The rumors are true, the Driskill is haunted. It is haunted by inept and uncaring staff that has little or no interest in making your stay enjoyable. our experience started at check in. we had prepaid for a double queen room thru Amex travel for my son and I who were in town for his birthday. Upon arrival we were informed that our room was not only not ready, but they were "sold out" of double queens. Imagine my confusion as at had not reserved this room, I PREPAID for it. We were offered a King room with a fold out and a $75 credit at the bar which I begrudgingly accepted. So off to the bar we went. As we attempted to close out at the bar we were informed that we could not use the credit offered because our room had not been entered into the system. Credit was useless, I paid the tab and went to dinner. Came back 2 hours later, room still not ready. It is now 4 hours past check in time. I ask for a manager and at this point getting upset. Manager appears and threatens to throw me out. At this point I give up, go to the room that I don't want and call Amex to deal with the issue. I have stayed at the Driskill well over a dozen times thru out the years and I am really disappointed that this experience has ruined all of the good memories. Sadly it will be my last stay. I've had better treatment at a Super 8. Hyatt has really ruined a true Texas landmark with this sloppy management and poor customer service. read more

I went there for drink after dinner and this place screams high class, old money. I had a couple carajillos and they were delicious, the staff is friendly the ambience is classy. The Driskill is always a good time! read more

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Was such a beautiful bar! Stopped in for a bite during SXSW. Such a friendly staff! The chicken nuggets were so fresh and hot and the ranch! Oh my goodness. Best ranch I have ever had! Was such a nice, relaxing break from the craziness of SXSW. The lobby is just amazingly beautiful! read more

The Driskill - Bar interior - Hotels Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Just to clarify did not stay at this hotel But stopped by as it's very striking architecture in Austin Cute hotel but surprisingly didn't have a lobby bar which was disappointing read more

The Driskill - Lobby - Hotels Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Very nice historic hotel, the lobby was impressive. The rooms and service were high quality, and it's in an ideal walkable location. read more

The Driskill - Hotels Near Me - Austin, Texas

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The Driskill is a super cool historic building in Austin TX. Take some time and check out this grandiose historic building. My wife and I were able to check the place out and grab a drink at the bar. The bar is a handsome lounge area with various seating where you can enjoy a lovely cocktail. There is an upstairs area as well with more seating and billiards tables. It's a lovely place to take a quick break from the Texas sun sip a cocktail and take the elegance of the place all in. read more

Well, I really wanted to love this property, yet reality is much different than the photos they post. I'm not sure where those rooms are ... cause my room and my friend's rooms in the tower were very dated and kinda musty and old. My stay was fine just not really special or elegant. Felt like I was staying at my grandmother's home. Taking two elevators each time to my room was not fun since the elevators are old and very slow. Give extra time. One thing I really appreciated was the Nespresso coffee in the room. Bonus! read more

The Driskill - The bar has character. Live music too. - Hotels Near Me - Austin, Texas

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So, we didn't stay at the hotel, but we were there for the Christmas Tree lighting. Staff was great. There was a pop-up champagne bar. Great atmosphere, great fun. We also had drinks in the Victotian Bar. Great service! read more

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So my friend and I walked up to the doorman after visiting a couple speak easy's close by at about 1 am. The hotel door man wasn't rude but very welcoming either. At first he told us there wasn't a two queen bed option available. My friends was about to walk away when I basically let the doorman know we'd take anything as both us were tired and had been drinking and were wanting to be responsible by not driving home. Finally the doorman called concierge and let us in. Lo and behold we ended up in a two queen as we originally requested. Now, coming in I knew this was a pricier hotel but for the sake of a good yelp review I figured why not just take it all in. The lobby itself is a work of art so yes it is pricy but what an experience. It feels like a museum at the very least but truly a look back into the elegance and history of this city. The bathroom was very elegant design from roof to floor in marble. The water pressure and temperature was amazing. The shampoo smelled good actually, very earthy. The beds were soooooooo comfy. Literally some of the best sleep I've ever gotten in a hotel. I then realized this hotel is actually apart of a special program the Hyatt has for their luxury line of hotels. To have shown up at 1am and have to checkout at 11am, I saw enough to make me want to come back. read more

