<p>For a speaking engagement in Austin…Where would you pick for a hotel stay in downtown Austin?
Is the Marriott or Hilton Garden Inn better for a walking tour, especially for the nightlife?</p>
<p>I’d stay at the Driskill, on the corner of 6th and Congress. Great food, fun bar, right on Sixth Street for the nightlife, six blocks from the Capitol, six blocks from the lake (bats, exercise).</p>
<p>Is sixth is the avenue everyone talks about with all the special drink bars?
I hope the Driskell has suites :)</p>
<p>The Driskell is coming back with fully committed on one of my dates. Need more suggestions Please :)</p>
<p>I like the hotels right on Town Lake (OK- Lady Bird lake). There is a Four Seasons and a Hyatt and I think a couple more.</p>
<p>How old are you? Personally, you couldn’t pay me to spend time on Sixth Street. There’s a thriving club scene west of Congress where “older” patrons gather, around 2nd and 4th streets. In that spirit – and if money is no object – how 'bout the new Starwood property, the W Austin?</p>
<p>[W</a> Hotels Austin: W Austin - Hotel Rooms at whotels](<a href=“Marriott Bonvoy Hotels | Book Directly & Get Exclusive Rates”>Marriott Bonvoy Hotels | Book Directly & Get Exclusive Rates)</p>
<p>I recently toured the adjacent W condominiums and got to see the four hotel bars. SOOO cool. This felt like the next Austin hotspot – business suits next to tech grungies in their shorts on laptops. This building is where the tapings of Austin City Limits are now happening. I know condo owners get first dibs on tickets, and I think hotel guests get some kind of preferential treatment, too. Some construction is still under way on the pool and such, so there might be a price break.</p>
<p>There’s a Four Seasons right on the lake, and if you get a lake-view room the bats will fly right past your window.</p>
<p>South side of the lake but right on it is a Hyatt.</p>
<p>There are other places close to I-35, but I’d stick with hotels farther west.</p>
<p>author - Check the Stephen F Austin Intercontinental in downtown. You will be right in the thick of things on Congress at 7th, right next door to the beautiful Paramount Theatre. Their restaurant, The Roaring Fork, is really nice. And yes, they do have suites. Enjoy your trip!</p>
<p>I would have to concur on the Four Seasons, beautiful hotel - get lake view! Great food. They Hyatt used to have a reputation for the best fajitas in town BTW … doubt that still holds. </p>
<p>No one answered about Esther’s Follies by the way - Texans, is that still a fun stop? Used to be a great show, and last time I was there, it looked like it moved, but still open.</p>
<p>And please take a look at Guadalupe River Ranch - so beautiful. If you don’t go to West Texas …this is a great idea to get some of the taste.</p>
<p>Wow! Texas really is it’s own country 
You can see that us Texan’s really love our state! Cant wait to see your itenerary OP…</p>
<p>Thanks once again for all your amazingly detailed ideas. I am compiling all the suggestions based upon location. Then the family will decide what to include. I will definitely let you know the plan, and then report after the trip what we did and our thoughts about it.</p>
<p>MMM</p>
<p>Absolutely beautiful day here in central Texas, around Dripping Springs. Driving in from the Austin airport, I saw bluebonnets about five inches high coming up out of the ground. </p>
<p>Mattmoosemom - this is more for you, but if you manage to get any time to yourself to do some shopping, I would highly recommend finding a James Avery jewelry store. It is a Texas born and bred business, reflective of the hill country area it is based out of. Has absolutely gorgeous sterling silver jewelry in designs that are very unique. They also carry some gold, but they are most known for their silver. Almost every time I come to Texas, I try to make a stop at one of the stores, although I do get their catalogs. If you go to the website, [James</a> Avery Jewelry - Makers of quality sterling silver, gold & gemstone jewelry. Original designs & christian jewelry.](<a href=“http://secure.jamesavery.com/index.jsp]James”>http://secure.jamesavery.com/index.jsp) They actually have a visitors center in Kerrville, where the business began. </p>
<p>Yes, I am heading out to a James Avery store tomorrow! Cha-ching!</p>
<p>^ Re James Avery jewelry…I went to a summer camp near Kerrville many years ago, and all the girls had silver charm bracelets with charms from James Avery.</p>
<p>I have more James Avery pieces than I can count, as does everyone in my family. Even WildChild’s confirmation ring was James Avery. Last summer we got our own James Avery store (the first in Tennessee) right near my house! Cha-ching!!! Before that the nearest was in Atlanta.</p>
<p>Had a blast at the James Avery store today. Bought a blue topaz ring (first silver ring I’ve owned) and a collar to go with a James Avery pendant I’d bought last fall, but the pendant didn’t fit on the collar I already had at home. Yea, as I was browsing the cases, I kept telling my friend, “I have this piece, and this piece, and oh yea, and this piece and those earrings, and that bracelet and…” But no James Avery store within 1000+ miles of my home : (</p>
<p>Here’s the ring:
[Julietta</a> Ring with Blue Topaz from James Avery](<a href=“http://secure.jamesavery.com/jewelry/search/product/R-938ABT/Julietta-Ring-with-Blue-Topaz/]Julietta”>http://secure.jamesavery.com/jewelry/search/product/R-938ABT/Julietta-Ring-with-Blue-Topaz/)</p>
<p>Here’s the collar and pendant:
[Hammered</a> Classic Neck Collar from James Avery](<a href=“http://secure.jamesavery.com/jewelry/search/product/CH-581H/Hammered-Classic-Neck-Collar/]Hammered”>http://secure.jamesavery.com/jewelry/search/product/CH-581H/Hammered-Classic-Neck-Collar/)</p>
<p>[Oval</a> Onyx Pendant from James Avery](<a href=“http://secure.jamesavery.com/jewelry/search/product/CM-1726O-A/Oval-Onyx-Pendant/]Oval”>http://secure.jamesavery.com/jewelry/search/product/CM-1726O-A/Oval-Onyx-Pendant/)</p>
<p>A James Avery ring is part of the “uniform” that the HS girls wear around here.</p>
<p>When I was trying to decide which law firm to choose, an Austin firm brought me in and put me up at the Driskel. The couple in the next room was having a very good, very loud time in bed, if you know what I mean. It’s such a classy hotel, but that is what I think about every time I think about the Driskel.</p>
<p>teriwtt - beautiful ring! I have a charm bracelet from JA - lots of charms with lots of memories … haven’t added to it since we left San Antonio! Need to get my hubby a catalog!</p>
<p>I bought a JA silver dangle ring (is that what they call them now?) about 40 years ago at a little gift shop here. I still have it and remember wearing it on my pinky finger. I know I paid less than $10 for it! I saw one in the recent catalogue for about $70-$80.</p>