Residence Inn by Marriott Austin-University Area — Hotel in Austin

I was traveling to Austin May 1-5, 2025, to attend two concerts and wanted a hotel near the auditorium, which was north of downtown and UT.||I was spending four nights, and I needed a fridge and microwave in the room, if possible.||I found online this wonderful Marriott Bonvoy Residence Inn Austin-University Area hotel, only four stories tall, conveniently located north of downtown, just east of I-35 on E. 51st St. I was concerned about possible noise from the highway but found, to my pleasant surprise, that the hotel had excellent soundproofing and was completely quiet. Couldn’t even hear occupants of nearby rooms. (My room was on the top floor.)||There was a beautiful view of the Austin skyline. ||And instead of just providing a mini-fridge and microwave, best of all, it came with a FULL KITCHEN that was completely stocked with place settings for 4: dishes, silver, glassware (including wine glasses and corkscrew!), pots and pans, coffee maker, cooking utensils, and even detergents for the sink (with disposal) and dishwasher were provided. It had a FULL-SIZED fridge with icemaker (great for leftovers, meds, and food and flowers I bought), large microwave, and stove top with burners! And a table and two chairs. ||I stayed in the smallest room, but it was like having my own studio apartment and had a spacious closet, separate dressing area with large sink and countertop and shelves, and a walk-in shower with sliding glass door. King-sized bed, easy chair, and convertible sofa (which I didn’t need, except to relax on) that even came with an ottoman. ||The work area included a huge desk and drawers (free WiFi for Bonvoy members that was very fast), and there is a business center available. Hotel also had outdoor pool and patio (with grill) and indoor fitness center with treadmills, stationary bike, etc. They worked well, and clean towels were provided. ||And although there is no restaurant, they provided a delicious, buffet breakfast 7 days a week with several hot and cold entrees until 9:00 a.m. during the week and 10:00 a.m. on the weekend. I loved the huge container of hot, freshly-cooked oatmeal (not a package you had to microwave) and the numerous fresh toppings provided, including fresh nuts, seeds, and other yummy stuff.||The entire hotel was spotless and sanitary, and the housekeeping staff did a great job, including my room. And gave me all the extra towels and hangers I requested. The hotel also appeared to have been remodeled recently, with fresh carpeting and paint job throughout the whole hotel including the hallways (which were air-conditioned), bathroom fixtures, etc. ||Service by the hotel staff also exceeded my expectations, especially from Deborah, the Assistant General Manager, who has been there several years and is a true pro who understands how to accommodate and meet a guest’s needs! ||And when I couldn't figure out how to use what turned out to be a childproof electrical outlet, they sent an engineer who came right to my room and showed me how to use it.||A/C with individual thermostat worked well. I am somewhat tech-challenged, but even I could figure it out (and the WiFi)! And the price was also surprisingly accessible, given all the amenities! And you get Marriott Bonvoy points. ||I was concerned about noise and security from a nearby Home Depot, but that turned out to be a non-issue. And it was great to have several restaurants (Thai, Italian, La Madeleine, etc.) and stores (Sprouts, Michaels, Best Buy, etc.) within walking distance. ||And I felt very safe there as a single woman traveling alone. ||Despite some reviews I read, I didn't find parking to be a problem at all. ||So although I am very picky, this Residence Inn exceeded my...

I was traveling to Austin May 1-5, 2025, to attend two concerts and wanted a hotel near the auditorium, which was north of downtown and UT.

I was spending four nights, and I needed a fridge and microwave in the room, if possible.

I found online this wonderful Marriott Bonvoy Residence Inn Austin-University Area hotel, only four stories tall, conveniently located north of downtown, just east of I-35 on E. 51st St. I was concerned about possible noise from the highway but found, to my pleasant surprise, that the hotel had excellent soundproofing and was completely quiet. Couldn’t even hear occupants of nearby rooms. (My room was on the top floor.)

There was a beautiful view of the Austin skyline.

And instead of just providing a mini-fridge and microwave, best of all, it came with a FULL KITCHEN that was completely stocked with place settings for 4: dishes, silver, glassware (including wine glasses and corkscrew!), pots and pans, coffee maker, cooking utensils, and even detergents for the sink (with disposal) and dishwasher were provided. It had a FULL-SIZED fridge with icemaker (great for leftovers, meds, and food and flowers I bought), large microwave, and stove top with burners! And a table and two chairs.

