The reasons to visit Austin are endless, whether it be for the amazing festivals or the unbeatable music scene. Or maybe you’re just an Austin native looking for the perfect staycation spot to play in town. While you can always book a room at a hotel chain and have a perfectly pleasant stay, there are plenty of accommodations around Austin that offer a little something different in the weirdest city in the world! You’ve may have already heard of all the big boutique hotels like Hotel San Jose, Hotel St. Cecilia and South Congress Hotel, but what about all the awesome Austin hangouts off the beaten path? From lakeside lodgings to intimate inns, here are 8 amazing under the radar hotels around Austin that you’ve probably never heard of.

Lake Austin Resort

Price: $775-$925/night

Tucked in the heart of hill country, Lake Austin Resort and Spa is a luxurious pampering space right in the heart the city. Nestled on the serene shores of Lake Travis, this southern style resort has been consistently named as one of the top ten hotels in Texas by Conde Naste and Travel+Leisure.

Available activty packages at Lake Austin Resort include The Great Outdoors, Culinary, Rest and Renew and Focus on Fit, depending on what you feel like doing on your vacay. While staying at Lake Austin Resort, guests also have access to onsite spa treatments including massages, body wraps and facials as well as spacious accommodations, morning yoga with killer lake views and even a luxe water taxi service to take you around the lake!

Kimber Modern

Price: $299-$399/night

With a prime central location in the SoCo district, Kimber Modern is a super chic little escape right in the heart of Austin.  This modern boutique hotel is set inside a swanky house-like building with 5 spacious private suites, a communal living and kitchen area and beautiful outdoor courtyard.

Along with plush amenities like flat screen TVs and walk in rain showers, Kimber also boasts an excellent art collection from the local art community and a minimal yet magnificent design. Popular activities around Kimber Modern include hiking, window shopping on South Congress and downtown exploring for days!

Lone Star Court

Price: $379-478/night

Setup at the illustrious Domain in north Austin, the Lone Star Court is a rustic-chic “glamping” experience in the middle of the city.  This quirky boutique hotel has 123 retro/Americana style rooms – including 3 ultra suites – that take cabin living to a whole new level!

Each funky room features a custom Valencia bed with Egyptian cotton linens, nostalgic design, complimentary continental breakfast and 42” LED TV.  Among the massive property’s many shared amenities are outdoor fire pits, live music, a dipping pool, an on-site restaurant/bar and complimentary bicycle rentals so you can head out and explore the great outdoors! And you don’t even have to travel far to find things to do: The Domain is chock full of delicious restaurants, bars, shops and venues to keep you entertained for hours!

Hotel Ella

Price: $339/night

Located within walking distance of all the action and fun of downtown, Hotel Ella is a small piece of Texas history in Austin’s city center. This opulent accommodation is built  inside the turn of the century Goodall Wooten House and boasts 47 beautiful guest rooms, a cabana lined pool, five star room amenities and a wraparound veranda with killer views.

Some of the fun additional perks offered at the hotel include overnight shoe shine, same day laundry valet, delectable in-room dining from Goodall’s Kitchen and complimentary house car service within a three mile radius of the hotel – which will basically get you to all the best places in downtown Austin! You can also bring your doggo with you to the hotel (extra cost) and arrange pet sitting and grooming services so you can both be treated like royalty!

The Guild 

Price: $135-$156/night

A new concept in guest accommodations, The Guild offers an opportunity to live like a local in the most luxurious of settings. This condo-style hotel concept has 4 different locations/rooms in the hottest spots in Austin.

The City Center is inside a condo in the heart of downtown and features an “urban swank” room design, Red River is about half a mile from downtown and has a retro punk vibe, the Corazon location is right on 6th street and has a “threadbare hip” design and the University Park spot is geek chic – ya know, because it’s on campus. Each room offers a chance to experience a different side of the city, and no two stays are ever the same. That’s the magic of the Guild, never knowing what adventures your room will bring.

Travaasa

Price: $325-$875/night

Hidden away in beautiful hill country, Travaasa is a high-end hotel and Spa that offers resort/style amenities mixed with good ol’ Texas southern hospitality. This amazing “experiential resort” gives guests the opportunity to take a load off and treat themselves while enjoying a breath of fresh air away from the city. The Travaasa has an impressive 70 guest rooms, all fully stocked with all the creature comforts you could ask for, including plush queen beds with organic cotton linens and balconies with breathtaking views.

The enormous hilltop property also includes a sparkling Infiniti pool that overlooks the lush greenery of the hill country. Travaasa also encourages guests to really experience all that Texas hospitality has to offer with glorious sunrise hikes, peaceful outdoor yoga sessions and incredible organic farm fare from their onsite restaurant.

*Note: Travaasa Austin is temporarily closed for renovations as of Sept. 2017.

Hotel Granduca

Price: $239-$2996/night

Ideally situated next to the gorgeous Barton Creek Preserve, Hotel Granduca is a sophisticated Mediterranean-style 4 Star Hotel in south Austin. The hotel’s designer, Giorgio Borlenghi, built this upscale giant in true Italian taste, which is meant to mirror the elegant tranquility of classic Italian villas.

Hotel Granduca offers guests a selection of well appointed rooms that range from deluxe to superior, with a handful of extraordinarily opulent suites that include the Conte Suite and beautiful Granduca Suite. Guests also have access to the hotel’s renowned Italian restaurant, Visconti Ristorante and Bar, which has an enticing menu full of elevated Mediterranean cuisine. This hotel is like a quiet European retreat right in middle of Texas.