OverviewLocated just off Interstate 35 and about a 6-minute drive from Austin's city centre, the Howard Johnson Austin/I-35 is geared towards car travellers who require a centrally located hotel with a free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and easy highway access.
Each of this smoke-free hotel's guest rooms offers air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, cable TV, a mini-fridge, a microwave, an iron and ironing board, a desk and a hair dryer. Rooms with a jetted tub are also available, as are wheelchair-accessible rooms.
Hotel amenities include a fitness room, a business centre, guest laundry, vending machines, a free continental breakfast and free parking. Pets are not permitted.
The University of Texas at Austin is roughly a 10-minute drive away, while Twin Oaks Shopping Center can be found 3 minutes away by car. Austin Convention Center is about a 5-minute drive away and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is a 14-minute drive away. (All distances and travel time estimates: Google Maps)
Verified with a front desk agent: Free Wi-Fi, free parking, no pets, wheelchair accessible. (Call Date: January 23, 2014)
The GoodGuest reviews sourced for this analysis showed positive responses towards the hotel's location, staff, rates and rooms.
The hotel's location was convenient for many lodgers. They described it as easily accessible and close to the highway, downtown Austin, the airport, restaurants, a pharmacy, a gas station, Austin Convention Center and The Circuit of the Americas.
Numerous reviewers were pleased with the level of customer service they received during their stay. They characterized the staff as efficient, friendly, accommodating and helpful with directions.
Several guests were satisfied with the hotel's rates. They found them to be inexpensive, cheap and reasonable.
The hotel's accommodations were enjoyed by some travellers. They described their rooms as clean and quiet, with comfortable beds, efficient air conditioning and good Wi-Fi. Some guests criticized their lodgings, however (see below).
The Bad
Guest critiques consulted for this review showed negative responses towards the hotel's rooms and noise transfer.
Although some travellers were pleased with their clean and comfortable rooms, some lodgers were disappointed with their accommodations. They reported musty odours, worn decor and fixtures, cigarette odours (although the hotel is advertised as smoke free) and poor water pressure.
A few reviewers complained of noise disturbances during their stay. They reported traffic noise, as well as noise from guests in adjacent and overhead rooms.
Expedia.ca guest reviews rated the hotel 3 out of 5 with a 66% recommendation rate from 438 reviews.
Hotels.com guest reviews rated the hotel 2.9 out of 5 from 377 reviews.
TripAdvisor.com guest reviews ranked the hotel #137 of 181 Austin hotels with an average rating of 3 out of 5 from 152 reviews.
The author called the hotel on January 23, 2014 to verify some information.
