Best little hotel

I love this place. I could live here no problem. The only thing i don't like is. It is a little on the high side. The best part is you can bring your dog.

Fab!

I have stayed at the San Jose on numerous occasions - and every time I am pleasantly surprised! I have stayed with all of my employees, for a meeting, and every person walked away with a smile on their face and a song in their heart! The staff is always accomodating, very friendly and very attentive - and always with a smile. I stayed once with my dog, during a somewhat stressful adoption process, and she was treated like a queen! It's conveniently located, hip and happening, and working in the quality assurance racket - I'm delighted to say clean, clean, clean. I give the entire team of folks at the San Jose a huge gold star - and loads of credit for taking an otherwise non-descript road side motel and making it into a destination that sings with character!

4-star potential - but 1-star service make it a rip off

I agree with the Florida reviewer: 4-star price but 1-star service at the San Jose. I too wanted to LOVE the San Jose after living in Austin for years. True that it has a great location, zen-garden landscaping and cool bath products in the room. Sadly, though, the service VERY lackluster - and no apologies, even when warranted. Details if you want them: I'd begged to book an in-room massage as a birthday gift for my partner, (offered as a service by the hotel, like any good, 4-star-priced hotel offers) a week before we were to arrive. The desk would not make a reservation for me, assuring me (twice) that it would be "no problem" the day we checked in. I even called the day before we arrived, just to try one more time - offered to prepay if it helped - to no avail. Checked in and... no massage therapist available that day.

Had I not explained how important the massage was ahead of time I'd be OK - and it's rare that I even ask for "service" but the lazy and unapologetic attitude of the front desk just ruined this place for me.

Austin is a driving town anyway, so stay at the La Quinta for a thrid of the price - and none of the hipper-than-thou attitude.

Soulful zen oasis

The San Jose has everything that's good about old and new Austin--creative and unique but also friendly and down-home. Rooms are spare but comfortable. Lots of sweet little touches--an amarylis plant on the deck outside my room, lots of bamboo plants, framed posters from the old Antone's nightclub, hand-made soap, etc. Great coffee from Jo's, the coffee shop-kiosk right next door. Also next door is La Sol y La Luna for excellent breakfast tacos. Across the street from the Continental Club/Toni Price happy hour. A total Austin experience.

Can't wait to come back.

I'll Return to Austin, if Just for the San Jose

Definitely geared toward a young, hip, non-child-toting crowd, this is by far the most enjoyable hotel I've ever stayed in, the world over.

From a pool-sized hot tub that was perfect on chilly winter afternoons to the organic/vegan soaps and shampoos offered, everything was close to perfect. The staff were beyond courteous -- the concierge, knowing we were new and alone in town called one night to tell us about a great show going on later -- and unbelievably accommodating. The rooms are comfortable and simplicity rules. The grounds are small but lovely, with rock benches, cacti strewn everywhere and even a small goldfish pond. The location can't be beat for access to the Continental Club and funky South Congress shops. The courtyard bar was always in full-swing by 6, but was never too loud after-hours, though it was quite chilly outside. If you're headed to Austin, the San Jose can't be beat for atmosphere and calm.

So badly wanted to love this place

I used to live in Austin, so when I moved away and could stay in a hotel in Austin on business, I chose San Jose -- close to Continental, restaurants, everything. And cool, right? Unfortunately, the experience (last week) was awful. I had room 10 (don't get room 10), right by the street, and could hear every car and conversation. My toilet ran all night. My TV was roughly 6". Outside my room was a party of people at the bar, which was great when I was with them; less great at 2am. In the morning, the person at the front desk asked "How was your stay?" To which I responded, "Terribly disappointing." She asked what was wrong, and I told her. Her response was "Ya, we get that a lot." No apology.

No explanation. That should tell you something. So, my recommendation is that if you want to visit Austin, take in Toni Price at the Contintental, get some grub at Guerro's, and get some drinks, make San Jose part of the trip. For drinks. Then go somewhere else for the night. La Quinta ain't cool. But neither is a sleepless night and poor service.

Fabulous -- A Texas Oasis

As a former Austinite, I used to frequent this hotel just for drinks and dream of the idea of staying there...or possibly living there. Now, as an out-of-towner, I get to. Never has traveling been more enjoyable.

Everything about this place is elegantly hip, yet calm and relaxing.

The free CD library is filled with a well-chosen assortment from country to indie-rock and the bathroom's handmade soap made by a local company is amazing. The rooms are sparsely appointed by design, so don't go there looking for plush carpeting and big fluffy comforters.

The idea here is simplicity. By the way, the location is great if you love antique shopping by day and catching a live show by night. This is by far one of my favorite hotels in the world.

Not the fanciest, but the nicest place to stay in Austin

The San Jose has a great bar in the courtyard that the locals love. its right in the heart of the South Congress shopping/dining area/neighborhood.

If you have no plans to go golfing during your stay in Austin, stay at the San Jose.

Turly unique

Ultra minimalist decor is a sanctuary from the Texas heat. Small property with big draw among a young crowd to the pool-side bar.

In-room CD players with very eccelctic selection of disks at the desk let you choose your own soundtrack for your visit! Despite some room problems during our stay in 2002, the staff was very accomodating and we were offered a discount for our troubles. Worth the money.

Personal favorite

This is easily one of my favorite hotels in the world. Worth the extra dough if you're comparing to the Austin Motel, worth the character if you're comparing to the downtown chains. The place is very tastefully decorated in slightly retro/minimalist cool, the wine/beer hour is very mellow, the breakfast is healthy and delicious, the location perfect.

This isn't just somewhere I want to visit, I'd like to live here: the staff is helpful, cool and courteous, the CD/DVD collections are so startingly good the staff gave me the lists so I could begin collecting ones I didn't know or have, their restaurant recommendations (including getting me into "booked solid" places with special welcomes from the hosts) were fantastic. Although I have friends with whom I can stay in Austin gratis, I yearn for life at San Jose!