The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
701 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Full view
View all photos(511)511
360
Panoramas (32) 
Videos (1)
View prices for your travel dates
Contact accommodation for availability.
There are similar hotels available.
View allAbout
4.5
#39 of 232 hotels in AustinLocation
4.9
Cleanliness
4.8
Service
4.6
Value
4.2
Immerse yourself in Austin's history and charm amid the unbridled elegance of the The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel, located in the heart of The Live Music Capital of the World. Our Sonesta love of art comes to life in this splendid hotel - from our historic Art Deco façade and sophisticated décor to our carefully crafted cocktails and cuisine. Settle in to our beautifully appointed rooms and suites, and let our Texas hospitality wash over you. Our two upscale-dining establishments add memorable flavors to your stay, as does our historic bar. Experience the Peloton Bike in our fitness center. Our 6,000 square feet of meeting and event space are all located on one level, adding convenience to your gathering of up to 400 attendees. And it's all centrally located at our Congress Avenue hotel in downtown Austin near famed attractions like Sixth Street and Rainey Street just to name a few.
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Paid private parking on-site
Wifi
Pool
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Business Center with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Parking
Indoor pool
Heated pool
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Baggage storage
Concierge
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
ATM on site
Doorperson
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Safe
VIP room facilities
Iron
Flatscreen TV
On-demand movies
Room types
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Classic
Historic Hotel
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
701 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Getting there
Great for walkers
Grade: 100 out of 100
100
Austin-Bergstrom Intl Airport
6.9 mi•
See all flights
Rental Cars
201 Restaurants
within 0.3 miles
1,674Review14Q+A100Room tips
Reviews
Traveler rating
- 1,152
- 337
- 103
- 52
- 30
Time of year
Traveler type
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
Sort by:
Detailed Reviews
Hotel's Favorite
The staff is excellent, check in and out was quick and easy, the on-site restaurant is fabulous. The rooms were clean and the bed and pillows were comfortable. The floor was extremely quiet, no disturbances. The A/C was great and needed due to the heat.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Traveled on business
Room Tip: No breakfast available in the hotel on Monday & Tuesdays. The Caroline across the street is...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rodney Hartfield, Guest Services / Front Office at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded Jul 31, 2022
Wonderful! Thank you Charliellauren for your excellent 5 Bubble review. Thank you for sharing your experience with us, we always love to hear back from our guests. Come back soon.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I'm in town for a teacher conference, the room was clean, quiet and comfortable.
night two of the conference, I get sick, while they do not have an on premise store for convenience medicine, there is a 7-11 half a block away, and a CVS about 2 blocks away.
I had an awful night (no fault of the hotel) and required some middle of the night housekeeping. The staff attended to things politely, compassionately, and quickly. The night housekeeping staff re-made the bed at 3 am as if it was a normal occurrence. The training of the staff at this hotel must be exemplary they know their jobs and do it well.
night two of the conference, I get sick, while they do not have an on premise store for convenience medicine, there is a 7-11 half a block away, and a CVS about 2 blocks away.
I had an awful night (no fault of the hotel) and required some middle of the night housekeeping. The staff attended to things politely, compassionately, and quickly. The night housekeeping staff re-made the bed at 3 am as if it was a normal occurrence. The training of the staff at this hotel must be exemplary they know their jobs and do it well.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Traveled on business
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: This trip, things were quiet on the 8th floor.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NorthStar12119242437, Executive Assistant at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded Feb 6, 2020
Dear Q7909SInicholasl: Thank you for staying with us during your teacher conference here at the InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel, it was a pleasure having you. I was sorry to hear that you were ill on the second night but also happy to hear that our staff was able to take care of your needs. Next time you are in Austin, we look forward to having you stay with us again. You can check out the Stephen F's Bar and outdoor terrace on the second floor where you can sip on a cool drink while sitting on the terrace and enjoy the amazing scenery. We hope to see you soon. Sincerely, Liz Benoit Executive Assistant (512) 721-4201 liz.benoit@ihg.com
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The InterContinental is in a great location on Congress Street, and is within walking distance of state offices, the business district, and many bars and restaurants. It is a good place from which to explore Austin.
