Doubletree by Hilton Austin - University Area Rating: 3.5 Pearls

Central Austin, Austin, Texas

Doubletree caters to guests needing to stay close to the university, and is conveniently located in that regard -- though getting to the university does involve crossing a busy highway via pedestrian overpass. You won't find it particularly stylish, or even quirky in Austin style, though the cool, locally inspired photographs in the rooms do add a little Texas flavor.

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The DoubleTree provides easy access to the UT campus via a pedestrian bridge over the highway, but there isn't much nearby on the hotel's side of the road. It's in a business and residential sector, with no tourist attractions and little dining beyond the Denny's fronting the hotel parking lot.

The Doubletree is located north of downtown Austin, on the frontage road parallel to I-35. The city’s downtown core, and some of its more interesting, non-University-related attractions, aren't quite within walking distance -- you'll have to drive, or take a taxi.

• 20-minute-drive to Austin Bergstrom International Airport
• 10-minute-walk to Frank Erwin Center
• 15-minute-walk to Mike A. Myers Stadium
• 15-minute-walk to the Blanton Museum of Art
• 15-minute-walk to LBJ Presidential Library
• 5-minute-drive to Texas State Capitol
• 10-minute-drive to Austin City Limits at The Moody Theater

King Guest Room

Contemporary rooms are decorated in shades of white, salmon, and brown, and have cool, locally inspired black-and-white photographs on the walls. They're more upscale than you might expect for a Doubletree, with big flat-screen TVs and MP3 hookups.

There is little variation between the room types, and since the hotel is located next to a highway, north of the city center, it's not worth upgrading to the "city view" room.

• Cushy beds have Sweet Dreams bedding and ample pillows.
• 37-inch flat-panel LCD TVs with cable channels and on-demand movies
• Bathrooms have dark wood vanities with granite countertops and Neutrogena bath products.
• Booking a room with a king bed instead of two queens gets you a walk-in, glass-door shower.
• Nice work desk and ergonomic chair
• Clock radio with MP3 connection
• Two-cup coffeemakers with free Wolfgang Puck coffee and tea
• Rooms for disabled travelers feature a bathroom with safety bars and raised vanity and toilet, visual doorbell and emergency alarm.

• 24-hour fitness room has free weights and cardio machines with personal TVs
• Outdoor swimming pool and lounge area shaded by trees
• 24-hour lobby mini-mart
• Free and abundant guest parking
• View Full List of Amenities

• FUSE food.drink serves three meals a day in a casual atmosphere
• Pavilion Pantry Market is open 24-hours for last-minute needs, forgotten items or late-night munchies
• A lobby bar open evenings
• Room service from early morning to late night
• A Denny's is adjacent to the property, fronting its parking lot