Austin's BEST Kept Secret: University Area Getaway at Residence Inn!
Austin's "Best Kept Secret" Unveiled (Sort Of): A Rambling Review of Residence Inn University Area
Okay, so, I'm supposed to give you the lowdown on Austin's supposed "Best Kept Secret" – the Residence Inn University Area. Honestly, secrets are kinda overrated, right? But fine, I'll spill. And let me tell you, it's a rollercoaster. Strap in.
First Impressions… and Wheelchair Woes (Accessibility: A Mixed Bag)
Finding this place was a secret, because Google Maps tried to send me on a wild goose chase. Finally, I got there, and the exterior? Pretty standard Residence Inn… which means… blaaahh. Nothing particularly inspiring. I did arrive in a wheelchair, so accessibility was top of my list. Let's say the news wasn't all sunshine and rainbows.
The building itself is wheelchair accessible – major points there! The ramps and elevators were decent, and I didn't feel like I was attempting an extreme sport just to get to my room. Facilities for disabled guests are definitely present, which is crucial. However, a few minor annoyances started popping up…
- The bathroom situation: The accessible rooms are there, bless their hearts, but sometimes the space felt… tight. I would've preferred a little more elbow room.
- Doorways: Not all the doorways were perfectly wide. Again, minor, but you realize how crucial a few extra inches can be when you're navigating in a chair.
So, accessibility is good enough, but not great. Room for improvement, Residence Inn!
The Room: My Little Apartment (Available in All Rooms)
Once I got into my room (yay, elevator!), the mood immediately improved. It's a Residence Inn, so you know the drill: Air conditioning (thank the heavens, it's Austin!), a comfy sofa, a desk for working (or pretending to), and a little kitchenette. It felt less like a hotel room, more like a… small apartment. Which, honestly, is a godsend when you're traveling. Being able to store some snacks in the refrigerator and make coffee in the coffee/tea maker (yes, both!) made a massive difference.
The bed! Ah, sweet, glorious bed. It was comfy, and the extra long bed was a definite plus. The blackout curtains? Crucial for sleep-deprived travelers.
Everything was clean, and they had free Wi-Fi (thank goodness!), I'm pretty sure they had a seating area… but the carpeting (which I forgot to mention) was pretty standard hotel grade and did bring a whiff of the stuffiness to the room.
Internet: The Connected World (Mostly) and the Occasional Freak Out
Okay, so Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is a HUGE selling point. I’m a digital nomad, ya know? I gotta work. The Wi-Fi was generally reliable. However, sometimes, it’d hiccup. I experienced a few moments of pure, unadulterated panic when it went down. You know the feeling – that cold sweat of “Oh, crap, I’m losing work!” Then, it'd come back, everything’s fine, and I hate the Internet again. It's a love-hate relationship, y'all. They do also have Internet [LAN], but who uses LAN anymore?
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Grub & Grumbles
Alright, let's talk food. Breakfast is… included. It was the standard Residence Inn Breakfast [buffet]: scrambled eggs that may or may not be made of actual eggs, some pastries that seem to have been sitting out since the dawn of time, and a waffle maker (a highlight for a certain someone). They did have Asian breakfast, which was a pleasant surprise.
There's a Coffee shop to feed your caffeine addiction. And of course, the obligatory Snack bar.
Then, for the big one: Restaurants. This is where things get fuzzy. The Residence Inn itself doesn't have a ton of options for on-site dining. However, it's in a great location. There are plenty of restaurants nearby.
Room service? Room service [24-hour] is a beautiful thing. Although, the menu felt a little limited.
Things to Do: Work, Relax… Work Again?
Fitness center: The gym was… a gym. Cardio machines, weights. Nothing groundbreaking, but enough to get a sweat on. Gym/fitness? Check. I even took a peek at the Swimming pool [outdoor]. Looked inviting, but didn't get in (the Texas sun was giving a good beat down).
Relaxation-wise, I stuck to my room. There's no fancy Spa, no Sauna. It's a Residence Inn, remember? It's more about function than luxury. That being said… having a Pool with view is always a welcome treat.