I arrived prior to the check in time. A room was not ready, but a manager-Carmen Ortiz-upgraded me to an available suite without my making that request. That represented excellent customer service.
My room was large, clean, comfortable and had an acceptable number of outlets and a good WiFi signal.
I would happily return.
I arrived prior to the check in time. A room was not ready, but a manager-Carmen Ortiz-upgraded me to an available suite without my making that request. That represented excellent customer service.
My room was large, clean, comfortable and had an acceptable number of outlets and a good WiFi signal.
I would happily return.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NorthStar12119242437, Executive Assistant at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded Jan 17, 2020
Thank you for staying with us here at the InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel, it was a pleasure having you. It is nice to see that we were able to meet and exceed your expectations. Next time you are in Austin we look forward to having you stay with us again. Regards, Liz Benoit Executive Assistant (512) 721-4201 liz.benoit@ihg.com
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We recently hosted a rehearsal dinner event at the Stephen F. Austin and could not have been more pleased with the outcome. The Capital Ballroom and adjacent outdoor balcony space were perfect and offered the indoor/outdoor balance we were seeking. The event coordinator David, and supporting staff led by Matt, executed the food/drink and service beautifully. Nate managed the evening’s technology needs flawlessly. We had several special requests and appreciated the flexibility with which they were accommodated.
The wedding ceremony and reception were also in downtown Austin, making the SFA a convenient location to spend the weekend. Our room was spectacular, spacious, and comfortable. The bed was great!
Many thanks to the SFA and staff for helping make the wedding weekend a huge success!
The wedding ceremony and reception were also in downtown Austin, making the SFA a convenient location to spend the weekend. Our room was spectacular, spacious, and comfortable. The bed was great!
Many thanks to the SFA and staff for helping make the wedding weekend a huge success!
Read more
Date of stay: January 2021
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rodney Hartfield, Guest Services / Front Office at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded Mar 8, 2021
Hi Jennifer, Thank you so much for sharing your special event with us. It is always great to hear how much our guests enjoyed their time with us. We are grateful for the amazing Trip Advisor review you wrote for us. Hopefully, you can come back and see us very soon. Sincerely,
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I stayed here on points, so can't speak to the room rate. When I arrived at the hotel, the Uber driver took my bag out of the car. There was a bellman stand with 3 guys hanging out there talking. None of them offered to help me with my bag. I lugged it up on the curb and looked over at them for several seconds before one of them came over and opened the door for me. Thanks a lot, guys. Front desk was welcoming and friendly. Recognized me as an IHG member and offered me 2 drink tickets at the 2nd floor bar.
The hotel itself is more of a traditional style with dark woods and not a lot of sunlight. My room was fairly spacious, but the furnishings seemed a bit dated. I was disappointed that they still have the old style shower in the bathtub- I so much prefer walk in showers. But, I was happy with the vanity table and chair for putting on make up. Men probably don't use it but we women appreciate that.
I went to the 2nd floor bar. There were several tables full outside, but inside the bar only one table and one person at the bar, so pretty quiet. I asked the bartender if they had table service and he said yes. I sat down and after being completely ignored for 10 minutes, I went back to the bar and asked for a menu. Finally someone came and took my order.
The morning I left I ordered French toast-which is something I rarely treat myself to so was looking forward to it. It was only after the room service person left that I realized there was no butter or syrup, just a few jars of marmalade and jelly. I called and asked them to please bring butter and syrup. 20 minutes went by so I called again. After another 10 minutes I realized the food was stone cold, so I called to cancel the order and asked them to take it off my bill. The person who answered the phone offered to send me a new order- since I was running out of time I told her it would have to arrive within 15 minutes or don't bother. She called me back and said, sorry it would take more than 15 minutes so they would just take it off my bill.
I do not think I will be back.
The hotel itself is more of a traditional style with dark woods and not a lot of sunlight. My room was fairly spacious, but the furnishings seemed a bit dated. I was disappointed that they still have the old style shower in the bathtub- I so much prefer walk in showers. But, I was happy with the vanity table and chair for putting on make up. Men probably don't use it but we women appreciate that.
