EVEN Hotel Austin Uptown near the Domain by IHG

Over about three weeks of on-and-off stays in January and February 2026, in room 209, I had the worst hotel experience I've had in years. I'm a long-time IHG One Rewards Club member and have usually had good experiences at EVEN Hotels and other IHG properties. I like the brand's wellness focus and usually find its staff attentive and professional. Alex at the front desk was genuinely kind and helpful, but one employee's repeated behavior made the service fall far short. At check-in, an associate who said her name was Amor took over 20 minutes to work through the system while my family waited. She gave us no updates or apology, though I stayed patient as a returning guest. During the stay, she was often away from the desk, chatting with other staff instead of helping guests. More concerning, she left her post during her shift to sit at the bar and socialize with a male employee. She was also rude and volatile toward my family, including my small children, which made the situation feel unsafe. After checkout, I called about valuable prescription medication, medically necessary and worth hundreds of dollars, that I'd left in the room fridge. Maria was hostile on the phone, wouldn't check or ask housekeeping to check, put me on hold without a proper greeting, and didn't follow up as promised. The lack of basic courtesy and accountability was shocking at an IHG hotel. I value the EVEN brand and have enjoyed other locations, but these weeks made me think there's a management or training gap here. Leaving the desk, hanging out at the bar while on duty, and being rude to children don't match IHG's standards or EVEN's wellness message. I'd rather keep supporting the brand elsewhere, but I'm hesitant to return to this location.

The second visit left me feeling like my problems had followed me on what was supposed to be a getaway. The sheets were stained, there was hair in the bathroom that wasn't mine and a purple stain, and people upstairs stomped constantly. I also woke up to someone trying to get into my room despite the do not disturb sign. The staff are generally great, but after this stay I don't think I'll be back. I had a great time the first time I stayed here.

I've stayed at the EVEN many times. The front desk has often seemed rushed and a little rude, but this last visit was the worst hotel stay I've ever had. I got food poisoning from the shrimp at the restaurant and was in bed vomiting and dealing with diarrhea for three days. I couldn't get up, so I spoke with a doctor by video. My stomach is still bloated, and my trip was ruined. I only wanted the hotel to know so they could remove the item and keep anyone else from going through this. I wasn't asking for anything free, but staff treated me like I was lying and offered no sympathy. Management didn't return my calls, and I had to keep calling to speak with her. So much for being a platinum member. I was still charged for the shrimp, too.

The rooms are clean and new, and the service was good. Breakfast was okay, though nothing special. This hotel is out of the way with little nearby, and they add a $9.99 daily "Hotel Service Fee" that isn't disclosed in the online nightly rate. My stay wasn't bad, but next time I'd stay near the domain.