Housing FAQ

A: SXSW accepts registrations and hotel reservations between August and March for the upcoming event. In August all SXSW hotels are available to all registrants at special SXSW discount rates. Between March and July you can email us to be added to our Early Bird Notification list (subject line should read: “SXSW Early Bird”). We will notify you by email when we open for business in August. It will be your responsibility to submit your conference registration and hotel reservation at that time.

A: After researching the available hotels at our hotel web page, registrants can book a hotel online through the Online Registrants Directory (your Registration Confirmation tells you how to access your Online Directory listing) or through the Shopping Cart where your registration was purchased. The Housing Desk will process your request as quickly as possible and confirm to you by email or fax.

A: The online SXSW Registration and Housing system is the easiest and quickest way to make a reservation. See: http://www.sxsw.com/attend. See the most current hotel list online on the Book Your Hotel page at our website (or less up-to-date lists on our printed brochures). These rooms and rates are available only to SXSW conference registrants, exhibitors, and festival artists (music or film). SXSW has blocked rooms at all of Austin's most desirable hotels at guaranteed rates.

A: SXSW can reserve a discount rate room for you at all of Austin's best hotels. See the hotel list with rates and downtown map online at http://www.sxsw.com/attend/hotels. This information will be updated throughout the season as hotels sell out.

A. All SXSW hotels are listed on this map (PDF - 450.34 KB)

A: Yes, this is a growing trend and we expect it to continue. The entire Marriott hotel chain is now nonsmoking (including all Marriott, Courtyard, Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn, and Springhill properties). The Wyndham Garden Hotel and others are also non-smoking properties. Check the SXSW hotel amenities pages to see if your desired hotel is 100% non-smoking.

A: Check out the SXSW Schedule to see when activities kick off. Most registrants arrive the first day of registration (Friday, March 13, 2009 for Film and Interactive or Tuesday, March 17, 2009 for Music). Some arrive earlier to enjoy Austin in the springtime. Some wait until panels begin (Saturday, March 14, 2009 for Film and Interactive or Wednesday, March 18, 2009 for Music). Film Festival screenings begin Friday, March 13, 2009. Music Fest showcases begin on Wednesday, March 18, 2009.

A: Online, you select the available hotel you want and the SXSW Housing Desk acts on your request. When you book online you will receive immediate online acknowledgment of your booking. You will also receive a more detailed hotel confirmation by email within 2 business days. If the hotel or room type you requested is not available, SXSW will contact you with a suggested hotel option.

A: NO and NO. You must provide a valid credit card number to guarantee your reservation. The SXSW Housing Desk sends this number to the hotel. Some hotels will charge an advance deposit to your credit card: these include the Four Seasons, Driskill, Omni, InterContinental, Radisson, and Hyatt. Check the hotel amenities page for their deposit policy, if any. Other hotels do not charge anything in advance; they simply authenticate the card's validity and credit-worthiness.

A: Payment for the room must be arranged at the hotel's front desk upon check-in and all charges must be settled when the guest(s) check-out. Upon arrival at your hotel, you must present the credit card to be billed or have completed a credit card authorization in advance, have pre-paid for your stay, or have cash. The hotel will provide their credit card authorization form if the credit card number used to guarantee the room is not in the name of the guest. If you know a credit card authorization needs to be completed prior to your arrival, you will need to contact your hotel directly for their form. The hotel contact information will be on your emailed SXSW reservation confirmation. If you wish to pre-pay for room and tax charges, you will need to contact your hotel directly for their form. The hotel contact information will be on your emailed SXSW reservation confirmation. It is each guest's responsibility to know what method of payment will be used upon check-in.

A: The best way to change or cancel an existing SXSW hotel reservation is through the Online Registrants Directory (your Registration Confirmation tells you how to access your Online Directory listing) or reply by email using the reservation confirmation you have received. You can email the Housing Desk (housing at sxsw.com) if your confirmation email is not available. Be sure to clearly identify yourself and clearly state the changes you desire to your reservation so the Housing Desk can act on your request without delay - i.e. new check-in or check-out date, adding name of your roomshare, changing credit card number on the reservation.

A: Some spam filters and gray listers may filter out automated communications. Please add the following email addresses to your spam filter’s list of approved senders to be sure our messages reach you: webmaster at sxsw.com, reg at sxsw.com, housing at sxsw.com, sxsw at sxsw.com.