Austin’s Historic Driskill Hotel Gets a Jaw-Dropping Renovation
Fresh culinary concepts and thoughtfully redesigned event spaces signal a new chapter for the Driskill
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When someone asks for a hotel recommendation in Austin, The Driskill is always on the list. Built in 1886 by Colonel Jesse Driskill, The Driskill Hotel (part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt) is one of Austin’s most historic landmarks and Texas’s first luxury hotel. The hotel has hosted politicians, cattle barons, international dignitaries, election watch parties, timeless weddings and opulent celebrations. President Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife, Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Johnson, even shared their first date in the hotel’s iconic dining room in 1934. And now, it’s undergoing a jaw-dropping, top-to-bottom renovation that will prepare the hotel for its next century of stories.
The first phase of the renovation finished in Fall 2025 and included the newly-concepted bar, The Victorian (operated by revered Austin-based MML Hospitality), along with the 110 Tower Guestrooms and the addition of a brand new 2,800 square-foot ballroom.
The second phase, to be completed in Q2 2026, will include renovations to the hotel lobby, grand staircase, reimagined Driskill Bar and Driskill Grill, the original guestroom collection of 74 historic rooms, and a new fitness center. The transformation will culminate in tandem with the hotel’s big 140th anniversary, in Dec. 2026.
Meeting spaces that inspire
With more than 18,000-square-feet of meeting, wedding, and event space, The Driskill serves as a premier spot for social gatherings. Offering privacy and elegance, each venue tells a story of the hotel’s historic past. From a conference in the Governor’s Boardroom to a grand function in the Mezzanine, board meetings can be hosted in the same rooms where Texas governors have held inaugural celebrations for over a century.
Dining that delights
Guests can expect a trio of fresh dining concepts in partnership with Austin-based MML Hospitality, which started overseeing all culinary operations at the hotel beginning in Aug. 2025. The new culinary vision will include the reimagined Driskill Bar & Driskill Grill, which will be helmed by iconic New York culinary legend April Bloomfield, who will steward this concept as her Southern debut. MML also introduced a new cocktail bar and lounge, The Victorian, which was unveiled this Fall on the corner of Sixth Street and Brazos Street. Subtle enhancements to the 1886 Café & Bakery will also be made while maintaining the original charm and character.
It’s all in the details
Under direction from Austin-based LMD, leading the lobby design, and Dallas-based SWOON, redesigning the guestrooms, The Driskill’s design will lean into the moments that have nurtured its legacy throughout the centuries. The lobby will anchor the property as a cultural hub that channels the stories of Texas’ rich history. The Mezzanine Level, housing the social spaces, will pay homage to Lady Bird Johnson, echoing the gathering areas of old with crown molding. In rooms, a custom headboard crafted in partnership with Austin’s Fort Lonesome will be a spotlight. Guestrooms will feature brand new marble bathrooms, luxury linens, and a thoughtfully curated minibar. These elevated touches complement the custom headboards crafted in partnership with Austin’s Fort Lonesome, creating a stay that feels local and luxe.
The Driskill has been a testament to Austin’s culture, community and history for the last 140 years, and the hotel is just getting started. To get a glimpse of what’s next, preview the new space with a Reimagined Luxury staycation at The Driskill and experience the space firsthand.