IC Stephen F. Austin
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you
generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked Traditional Room (cheapest), the night before was upgraded to King Club. When I actually checked in, received One Bedroom Suite
How are the rooms?
The room was a corner room with great views of Congress St, the Paramount Theater and the Capitol. It had a separate living room with a smallish bedroom area. Some of the furniture (like the bedroom dresser) had seen better days, but overall was comfortable.
How is the exec. lounge?
It's on the ground floor, right next to the check-in desk. Apparently, they let anyone in for a fee, so at breakfast, they actually give you check ($0 balance if you have club access but you feel obligated to tip). In the evening, I was just asked if I had Club Access but was never asked for a room number.
The breakfast buffet had a good selection of hot and cold items, but I didn't realize at first that you could order off a menu, too. At night, there were hot and cold items and self serve bar.
Did you receive a welcome gift?
A small IC box of cookies, no fruit. Was wondering if I had checked off the "sweet" amenity? Received one bottle of water.
How was the minibar?
375 ml of white wine, 375 ml of red wine , 375 ml of Mumm, plus Shiner, local Austin flavored vodka, Texas Tea, and the usual assortment of liquor and non-alcoholic beverages.
What was good and what was bad?
-Good- The upgrade
- Corner room views on Congress
- The staff was friendly
- Location
- It's a beautiful, historic hotel
-Bad
- Nothing really, but getting a bill in the Club Lounge was just odd (even with a zero balance)
- Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
I was there during the Austin Film Festival, so the prices were pretty high
Would you return?
- Yes, if the prices are lower