Cleanliness and Safety: Trying to Stay Sane in a Pandemic
I’m not going to lie – safety has been a big concern for me. The Residence Inn is trying. They're using Anti-viral cleaning products. There's a whole list of stuff they do: Daily disinfection in common areas, Individual-wrapped food options, Room sanitization between stays. They even mention Staff trained in safety protocol. It felt safe, at least. There's Hand sanitizer stations everywhere. The level of cleanliness was good! I didn't feel like I was breathing in a fog of germs, which is a huge plus.
Services and Conveniences: The Stuff That Makes Life Easier
The Concierge was friendly and helpful, always available to provide Contactless check-in/out, making the entire process smooth. Daily housekeeping? Yes, please. Laundry service? Absolutely! Luggage storage? Yep. The basics were covered.
Getting Around: Driving & More Driving
Car park [free of charge]? Huge win! Car park [on-site]? Another win. The location is pretty central and has great access to the major highways. Airport transfer? I didn't use it, but the option's there.
The Verdict: Secret-Worthy? Maybe. But With Caveats.
So, is the Residence Inn University Area Austin's "Best Kept Secret"? Honestly, it's not going to be the most awe-inspiring hotel experience you've ever had. It's a solid, reliable choice. Good for its purpose and location! But with caveats:
- Accessibility: Still some kinks to work out.
- Food: Decent free breakfast. Limited on-site dining.
- Amenities: Basic, not luxurious.
Would I stay again? Yeah, probably. Especially if I needed a place with a good location, a decent room, and the convenience of a kitchenette. But don't go expecting a hidden gem. It's more like a… well-maintained, slightly imperfect diamond in the rough. And in Austin, in the middle of all that over-the-top hype, sometimes that's just what you need.
Metadata for SEO:
- Keywords: Residence Inn, Austin, University Area, Hotel Review, Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible, Free Wi-Fi, Breakfast, Pool, Fitness Center, Cleanliness, Safety, Travel, Texas.
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of the Residence Inn University Area in Austin, revealing its secrets (and its flaws). Includes accessibility insights, food observations, and a candid assessment of the overall experience.
- Title: NOT a Secret Anymore: A Rambling Review of Residence Inn University Area, Austin
- Category: Travel, Hotels, Austin
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your perfectly curated Instagram travel post. This is a hot mess express of a trip to Austin, starting at the Residence Inn Austin-University Area. And truthfully? My expectations were already slightly… elevated. It's Austin, y'all. Everything's supposed to be cool, right? Let's see if reality holds up.
Day 1: Arrival & Immediate Existential Dread (But with Good Coffee)
1:00 PM: Arrive at Residence Inn. Okay, first impression: it's… a Residence Inn. Clean, functional, the kind of room that screams "business trip" more than "Austin adventure." Check-in was a breeze (thank god, I'm already starving and slightly hangry from the plane), bellhop a bit… overbearing.
- Anecdote: The worst part? My suitcase decided to stage a revolt and refused to open. Panic set in: "Do I have all the things I NEED?!" A valiant struggle ensued, and then, POP! Victory. But the sheer terror in that moment… relatable, right?
1:30 PM: Unpack and immediately collapse on the bed. A solid 20-minute recharge is required. The bed is comfortable. Good start.
2:00 PM: Coffee run. The hotel's free breakfast is a distant dream for now. I need real coffee, and preferably something that doesn't taste like burnt sadness. Found a cute little coffee shop a short walk away called "Epoch Coffee." The latte? Divine. The vibe? Exactly what I needed: relaxed, slightly hipster, good music.
- Quirk Observation: Seriously, are all coffee shops in Austin required to have exposed brick and people clacking away on Macbook Airs? Not complaining. I fit right in.
3:00 PM: Explore the campus area near the University of Texas – UT. It was hotter than Satan’s armpit. And crowded. So many students. So much energy. It reminded me of my college days, which is simultaneously nostalgic and terrifying. The architecture is stunning, the trees are shady, and I felt like I needed to be a teenager again to keep up with the energy.
- Emotional Reaction: Initial: Overwhelmed. Then: Inspired. Then: Exhausted. This place has a lot of history and I'd love to learn it someday.
5:00 PM: Dinner and a beer at a food truck park. I opted for Torchy's Tacos (because, Texas). The trailer park was a glorious chaos of smells, sounds, and people. I’m a sucker for a good taco!
