Named for Texas singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt, this Kimpton-run property impresses with the details. Touches like the French horn chandelier above the lobby and leather chairs with low-key buckles give a stylish nod to Austin's cowboy and musical sensibilities. The big-windowed rooms come in various configurations, but whatever you do, angle for a view of Lady Bird Lake.
The hotel is in the thick of the late-night Rainey St district, lined with bars and food trucks. If you don't feel like wandering, try dinner and a show at on-site Geraldine's. No pet fee, but parking is $49 per night – spots are rare in this neighborhood.