Are you preparing for a business trip or a large convention in Austin, Texas?

While there are numerous hotels in downtown Austin, there are two that you should consider as benchmarks when attending large events.

These are the Fairmont Austin and the JW Marriott Austin.

Both are located right in front of the Austin Convention Center and serve as 'anchor hotels' that fill up first during events.

First, let's compare their sizes by the numbers: Fairmont Austin boasts a staggering 1,045 rooms, making it the largest hotel in Central Texas.

Its event space spans approximately 140,000 square feet.

In fact, it holds the impressive title of being the second-largest hotel among all Fairmont properties worldwide.

On the other hand, the JW Marriott Austin is no slouch either.

It features a 34-story open building with 1,012 rooms, 42 subdivided meeting rooms, and 112,000 square feet of meeting space.

Interestingly, when the JW Marriott first opened in 2015, it was hailed as the largest hotel in Austin, only to be surpassed later by the Fairmont's opening.

The rivalry between these two hotels is quite fascinating.

So, what do actual guests have to say about their experiences?

Guests often mention that the moment they step into the Fairmont, they are overwhelmed by its unique grandeur and luxurious atmosphere.

Particularly, the rooftop pool, which offers a stunning view of the downtown skyline, is praised as the best in Austin.

In contrast, the JW Marriott receives strong support from business travelers.

Its reliable and consistent service is a hallmark of the Marriott brand, and it allows guests to earn valuable 'Marriott Bonvoy' points, making it popular among those who prioritize practicality.

We can't overlook the important topic of pricing, right? Rates generally maintain a similar high-end business level.

During typical off-peak times or weekdays, you can expect to book a room for around $250 to $400 per night.

However, the real challenge in Austin comes during the 'busy season' when world-renowned festivals and events take place.

During the SXSW festival, the largest tech and culture festival held every March, or the Austin City Limits Music Festival in October, and even during the Formula One Grand Prix in October or November, both hotels are often sold out months in advance, with prices skyrocketing to over $600 to $1,000 per night.

If you're planning a trip during this time, you should book at least six months in advance. The same goes for large IT conventions or academic conferences that concentrate in the spring and fall.

Ultimately, both hotels are centrally located in downtown Austin, providing equal access to restaurants and attractions. Therefore, the final choice should be based on the nature and scale of the event rather than personal preference.

If you need a large venue for hundreds of attendees and require a grand banquet or extensive exhibition space, Fairmont Austin may be a better fit.

Conversely, if you need to utilize several small meeting rooms or want to take advantage of membership benefits, JW Marriott Austin would be a great choice.

Well, all the information is out there, so make sure to choose wisely based on your travel purpose.