and the bar was a standout. Chris made our experience even better with his incredible cocktails—we’ll absolutely be back!

Chris at Hotel San Jose is hands-down one of the best bartenders in Austin. From the moment you sit down, Chris makes you feel welcome with great conversation, genuine hospitality, and incredible attention to detail. Every drink was expertly crafted, balanced, and clearly made with care and experience. The atmosphere at Hotel San Jose is already amazing, but Chris truly elevates the entire experience. If you’re looking for outstanding drinks and top-tier service, make sure to swing by the bar when Chris is working.

My room was so musty all of our clothes smelled, even the clean ones. Won't stay again. Staff was very nice, nothing they could do abou tit...

I stayed at Hotel San José for a short trip in Austin, and overall it was a decent experience. The place has a simple, laid-back feel. The rooms are pretty minimal—nothing fancy—but they were clean and comfortable enough for a couple of nights. I liked that it felt quiet even though it’s right on South Congress, which is usually busy. The courtyard area is probably the best part. It’s small but nice to sit in, especially in the morning with coffee. Staff were polite and check-in was straightforward, though not particularly warm or personal. One thing to note is that you’re paying more for the location and vibe than for room features. If you expect a full-service hotel, this might feel a bit basic. But if you’re okay with something simple and well-located, it works fine. I wouldn’t call it a standout stay, but it did the job without any real issues.

We will be back, just an absolute gem. Amazing location and in close proximity to anything you’d want from Austin.

Tony & Olivia at the bar were amazing!! Walked off the street & they couldn’t be nicer

A gem on SoCo

One of the best vibes on south congress.