How Austin’s Driskill Hotel Is Entering a New Era While Honoring Its Roots

Even a man as enterprising as Colonel Jesse Driskill may not have foreseen the influence his namesake luxury hotel would have on the course of the state of Texas and even the nation. With grand entrances, brick dressed in limestone, and rich furnishings throughout, the 140-year-old Driskill Hotel remains a preferred destination for social gatherings and after-hours soirées in the state capital of Austin.

On a recent evening, the hotel’s central bar hummed with palpable energy as conversations were punctuated by the clinking of cocktail glasses and sporadic laughter. Nearby, the retreat’s flagship restaurant buzzed with its own mix of chatter and live piano music.

After nearly a century and a half, the 189-room Driskill Hotel is entering a new era, grounded in its storied history but now with modern updates — thanks to an expansive renovation — that maintain historical elements of the hotel where Lyndon B. Johnson went on his first date with future wife Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Taylor.

Jacqueline VanderMale, the hotel’s director of brand strategy and partnerships, tells PaperCity that many of the Driskill’s longtime employees have expressed that the renovation restored the historic building to its “former glory,” adding that the attention to detail and thoughtfulness of the project ensured its rich history was not overlooked.

“Our vision focused on honoring traditions and retaining what made this building special while standing out as a beautiful, modern luxury hotel in 2026,” VanderMale says. “We’re one of the few hotels that still has tradition baked into what we do.”

This December marks the official 140th anniversary of the state’s first luxury hotel, and we were invited to spend two nights at the renovated retreat to learn about the rich history and renewed vision for the iconic landmark.

Inside The Driskill Hotel’s New Era

Checking into The Driskill Hotel is an experience in itself. The grand lobby is topped with a stained-glass dome, casting light down nearby pillars toward a polished marble floor. Framed portraits throughout the hotel feature original artwork, including depictions of the Austin landmark over the decades.

The overall effect retains the elegance of another era while still functioning as the lively entrance to a modern luxury hotel. We stayed in one of the renovated suites on the seventh floor, part of an annex that added 60 rooms and suites to the original structure in 1930.

The suite balances historic character with contemporary comfort: Muted blue-gray walls, deep red drapery, and warm wood furnishings surround two beds anchored by ornate upholstered headboards. The marble-clad bathroom adds a brighter, more polished feel with brass fixtures and a glass-enclosed shower. An elaborate wooden cabinet opens to reveal a warmly lit coffee and refreshment station, adding another bespoke touch.

The extensive renovation that began in February 2025 and finished in May 2026 was a collaboration between Pixiu Investments, Dallas-based Woodbine Development, and Hyatt. Austin-based MML Hospitality — the group behind acclaimed ATX restaurants Jeffrey’s, Perla’s, and Clark’s Oyster Bar — was brought in to reimagine the hotel’s food and beverage offerings. Pixiu Investments and Woodbine Development purchased the hotel in 2022, with Hyatt continuing to manage operations.

From our double-bed suite, the elevator dropped us in the heart of the hotel and just steps away from The Driskill Grill, which is headed by MML Hospitality chef April Bloomfield. At the remodeled dining room — a classic steakhouse setting with dark wood paneling, leather banquettes, white tablecloths, and walls layered with framed artwork — we started with a minty Ivy Gimlet and an avocado and crispy kale salad enlivened by piquant chili sauce and sesame seeds.

A crab cake followed, served over a rich chive beurre blanc with tomato chunks that provided a welcome hit of acidity. The steamed halibut was similarly decadent, accompanied by mussels in a velvety white wine cream sauce. To finish, we tried the key lime pie, which was one of several options on their dessert cart. Creamy and not overly tart, the pie and accompanying house-made vanilla ice cream topped off a delightful first day at the retreat.

A Texas Landmark With Stories to Tell

As any Texas rancher, today or a century ago, would readily admit, raising cattle is a finicky business. Throughout the 19th century, before vaccinations for cattle and reliable sources of water, it was even more so. Cattle baron Jesse Driskill, according to the Texas State Historical Association, built his wealth from ranches in South Texas, Kansas, and the Dakota territories.

He opened his namesake hotel in 1886, just two years before losing his fortune — and ownership of his ambitious luxury retreat. In 1887, Texas Governor Sul Ross held his inaugural ball at the hotel, starting a tradition that many governors continued for decades. As we toured the second-floor mezzanine, VanderMale recounted some of the history and stories that define the landmark.

“This was truly the heart of Austin at the time,” she said as we explored large halls that are now rented for weddings and other events. “There are four suites on this level, including one that was frequently used by LBJ and Lady Bird. We now call it the LBJ Suite.”

Among the mezzanine’s most distinctive spaces is the Maximilian Room, named for Emperor Maximilian of Mexico and his wife, Empress Carlotta. The room is lined with eight elaborate gold-leaf mirrors that once belonged to the royal couple, each crowned with an image of Carlotta. The mirrors were eventually discovered in a San Antonio antique shop and purchased for The Driskill Hotel, although exactly how they made their way to Texas remains a mystery.

After a proposed redevelopment fell through in 1969 and demolition threatened The Driskill, Austinites rallied to save the landmark. The Save-the-Driskill campaign raised more than $700,000 through the sale of ten-dollar shares in the new Driskill Hotel Corporation, helping preserve the hotel for future generations.

A rocky start and more than a few close calls clearly haven’t kept this treasured landmark from marking its place in Texas history.