Hotel San Jose is situated just a few blocks south of where the Colorado River runs through downtown Austin – and is brimming with southern soul. Built in 1939 as an ‘ultra-modern motor court’, the hotel behind stucco walls in the heart of the hippest neighbourhood, South Congress, has become part of the Texan state capital’s urban fabric. As time passed the hotel fell into disrepair and sat that way until it was purchased by Liz Lambert and together with San Antonio architecture firm Lake/Flato was remodelled.

The interesting and significant transformation of the original motel to its modern incarnation has lead to a range of accommodation in a courtyard hotel ‘Zen-like setting’. With a variety of room types to choose from, ranging from basic shared bath rooms to deluxe courtyard suites, visitors can enjoy carefully selected details including designer mid-century furniture, vintage typewriters and the best Michelada around…