Author Topic: Hotel/Motel Recommendations near COTA (Read 11956 times)

CT Dharma · « **on:** January 07, 2018, 05:23:18 AM »

Heading down to MotoGP at the Circuits of the Americas track in Austin in April. Having never been to the area might someone suggest an independent hotel/motel that I won't likely find on the internet booking sites?

Thanks.

Rebochi · « **Reply #1 on:** January 07, 2018, 06:08:13 AM »

When in Austin I stay a cheap motel at 7th and I 35. This puts you in easy walking distance of 6th street which is one of the best music/bar/restaurant locations on earth. That would be about 20 miles to COTA but well worth the drive.

rtbickel · « **Reply #2 on:** January 07, 2018, 06:45:07 AM »

It's pretty much out in the sticks, with nothing nearby as I recall but it has been a couple of years since I went to a race there.

Travlr · « **Reply #3 on:** January 07, 2018, 07:58:16 AM »

Is there bus service to and from the track?

When I go to Laguna and try and stay near a transit station and ride the bus to the races.

Mike

Laker · « **Reply #4 on:** January 07, 2018, 08:07:58 AM »

They are building many hotels in Buda so that would be a place to check. AirBnB would be my suggestion, though. There is a shortage of hotels in Austin, the rates get increased during busy times and the seedy hotels fill up as well.

twowings · « **Reply #5 on:** January 07, 2018, 09:56:27 AM »

Bastrop, TX is 22 miles from the track, has motels/bedbreakfast in varying price ranges, and is on a nice backdoor route to the track that avoids the I-35 crush...just sayin'

LowRyter · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2018, 10:46:08 AM »

Quote from: Rebochi on January 07, 2018, 06:08:13 AM

When in Austin I stay a cheap motel at 7th and I 35. This puts you in easy walking distance of 6th street which is one of the best music/bar/restaurant locations on earth. That would be about 20 miles to COTA but well worth the drive.

I've never found a cheap hotel in d/t during COTA weekend. I'd like to know about this one.

I know of one reasonable hotel that doesn't gouge during MotoGP weekend that's close by d/t: Extended Stay America at Hwy 290 and I 35. It's about 10-15 minute ride to d/t and about 45 min (depends on traffic) ride to COTA. You can't be close to downtown Austin and expect to get to COTA in less than half an hour and with traffic- and there is always traffic in Austin- it can take longer.

Whatever you do, DO NOT stay at ANY Motel 6. They are very nasty and noisy. You can stay by the airport or in Budda but expect to pay the same and be further away from d/t.

If I was going for a longer commute but wanted a great and affordable time, I'd consider San Antonio. That's about hour and half commute to COTA with the 85 mph turnpike. I am biased, I like San Antonio.

when I go to COTA I stay at Extended Stay America per above.

and if you've never been to San Antonio you owe it to yourself to stay another day or two to stay at the Riverwalk.

ken farr · « **Reply #7 on:** January 07, 2018, 01:05:06 PM »

AirBnB and Uber are your friends.

Uber will up the rate for pick up, but it isn't terrible.

kjf

CT Dharma · « **Reply #8 on:** January 07, 2018, 04:01:29 PM »

Thanks for some great suggestions everyone; appreciate the feedback.

mjptexas · « **Reply #9 on:** January 08, 2018, 08:29:39 AM »

Quote from: CT Dharma on January 07, 2018, 05:23:18 AM

Heading down to MotoGP at the Circuits of the Americas track in Austin in April. Having never been to the area might someone suggest an independent hotel/motel that I won't likely find on the internet booking sites?

Thanks.

As stated earlier a cheap hotel in Austin during COTA week is an oxymoron.

More importantly, what's your ground transportation plan? If you have personal ground transportation (even a rental car) I'd look for a hotel with close proximity to the toll road, Hwy 130, which runs east of Austin and goes right by the track. I live about 40 miles northeast of the track and always take 130 to track. Speed limit is 80 mph so the ride goes quickly. You could look for something as far north as Round Rock, and as far south as Buda and still be less than an hour from the track. Only warning is STAY AWAY from anything on I-35 from the 183 intersection, north to Pflugerville.

Anything in or close to downtown will be pretty pricey.

LowRyter · « **Reply #10 on:** January 08, 2018, 09:32:08 AM »

Mike's the guy.

bettythebear · « **Reply #11 on:** January 08, 2018, 10:14:48 AM »

I live 30 miles South of Austin in a small town called Lockhart. It's not all that far from the track. I definitely second the idea of not staying downtown or anywhere near I35. Bastrop is a great idea. You could also probably find a better fit on the airbnb website.

LowRyter · « **Reply #12 on:** January 08, 2018, 12:52:04 PM »

You gotta go to Lockhart for the BBQ.

It's about 15 minutes south of the track on the turnpike at a posted 85 mph (where I was passed by a motor cop on Beemer when I was doing 90 on the Greenie). (Look out for the "whoops" section on the turnpike.)

mjptexas · « **Reply #13 on:** January 09, 2018, 10:18:16 PM »

Quote from: bettythebear on January 08, 2018, 10:14:48 AM

I live 30 miles South of Austin in a small town called Lockhart. It's not all that far from the track. I definitely second the idea of not staying downtown or anywhere near I35. Bastrop is a great idea. You could also probably find a better fit on the airbnb website.

Didn’t think about Lockhart or Bastrop. Both great ideas. IMHO there are typically only 3 events in Austin Motogp week that deserve attention:

1 - Ducati Austin party on Thursday night. Vito puts out a nice spread. The factory Ducati riders have been there the last 3 years so I would think they would make it again this year. After Dovi’s 2017 performance I would expect a big crowd.

2 - AF1 Racing party, usually Friday night. John puts on an even bigger party than Vito, he just doesn’t bring as much star power to the gig.

