InterContinental Stephen F Austin hotel, opened in 1924, is known as the "Stephen F" by native Austinites.

When this 15-story hotel at Seventh and Congress first opened in 1924, it was among the tallest structures in town, and it gave the older Driskill Hotel around the corner some stiff competition at the higher end of the hospitality market. By 1987 the derelict old hotel had shut its doors, but in 2000 it reopened under the InterContinental moniker following a $30 million renovation project that restored many original architectural features while bringing the rooms and internal workings of the building up to modern standards.

The property has 189 rooms and suites decorated in a warm, traditional style, plus a fitness center, heated indoor lap pool, two restaurants, meeting and banquet facilities and a fun terrace bar overlooking Congress Avenue. The location is ideal for downtown sightseeing and nightlife, with Sixth Street and the Warehouse District a short walk from the front door.

Double rates average around $250 a night, though lower rates are sometimes available in periods of low demand. For online bookings, InterContinental guarantees that rates offered on its own website will be lower than published rates from by any Internet retailer. If you find a lower rate within 24 hours of booking your room, the company says it will beat the lower rate by 10 percent.

InterContinental Stephen F Austin
701 Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701
512-457-8800
www.austin.intercontinental.com