I went to the 2nd floor bar. There were several tables full outside, but inside the bar only one table and one person at the bar, so pretty quiet. I asked the bartender if they had table service and he said yes. I sat down and after being completely ignored for 10 minutes, I went back to the bar and asked for a menu. Finally someone came and took my order.
The morning I left I ordered French toast-which is something I rarely treat myself to so was looking forward to it. It was only after the room service person left that I realized there was no butter or syrup, just a few jars of marmalade and jelly. I called and asked them to please bring butter and syrup. 20 minutes went by so I called again. After another 10 minutes I realized the food was stone cold, so I called to cancel the order and asked them to take it off my bill. The person who answered the phone offered to send me a new order- since I was running out of time I told her it would have to arrive within 15 minutes or don't bother. She called me back and said, sorry it would take more than 15 minutes so they would just take it off my bill.
I do not think I will be back.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Traveled on business
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from IHGService, Guest Relations Manager at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded Mar 26, 2020
Hi there Laura First, let me thank you for taking your time to tell us your story in our hotel. It's important for us to improve and avoid the same mistakes in the future. It's also sad to see that it was at the end of your stay that things went a bit down the hill. We will make sure that the room service responds much faster in the future. Please accept a sincere apology for the inconvenience. I would like to also thank you for choosing us for your stay, we'll make sure that, if you give us another chance, nothing will go wrong during your time at our property. Please take care and we hope to see you in the future! Alejandro G. Case Manager. IHGService.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A $500 plus a night hotel should give you more than one tiny shrink wrapped soap.
The bath has a wall dispenser of generic shampoo conditioner.
Where are some nicer amenities ?
The lounge is open for breakfast but not Monday or Tuesday!
Really?
Service is good the tiny room is well appointed, but whether the change from the change to sonestq or covid, the experience is quite ordinary .
The bath has a wall dispenser of generic shampoo conditioner.
Where are some nicer amenities ?
The lounge is open for breakfast but not Monday or Tuesday!
Really?
Service is good the tiny room is well appointed, but whether the change from the change to sonestq or covid, the experience is quite ordinary .
Read more
Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip: Be aware that panhandlers are rife all day and night
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rodney Hartfield, Guest Services / Front Office at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded Apr 15, 2022
Thank you asudrashan3 for your recent stay with us. We are happy your found our service good. We are expanding our restaurant and bar hours in the very near future. Thank you for your review and for your business.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Snagged a late deal for spring break for a quick get away. Hotel is very nice and well situated downtown - close to everything. The room was small but very nice, clean and well maintained. Wifi was FAST. While I don't understand why hotels use, to me, the really hot heavy duty duvet but at lest the sheets were very soft so you don't get that noise and crunch of usual hotel sheets. The bed and pillows were very nice. Staff was excellent and friendly. Parking is an additional $49/night (plus, realistically, tips). Tip: if you are a light sleeper I would suggest asking for a room not on the streets - Austin can get noisy at night.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2021
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: If a light sleeper ask for a room not on the street
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rodney Hartfield, Guest Services / Front Office at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded May 9, 2021
Hello Houston_Eriol, Thank you for the 5 Start review! We love to hear how much our guests enjoyed their stay with us. Thank you for compliment on our staff and bedding. We hope you come back to see us soon.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Beautiful historic hotel in a great location — about a 10 minute walk to either the Capitol building or 2nd Street. There are open restaurants nearby and a small local grocer on the next block.
The service was great — James (I hope I remembered his name right!) at the front desk was phenomenal. When I needed a fridge, directions or even mentioned that the robe was missing from the room, he was always happy to help.
The bed was comfortable and it was nice to have a shower and deep tub with plenty of hot water at a good pressure. I was pleasantly surprised that the smaller queen room I reserved (which was plenty big for me) was a corner room, allowing me to open the curtains and have sunshine streaming in on two sides.
FYI there is a mini bar in the room that is empty because of COVID but also doesn’t seem to be that cold. So if you truly need refrigeration, you may want to ask for a fridge.