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Lovely old hotel with modern touches. Stayed here for two nights. Room was lovely with tons of Southern Texas charm. I had no idea the history of the hotel until I checked in and someone mentioned it to me. Adds to the mystique of the place. Great location downtown. Would stay here again. read more

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Staff were very friendly, rooms were clean, large , and comfortable . They were under construction, the ghost must have been on vacay. It is located right on the cusp of rowdy-fun 6th , just head towards downtown to avoid the night crowd. read more

What gorgeous and ornate architecture and design in this 1850s hotel that boasts glamour, style and pure poshness. Have been for a few events and special occasions. Love treating ourselves for a little getaway too. We literally walk from home to stay overnight sometimes. Rumored to be haunted, I've never experienced anything. read more

I was here for a 2-day conference, but did not stay at the hotel. Even with a conference discount it seemed rather pricey; however, with the Uber rides back and forth, I later wondered if it would've been worth it. My advice would be to do the math, if you can -- you may be better off just staying here! Walking into this hotel is like walking backwards into 1800s Texas. The inside is SO ornate -- everything from the floor to the columns to the ceiling to the chandeliers to the Tiffany-style light fixtures. Catch one of the walking tours around the hotel if you can -- it isn't very long but shares some good nuggets that you wouldn't know otherwise. The food we had, courtesy of the hotel, for our conference was fine. I can't speak to the rooms, but the Driskill is in a good spot of downtown Austin where a lot is walkable. read more

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I make it a point to stop in The Driskill during the Christmas season and as always, it never disappoints. The Christmas tree in the lobby area is spectacular! And this year my friends and I had the pleasure of meeting their lovely and very attentive doorman, Nelson. He was the perfect extra touch! read more

The Driskill - The Driskill Christmas Tree 2025 - Hotels Near Me - Austin, Texas

On check-in, they offered me a cold Lonestar beer... Very Texas! This is a beautiful, historic hotel. Next time I come, I will bring the family and stay in one of the nicer rooms. They do tours regarding the history of the hotel, which was built in 1886. A great when you're in Austin to come and check out and really feel what it must've been like to be an old Texas. Room is great, hospitality has been wonderful, and I cannot wait to try the famous bakery for breakfast tomorrow. read more

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On March 23, 2025, made a 3 night reservation for our wedding anniversary in October for one their two Lonestar Suites w/balcony. Called several times in those 6.5 months to confirm the reservation and request one particular Lonestar. Several days before our trip, received an email confirming our Lonestar Suite. Flew from Seattle, got to the Driskill, to be greeted by Emily telling us we'd been "upgraded" to a Landmark Suite, which she said had a bigger balcony than the Lonestar. Hubby was skeptical, as he knew the room choices when he booked. We went to the Landmark room - and it was a corner crackerbox room, tiny balcony and certainly not a suite. Emily offered to reduce the rate after we FINALLY got her to admit that it was a downgrade - NOT the upgrade she told us it was. Turns out, they'd given our room, booked 6.5 months prior, to someone else. I'm not going to sugar coat it and say Emily was mistaken - she outright LIED to us. She claimed to be a manager - shouldn't a manager know their rooms? Sitting in the tiny room, angry about having been lied to, and hating the tiny room, we Googled nearby hotels and quickly booked the Presidential Suite at the Omni. We will NEVER stay at the Driskill, and will badmouth it to every friend and family member who will listen Shame on you Emily. read more

This is a 3.5 stars review The Driskill Afternoon Tea is a lovely experience, but at $120 per person, it comes with a steep price tag. That said, it does include unlimited sparkling wine and three different types of tea, each paired with a course. The meal began with a welcome plate featuring scones, a lemon bar, and fresh fruit, accompanied by clotted cream, lemon curd, and strawberry compote. The second course was a three-tiered tray of savory bites, followed by a selection of sweet treats for dessert. Each tea was served with a recommended preparation: the first with lemon and honey, the second with milk and sugar, and the third enjoyed plain or with extra honey. The service by the staff was lovely, and this is in no way a reflection on them--but the overall experience didn't fully meet my expectations. I was specifically told that the tea service would be in the hotel lobby, but it was held at 1886 Café instead. This was disappointing, especially since I've attended Driskill's Afternoon Tea four times and only once has it actually been in the lobby. Having confirmed the location beforehand, it was frustrating to find that this wasn't honored. Why can't the tea be served in the lobby as advertised? Additionally, I would have preferred having a teapot or carafe at the table rather than having tea poured only for the first cup. It would have been nice to be able to refill at our own pace. That said, the food was great, and valet parking is discounted. I also found free street parking just a block away since it was a Sunday in downtown. Overall, a good experience, but the location and tea service setup were a letdown. read more

