Downtown Austin’s historic Driskill hotel was built to be a luxurious showpiece of a place, and in its 135 years of existence, it has fulfilled that order on a fairly consistent basis. It has also maintained its status as a vital nexus of hospitality, business, and celebration as the city has repeatedly boomed around it—a place that, sure, tourists flock to, but also where locals and travelers alike meet for business, pleasure, and marking seasonal events and personal milestones.

Part of the place’s resilience has been its ability to upgrade and renovate its historic spaces to meet contemporary needs without sacrificing the grand and specific nature of its architecture, decor, and general ambiance. Granted, the original building gives designers and renovators a lot to work with, and the updating and improvement of guest rooms has been hit or miss at times, especially in the newer parts of the hotel. 

Thankfully, a recent renovation of 14 guest suites on the historic side of the hotel, part of an ongoing update of the whole property, has resulted in stylish improvements that reference the Driskill’s rich history and maintain its substantial charm. It’s the first renovation of the rooms since 1998 and part of $8 million in upgrades planned by Hyatt, which purchased the property as part of its Unbound Collection of unique hospitality spaces in 2013.

Central Texas architecture firm Clayton Korte, which has its own rich history with Austin buildings both iconic and new, led the redesign, working in conjunction with interior designers at Rottet Studio.

Brazos Suite balconyCourtesy of the Driskill

LBJ Suite entranceCourtesy of the Driskill

LBJ Suite living area Courtesy of the Driskill

LBJ Suite bathroomCourtesy of the Driskill

The resulting renovation reveals and foregrounds architectural details, existing artwork, historic paintings, and individual rooms’ aesthetics in redesigned floor plans that enhance each space’s functionality without erasing its personality. Bathrooms were also redesigned with new layouts, fixtures, and finishes to enhance grooming and relaxation experiences to the level currently expected of luxury hotels, historic or new.

Amenities of the Driskill's renovated, 1,200-square-foot Cattle Baron suite include a clawfoot soaking tub, a walk-in shower, a spacious living and dining area with a private wet bar, and a separate bedroom with two matching queen beds, vanity area, and ample closet space. Courtesy of the Driskill

The new style Heritage Suite bedroom is echoed in many of the updated rooms at the Driskill hotelCourtesy of the Driskill

Heritage Suite bathroomCourtesy of the Driskill

Primrose Suite at the DriskillCourtesy of the Driskill

More upgrades are planned; they include renovation of all 175 guest rooms, beginning in September 2022, and refreshing public hospitality spaces such as the Driskill Bar.