Detailed Review
The Driskill is a world unto itself, a world, which transcends time and place. Located in the heart of Texas, this was once the proud show place of a cattle baron. Lovingly and luxuriously transformed into something far more enticing, the Driskill has become a private haven of opulence and comfort. It now stands apart as a landmark of refined hospitality with a rich appreciation of the past and an elegant vision for the future.
Press Quotes
"You gotta love cheeky details like the bridal suite bedspread that looks like a vintage wedding dress. A recent $35 million renovation has brought about some modern touches, such as high-speed Internet, a fitness center, and a spa..."Conde Nast 07
Independent Reviews
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"Historic hotel with cattle baron roots"
Major renovations a year ago have left the hotel with a newer wing. When you book, ensure you will be staying in the historic part of the building, with its 14-foot-high ceilings, and even then expect a few oddities - some small rooms among them.
The Driskill
By Matthew Barker
Impressively grand one-time residence of 1800s cattle baron back to its prime following a recent facelift. The spruced-up Romanesque interiors (all columns, arches and high ceilings, rich fabrics and Victoriana furniture) at their best in the lobby, with its marble floor and stained glass dome, and the suites (especially the splendidly beyond-clubby Cattle Baron’s Suite). 190 rooms (15 suites). Member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Hotel Attractions: The Driskill Grill is a fine bit of hush-hush dark-wood posh, with menu to match (barbecued duck burrito over fiery corn cakes with mango fiesta salad and charred avocado; lobster tail with mushroom lobster polenta and truffled cognac butter); the well-stocked Bar, with its deep leather sofas and cow hides enjoying a new lease of life as a post-irony cocktail lounge (and how we all love those). Afternoon tea in the Maximilian Room. No fitness centre. Local Attractions: Downtown is the hub of the Texan capital’s arts-and-cup-of-joe scene: for live music there’s Antone’s, the Ruta Maya Coffee House, Jazz and the Caucus Club; for visual arts there’s the Austin Museum of Art (and a host of smaller galleries dotted around the district); for drinks try Kenny Luna’s Ivory Cat Tavern, Louie’s 106 or The Olde Pecan Street Ale House. Tex-Mex at Jaime’s Spanish Village; seafood at Gilligan’s; steaks at Sullivan’s; breakfast at Arturo’s; ice cream at Amy’s. Congress Avenue Bridge, just down the road, is home to the largest urban bat colony in the world - 1.5 million Mexican freetail bats roost there every summer.
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Condé Nast Traveller 2008 Gold List
