Just had my wedding down in Austin, and the HGI was the "preferred" hotel from my guests, although I ended up not staying there myself. From what I saw of it, it appears to be pretty standard HGI. I will say that everyone I worked with to get rooms blocked off and also when checking in (I got two rooms for guests with my Diamond guarantee) went out of their way to be helpful and friendly.

It is slightly further away from the Arboretum shopping area than some of the other properties in the area, but nothing that will affect you that much -- a rental car is pretty much required when traveling to Texas, anyway, so a mile or two difference is not a big deal. (Unless you are staying at the Renaissance Arboretum, you won't be able to walk to the Arboretum shops.) In addition to the Great American Grill, there is a Bone Daddy's restaurant basically in the parking lot of the HGI, and just about every chain restaurant you could ever desire within a few miles. In particular, the HGI is very convenient to Rudy's, which is our favorite BBQ in Texas. (Don't let the fact that it's a gas station fool you! This is some good eatin'.)