🇺🇸 Austin, United States
The Frances Modern Inn
📍 1123, East 11th Street, Austin, 78702
Your stay — The Frances Modern Inn
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Austin.
The Property — The Frances Modern Inn
The Frances Modern Inn feels like a well-curated friend’s guesthouse: clean mid-century lines, local art on the walls, and a small pool that’s a genuine relief in July. It’s a three-star that doesn’t pretend to be luxury, but gets the basics right – decent beds, good water pressure, and a location that puts you within walking distance of South Congress’s bars and vintage shops. Best for independent travellers who want a quiet base with some design cred, not a party hotel.
Chronicles of Austin
Austin was founded in 1839 as Waterloo, renamed to honour Stephen F. Austin, and deliberately sited as the capital of the Republic of Texas. Its 19th-century grid and landmark Capitol building (taller than the US Capitol by law) set a low-rise, oak-shaded tone that survived the 20th-century tech boom. By the 1990s, the city had rebranded around music and film – SXSW, ACL, the ‘Keep Austin Weird’ ethos – while aggressive growth has since pushed it into a tense balance of sky-rise luxury towers and scrappy bungalow culture. Today, it’s a liberal bubble in a red state, known for live music on every corner, a fierce taco scene, and traffic that tests your patience.
Best Time to Visit
Full Austin guide →Best months
March and November offer comfortable temperatures (15-25°C), lower humidity, and the city’s best outdoor festivals like SXSW and Austin Film Festival without the June-August heat exhaustion.
Peak / festival surge
March (SXSW) and October (Austin City Limits) are the busiest, with hotel rates doubling or tripling. Summer July is also peak heat, but not as price-spiked as festival months – you’ll pay a moderate premium for central hotels like this one.
Budget shoulder season
April and September are the budget sweet spots: weather is still warm but not punishing, crowds thin after spring breaks, and hotel rates drop 30-40% from peak. September has the lingering heat but fewer people.
Weather & packing
July in Austin is a wet-bulb nightmare: 35°C with humidity that makes the air feel thick. Pack only breathable cotton or linen, a wide-brimmed hat, and swim trunks – and a good water bottle you can refill constantly.
Live City Briefing — Austin
- Project Connect’s light-rail expansion is in early construction, causing lane closures on South Lamar and Riverside near the hotel – expect bus reroutes and extra traffic through 2027.
- A new direct flight from London to Austin (British Airways) started in 2024, boosting European visitor numbers; book dinner reservations a week ahead, especially for barbecue joints like Franklin’s.
- July is peak ‘bat season’ – the Congress Avenue Bridge colony emerges at dusk daily, drawing huge crowds; arrive by 7.30pm for a spot, and note that the nearby Bat Fest is in August, not July.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Frances Modern Inn, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a rear-facing room on floors 2 or 3—quieter, away from East 11th Street traffic and the ground-floor bar noise. If available, an upper-floor room at the back likely has a calmer outlook over the residential block.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room facing East 11th Street, especially on floor 1 or 2—street noise from delivery trucks, late-night traffic, and the bar entrance will be noticeable. Also skip rooms near the lift or stairwell on any floor.
Best views
The best view is a rear-facing room on floor 3 overlooking the low-rise neighbourhood east of 11th—partly residential, with the city skyline in the distance but mostly quiet rooftops.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 (assuming a typical 3-storey building for a 3-star hotel in this area) are best—further from street and lobby noise, but without top-floor HVAC issues.
🔊 Noise notes
East 11th Street is a main east-west corridor in Austin; expect moderate traffic during the day, occasional sirens, and louder weekend nights from the on-site bar or nearby venues. Ground floor may pick up kitchen and bar sounds.
Insider tips
1. If driving, ask for a rear parking spot to avoid street noise when entering/exiting—street parking on 11th is competitive and close to traffic. 2. Check-in early if you can; the front desk can often accommodate a back-facing room request if not fully booked.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — The Frances Modern Inn
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; 25 Mbps download, no login needed – just connect to the network.
Lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary access to PressReader via in-room tablet; no physical papers. The building is a former 1920s auto garage with exposed brick and original steel beams.
Check-in 15:00–22:00; early bag drop available from 10:00; late check-out until 14:00 for $30 (subject to availability).
Free storage in a locked room near reception; no charge.
Step-free main entrance; lift to all floors; no grab bars in bathrooms. Ground floor king room available upon request.
On-site parking for 12 cars at a first-come, first-served basis; $20/night. No EV charging. Nearest public car park: 1109 East 12th Street (3-minute walk), $15/night.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 9% Austin hotel occupancy tax, included in nightly rate
Deposit & card hold: First night charged as deposit at booking; $100 incidental hold on credit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Ebenezer Baptist Church (271 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church (276 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Wesley United Methodist Church (307 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Olivet Baptist Church (490 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Lott Pocket Park — 414 m · ~5 min walk
Texas Music Museum — 295 m · ~4 min walk
Stubb's Waller Creek Ampitheater — 948 m · ~12 min walk
Kitty King Powell Lawn — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 681 m · ~9 min walk
CVS Pharmacy — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
RS Food Mart — 330 m · ~4 min walk
Flixbus Austin Downtown — 920 m · ~12 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →United States Dollar, USD
Use ATMs from major banks like Chase or Wells Fargo; avoid currency exchange booths at the airport and downtown as they give poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; contactless and Apple Pay/Google Pay work at most terminals. Some smaller food trucks or markets may be cash-only.
