A: After researching the available hotels at our hotel web page, as a registrant(badge-holder) you can book a hotel online through the Shopping Cart where your registration was purchased or via link on your profile at social.sxsw.com. The Housing Desk will process your request as quickly as possible and confirm to you by email or fax. Please note that requesting a room via SXSW is a request and not a guarantee until confirmation is sent to the registrant via email.

A: The online SXSW Registration and Housing system is the easiest and quickest way to make a reservation. See the hotel list with rates here and the hotel map online here. These rooms and rates are available only to confirmed 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 here. This information will be updated throughout the season as hotels sell out.

A. An interactive map of available hotels is available.

A. New policy for 2013! SXSW Housing recommends that you choose a similar hotel and book it instead. With dozens of hotels to choose from, there are options for every taste and budget. If you would prefer to hold out for a particular property you may be added to the waiting list if you are registered to attend and do not have an existing reservation through SXSW Housing. Email Housing to make your wait list request and include your desired hotel name, your check-in & out dates, and room or bedding type preferences (i.e. king bed, double bed, etc.) Registrants may book a hotel through SXSW Housing or they may get on a waiting list for a particular hotel, but starting now, they may not do both simultaneously.

A: SXSW will charge a $50 processing fee to the credit card on file for each reservation that is cancelled or reduced in length of stay within 21 days of your scheduled hotel check-in . (This is in addition to cancellation fees charge by the hotel per their stated policy on your confirmation).

A: Yes, this is a growing trend and we expect it to continue. You can filter the hotel list by your smoking preference here on the hotel grid.

A: All SXSW hotels offer high-speed internet access to the guests. Most provide complimentary broadband to SXSW guests but many charge a daily fee. Be sure to check your hotel’s amenities page (click on the hotel’s name on the availability page) for their policy. These SXSW hotels currently offer free broadband in the guestrooms for SXSW guests:

• Hilton Downtown
• Courtyard Marriott Downtown
• Residence Inn
• Hilton Garden Inn
• Hampton Inn Downtown
• Driskill
• La Quinta - Capitol
• Holiday Inn - Town Lake
• Doubletree Hotel - University
• AT&T Conference Hotel
• Clarion Inn & Suites
• La Quinta - Oltorf
• Casulo Hotel
• La Quinta - South
• Candlewood Suites South
• Hampton Inn South
• Homewood Suites South
• Springhill Suites
• Fairfield Inn - South
• Courtyard Marriott - South
• Crowne Plaza
• Staybridge Suites Airport
• Courtyard Marriott Central - University
• Orangewood Suites
• La Quinta - Airport
• Microtel Inn & Suites
• Hampton Inn & Suites - Airport
• Courtyard Marriott - Airport
• Comfort Suites Airport
• Holiday Inn Mid-Town
• Drury Inn & Suites North
• Ramada Central
• Americas Best Value Inn
• Habitat Suites
• Hampton Inn North
• La Quinta - North
• Hyatt Place - North Central
• Country Inn & Suites North
• Ramada Limited - North
• Hotel Allandale
• Candlewood Suites Arboretum
• Hyatt Place Arboretum
• Staybridge Suites Arboretum
• Hampton Inn Northwest Arboretum
• Homewood Suites Arboretum

A: Check out the SXSW Schedule to see when activities kick off. Most registrants arrive the day before their respective activities begin (on Thursday, March 7, 2013 for Film & Interactive or Tuesday, March 12, 2013 for Music). Some arrive earlier to enjoy Austin in the springtime. Interactive panels and Film Festival screenings begin Friday, March 8, 2013. Music Fest showcases begin Tuesday, March 12, 2013 and Music Fest Panels on Wednesday, March 13, 2013.

A: Online, you select the available hotel you want and the SXSW Housing Desk acts on your request. When you request online you will receive immediate online acknowledgment of your request. 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. See more options at How to Book.

A: NO and NO. You must provide a valid credit card number to guarantee your reservation. The SXSW Housing Desk provides 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, Doubletree Guest Suites, 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: It is each guest's responsibility to know what method of payment will be used upon check-in. Payment for the room must be arranged at the hotel's front desk at 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. A credit card authorization form is needed 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 or if you wish to pre-pay for room and tax charges, email housing@sxsw.com for instructions.

A: No. Hotels don’t allow you to book reservations with rewards points during very busy time periods and special events. However you can usually accrue points for your stay if you belong to your hotel’s frequent guest program. Include your membership number in the Hotel Loyalty field when submitting your online hotel request.

A: Changes and cancellations must be made through the SXSW Housing Desk. The best way to change or cancel an existing SXSW hotel reservation is via the link at social.sxsw.com or reply by email using the reservation confirmation you received from the SXSW Housing Desk. You can email the Housing Desk 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 or canceling the reservation. The date of your written request to cancel or reduce dates will determine if any penalties or fees will be incurred based on the hotel cancellation policy and SXSW 21 day processing fee.

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.

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.