My boyfriend and I stayed at Cynthia and Jim's place during SXSW and it was an oasis of calm and relaxation amidst the chaos of the festival! Their place is lovely and comfortable and they are the nicest, most thoughtful hosts anyone could hope for. There are lots of things to see/do/eat within the immediate neighborhood, and they are a skip away from downtown. I cannot imagine a better stay for any visitor to Austin.