Mountain Star Lodge

The quiet setting in the Austin hills was a real plus, and the staff were kind. My room had a nice AC and a fridge, too. Mountain Star Hotel is a basic lodge style place, so it felt comfortable enough as long as you know what to expect. Breakfast was very limited, with no hot food or eggs, and we noticed bugs at night, particularly in first floor rooms. Check that the smoke alarm, shower, and TV work when you arrive. I’d rate the stay a solid 3.5 stars.

The shower had good water pressure, but the bed was rough to sleep on because I could feel the mattress springs. Basic upkeep was a problem throughout: the room had no smoke alarm, the toilet seat was loose, and the bathroom door wouldn’t lock or stay shut properly. The pool looked dirty and poorly maintained. Breakfast was advertised as free, but offered very few choices, and when I asked for extra towels, they said they’d run out. With comfort and maintenance both falling short, I wouldn’t stay again unless things improved significantly.

Bugs were everywhere, including cockroaches, and the pool was a foul green mess whose smell reached the rooms. The breakfast room was locked each morning, so the included breakfast effectively didn’t exist. The property seems to be falling apart, yet the price is far too high for its condition. It feels like the owners are overcharging without putting money back into the business. I’d go to another hotel.

The views are stellar, which was one reason I booked, along with the pool and the positive reviews. The outside looks great, but our rooms were sparsely furnished and tough inside. We were “upgraded” to a suite because they “couldn’t find” our booked room, but the kitchenette wasn’t usable: no towels, dishes, silverware, dish soap, or tea kettle. There wasn’t even a bath mat. Breakfast was bad and there wasn’t enough food for everyone. The lobby felt weirdly like somebody’s living room, with snacks, medicines, and other junk on the coffee table. What angered me most was that the advertised pool was green and clearly not maintained. This place has so much potential and could be really nice with some upkeep and care. We stayed two nights. If we’d booked any longer, I would’ve demanded our money back and gone elsewhere. These good reviews must be from drunk, high folks 🤣.