I was quoted a rate of approximately $300 but was placed in 412 which was no larger than my walk-in closet at home - price clearly did not reflect room. There was no towel rack in the bathroom other than the one above the toilet - so where do you expect the hand towels to go - not by the SINK. The shower door fell from the hinges when I attempted to close it. Neither of us was able to reassemble the fifteen pound door. The water control for the shower had no handle and would have been work for an elderly person. Upon arrival, the front door attendant was engaged in conversation with a girl and made no effort to help us with the bags or open the door. That was the same response at our time of departure. Also upon our arrival, dressed in boots and jeans, we asked the front desk about the attire for the steak house and met with "well, that's fine if you're not self conscious." Not quite an answer and very sarcastic and condescending. Also, the valet price quoted on the internet shows “$18" per night but I was charges “$21" per night - which really wouldn’t matter except for the many other problems we experienced. The bakery was excellent and the service was impeccable. Our room was clean and the lobby was beautiful. This was a tremendous disappointment. The front desk refunded a portion of the price stating “I don’t know why they would put you in that room. We try never to use that room.” In conclusion, I spent $150.00 on a room that would have been more appropriately priced at $65 per night - at best.

If price is no concern, the Driskell, a well appointed, high end hotel is well worth the stay. My girlfirend and I spent four nights on the 5th floor of the historic side of the hotel, which is a bit more expensive than the rooms in the newer section of the Driskell. Our average nightly rate over the New Years weekend (12/29 - 01/02) was $325.

We found the decor of the Driskell beautiful, and the rooms comfortable and spacious. The common areas, however, i.e. the bar, and the lobby seating for the cafe were a bit on the drafty side. Something to consider if you are visiting during the colder months. The food at both the 1886 cafe and the Driskell grill was excellent as was the service. Although we did not use it, we did walk through the fitness center on the mezzanine level and found it to be top notch if not somewhat small. It included free weights, machines and plenty of aerobic equipment as well as saunas and a separate stretching room. And for those who need to stay connected there is a business center with 2 computers along with printers for guest use. The guest rooms are also wired with hi speed internet connections.

Overall, the Driskell has all of the amenities and service that you would expect for a hotel in this price range and it is in an excellent location for walking around downtown Austin. If you enjoy and appreciate historic buildings and architecture the Driskell is well worth the added expense.

The best things about this hotel are the beautiful exterior, the lobby/bar/restaurant..... and the hotel staff were all very friendly and helpful. Our room was pretty small, (but the price sure wasn't, I expected a larger room), the decor was okay but not really that of a luxury hotel and the bedspread was faded and rather ugly, however, the bed was comfortable. The view left a lot to be desired, it was of the building rooftop and alley behind the hotel, but I guess there is not a lot they can do about that. The most inconvenient thing was that I called for a porter to help with our luggage, 3 times, and after 45 mintues he finally came but I was late for a wedding that I was attending downstairs. There is only one word to describe the reception that the Driskill staffed and catered, absolutely elegant...the hors d'oeuvre's, the buffet lunch, even the champagne, just delightful, and the wait staff delivered 1st class service. I would highly recommend holding a wedding and or reception at the Driskill! For that matter, despite my few issues, I recommend staying there, it's a lovely hotel, but next time I'll ask for a larger room with a decent view.

I stayed in the Contemporary Suite and was very disappointed. The room was merely a large bedroom--an "executive suite" at best. The bathroom was very cramped. And the price was very high. For example, for a similar price I have stayed in a full one bedroom suite at the Waldorf Towers in NY with a hugh modern bathroom, and for a lesser price a full one bedroom suite at the Peninsula in Chicago (both lovely hotels). (To its credit, the front desk gave me a $100 discount on the rate when I questioned the value upon checkout.) I would not stay here again. The Four Seasons is much better and a better value for the money.