- Imperfection Alert: My taco slid apart mid-bite, resulting in a delightful salsa explosion on my shirt. Fashion faux pas? Maybe. Delicious? Absolutely.
7:00 PM: Drinks at a dive bar near campus, supposedly a local's favorite. The place looked as authentic as a pair of well-worn cowboy boots (and smelled like it too.) I met some students and we drank beers and talked politics and how to avoid real adulting.
- Emotional Reaction: I loved it! It was vibrant, warm, and loud. If this is Austin, count me in!
9:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Crash. Sweet, sweet sleep.
Day 2: Let's Get Weird (But Also, Hangry)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. The free hotel breakfast buffet. Let's be honest, a buffet is a buffet. The bacon was… edible. The coffee, however, was better than yesterday's and I'm not complaining.
- 9:00 AM: Headed to the famous Zilker Park to see the botanical garden. It was lovely. The gardens are beautiful. And not one single person was staring at their phone.
- Rambling Moment: Okay, I'm not a "nature person," per se. I like plants, but I'm more of a "see it in a picture" kind of gal. But even I was impressed by the sheer variety and beauty. I saw an enormous oak tree and thought, "Wow, trees are just… trees!"
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Decided to go for a fancy restaurant. I'm trying to keep my budget in check, but sometimes a girl just needs avocado toast in a pretty setting, you know?
- Opinionated Language: The avocado toast? Overpriced, but at least the presentation was Instagram-worthy. (I didn't post it, though. Too much effort.)
- 2:00 PM: Let's head to the famous Graffiti Park.
- Messy Structure: Okay, so here's the thing. I tried to find the Graffiti Park. Wandered. Got lost. Ended up staring at a construction site. Then, I gave up and ended up at a farmers market with an elderly neighbor.
- 4:00 PM: The farmers market. What a delightful mess! Fresh bread, local honey, and what appeared to be a competition for the "Most Impressive Dog." My inner child loved the vibrant colors and the energy of the locals.
- Doubling Down on Experience: Okay, the best thing at the market? The empanadas. Hands down. I bought three. Ate them all. No regrets. The cheesy, beefy goodness was pure heaven. My clothes are a bit tighter now, but whatever. I'll go jogging tomorrow. Maybe.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a "trendy" spot. It was good though, the food was amazing and the service was great.
- 8:00 PM: Relax by the pool. Perfect end to a perfect day.
- 9:00 PM: Sleep.
Day 3: Departure and Final Thoughts
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. Repeat of Day 2. Though, the coffee's getting better.
- 10:00 AM: One last wander around the area. Found a quirky little bookstore. Bought a book. Regretted traveling with one (but I HAD to).
- 11:00 AM: Check-out. The process was smooth, the front desk staff was friendly and helpful.
- 12:00 PM: Head to the airport.
- Final Emotional Reaction: Austin, you magnificent, slightly-chaotic weirdo. I'll be back. And next time? I'm mastering the art of the taco, finding the Graffiti Park, and maybe, just maybe, embracing a little bit of that "keep Austin weird" spirit.
This was a real trip, a real experience. Flaws, food comas, and all. And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way.
Santa Maria Getaway: Fairfield Inn & Suites Luxurious Stay!
Austin's BEST Kept Secret: Residence Inn University Area - (Seriously Though, Why Haven't You Heard?)
Okay, Okay, So What *is* this "Best Kept Secret"? Is it actually good?
Is it really "best kept" though? Seems... unlikely.
What's actually good about it? Lay it on me. (Be specific!)
Let's talk about the downsides... what's the catch? There *has* to be a catch!
Is it family-friendly? Because I'm traveling with small humans...
What about parking? Is it a nightmare like everything else in Austin?
Okay, so where DOES this place fit into a trip? Like, what *kind* of traveler is it good for?
- **Families:** Duh. The space and kitchenettes are perfect.
- **Business Travelers:** Extended stays are a breeze with the kitchen and living area.
- **People who hate eating out every meal:** Cook for yourself, people!
- **Anyone who wants a chill experience:** Seriously, this isn't the kind of place where you feel pressured to dress to the nines. It's all about relaxing.
Tell me your absolute best experience there. What's the thing that really sold you?
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