The most historic hotel in Texas — Austin's grand dame has anchored 6th Street since 1886, with Romanesque Revival architecture, a storied bar where LBJ watched election returns, and a position at the center of Austin's political and cultural life for nearly 140 years.
Why We Chose It
The Driskill is the soul of Austin's downtown — a Romanesque Revival hotel opened in 1886 by cattle baron Jesse Lincoln Driskill, it has survived financial panics, fires, and demolition threats to become the most storied address in Texas. Lyndon Johnson used it as his Austin headquarters; he watched his 1964 presidential election returns from the Driskill Bar and proposed to Lady Bird there. The hotel hosted the inaugural Texas Governor's Inaugural Ball. The architecture — carved limestone facade, ornate lobby with stained glass dome, sweeping staircase — is the finest in Austin. The Driskill Bar is one of the great American hotel bars, with live music most evenings and the city's best selection of Texas whiskey. The 189 rooms vary significantly in size and character; the historic tower rooms are the most atmospheric.
What Stands Out
- Most historic hotel in Texas — operating since 1886
- The anchor of Austin's 6th Street
- LBJ proposed to Lady Bird here and watched his 1964 election returns from the bar
- Romanesque Revival architecture: carved limestone, stained glass dome, and sweeping staircase
- The Driskill Bar: one of the great American hotel bars — live music most evenings
- Request historic tower rooms for the most atmospheric stay — avoid standard wing rooms