The Driskill

The claim that everything’s bigger in Texas shouldn’t merely be taken literally. Witness the Driskill, Texas’ premier luxury hotel positioned in the heart of the state capital. The 189-guest room structure may seem modest by some standards, but its historic grandeur and perfectly restored facade and interiors make it one of Austin’s largest, most rewarding experiences. Cattle baron Colonel Jesse Driskill built the hotel in 1886 to rival the palaces of New York, Chicago, St. Louis and San Francisco and to serve as a showpiece for his adopted frontier town.

This regal Richardsonian Romanesque building was crafted entirely from local brick and limestone and differentiates itself with massive arched windows, spacious balconies and elaborate ornamentation. Floor-to-ceiling arched doorways at each entrance lead into a breathtaking lobby with an intricate, hand-laid marble floor, beautifully hand-painted Victorian decor, a life-sized portrait of Driskill on the wall and a custom-made stained-glass dome that serves as the room’s focal point. Busts of Driskill and his two sons are placed high atop each entrance, along with stylized heads of Texas longhorn steers.

Each of the guest rooms has been painstakingly remodeled to retain the century-old character of the building while accommodating all the modern conveniences expected in a luxury hotel, including T-1 high-speed Internet connection, in-room massage and access to an on-site fitness studio. For more than a century, the Driskill has played host to dignitaries and heads of state, to lobbyists, legislators and opportunists, as well as to rising socialites, honeymooners and travelers just passing through—rest assured, you’ll fit right in.

Busts of Driskill and his two sons are placed high atop each entrance along with stylized heads of Texas longhorn steers.

The Driskill, a charter member of Historic Hotels Worldwide since 2013, dates back to 1886.

Contact Information:
Street Address:
604 Brazos Street
Austin, TX 78701