Am I going to the 2009 South by Southwest festival? No. Do I want to? Yes. I am a beggar and a chooser? Yes. So given the opportunity to attend the annual—and historically acclaimed—music, film and interactive weeklong festival, I would reside at the Hotel San Jose.

Off the beaten path is this luscious little design centric, art driven bungalow hotel in Austin, with what I assume are letterpress “do not disturb signs.” Stay in affordable European-style rooms with a shared bath or treat yourself to a petite suite with daybeds for lounging with some hooch before heading downtown. Or spoil yourself with a courtyard suite where you can personally experience the hotel’s community atmosphere. Such is the case with its 10^th annual South by San Jose line up featuring intimate performances by SXSW performers.

If that’s not enough, or March isn’t your month, revel in what I would call the San Jose starving artist collection. Considering its contents, this might be the perfect destination for an artist’s retreat; visit the music library, video library, use a typewriter, camera, rent a bike, bring your dog, or grab a cup of java at Jo’s Coffee—located in the hotel parking lot. C’est la vie at Hotel San Jose. – Katy Ibsen

To Lust: San Jose Hotel

To Lust: South by Southwest

Photography by: Allison V. Smith