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  5. Reviews of The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel

Reviews of The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel This rating is a reflection of how the property compares to the industry standard when it comes to price, facilities and services available. It's based on a self-evaluation by the property. Use this rating to help choose your stay!

701 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701, United States

#87 of 214 hotels in Austin

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 298 hotel reviews

8.4

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.8

  • Comfort

    9.1

  • Location

    9.5

  • Facilities

    8.5

  • Staff

    9.1

  • Value for money

    8.1

  • Free Wifi

    7.5

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Showing 1 - 25

  • Reviewed: July 10, 2025

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Preferred King Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The elevators were down on our day to check out. We were on the 14th floor. They sent someone. Up the grab the big luggage. But we had to walk down 14 fights. They did take off the valet charge for 3 nights as an apology, which was awesome.

    The staff was great. We ate at the restaurant inside the hôtel. Me and my wife shared a Tomahawk wood fired it was great. The Valet service was friend and professionnel. We text before heading down to get our car there was never more than a 3 minute wait. Room was super clean, and beds were confortable.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: March 26, 2025

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Deluxe Queen Room
    • Stayed 6 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Good, discrete service. Friendly staff

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: March 17, 2025

    9.0
    Cozy and central
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Preferred King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Amazing location, great restaurant downstairs, very friendly and helpful staff!

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: March 3, 2025

    7.0
    Great staff, might be “Ghost Busters”!
    • Leisure trip
    • Travelers with friends
    • Deluxe Double Room with Two Double Beds
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Room 410 has the craziest lighting, going on and off. Problem with sheets was quickly addressed.

    Staff were so responsive. Nice location and outdoor seating at bar.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: February 8, 2025

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Price of room was much higher booking in advance than at the time we stayed there. Almost double. We felt ripped off.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: December 9, 2024

    7.0
    The room was fine, and the location was easy.
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Mobility/Hearing Accessible Deluxe Queen Tub
    • Stayed 2 nights

    n/a

    The location.

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: November 27, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Deluxe Double Room with Two Double Beds
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Location

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: October 31, 2024

    8.0
    Fantastically comfortable room and hotel to relax in after a busy day.
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Deluxe King Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    The only negative is really more a comment. We had drinks in the bar upstairs a couple of evenings after returning to the hotel from dinner but were disappointed that they didn't stay open a bit later on the weekend. Yes, you can move to what they call the 'public' balcony but it is not the same. The bar was full the nights we were there and we were not the only ones disappointed with the early closing.

    The hotel is very welcoming and secure. The room was huge and lovely with a very comfortable king size bed. The vanity area with magnifying mirror and vanity bench seat was an unexpected but a great addition to the bathroom. Everything about the room was good. We had breakfast once in the hotel and it was well prepared with good coffee. We also had dinner in the restaurant one evening which was also wonderful and good value. The upstairs bar was also a great place to sit on the balcony in the evening. I highly recommend this hotel. Everyone who worked there were very friendly and helpful.

    Stayed in October 2024

  • Reviewed: October 2, 2024

    7.0
    Great location for a stay in central Austin.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Preferred King Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The shower/bath would not drain, so when having a shower you are standing in a few inches of water. It then took over an hour to drain. The aircon in our room was crazy loud. Appreciate it’s an old hotel but this needs sorting.

    The facade, the foyer, our room.

    Stayed in October 2024

  • Reviewed: September 3, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe King Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Our stay was at the beginning of a holiday weekend, and there was a University Home game the same night. Louder than usual , I guess, music from the venue across the street! Would have been nice to have a "code enforced Quiet Time" for them to Turn Down the Noise!

    Stayed in September 2024

  • Reviewed: August 16, 2024

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Preferred King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Spacious Rooms

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: August 16, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Deluxe Double Room with Two Double Beds
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing

    Well maintained historical building

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: August 12, 2024

    7.0
    Good for one night wouldn’t stay any longer .
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Preferred King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Very small shower and dated decor .

    Close to 6th and the Roaring fork was good and convenient.

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: May 29, 2024

    8.0
    Great location, great staff
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Deluxe Queen Room
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    They charge everything separately even for a microwave in the room, there is a daily destination fee, you can't use the 10 dollars credit of the destination fee for the breakfast or bodega, the hotel looks old fashioned and needs some renovation, the carpet in my floor was worn out, there was no breakfast buffet, the bedroom AC is very loud, even on low fan which disturbs light sleepers.

    Location and staff, specially Oscar from the front desk.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: May 11, 2024

    7.0
    Great location and a beautiful historic hotel.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Preferred Queen Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The hotel is in a very busy location and you have to valet park which is expensive. If you want to check in early or check out late, there is a charge. And they never cleaned our room during a 3 night stay.

    The hotel is right next to the Paramount where we were seeing several comedy shows so the location was great for us.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: May 6, 2024

    9.0
    Great location, beautiful hotel
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Queen Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Great location. Friendly & helpful reception. Beautiful, spacious and well equipped room and bathroom. Gorgeous breakfast with the lovely Douglas welcoming us like old friends and giving us helpful tips.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 21, 2024

    9.0
    Nice hotel, very central
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Queen Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The restaurant in the hotel is not affiliated with the hotel. When we arrived for dinner at the restaurant (after a long trip) they made it seem that they were doing us a favor by giving us a table without reservation even though it wasn't full.

    Great location, in the center of downtown. Friendly staff all around. The hotel has a nice historic feel, but the rooms are still modern and well equiped. All in all, can recommend!

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 12, 2024

    7.0
    Great breakfast and staff
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Double Room with Two Double Beds
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Dated hotel

    Location

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 9, 2024

    9.0
    Great stay. Looking forward to our return.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Queen Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Less keen on shower over bath but bathroom itself was beautiful, spacious and with a seated area. Housekeeping was intermittent.

    Fab location. Beautiful hotel & room. Friendly staff.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 9, 2024

    8.0
    Comfortable hotel in the heart of a clean, safe downtown.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe King Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    I was asked if I wanted the room cleaned every day. I would be okay with that; I don't need fresh sheets and towels every day. However, give me an incentive. If I opt to have my room cleaned only every two or three days, cut the cost of the room by at least a token amount, maybe $20-30. The room is already expensive.

    The staff was extremely friendly and accommodating. The restaurant (Roaring Fork) and the bar were both good. Location was terrific, It is right downtown near everything and unlike many downtown areas it is not besieged with homeless. I know the homeless need places, but in some cities, they are so numerous they can take the pleasure out of any location. However, the drawback of a downtown location is that even on the 8th floor there was a lot of city noise. If this would bother you, bring ear plugs.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: March 31, 2024

    8.0
    Room very comfortable. Location excellent.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Preferred King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    See above

    Did not have breakfast because it was not included for the price of booking

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 25, 2024

    9.0
    Truly enjoyed our stay.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    We upgraded to a higher level for a view of the city, but from the side we were on, the view was blocked.

    The central location to our event. The restaurants and bars were great. The staff, from valet to room service was great.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: January 2, 2024

    8.0
    Staff was so nice and welcoming
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Double Room with Two Double Beds
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    We had to call maintenance twice. One for a broken phone and sink wasn’t draining

    Close to famous 6th street and we walked everywhere

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: November 26, 2023

    8.0
    An excellent stay with very helpful staff.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Queen Room
    • Stayed 5 nights

    There was not anything we would wish to criticise.

    Great staff, good clean room and excellent location.

    Stayed in November 2023

Showing 1 - 25

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