Hotels

Unlike San Antonio, Austin does not have a huge pool of downtown hotel rooms dependent on large conventions, so it can sometimes be difficult to find a discounted room downtown. What happens in slow times is that the properties at the margins of the city feel the pinch, but the central properties don't, because normal business and leisure travel can fill most of these rooms. When you look on the Internet for bargains, you're more often than not pointed toward properties in the southeast corner of the city, near the intersection of I-35 and Highway 71, where a large number of properties sit. This location is not a good choice for exploring the city, but the difference in rates may be too good to pass up.

In looking for discounts, keep in mind the calendars of the state legislature and the University of Texas. Lawmakers and lobbyists converge on the capital from January through May of odd-numbered years, so you can expect tighter bookings. The beginning of fall term, graduation week, and football weekends -- UT's football stadium seats 80,000 -- draw thousands of out-of-towners.

The busiest season, however, is the month of March, when the South by Southwest music festival occurs. It is designed to coincide with UT's spring break, usually the third week of the month. SXSW is the largest gathering of the year for the music industry. It attracts more than a hundred bands from all over the world trying to get record deals, thousands of music fans, and, of course, lots of producers and music company execs. And now there's a film and media festival the week before the music begins. To make matters worse, Austin often hosts regional playoffs for NCAA basketball, and the university likes to take advantage of spring break by hosting several academic conferences. So, my advice is to try not to come in March of an odd-numbered year when UT's basketball team is in the regionals. This would make for the so-called perfect storm. Of course, there are a few other spots in the calendar when the city is busier than usual, such as in late September for the Austin City Limits Music Festival. This festival has caught on in a big way and attracts thousands now.

You'll get a far better feel for what makes Austin special if you stay somewhere in central Austin. The verdant Town Lake area includes both downtown near the capitol and the resurgent South Congress area. The areas near the University of Texas, including west campus and the Hyde Park neighborhood, are ideal for those willing to trade some modern perks for hominess and character. Those with a penchant for playing on the water or putting around should consider holing up near the lakes and golf courses to the west.

Austin has some glitzy high-rises but only a few historic hotels, so if it's character you're after, you might opt for one of the town's bed-and-breakfasts. In addition to those listed, I'd recommend other members of the Austin Area B & B Association. Call tel. 866/972-2333 or 512/371-1115 or log on to www.austinareabandb.com for more info. For Austin inns that belong to Historic Accommodations of Texas, check the website at www.hat.org or contact the organization at P.O. Box 139, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 (tel. 800/HAT-0368).

The prices listed below are based on full rack rates -- the officially established, undiscounted tariffs that you should never have to pay. Most hotels catering to business travelers offer substantially lower prices on weekends, while some bed-and-breakfasts offer reduced rates for weekdays. If you don't mind changing rooms once, you can get the best of both discount worlds. You'll find lots of Austin room deals on the Internet, but don't stop there. Be sure to phone and ask about packages -- which might include such extras as breakfast or champagne -- and reduced rates for senior citizens, families, active-duty military personnel . . . whatever you can think of. In fact, it's a good idea to call the toll-free number and the hotel itself, because sometimes the central reservation agent doesn't know about local deals. Sure, calling is not as impersonal as the Internet, but don't be afraid of being a pain if the deal is worth it.

Speaking of which, please note that rates listed below do not include the city's 15% hotel sales tax.

Incidentally, wherever you bunk in Austin, you're likely to be in high-tech heaven. Even B&B rooms offer high-speed wireless Internet connections these days, and many hotels also offer WebTV, enabling you to retrieve e-mail and cruise the Internet via the tube.

It Pays to Stay

If you're planning to settle in for a spell, two downtown accommodations at prime locations will save you major bucks. Rooms at Extended Stay America Downtown, 600 Guadalupe (at Sixth), Austin, TX 78701 (tel. 800/EXT-STAY or 512/457-9994; www.extstay.com), within easy walking distance of both the Warehouse District and the Lamar and Sixth shops, and at Homestead Studio Suites Austin-Downtown/Town Lake, 507 S. First St. (at Barton Springs), Austin, TX 78704 (tel. 888/782-9473 or 512/476-1818; www.homesteadhotels.com), near the Barton Springs restaurant row and the hike-and-bike trail, will run you from $400 to $500 per week. Full kitchens and coin-op laundries at both bring your costs down even more.