Location always matters to me when picking a hotel and Embassy Suites by
Each evening at sunset, you can walk a few minutes from the hotel and watch as hundreds of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats take to the sky from beneath the bridge. It’s a truly unforgettable Austin experience that draws travelers from around the world. I also recommend this to everyone visiting Austin.
Beyond the bats, we were within walking distance of South Congress Avenue (SoCo), known for its funky boutiques, trendy restaurants, and live music. You’re also just minutes from the Convention Center, which was the purpose of our trip.
While it is not the trendiest hotel in town, it was the right choice for us – two women navigating a packed conference schedule and an unfamiliar city.
Here’s what stood out during our stay.
Location
- Close to the Austin Convention Center: The hotel is about 0.7 miles from the Austin Convention Center, which is walkable for some. I had to check out Waymo while in town which was a fun way to get around.
- Near South Congress & Downtown: Positioned between the buzzy SoCo district and the heart of downtown for easy access to restaurants, shops, and the vibe without being right in the thick of tourist crowds.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Skip the airport stress — Lyft’s On-Time Pickup Promise guarantees your scheduled ride shows up within 10 minutes of your pickup time. If it doesn’t? You’ll get Lyft Cash. You can schedule up to 90 days in advance and even lock in your rate. Use code SBT25 to save 25% off ONE scheduled ride to the airport.
Feels Safe
- Secure Entry and Well-Lit Common Areas: Coming back after evening events felt safe. There was always someone at the front desk to greet us, elevators require key access, and the entrance is brightly lit.
- Room Doors Face Inward: It’s an all-suite, atrium-style hotel, so no motel-style outside corridors. That interior layout gave us extra peace of mind.
- Welcoming Vibe: The front desk team was kind and helpful from check-in to check-out, and the lobby always had enough activity to feel safe—but never chaotic.
The Hotel Itself: A Little Dated, But Efficient and Spacious
The décor could use a refresh. The vibe is more early-2000s than Austin chic. But what it lacks in modern design, it makes up for in functionality.
- Two-Room Suites: Each suite has a bedroom and separate living area with a door in between. Even though we had separate rooms, we could have shared a room without sacrificing privacy.
- Workspace Friendly: We appreciated having a desk and extra outlets—key when juggling laptops, chargers, and conference schedules.
- Quiet at Night: Even though the hotel is near busy areas, we slept soundly each night. No street noise, no thin walls.
What We Loved
- Complimentary Breakfast: There’s something about a made-to-order omelet that makes me happy. Embassy Suites provides a solid spread, including omelets.
- Evening Reception: Free drinks and light snacks each evening. It was a welcome way to wind down after a long day.
- Reliable Wi-Fi: We had no issues hopping on video calls or uploading presentation files.
Join our Travel Tribe! Sign up for our newsletter now!
What Could Be Better
- Décor and Furnishings: Like I said, the rooms and common areas could use an update but nothing is old, just gently used.
- Limited Natural Light in Some Suites: Depending on where your room is in the atrium, you may not get much sun.
Bottom Line
The Embassy Suites Austin Downtown South Congress isn’t trying to be a boutique hotel or Insta-worthy retreat. What it is, though, is a smart and dependable choice for women who want:
- A central, walkable location
- Suite-style rooms with space to breathe
- A safe environment with helpful staff
- The comfort of
Hilton consistency, especially when traveling for work
Leave a Reply