Austin Hotel Review: Lone Star Court
I had a conference in Austin last week, and Kenny decided to tag along so that we could see our college kid and make a weekend of it. We decided to check out a unique Austin hotel and settled on Lone Star Court. We’d describe this place as preppy hipster.
Note: This post includes affiliate links and we may be paid a commission if you book a hotel through these links. However, we were not paid for this review, we paid in full for our stay, and these are our honest opinions.
Location
Lone Star Court is located about 10 miles north of downtown Austin and UT in an area called The Domain. It took me about 30 minutes in Friday morning traffic to drive from the hotel to the UT campus for my conference, and about 25 minutes to return in evening traffic. This location isn’t ideal for business travel but is fine if you want to check out Austin, do some shopping, or don’t plan to be driving during high-traffic times.
Oddly, Lone Star Court is basically located in the middle of an outdoor shopping mall. The retro-vibe is compromised by being sandwiched in between a Dillard’s and a Macy’s, although you can’t see the surroundings from your room or the courtyard.
Tip: When booking a trip to Austin in the fall, check out the UT football schedule. Hotel prices spike on home-game weekends.
Why We Picked Lone Star Court
Lone Star Court is anything but a typical chain hotel. It is reminiscent of a 50’s era roadside motel, with all the accompanying kitschiness. Every room has a full-size SMEG refrigerator packed full of goodies, and the theming is quirky and fun.
Lone Star Court smartly reverses the layout of a typical roadside motel. While the rooms retain the old-school outdoor entry, all room access faces an interior courtyard, and there are gates at all access points to satisfy any safety concerns.
What We Liked
The grounds! The reason for staying at Lone Star Court is to enjoy the grounds. The nicely landscaped interior courtyard includes fire pits, a large covered area, open areas for cornhole and other outdoor games, and a small pool. Kenny said it felt like summer camp. It really was a fun place to hang out, and the weather was perfect while we were there.
Not So Much
The room. Aside from the kitsch and well-stocked fridge, the rooms are pretty bare bones. It’s really a budget hotel with a mid-level price point. You’re paying for the atmosphere and grounds. Kenny says you stay there for fun, not comfort–and he’s not nearly as particular as I am.
There were several small things in need of repair–small holes in the duvet, banged up trim in the bathroom, cleanliness not quite up to my standards.
Dining
Lone Star Court provides a complimentary continental breakfast, which was above-average for a budget-hotel breakfast. There are two food trucks on the property, but they were never open during our stay from a Thursday night to Saturday morning. Not to worry, though, there are plenty of dining options at all price points within walking distance.
Who Should Stay Here
My teens would have loved this place. The grounds are fun, and you’re surrounded by shopping! Shopping choices ranged from Forever 21 to Neiman Marcus. This would be a great base for a girls’ trip.
I can’t say that I would suggest Lone Star Court for a romantic weekend away or a business trip. I’ve stayed at the Omni Austin Downtown for business before and it was very nice, and we’re dying to check out Saint Cecilia on our next couple’s trip.
