too cool for school

Since this was our first trip to austin we decided to stay on south congress (more about that later) and we had a hard time deciding between Hotel San Jose and Austin Motel... In the end we went for hipness and this hotel doesn't disappoint, but next time I would probably stay somewhere else. The walls are very thin and even though we paid to stay in the back of the property away from the road we constantly found our room noisy.

I am curious about Hotel Saint Cecilia also by Liz Lambert and set to open later this year. It's near S Congress, but actually around the corner on Academy Drive. Maybe this spot will be quieter? Our last morning HSJ, it didn't help that American Apparel's alarm went off at 5 am and the Austin's finest finally came to investigate out about 8:30. We were all too happy to leave for the airport.

For the price we paid, there was nothing wrong with HSJ *just* being a hipster's glorified motel room. And for the record we were in room 46, just a grand standard. It was a great location though, right across from the continental club and down the street from some cool shops and restaurants.

I'll never forget spending election night in the what may be the bluest spot in Texas, with Obama's voice booming through the HSJ courtyard and beyond.