I chose valet parking because it was nearly 8pm when I arrived — the stand is on 7th Street and they tended to my quickly. It did take about 10 minutes to get my car when I left, but they had told me to call ahead and I failed to do that. Apparently, the valets work the hotel across the street as well so I would definitely recommend following their advice to call first!
The service was great — James (I hope I remembered his name right!) at the front desk was phenomenal. When I needed a fridge, directions or even mentioned that the robe was missing from the room, he was always happy to help.
The bed was comfortable and it was nice to have a shower and deep tub with plenty of hot water at a good pressure. I was pleasantly surprised that the smaller queen room I reserved (which was plenty big for me) was a corner room, allowing me to open the curtains and have sunshine streaming in on two sides.
FYI there is a mini bar in the room that is empty because of COVID but also doesn’t seem to be that cold. So if you truly need refrigeration, you may want to ask for a fridge.
I chose valet parking because it was nearly 8pm when I arrived — the stand is on 7th Street and they tended to my quickly. It did take about 10 minutes to get my car when I left, but they had told me to call ahead and I failed to do that. Apparently, the valets work the hotel across the street as well so I would definitely recommend following their advice to call first!
Read more
Date of stay: January 2021Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rodney Hartfield, Guest Services / Front Office at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded Feb 6, 2021
Dear Tracy N, Thank you for the great review of our hotel! We are glad to hear that enjoyed the bed and our convenient location. And thank you very much for recognizing one of our team members. We hope to see you again very soon. Sincerely, Rodney H.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I stayed here for work last week and was really happy with it. The rooms are small, but nicely furnished and decorated, very clean, and have everything you need. The staff was very friendly and room service was fast! It’s a great location and ride share services are there in 2-3 minutes. I recommend!!!
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NorthStar12119242437, Executive Assistant at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded Jan 29, 2020
Dear Wtfta: Thank you for staying with us here at the InterContinenal Stephen F. Austin Hotel, it was a pleasure having you. I apologize for the size of our Traditional rooms which remain true to our original historic floor plan but with all the modern amenities. We recommend our Deluxe rooms which are almost twice the size for a modest price increase. Next time you are in Austin we look forward to having you stay with us again. Sincerely, Liz Benoit Executive Assistant (512) 721-4201 liz.benoit@ihg.com
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Very disappointing experience. Hotel website is out of date. Hotel promotes amenities on their website they don't really offer, such as room service and a restaurant for breakfast & lunch. They'll direct you to another hotel for meals. Parking is $49 a night IN AUSTIN TEXAS. Bar doesn't open until 5pm on the weekend. Housekeeping has to be requested to get clean towels and basic room clean-up each day.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2022
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Get a "Preferred Deluxe King." The Deluxe King is incredibly small.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rodney Hartfield, Guest Services / Front Office at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Responded Apr 2, 2022
Thank you for your review. Thank you for letting us know about the website issues. We have been working with our marketing team and all website information has been corrected. Thank you for your help.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I’m certain there’s probably a bus system but the airport isn’t near downtown . We took an Uber
Don't think so but you can check with the hotel for other possible arrangements.
We have an indoor salt water lap pool located in the lowest level.
"Some of the suites have bedrooms that back onto service hallways that can be noisy."Read full review
…
PRICE RANGE
$218 - $360 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
intercontinental stephen f. austin hotel austin, intercontinental austin
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin
LOCATION
United StatesTexasAustinDowntown
NUMBER OF ROOMS
190
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your ListingTHE STEPHEN F AUSTIN ROYAL SONESTA HOTEL $193 ($̶2̶8̶9̶) - Updated 2024 Prices & Reviews - TX
Frequently Asked Questions about The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Bad Wolf Ghost Tours (0.09 miles), Pete's Dueling Piano Bar (0.3 miles), and The Driskill (0.07 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an indoor pool, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel?
Yes, paid private parking on-site and paid private parking nearby are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Stella San Jac, Azul Rooftop, and Eddie V's Prime Seafood.
Are there opportunities to exercise at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel?
Yes, guests have access to an indoor pool and a fitness center during their stay.
Is The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.1 miles away from the center of Austin.
Are any cleaning services offered at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Are pets allowed at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Does The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business center, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.