the inn crowd

9 Austin hotels check in as best in Texas in coveted annual ranking

Austin had the most hotels in the top 25 of any city, including Commodore Perry Estate at No. 3.

Photo courtesy of Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection

Finding hotel accommodations for that next vacation or staycation in Texas just got a lot easier — if you have the budget. A new list released by US News & World Report has ranked nine Austin hotels among the best in the state. The publication collects its information through hotel ratings, customer reviews, and industry award analysis.

Austin's top-rated hotel on the list, Commodore Perry Estate from the Auberge Resorts Collection, made No. 3. This is no surprise to Austinites who read such lists and should be used to seeing the resort take top honors. Although it's out of most locals' price range for a staycation, it is known around town for Lutie's Garden Restaurant — itself known for extravagance in decor and plating, while championing seasonal local ingredients. Events at the estate throughout the year bring more Austinites through the door without stretching their budgets too far.

The next best-rated and even better-known hotel in Austin is The Driskill, at No. 8. There are stories of hauntings, but the grandiose building downtown draws visitors constantly, whether they're stepping off sixth street for a drink, getting a classy brunch, or attending an event. This starts a streak within the top 10, also including the business-ready Fairmont Austin (attached to the Austin Convention Center) at No. 9 and an installation of a lauded chain, Four Seasons Hotel Austin, at No. 10.

Houston’s only double five-star hotel and spa The Post Oak Hotel was awarded the No. 1 spot, known for its “tropical sanctuary” pool, nine restaurants and bars, and ultra-modern room amenities and decor. In another US News & World Report article, The Post Oak was ranked the No. 31 best hotel in the nation.

Austin had the greatest number of hotels in the top 25; Houston and San Antonio tied with six, and Dallas only garnered three, but all those cities had one each in the top four. Central Texas (considering Austin and San Antonio hotels) contained a high occurrence of resorts that are primarily spas compared to the other regions — perhaps because of the Hill Country.

The full list of the top 25 best hotels in Texas include:

No. 1, The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston
No. 2, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek – Dallas
No. 3, Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection – Austin
No. 4, Hotel Emma – San Antonio
No. 5, Four Seasons Hotel – Houston
No. 6, The Ritz-Carlton – Dallas
No. 7, Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk
No. 8, The Driskill – Austin
No. 9, Fairmont Austin
No. 10, Four Seasons Hotel – Austin
No. 11, JW Marriott Houston Downtown
No. 12, Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa – San Antonio
No. 13, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa
No. 14, The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa
No. 15, The St. Regis Houston
No. 16, Austin Proper Hotel & Residences
No. 17, Miraval Austin
No. 18, Lake Austin Spa Resort
No. 19, La Cantera Resort & Spa – San Antonio
No. 20, Hotel Granduca Austin
No. 21, Mokara Hotel & Spa – San Antonio
No. 22, Hotel Granduca Houston
No. 23, Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa – Austin
No. 24, The Ashton Hotel – Fort Worth
No. 25, Thompson Dallas

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Roundup Repertoire

San Antonio rodeo rounds up Jon Pardi and Pesado for 2025 lineup

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Jon Pardi is going to the rodeo.

Besides the allure of seeing a rodeo in a more traditionally western city, Austinites have a few higher profile reasons to travel an hour and a half to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo each year. Big concerts are a draw to Texas tourists, and the 2025 lineup will bring some major country stars to the Frost Bank Center and Freeman Coliseum, according to three rounds of announcements between August 8 and November 14.

There are five performances in the newly announced, final round:

Wednesday, February 12, at 7 pm: Jon Pardi
Saturday, February 15, at noon: Southall
Saturday, February 15, at 7:30 pm: Turnpike Troubadours
Sunday, February 16, at 7:30 pm: Pesado
Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 7 pm: Joe Nichols

That makes 21 total, with 16 performances already announced in previous rounds:

Thursday, February 6, at 7 pm: Scotty McCreery
Friday, February 7, at 7 pm: Koe Wetzel
Saturday, February 8, at noon and 7:30 pm: Keith Urban
Sunday, February 9, 2025, at noon: LeAnn Rimes
Sunday, February 9, 2025, at 7:30 pm: Bellamy Brothers
Monday, February 10, 2025, at 7 pm: Mark Chesnutt
Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 7 pm: Eli Young Band
Thursday, February 13, at 7 pm: Muscadine Bloodline
Friday, February 14, at 7 pm: Tyler Hubbard
Sunday, February 16, at noon: Zach Top
Monday, February 17, at 7 pm: Diamond Rio
February 19, 2025, at 7 pm: Whiskey Myers
Thursday, February 20, at 7 pm: Sammy Hagar
February 21, 2025, at 7 pm: Nelly
Saturday, February 22, at noon: Nate Smith
Saturday, February 22, at 7:30 pm: Dwight Yoakam

Be sure to check the schedule before going, since some acts are performing at different events.

Announcing the lineup in rounds is customary for the rodeo, which in 2024 featured country and rock acts such as Wynonna Judd, Brad Paisley, The Oak Ridge Boys, Cheap Trick, Styx, and Brooks & Dunn. In addition to the bigger names were local stars like Austin's Charley Crockett (born in San Benito and raised in Dallas-Fort Worth). Surprisingly, Midland, from Dripping Springs, does not appear on the 2025 lineup. They have played the rodeo every year since at least 2020.

The San Antonio rodeo is a very popular annual occasion, which in 2025 includes 22 events and will likely draw more than 1.5 million visitors. That's been bringing in tourist money since 1949, and a portion of funds raised also go back to young people across Texas in the form of education, vocational training, and agricultural projects.

"We are immensely thankful to the community, sponsors, partners, and our over 6,000 volunteers for their unwavering support in advancing our mission to educate the youth of Texas," said executive director and CEO Cody Davenport in a press release. "Our longstanding traditions will continue to serve the community, showcasing our world-class rodeo and Agriculture Fair. We eagerly anticipate welcoming everyone in 2025."

Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster and sarodeo.com. Tickets can be purchased for the season or individually.

This article was originally published with the first announcement August 8, and was updated September 13, October 11, and November 14 to add information about additional rounds of performers.

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