The Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel

The namesake of this hotel within Texas is almost without equal: The Stephen F Austin. The location on 7th street is near perfect. This property could be among the finest in Texas and perhaps the world, yet they accept mediocrity. From the postage stamp size rooms and airline-sized bathrooms to the surly front desk staff and old furniture mediocrity abounds. It’s shocking given the potential of the property. Plus size? Great bar with pleasant and knowledgeable bartenders although a waitress would be helpful on a Saturday night. And if you have no intention of cleaning my room and replenishing the bottled water, please tell me when I check in.

we were here during the film festival--we didnt know! we were in Austin for a fun weekend. we tried to go to the bar AT THE HOTEL WE WERE STAYING AT at 6pm and were turned away because it was "too busy"-- it did NOT look that busy and why-- like most hotels-- wouldn't they have kept some room for people staying therre??? absolutely furious. destroyed our evening.

Shower did not have the handle attached.i told the front desk and they said no one was on duty. I had an early flight and left w no shower. Called later in evening and spoke to manager. Felt she didnt believe me. Rest of event was decent but no where near worth the high cost ($330)..

I booked my stay but needed to make changes to the reservation. The people answering the phones are rude and unhelpful. I was put on a hold for 10 minutes and then was disconnected. I called back and they continually put me on hold. After calling back 5 more times, I asked the person to please not be put on hold and see if she could help me. She was incredibly rude, told me too bad and that I needed to hold anyway. I will be canceling my upcoming trip and booking at a different hotel. I was looking forward to staying but if the service is as bad in person as it is on the phone, then it's not somewhere I want to stay. Disappointed.

Great welcome each day from the valet parkers. And from reception staff. Liked the room and especially the hotel location right in the heart of Austin. Was able to walk to restaurants, concerts etc. And breakfast was excellent, food and service. Why only 4 stars? That was because on the Sunday night I came back to my room after a long day at COTA to find it hadn't been serviced. I queried this immediately with reception and said as a minimum I expected bed to be made and bins emptied whilst I was out for dinner. When I came back, bins had been emptied but bed still unmade, with a pile of new bed linen just left on the bed. Not impressed. I assume it was the day off for normal bedroom servicing staff which had been excellent for the rest of my stay. Other thing I didn't like was check out. When I went to reception there was a lady I hadn't seen previously. I asked for my bill and was handed it and told my credit card had been debited with the amount owing. I wasn't given a chance to check my bill which I always do before paying. When I did, I found two errors totally $110. Money was refunded immediately but I feel it should have been handled better. Would I stay again, yes. But there are issues that need resolving to make the experience better.