After navigating floating platform staircases, dodging living-room-level bosses, and searching for randomly appearing bathroom keys, most homeowners come to regret purchasing houses built by video-game designers. Today's Groupon offers respite from the chaos: for $79, you get a one-night stay, plus breakfast for two, at Doubletree Hotel Austin (a $159 value). The beautiful Spanish Colonial–style hotel is located just five miles from downtown. Rooms are subject to availability, and this Groupon does not include tax.

Welcoming every guest with warm chocolate-chip cookies at check-in, Doubletree Hotel has the charm of a grandma without the weird noises her knuckles make. Today's Groupon gets you an overnight stay in a room with either one king-size bed or two double beds (generally a $129 value, although rates fluctuate); both smoking and nonsmoking rooms are available. Turn inner marshmallow into solid muscle in the hotel's fully equipped fitness center, followed by a couple cool-down laps in the outdoor pool or whirlpool. After topping your aquatic activities with a complimentary wireless Internet surf in the hotel lobby, head up to your room's safe and cozy quarters to relax with a movie on cable as you blow-dry your partner's hair for the fifth time for free. Come morning, you'll get to feast on some gourmet breakfast bites in the Courtyard Café ($14.95 value per person) before heading home. The casual dining destination overlooks the lush greenery and waterscapes of the hotel's inner courtyard and serves up a wide variety of continental cuisine with a distinct Texan influence.

An overnight stay at the Doubletree Hotel leaves guests feeling so refreshed and mellow, even die-hard Seinfeld fans can loop the series's finale without breaking a sweat. Guests can combine up to three Groupons for an extended stay, so give yourself the leisure time you need to finally finish that short-story collection—provided, of course, you can ignore the siren call of the cute little bars of soap long enough to get some work done.

Reviews

TripAdvisors give Doubletree Hotel Austin an average of 3.5 owl eyes and six Google Mappers give it an average of 3.5 stars:

• It is a very pretty hotel with lots of character. The inner courtyard is beautiful with fountains and tables. There was a small wedding reception going on while we were there. The beds were comfortable and had lots of pillows. We loved the chocolate chip cookies that you get at check-in. The lobby area was very pretty and big with several sitting areas, and a tiny gift shop. – texlady25, TripAdvisor
• The rooms are very clean, you get a lot of space and comfort for your money, and the service is excellent. To top it all off, you get a delicious cookie when you arrive. – Pete, Google Maps