Best Hotel / Motel Pool

TIE: Hotel San José; Hotel Saint Cecilia

The only problems with San Antonio's Hotel Havana and the Thunderbird hotel in Marfa? They're not in Austin, of course. To the righteous go to the spoils, fortunately, so locals sidle up happily to Capital City hotelier Liz Lambert's two local flagships: the MOMA-style modernity of South Congress Avenue's Hotel San José, and the off-strip rock & roll chic of Hotel Saint Cecilia. The swimming pools at both are sleek blue retro-mod respites from the buzz beyond the hedges, perfect for lounging, tanning, and soaking in the Austin of it all.

Hotel San José
1316 S. Congress, 512/852-2350
www.sanjosehotel.com

Hotel Saint Cecilia
112 Academy, 512/852-2400
www.hotelstcecilia.com