These five hotels are on or within a short walk of South Congress Avenue (SoCo) in Austin, between Riverside Drive and Ben White Boulevard. All five are independents or boutiques with a pool and a dog policy, so the table below compares guest scores, pools and pet fees.
What to expect from hotels in South Congress Austin
South Congress Avenue draws travelers who want walkable access to Austin's most photographed strip: the neon signs, the vintage stores, the food trailers, and the bars that stay open late. Hotels here tend to be independent or boutique, with personality built into the architecture rather than the brand standards. You get fewer chain amenities and more courtyard pools, vinyl bars, and dog-friendly policies.
The corridor is about 1.5 miles from Lady Bird Lake to the south end of the main retail stretch. Properties at the north end of SoCo are within a 15-minute walk of the Congress Avenue Bridge and downtown. Properties further south, near Oltorf Street, trade proximity to downtown for quieter surroundings and, in some cases, more space.
CapMetro Route 801 MetroRapid runs the length of South Congress Avenue, connecting the neighborhood to UT, downtown, and Tech Ridge to the north. A single ride costs $1.25 ($1.50 from January 10, 2027), and fare caps at $2.50 ($3 from that date) for the service day after two paid trips.
Hotels in South Congress at a glance
| Hotel | Stars | Guest score | Pool | Pet-friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colton House Hotel | 4 | 9.6 | Seasonal outdoor pool | Dogs, $50 fee |
| Hotel Saint Cecilia | 5 | 9.1 | Adults-only pool | Dogs, fee not published |
| Hotel Magdalena | 4 | 9.2 | Guest-only pool | Dogs, fee not published |
| Hotel San Jose | 4 | 9.1 | Courtyard pool | Dogs, $20 fee |
| Austin Motel | 3 | 9.1 | Kidney-shaped pool | Dogs, fee not published |
Getting around SoCo without a car
- Route 801 MetroRapid runs along South Congress Avenue and connects to downtown. A single ride is $1.25 ($1.50 from January 10, 2027), capped at $2.50 ($3 from that date) for the full service day.
- Tap to Pay with a contactless card or phone works on CapMetro buses including the 801. You do not need the Umo app for bus rides.
- The Congress Avenue Bridge is a 10-15 minute walk from the northern end of SoCo. From there, downtown Austin is another 5 minutes on foot or one bus stop.
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is roughly 5 miles southeast of South Congress. Route 20 Riverside connects the airport to downtown for $1.25 ($1.50 from January 10, 2027), but does not serve SoCo directly. Rideshare is the practical option from the neighborhood.
Which hotel fits your trip to South Congress
Travelers who want the full SoCo experience, meaning a courtyard pool, a vinyl bar, and a dog-friendly room on the avenue itself, should look at Hotel San José or Hotel Magdalena. Both are on or just off South Congress Avenue.
Hotel Saint Cecilia on Academy Drive is the only 5-star hotel on this list. Its adults-only pool policy (except 10am to 2pm) and no on-site gym make it a better fit for travelers who want a quiet retreat than for those who want a full-service hotel.
Colton House Hotel on the southern stretch of South Congress at 2510 South Congress Ave earns the highest guest score on this list at 9.6. Every room includes a kitchenette or full kitchen, which makes it the strongest option for stays longer than two or three nights.
Austin Motel at 1220 South Congress Ave is the most recognizable mid-range option on the strip, with a guest score of 9.1 and a location in the middle of the main retail and dining corridor.
The hotels
Colton House Hotel
2510 South Congress Ave
9.6833 reviews
2 min walk to Oltorf Station (MetroRapid 801, Route 1)Every room has a kitchenette or full kitchen, the only hotel here that does, and its 9.6 guest score is the highest on this list.
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Hotel Saint Cecilia
112 Academy Drive
9.183 reviews
2 min walk to Congress & Nellie stop (Route 1)The only 5-star hotel on this list, with an adults-only pool and a 9.1 guest score.
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Hotel Magdalena
1101 Music Lane
9.2398 reviews
1 min walk to Congress & Nellie stop (Route 1)A guest-only pool with a seasonal outdoor pool bar for a social atmosphere without leaving the hotel, plus a 9.2 guest score.
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Hotel San Jose
1316 South Congress Avenue
9.1298 reviews
3 min walk to Soco Station (MetroRapid 801, Route 1)A courtyard pool, dog-friendly rooms for a $20 fee and two EV chargers, with a 9.1 guest score at 4 stars.
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Austin Motel
1220 South Congress Ave.
9.1507 reviews
1 min walk to Congress & The Circle stop (Route 1)A well-reviewed 3-star in the middle of the SoCo strip, with a 9.1 guest score.
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Frequently asked questions
Which hotels in South Congress Austin allow dogs?＋
Hotel San José charges a $20 fee per stay and has no published weight limit. Hotel Saint Cecilia and Hotel Magdalena both welcome dogs for a small fee, though neither publishes the exact amount or a weight limit. Colton House Hotel accepts dogs in designated pet-friendly rooms for a $50 non-refundable fee, with a maximum of two dogs.
How do I get from South Congress to downtown Austin without a car?＋
Route 801 MetroRapid runs along South Congress Avenue and connects to downtown. A single ride costs $1.25 ($1.50 from January 10, 2027), and after two paid rides in a service day, the rest of the day is free. You can pay with a contactless card or phone using Tap to Pay directly on the bus.
Is there a hotel on South Congress with a pool?＋
Yes. Hotel San José has a courtyard pool open to guests from 8am to 10pm (midnight on Fridays and Saturdays). Hotel Magdalena has a guest-only pool with a seasonal outdoor pool bar. Hotel Saint Cecilia has an adults-only pool, open to all guests between 10am and 2pm. Colton House Hotel has a seasonal outdoor pool open May through October.
What is the hotel tax rate in Austin?＋
Austin's hotel tax totals 17 percent: 6 percent Texas state tax plus 11 percent city tax. Hotels with 100 or more rooms may also add a 2 percent Austin Tourism Public Improvement District fee on top of that, listed as a separate line item rather than a tax.
How far is South Congress from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport?＋
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is roughly 5 miles southeast of South Congress Avenue. Rideshare is the most direct option from SoCo. Route 20 Riverside connects the airport to downtown for $1.25 ($1.50 from January 10, 2027) but does not serve South Congress directly.
Which South Congress hotel has the highest guest score?＋
Colton House Hotel at 2510 South Congress Ave carries a 9.6 guest score, the highest among the five hotels on this list. It is also the only property where every room includes a kitchenette or full kitchen.
