"The vibe: Southern CharmTop amenities: Vast collection of notable artwork, 24-hour fitness center featuring a steam room and downtown views, same-day laundry and dry cleaning services, nightly live music at The Driskill BarLocation: DowntownBest for: History buffs Rounding out our list of the best boutique hotels in Austin: The Driskill. History bursts from its towering pillars, dazzling chandeliers, and painting-filled walls. A couple of notable firsts that the iconic 1886 Romanesque building has seen: the first interstate phone call happened in the hotel lobby, and the first date between Lady Bird Johnson and president Lyndon B. Johnson took place at the newly reopened on-site restaurant, The Grill (don’t miss the luscious lobster bisque or the Tournedos Rossini that drips in truffle sauce and crowns a duck fat latke). Daily history tours commence under the stained glass ceiling dome in the lobby at 4 p.m., where guests and visitors can learn about the wowing stories and mysteries of the hotel. Staying here feels like stepping into the upper echelon of grand Western luxury. From the prohibition era bar with secret booze-smuggling doors, to the 1886 Cafe with goodies made from gourmet chef Helen Corbett’s original recipes, to the 189 majestic bedrooms and suites, the Driskill embodies the opulence and glory of the Lone Star State." - Alexandra Toto
