Howard Johnson's Landmark: September 1984, page 1
 
Austin-South, Texas -- 3401 Interstate 35 (I-35@ Woodward St)
 

Representing an attempted departure and fundamental shift in the Howard Johnson Company's lodging focus, the Plaza Hotel concept was launched in about 1983. Initially Plaza Hotels were converted from existing hotel-like Motor Lodges and were Company owned. However by mid-1984, Austin-South had opened as the first franchised Plaza unit. The new construction non-standard location was owned and operated by Carl Petty who also owned the Austin-North Motor Lodge that he had opened back in 1968.

The 210-room hotel included "a resort style courtyard with a nine-hole putting green, an outdoor hot tub, a covered pavilion with poolside bar, and a Jr. Olympic-size pool." The onsite restaurant was called Chappie's and featured "a Texas menu" with steaks as the highlight. The decor was enhanced by a fountain at the entrance as well as cowboy statues and Indian paintings that were found throughout the Southwestern style restaurant.

Desperate to compete in a changing hospitality market, the Howard Johnson Company wanted the Plaza Hotel concept to reposition the Howard Johnson brand up a notch. However by abandoning past hallmarks of the Company's success (standardized Motor Lodges and the famous Restaurant business), executives had sewn the seeds of the brand's ultimate failure.
 
Howard Johnson Directory: January - June 1988, page 4
 
 
 
 
Photograph September 1, 2004: Courtesy of Stephen & Marcus Nauman
 
Attesting to the well-sited location and quality design, the one-time Plaza Hotel became a full-service Holiday Inn. Prior to the Naumans' photograph, I had ignored late non-standard units like Austin-South. However the Austin site should be counted among Howard Johnson's, and was not unlike a couple of earlier non-standard units like Chatham Center or even Long Wharf. Of course Austin-South never had a Howard Johnson Restaurant and Orange was nowhere to be found!
 
 
 
 
From an Internet advertisement circa 2005
It happens. At some point the place's owner decided it wasn't worth the effort or cost to continue with a brand and went independent.
 
 
 
 
 
Still a respectable facility, it will be an uphill journey for the unbranded Woodward to maintain its standards without brand minions looking over its shoulder!
From woodwardaustin.com accessed April 2006