You get what you pay for
I stayed at the LaQuinta Inn for two nights while I was at a conference at another hotel. This is an older property, and it shows. The rooms look a little tired and the air conditioner is quite tired. But it is clean, the staff are friendly and helpful, and it is within an easy walk of both the Capitol and the downtown entertainment district. I had no problems with noise except for the air conditioner.
There is a small outdoor pool, but I never saw anyone using it. 
The breakfast is standard for this kind of place, with the standard waffles, etc. It does offer some fresh fruit, yogurt and toast.
The bed was comfortable and I slept well.
So this hotel does reasonably well with the essentials (I don't know whether the air conditioner could cope with a summer day in Austin) and is good value for the relatively little money they charge.