{"id":16759,"date":"2015-06-10T15:00:25","date_gmt":"2015-06-10T15:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=16759"},"modified":"2021-10-28T16:35:06","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T16:35:06","slug":"artful-austin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/artful-austin\/","title":{"rendered":"Artful Austin"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are a few cities that capture your heart the moment you arrive. This is how I felt about Austin, Texas, when I visited for the first time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Each year,\u00a0<\/span>Austin<\/a>\u00a0plays host to SXSW, a six-day conference and festival that features the world\u2019s best filmmakers, musicians, multimedia artists, and speakers from around the world. The creative buzz of tens of thousands of people descending on <\/span>Austin<\/a>\u00a0for SXSW is as intense as it is inspiring. \u00a0Austin lives up to its reputation as a fun, hip city with a thriving music scene, but I was equally impressed by Austin\u2019s friendly, laid-back style. From the city\u2019s urban hotels to the eclectic neighborhoods adorned with vintage signs and outdoor music venues, Austin is a feast for the artistic senses. There’s something for everyone in the \u201clive music capital of the world.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Artful Austin hotels<\/strong><\/p>\n

Austin\u2019s artful hotel scene is diverse. The SXSW conference takes over nearly every one of Austin\u2019s hotels for the event, so when I visited, I had a chance to spend time in many of the city’s properties. If you want a taste of Austin history, consider booking a room at The Driskill<\/a>\u00a0hotel, a luxurious icon built in 1886 and located in the heart of the famous party scene of Sixth Street.<\/p>\n

If you prefer a more modern alternative, consider the new W Austin<\/a>\u00a0(one of my favorites) for its impeccable design detail and close proximity to restaurants and music venues. Looking for some pampering? The Four Seasons Austin<\/a>\u00a0sits on the banks of Lady Bird Lake and offers spectacular views of the South Congress Bridge and waterfront.<\/p>\n

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