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This review is for the high tea service only. What a beautiful hotel. We had a great time at high tea. The service was fantastic and the light bites were delicious. The service included 3 courses and bottomless Prosecco and tea. Overall definitely pricey, probably wont do it again anytime soon for that reason, but was a fun experience to spoil you and a few friends! read more

The Driskill - High tea - Hotels Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Beautiful old hotel. Unfortunately, all the highlighted things to see in the hotel (as recommended by Trip Advisor) were closed. So we missed out on that. The exterior of the building is beautiful. The scary people panhandling outside were...intimidating. We ate breakfast at their cafe. Unfortunately you are instructed by signs at both entrances to stand in line, place your order and then try to find a table. We followed their rules as they directed, but very few people did. Most people slithered in quickly, bypassed the long line and grabbed a table first. This left the rest of us wandering about with our beverages and this glass with a wooden numbered spoon desperately looking for a table (after we finally made it through their long line and placed our orders). Meanwhile, many people sat at empty tables - waiting on the one person in their party they sent ahead to place their group order. They just sat there while those of us who had food coming had nowhere to enjoy it. This was very frustrating! The staff needs to either ENFORCE their own rules, or let EVERYONE rush in and grab a table. It really isn't fair to those patrons who have food coming and nowhere to sit. It was very awkward to stand around, wait for a group to leave, and then rush for their dirty table. And then we got to flag down staff to ask them to clean the dirty table. Do better, Driskill! read more

The Driskill - Exterior - Hotels Near Me - Austin, Texas

Witnessed a coordinated fraud operation at this venue on June 4, 2026. A woman approached solo diners at the bar. Hotel staff seated her and her target adjacent to associates posing as fellow Australian nationals. The waiter unsolicited confirmed the adjacent party's nationality, providing social proof. One individual introduced himself using the identity of a Melbourne defense lawyer who died in 2005. Conversation included casual references to quantum encryption investments. This is consistent with a pig butchering fraud operation. Formal complaints have been filed with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), the Texas Attorney General fraud division, Austin Police Department, and federal law enforcement. Travelers and solo diners at this venue should exercise caution. read more

While I did not stay in this hotel, I will be staying here on my next trip to Austin because we ended up spending so much time here. Not only is it gorgeous everywhere you look, but it's full of history and there is a tour you can take at 4pm to get the inside scoop. They have a bakery/cafe (1886) as well as a very cute bar area that is excellent for drinks and appetizers. Everywhere you look, there is beautiful art work and fun places to sit and lounge. My friend and I went wondering off to see if we could check out the ballrooms. They were locked, of course. An employee caught us snooping and I thought we were in trouble but instead he pulled out a key and opened the door so we could see in. That was very kind of him. If you are looking for a wedding venue, I really couldn't think of a better place for a ceremony and a reception. read more

The Driskill - One of the employees was kind enough to show us the ballroom. This picture really doesn't do it justice. - Hotels Near Me - Austin, Texas

The Driskill is a very nice upscale hotel. We've stayed here a few times. Good location within walking distance of the capital

My review is specifically for their Bolos & Bourbon event. I had no idea the Driskill hosts fun events like this one! The historic charm of the hotel is so perfect for this Texas-themed activity In the Bolos & Bourbon workshop, you'll sip on 3 distinct pours of Texas bourbon and learn about its history. Then you'll make your very own Bolo tie to take home with you! I didn't know what a Bolo tie was before this but I learned so much :) Our guide was legendary! Full of interesting stories & fun facts. If you're like me and love an activity for a social hang, this will be right up your alley! It's also a great activity for out-of-town guests to embrace all things Texan read more

The Driskill - @abionthego on IG - Hotels Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Historic hotel with their own curated ghosts. We love the lobby is is special and reminiscent of the grand hotels in Europe. The best part is that it is a Hyatt Unbound collection. My Austin hotel, yes! We will be back. read more