Restaurants: 15-20% before tax. Taxis/Uber: 10-15% or $2-5. Hotel staff: $2-5 per bag for bellhops, $2-5 per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Drip coffee from a local taqueria or bakery: about $2.50-3.00.
Taco truck tacos or a banh mi from a Vietnamese spot: $6-8.
Plate of enchiladas or a burger at a casual diner: $12-15 main.
Cheap eats are scattered along East Cesar Chavez and in the Govalle neighborhood, especially taco trucks and BBQ joints.
HEB and Fiesta Mart are the budget supermarkets in 78702.
Thrift stores on South Congress and East 7th Street, plus Target for basics.
Capital Metro bus day pass: $2.50 one-way or $5 day pass. From the airport, take bus #350 or #100 for $1.25; avoid taxis and ride-share.
Eat from food trucks instead of sit-down restaurants. Use the Austin B-cycle bike share or walk for short trips. Buy groceries at HEB and cook at your accommodation.
Good to know — Austin
Type A/B · 120V
safe
USD ($)
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Austin, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at The Frances Modern Inn
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 681 m · ~9 min walk — pharmacy · CVS Pharmacy — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) → Omni Hotel & Resorts (via 5th/Downtown stop)
💡 Get a day pass for $2.50 if you plan more bus rides. The stop at 5th and Guadalupe is a 5-minute walk to the Omni.
Omni Hotel & Resorts (Downtown) → South Congress or University of Texas
💡 Use the CapMetro app for real-time arrivals. The Omni is on the 1 bus route which runs along Congress Avenue.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) → Omni Hotel & Resorts
💡 Peak hours add surge pricing—walk to the ride-share lot on the airport's ground level to avoid delays.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) → Omni Hotel & Resorts
💡 Flat rate to downtown is around $30 plus tip. Avoid queue by pre-booking with a local company like Austin Cab.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Ground Transportation Level → South Lamar Transit Center
💡 Get off at South Lamar & Barton Springs, then walk 0.3 miles north. Buy a day pass for $2.50 and use it for local buses all day.
South Lamar Transit Center → Baymont Inn and Suites (Lamar Blvd & Treadwell Blvd)
💡 This bus runs north along Lamar and stops directly across the street from the hotel. Tap your card on board—no cash accepted.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) → Baymont Inn and Suites Austin
💡 Pickup is on the ground floor of the garage—follow signs for 'Rideshare'. During SXSW or ACL, prices triple; walk to the cell phone lot and order from there to save.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) → Baymont Inn and Suites Austin
💡 Skip the queue by booking a flat-rate cab online through Ground Transportation at the airport. Metered rides can surge after 11pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The Frances Modern Inn?
Request a rear-facing room on floors 2 or 3—quieter, away from East 11th Street traffic and the ground-floor bar noise. If available, an upper-floor room at the back likely has a calmer outlook over the residential block.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Frances Modern Inn?
Avoid any room facing East 11th Street, especially on floor 1 or 2—street noise from delivery trucks, late-night traffic, and the bar entrance will be noticeable. Also skip rooms near the lift or stairwell on any floor.
Is The Frances Modern Inn noisy?
East 11th Street is a main east-west corridor in Austin; expect moderate traffic during the day, occasional sirens, and louder weekend nights from the on-site bar or nearby venues. Ground floor may pick up kitchen and bar sounds.
Which rooms have the best views at The Frances Modern Inn?
The best view is a rear-facing room on floor 3 overlooking the low-rise neighbourhood east of 11th—partly residential, with the city skyline in the distance but mostly quiet rooftops.
What are insider tips for staying at The Frances Modern Inn?
1. If driving, ask for a rear parking spot to avoid street noise when entering/exiting—street parking on 11th is competitive and close to traffic. 2. Check-in early if you can; the front desk can often accommodate a back-facing room request if not fully booked.
What time is check-in at The Frances Modern Inn?
Check-in at The Frances Modern Inn is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Frances Modern Inn have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; 25 Mbps download, no login needed – just connect to the network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Frances Modern Inn?
9% Austin hotel occupancy tax, included in nightly rate
Where can I eat cheaply near The Frances Modern Inn?
Taco truck tacos or a banh mi from a Vietnamese spot: $6-8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Frances Modern Inn?
Capital Metro bus day pass: $2.50 one-way or $5 day pass. From the airport, take bus #350 or #100 for $1.25; avoid taxis and ride-share.
When is the best time to visit Austin?
March and November offer comfortable temperatures (15-25°C), lower humidity, and the city’s best outdoor festivals like SXSW and Austin Film Festival without the June-August heat exhaustion.
Top Attractions in Austin
💡 Join a 30-minute free tour at the north entrance. Skip the paid parking; use metered street spots on Congress Avenue or the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage on 12th St (first hour free).
💡 Book a free tour online to skip the queue. The grounds have good spots for photos of the building without crowds.
💡 Free admission every Tuesday. Arrive before 11am to avoid school groups. The outdoor Ellsworth Kelly chapel is a must-see.
💡 Skip the tour queue by entering the ground floor rotunda doors. Check the Senate and House gallery schedules online before you go.
💡 Free entry before 8am and after 9pm from May to September. Bring a towel and lock if you bring valuables.
💡 Park on the north side off Barton Springs Road near the tennis courts to avoid the weekend crowds near the pool. Bring a picnic blanket.
💡 Free every Thursday. The grounds close 30 minutes before the building; arrive early to walk the full loop. No food trucks on site, but you can bring your own snacks.
💡 Go at sunset for the best light, but expect crowds. Park on Mount Bonnell Road, not the shoulder. The steps are uneven; wear decent shoes.