These five hotels are within 0.75 miles of the UT Austin campus, chosen for guest rating, proximity to the 40 Acres, and verified operating status. The list covers a 4-star conference hotel steps from campus, the Otis with its rooftop pool, a boutique option on Rio Grande Street, and a pair of mid-range picks near the Capitol on Lavaca and 17th Street, giving you a range of price tiers and styles without leaving the university area.
What to expect in the UT Austin hotel zone
The blocks around UT Austin split into two distinct corridors. Guadalupe Street (the Drag) and nearby Lavaca and Rio Grande streets put you within a short walk of the main campus gates, the UT Tower, and Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, which holds 100,119 fans on game days. The I-35 corridor to the east is slightly farther from the core campus but connects you to downtown Austin in minutes by bus.
CapMetro Route 1 runs the length of Guadalupe Street and is the most useful line for getting between campus and downtown without a car. The MetroRail Red Line's MLK Jr. station is the closest rail stop to campus, roughly a 10-minute walk from the eastern edge of the 40 Acres.
Game weekends drive hotel demand across the entire area, so booking early matters more here than in most Austin neighborhoods. The hotels below stay bookable year-round for prospective students, parents, alumni, and conference attendees at the AT&T Hotel.
Hotels near University of Texas Austin at a glance
| Hotel | Stars | Guest score | Distance to UT | Pool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Hotel & Conference Center | 4 | 9.0 | 0.47 mi | Outdoor heated |
| The Otis Hotel Austin, Autograph Collection | 4 | 9.2 | 0.60 mi | Rooftop outdoor |
| Hampton Inn and Suites Austin University Capitol | 3 | 9.4 | 0.59 mi | Not listed |
| Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District | 3 | 8.8 | 0.61 mi | Not listed |
| Hotel Ella | 4 | 8.8 | 0.73 mi | Outdoor courtyard |
Getting around without a car
- CapMetro Route 1 runs along Guadalupe Street (the Drag) and connects campus to downtown Austin. A single local ride costs $1.25 ($1.50 from January 10, 2027), and fare caps at $2.50 ($3 from that date) for the full service day after two paid rides.
- The MetroRail Red Line's MLK Jr. station is the nearest rail stop to campus. Pay with the Umo app or a CapMetro Reloadable Fare Card; tap-to-pay with a contactless card does not work on MetroRail.
- Route 20 Riverside runs from downtown through Riverside Drive to Austin-Bergstrom Airport every 15 to 30 minutes, seven days a week, for $1.25 a ride ($1.50 from January 10, 2027). It starts at UT, with stops on Guadalupe and Dean Keeton.
The hotels
AT&T Hotel & Conference Center
1900 University Avenue
9.0916 reviews
4 min walk to Museum Station (MetroRapid 801, MetroRapid 803)0.47 miles from campus, the closest hotel here, with an on-site conference center and the only LEED Gold building on this list.
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The Otis Hotel Austin, Autograph Collection
1901 San Antonio Street
9.2352 reviews
5 min walk to Museum Station (MetroRapid 801, MetroRapid 803)The only rooftop pool in Austin's Campus District, with a 9.2 guest score.
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Hampton Inn and Suites Austin University Capitol
1701 Lavaca St
9.4880 reviews
1 min walk to Museum Station (MetroRapid 801, MetroRapid 803)A 9.4 guest score, the top score on this list, for travelers who care more about reviews than extras.
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Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District
301 West 17th Street
8.8896 reviews
1 min walk to Museum Station (MetroRapid 801, MetroRapid 803)0.61 miles from campus, with a restaurant on site and an 8.8 guest score.
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Hotel Ella
1900 Rio Grande Street
8.8465 reviews
8 min walk to Museum Station (MetroRapid 801, MetroRapid 803)A historic mansion on Rio Grande Street, 0.73 miles from campus, with a courtyard pool, EV charging and a $50 pet fee per stay.
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Frequently asked questions
Which hotel is closest to the UT Austin campus?＋
AT&T Hotel & Conference Center at 1900 University Avenue is the closest, 0.47 miles from the campus core. It is directly on the southwest edge of the 40 Acres, adjacent to the Blanton Museum of Art.
How do I get from these hotels to Austin-Bergstrom Airport without a car?＋
Take CapMetro Route 20 Riverside. The bus runs every 15 to 30 minutes, seven days a week, and costs $1.25 a ride ($1.50 from January 10, 2027). Route 20 starts at UT, so you can board it on Guadalupe near campus with no transfer. At the airport, the bus stop is on the lower level outside baggage claim at the neon guitar bus stop.
Is there a hotel near UT Austin with a rooftop pool?＋
The Otis Hotel Austin, Autograph Collection at 1901 San Antonio Street has a rooftop pool and lounge called Otopia, which the hotel describes as the only rooftop pool in Austin's Campus District. It is 0.60 miles from the UT campus.
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, billed as a separate line item.
Which hotels near UT Austin allow pets?＋
Two of these five accept pets. The Otis Hotel Austin allows up to two pets under 30 pounds for a $100 non-refundable fee per stay. Hotel Ella charges a $50 fee per stay with no published weight limit, though the policy does not specify cats.
Are any of these hotels LEED certified?＋
Yes. AT&T Hotel & Conference Center holds LEED Gold under NC v2.1, covering the entire building including the conference center. The other four hotels on this list have no verified LEED certification.