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Let me start by saying that we have always loved the historic Driskill and have lived in Austin for many, many years. We always visit the main bar in December to celebrate a birthday and to enjoy the tree, gingerbread village, and festive ambiance. We visited in early December 2025 as part of our tradition and were sadly so very disappointed. While the tree is always lovely, the gingerbread village was no more and we were told the chef had moved. The main bar was closed for remodeling but the new Victorian Bar near the lobby was open. We assumed it would still have the same vibe and historic ambiance of the upstairs bar so we went in for a drink. We had a terrible experience. It was very much a "bro" bar, service was terrible and just not the Driskill standard that we knew and loved now that MML has taken over hospitality and the bar. We were asked for our credit card before we even had our drinks and were pointed to a table full of water pitchers and glasses when we said we'd also like a glass of water with our wine. Just a sad turnabout for what was a lovely historic spot that we long considered part of our birthday and holiday tradition. While the MML management folks were receptive to our feedback and apologetic, it doesn't change the fact that this is no longer a place where we would celebrate such a special occasion. Sad to see more cultural icons of ATX going downhill. read more

I had to valet, $60 per day. You can summon your car on the website listed on the ticket that they hand you. There is always someone to open the entrance doors except night time. The bellman carried our luggage to our rooms and showed us where to go, though he was a bit lost himself. You get complimentary water and beer upon check in. Hotel guests also get free tour about the history of the hotel. Everything was great about this hotel, with the one exception that their hair dryer is a bit dirty and had stains on it. The bakery was very busy but I'm not sure if it was because I arrived during a busy weekend. read more

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Stopped into this gorgeous twenties hotel for a drink after a show. They had live music in the bar and drinks were very tasty , albeit a little expensive. A stunning place with much history & I honestly felt a little bit of a ghost vibe when I walked in the front door. Can't wait to return. A true Austin landmark read more

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Absolutely worth it if you come on a rowdy night. It's run by a large corporate hotel chain, so don't expect great staff, drink quality, or prices. However, the setting and people-watching are amazing. If you order a beer, be sure to ask for the bottle or can. read more

I recently stayed at this historic hotel that was beautifully blended with an 1800 world, charm and modern amenities. The staff were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about the hotel history and also gave good advice for local dining and activities. Our room was beautiful with a walk-in small living room And a smaller bedroom. The bed and bedding were very comfortable. They also had a walk-in tub and shower combo. I also was able to do a hotel history tour for free that they do every day at 4 PM. I was able to learn a lot about the history of the hotel and Mr. Driskill himself. Although the bar was being renovated, they did have one in the hotel lobby area with a lot of sitting areas where you can enjoy your drink. Overall, it was a memorable stay and I highly recommend staying here at this hotel. read more

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There are many hotel options in downtown Austin. Ultimately this is the best. Steeped in history and charm, I've never had a bad experience here. Not to mention, the bar is one of the most entertaining and more refined public drinking experiences (in a city full of drinking experiences). Though rooms are limited, if you stay on the second floor you have access to a nice balcony overlooking 6th Street. read more

Historical hotel with tiny little rooms. If you like going through a maze to find your room, this spot is for you!

Well, I've been in Austin on many occasions for business and pleasure, here about 4-5 times a year and I have not found myself at this particular bar and have always wanted to come Last night after dinner at the Fixe we wandered over and I must say we were all a little disappointed with the selections of alcohol they had available NOT one single Amaro available. They have a really limed selection of most types of liquor. The place is beautiful but just not the bar I will choose to return to on my visits What we were served was tasty but nothing to right home about. Bar keep was average read more

Cool hotel. So much history! Excellent service!! Very clean. The "upgraded" room was small and our view was a wall from the adjacent building. No amenities to speak of. They charged us a daily resort fee but there is no pool. Valet was also ridiculously expensive and took a long time to get our car. I'm glad we tried it but won't be back, unfortunately. read more