I stayed in the smallest room, but it was like having my own studio apartment and had a spacious closet, separate dressing area with large sink and countertop and shelves, and a walk-in shower with sliding glass door. King-sized bed, easy chair, and convertible sofa (which I didn’t need, except to relax on) that even came with an ottoman.

The work area included a huge desk and drawers (free WiFi for Bonvoy members that was very fast), and there is a business center available. Hotel also had outdoor pool and patio (with grill) and indoor fitness center with treadmills, stationary bike, etc. They worked well, and clean towels were provided.

And although there is no restaurant, they provided a delicious, buffet breakfast 7 days a week with several hot and cold entrees until 9:00 a.m. during the week and 10:00 a.m. on the weekend. I loved the huge container of hot, freshly-cooked oatmeal (not a package you had to microwave) and the numerous fresh toppings provided, including fresh nuts, seeds, and other yummy stuff.

The entire hotel was spotless and sanitary, and the housekeeping staff did a great job, including my room. And gave me all the extra towels and hangers I requested. The hotel also appeared to have been remodeled recently, with fresh carpeting and paint job throughout the whole hotel including the hallways (which were air-conditioned), bathroom fixtures, etc.

Service by the hotel staff also exceeded my expectations, especially from Deborah, the Assistant General Manager, who has been there several years and is a true pro who understands how to accommodate and meet a guest’s needs!

And when I couldn't figure out how to use what turned out to be a childproof electrical outlet, they sent an engineer who came right to my room and showed me how to use it.

A/C with individual thermostat worked well. I am somewhat tech-challenged, but even I could figure it out (and the WiFi)! And the price was also surprisingly accessible, given all the amenities! And you get Marriott Bonvoy points.

I was concerned about noise and security from a nearby Home Depot, but that turned out to be a non-issue. And it was great to have several restaurants (Thai, Italian, La Madeleine, etc.) and stores (Sprouts, Michaels, Best Buy, etc.) within walking distance.

And I felt very safe there as a single woman traveling alone.

Despite some reviews I read, I didn't find parking to be a problem at all.

So although I am very picky, this Residence Inn exceeded my...

Update: NOT ADA FRIENDLY. I have expressed concerns with management and they’ve told me in no uncertain terms that there was nothing they could do for me regarding help moving rooms due to a faulty lock. I was told no one could leave the desk, and that (despite advertising as pet friendly), I was not allowed to walk my dog out the front door. For the entire facility, there are 2 disabled parking spaces- one with a covered motorcycle that has been there for 3 weeks.

The Assistant GM has walked by me laughing as if nothing happened. The staff is not concerned with guest experience whatsoever, and will probably end up paying to have this review taken down.

I’ve made very few requests during my time here, and Tiara, Debbie (asst. GM), have been particularly unwelcoming and retaliatory. eg. I ask for a wake up call at a certain time and it doesn’t happen. Or they let it ring twice and hang up. ———— Not sanitary or well maintained. NOT pet friendly, as advertised. My door lock didn’t work.

Rude, Ableist staff and upper management- Lock on my room didn’t work consistently. No key needed to walk right in. The room was NOT SECURE, and they showed no regard for my safety, security, or peace of mind.

They were not willing to help me move my belongings into another room despite being physically unwell and unable to do it myself.

I was told they were “not a full service hotel” (ie not obligated to help me move even though their locks failed). Really? You’re own engineering staff witnessed the door close and latch multiple times (and reopen without a key), you say it works fine? Said he would come back in an hour to help if I needed to move and never heard from him or management again.

Regarding dogs- do yourself a favor. Book somewhere else. I was actually told that I can’t walk my dog out the front door (where it would be most logical and safe to walk a dog give that there’s actually a space to walk them). The aset. GM insisted that I walk him out the back door, on a busy street, with about a four foot run of grass.

Yes you read that correct. You have a four foot run of grass that you are “allowed” to use. I was aggressively addressed by the GM in front of other hotel guests about not being permitted to walk my (now) special needs support animal through the lobby, citing a pet waiver or some sort of document that I was not given at check-in.

No, that’s not how “PET FRIENDLY” works. I am a responsible dog owner, pick up after my pet. And if you advertise as pet friendly, he’s allowed to walk out whatever door he needs and he has a right to safety and a place to use the bathroom.

Fake empathy and corporate talking points are disheartening. You never Know what someone is going through. Thanks for the dignity, and standing behind your “services” to at least make sure the bare minimum...