Noteable Amenities
Location
South Congress has long outgrown its former grit, but it hasn’t lost it entirely. Yes, you’ll find LA-level boutiques and the usual parade of newcomers chasing cool, but Hotel San José is a reminder of what made this stretch magnetic in the first place. Set back just enough from the buzz of the avenue, it offers peace without detachment.
You’re a five-minute walk from the Congress Avenue Bridge and its nightly bat migrations (yes, it’s a thing—and oddly captivating), and mere moments from spots like June’s All Day, Perla’s, and Jo’s Coffee next door.
If you time it right, you can stroll from a lazy brunch into a vintage record store, and end you day in the courtyard with a glass of wine. No car necessary, despite being in Austin.
Design
This is the hotel that started it all—Bunkhouse’s first project, dreamed up by Liz Lambert. What was once a 1930s motor lodge is now a minimalist, design-forward sanctuary shaded by fig vines and peppered with granite paths.
The materials speak with intention—concrete floors, reclaimed pine, and that striking black bamboo screen near the pool that feels like a movie set piece.
You could mistake it all for simplicity, but the appeal is in the edit.
Rooms
San José’s 40 rooms have range, from pared-down, European-style rooms with shared baths to Courtyard Suites with private balconies.
Admittedly, the shared baths feel a bit… juvenile, so go for a Courtyard Suite if you can—it’s worth the privacy and the balcony.
The aesthetic remains consistent, with the cool concrete, custom linens, hand-dyed kimonos, and just enough furniture to make it functional but never cluttered.
The minibar is well-stocked (think Topo Chico and local treats), and the Malin + Goetz products are always a welcome touch.
You’ll find a usable typewriter in the lobby should you feel inspired, and a CD/DVD lending library that feels obsolete in all the right ways.
Food & Drink
There’s no formal restaurant on-site, but the lobby bar serves local wines, craft beers and small bites—all enjoyed outside under the misters.
Jo’s Coffee is steps away, serving breakfast tacos, iced turbo coffees, and sustenance you’ll crave in the heat. It’s a local institution, and being able to roll out of bed and wander over in your kimono is part of the San José experience.