The Driskill - Beautiful lobby - Hotels Near Me - Austin, Texas

Went to The Victorian Bar last night after celebrating a family member's wedding, expecting to enjoy a few drinks with friends --instead we were met with one of the most uncomfortable and unprofessional experiences I've had at a bar. One of the gentlemen in our group was wrongfully accused of being someone who had allegedly been drugging women at this establishment. The female bartender immediately went to security and treated him with extreme disrespect, accusing him outright without any verification. Her attitude was aggressive and rude from the start. This man has never been to Austin before, has never stepped foot in this bar, and actually lives in Tennessee. Yet she confidently pointed fingers with zero facts. She clearly had confused him for somebody else that looked similar to him. I completely understand the importance of keeping patrons safe -- but falsely accusing someone in front of others without proper confirmation is reckless, embarrassing, and unacceptable. Could it possibly be that the female bartender had something against the fact that most of our party was gay? Or maybe because some of us were Latinos? Terrible service, awful attitude, and a situation that could have been handled with professionalism and discretion was instead handled with hostility and assumptions. Very disappointing way to end what was supposed to be a joyful night. They will be hearing from an attorney very soon. read more

Big shocker the reservations agent and the front desk agent were so incompetent and rude that we decided to go with The Thompson. I'm almost 100% sure that their job is to book reservations. You would never guess it. According to the front desk agent they NEVER have been able to take reservations at the front desk. I can't deal with these people who just move here and start making up stories about the way things have always been. She's upset that I want to talk to someone at the hotel and not a stranger in a call center. Offended it seemed. We won't go back. It was pretty shoddy the last time we were there anyway. so yea. read more

The spooky history behind this place and the old-timey decor and structure (inside and out) that's still in-tact is something to stop in and see, even if you aren't staying at the hotel! We had the luxury of having three separate tours (2 haunted and 1 food) stop through here to hear about some of the haunted history behind this hotel. I won't give any spoilers about what is covered, but the Austin Downtown Walking Tasting Tour with SecretFoodTours, Austin Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour, and Haunted Revelry Tours - Austin all make their way through this hotel and give a bit of history behind this place. That being said, walking in here takes you back in time many many decades. From how it looks to how it smells even, you get a blast from the past. We experienced the bar a couple times. When it just opened and at its peak busyness hours. I had a few different types of old fashions and my wife had some of their white wine selection as well as some of the specialty vodka drinks. There are a lot of different areas to sit to enjoy your drink, and as long as you're careful, you can even explore the hotel with your beverage too. Maybe one day we'll stay here, but one thing I must say from the different things we heard about this hotel...........is that the floor you stay on can make a difference for your experience... O_O read more

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We didn't stay at the Driskill but visited it. What a beautiful historic place. If you visit Austin you should check it out. The architecture and paintings are so amazing. read more

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This is one of the places you go to just for the experience. Definitely nothing special other than... it's THE Driskill. We didn't stay here; we just went and had a drink at the bar. As you can expect, it is overpriced...but again, you pay for the experience. We ordered an Old fashioned and an Espresso Martini, not bad...but nothing memorable about them, you can get better ones anywhere else. We went on a Friday, so it was a busy night, service was a little slow but it's understandable. read more

The Driskill - Hotels Near Me - Austin, Texas

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We really enjoyed our stay at the Driskill! It felt like stepping back in time but with modern comforts. The ambiance is like that of a speakeasy, which I love. All of the original (I assume) door handles, wide elevator, stained glass, etc has been restored, which is fun. The (complimentary upgraded) room nice, but the bathroom was very small, which is to be expected for an old hotel. The shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion was high end and smelled great. The sheets and bed were super comfortable! The couch was a nice comfy spot for a nap. The best part of stay was the breakfast at the 1886 Cafe. The quiche was amazing! The avocado toast was also great and my wife enjoyed her omelet. We sat inside and out and enjoyed both. Location is great! Check out Midnight Cowboy right down the road for another cool speakeasy spot! read more

The Driskill - Lobby breakfast - Hotels Near Me - Austin, Texas

Overall we had a great stay! Everyone was very nice and the room was well cleaned and comfortable. We enjoyed walking through the hallways and seeing all the artwork and historical notes they had throughout the building. There were a few things that weren't great, but were also understandable given the season. They host a lot of Christmas parties - there was loud music into the night (stopped about 11) and the bar was too packed to sit (or stand) anywhere and enjoy the space. We were disappointed that we didn't get enjoy that part of the hotel. Overall, we would come back, but probably not at Christmas time. read more

The Driskill - Hallway by the elevator - lots of book options and artwork throughout all the halls! - Hotels Near Me - Austin, Texas