Driskill Hotel, Austin (must see)

The Driskill Hotel, a historic Romanesque-style building, was finished in 1886 and stands as the oldest continuously operating hotel in Austin. It is renowned as one of the most famous hotels in the state. The visionary behind the Driskill was Colonel Jesse Driskill, a wealthy cattleman who invested a substantial sum of money in creating what he aspired to be the finest hotel in the southern United States, surpassing even those in Saint Louis. The total cost of constructing the hotel amounted to $400,000.

The Driskill Hotel was an imposing structure, spanning nearly half a city block with four stories. It boasted three grand entrances on its southern, eastern, and northern sides, each adorned with intricately carved limestone busts depicting Colonel Driskill and his two sons, Bud and Tobe. The hotel's construction used an impressive six million bricks in conjunction with various limestone accents.

Noteworthy for its time, the Driskill Hotel featured 60 rooms, including a remarkable 12 corner rooms equipped with attached baths—a rarity in hotels across the region during that era. The hotel's design prioritized natural ventilation, aiming to maintain a comfortable temperature within. Its most prominent architectural feature was an open rotunda that spanned from the first to the fourth floor and culminated in a grand domed skylight.

Why You Should Visit:
Iconic landmark of Southern hospitality rich in historic architecture. One of the joys of visiting Austin, TX, outside its music culture, is a chance to stay at the Driskill Hotel. The historic architectural design of the structure and its interiors provide even more fuel for enthusiasm to return to Austin again and again.