3 - Handbuilt Motorcycle Show. All weekend. Be sure to check out the bikes outside the show too. Pretty entertaining.

I’ll be at the track Friday thru Sunday and would be happy to meet up with any Wildguzzi members. Since I’m now retired I’m also available for some Texas Hill Country riding before or after the race.

LowRyter · « **Reply #14 on:** January 09, 2018, 11:44:19 PM »

Mike, congrats on your retirement.

Darren Williams · « **Reply #15 on:** January 10, 2018, 09:37:42 AM »

I can't imaging going to the MotoGP at COTA without riding. Free MC parking next to the gate (or in Ducati Island if you ride that brand). Of course what makes it super cool is it's one of the few places motorcycle centric I go where sport bikes will way out number cruisers!

tonyduc · « **Reply #16 on:** January 10, 2018, 03:16:24 PM »

I stayed at the Drury, they have free buffet breakfast and dinner, they did the same at the Indy GPs. About 20 -30 min to track.

jbell · « **Reply #17 on:** January 10, 2018, 05:09:30 PM »

All good advice above. If you can make it out to the track on Friday the attendance is very light and there is plenty to see. Be sure to wear some comfortable walking shoes, bring sunscreen and a hat. If you are planning on sitting on the grass, a foam or inflatable pad would be a good idea.

twowings · « **Reply #18 on:** January 10, 2018, 07:00:31 PM »

Last year it was blustery and cold a majority of the weekend right after hot and humid earlier in the week, so pack for both extremes...YMMV

LowRyter · « **Reply #19 on:** January 10, 2018, 07:16:56 PM »

Mike, I am starting to the COTA boogie and the Hill Country Blues.

I am heading to Deep Ellum with my money in my shoe.

mjptexas · « **Reply #20 on:** January 12, 2018, 07:50:27 AM »

Quote from: LowRyter on January 10, 2018, 07:16:56 PM

Mike, I am starting to the COTA boogie and the Hill Country Blues.

I am heading to Deep Ellum with my money in my shoe.

John, let me know your schedule. I have plenty of riding time these days.

LowRyter · « **Reply #21 on:** January 12, 2018, 09:45:40 AM »

Quote from: mjptexas on January 12, 2018, 07:50:27 AM

John, let me know your schedule. I have plenty of riding time these days.

I need to make a schedule. Originally, I wasn't planning to go until I read your post. I'd certainly like to ride the 3 Sisters in the Hill Country. Breakfast in Bandera. Brings back memories of living there.

PJPR01 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 12, 2018, 11:24:16 AM »

We really should try to do a WildGuzzi Rendezvous at COTA this year...several of us have attended in the past! Would be good to maybe have a lunch at Black's in Lockhart at least for the WG crew instead of trying to find each other in the masses of the crowds on race day!

I plan on riding up again this year from Houston...Perhaps lunch on Saturday in Lockhart and then spend the day at the track afterwards?

mjptexas · « **Reply #23 on:** January 12, 2018, 05:36:16 PM »

Quote from: PJPR01 on January 12, 2018, 11:24:16 AM

We really should try to do a WildGuzzi Rendezvous at COTA this year...several of us have attended in the past! Would be good to maybe have a lunch at Black's in Lockhart at least for the WG crew instead of trying to find each other in the masses of the crowds on race day!

I plan on riding up again this year from Houston...Perhaps lunch on Saturday in Lockhart and then spend the day at the track afterwards?

I bet we could make that work. I’ll be on my Monster so I can claim my parking spot on Ducati Island :)

bettythebear · « **Reply #24 on:** January 14, 2018, 09:51:30 AM »

I'll meet up with you guys for bbq. It's only a mile or so from the house. I'm not a MotoGP fan, so won't be going to the track at all.

LowRyter · « **Reply #25 on:** April 03, 2019, 08:45:11 PM »

DArren and I will be at the Rodeway, coming on Thursday.

Mike JP is the local.

Paul from Houston will be there on Sunday.

A spineframer is riding his Beemer from AZ.

Let's do a confirm and contact.

Thursday night is the Ducati party at the dealer, Dovi should be there. AF1 Aprilia/Guzzi usually does something, not sure when. We're planning a meet up at Black's BBQ in Lockhart on Saturday after quals and then to the Hand Built Show in Austin.

twowings · « **Reply #26 on:** April 03, 2019, 08:47:19 PM »

Get Dovi's autograph for me!!

LowRyter · « **Reply #27 on:** April 03, 2019, 10:13:15 PM »

Quote from: twowings on April 03, 2019, 08:47:19 PM

Get Dovi's autograph for me!!

I've already got one.

but I know someone really important

Maynard G Krebs

PJPR01 · « **Reply #28 on:** April 03, 2019, 10:17:31 PM »

DT moving from Flat track to COTA! Screaming around turn 1 on the Jackal, he heads downhill thru the first chicane, and before you know it, he's leaning thru Turn 15 scraping both sides and headed to the big sweeper before rounding turn 19 and heading past the grandstands.

Go Dusty Go!

Looking forward to a competitive race this year...hopefully it will be a bump and grind fest and not a runaway as it has been for the prior years.

LowRyter · « **Reply #29 on:** April 03, 2019, 10:19:32 PM »

Quote from: PJPR01 on April 03, 2019, 10:17:31 PM

DT moving from Flat track to COTA! Screaming around turn 1 on the Jackal, he heads downhill thru the first chicane, and before you know it, he's leaning thru Turn 15 scraping both sides and headed to the big sweeper before rounding turn 19 and heading past the grandstands.

Go Dusty Go!

................... ...................

OMG, I am closing my eyes............... ..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hang on Maynard !

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Author Topic: Hotel/Motel Recommendations near COTA (Read 11956 times)

twowings

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