Best of Austin 2003

After all these years – nay, decades! – it's still fun to joke about that amazing sign, isn't it (isn't it)?! For 65 years, the Austin Motel has been, as they like to say, so close yet so far out. Situated in a now-tres-hip neighborhood, their groovy poolside is the place to be seen at SXSW and, really, any time of the year. Plus the staff is really nice, and the rooms are offered at a variety of prices and comfort levels.