The Lone Star State’s Historic Five Stars

Zach Werblo
Aug 7, 2018

Some hotels are designed for travelers to come and go with as little inconvenience as possible. Locations near airports and business centers lend themselves to unmemorable experiences. Hotels that stand the test of time, however, make their guests dread checking out. Texas has several historic hotels that have been standard bearers in hospitality for generations. They share a common bond in their roots but have also changed to adapt to current trends seamlessly.

The Adolphus Hotel – Dallas

For more than 100 years, the Adolphus Hotel has been a preeminent hotel for those passing through Dallas, Texas. Built by Anheuser-Busch Brewing co-founder Adolphus Busch, the hotel has hosted famous guests including multiple United States Presidents and Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. The building has undergone several major renovations, keeping it compatible with modern technology while not losing its historic aura.

https://twitter.com/TheAdolphus/status/863002540790697984

 

https://twitter.com/TheAdolphus/status/854751692901974016

 

https://twitter.com/TheAdolphus/status/861931464857878529

 

The Driskill – Austin

Built for an estimated $400,000 in 1886, the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas has provided quite the return on investment. Although the original owner had to sell the building a year after opening because of a drought that decimated his cattle business, the Driskill has remained a prosperous hotel for more than a century.

 

It too has presidential ties, as it claims to be the location where Lyndon B. Johnson met his wife for the first time. Now a Hyatt Hotel chain property, the Driskill is rumored to be haunted, adding to its mystique.

 

 

The Ashton Hotel – Fort Worth

Fort Worth, Texas’ Ashton Hotel has been a member of the Historic Hotels of America since 2008. Although it sat vacant from 1989 to 2001, It still became listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001, a testament to its meaning to the region. Claiming to be Fort Worth’s only small luxury hotel, The Ashton was built just six stories high.

 

 

 

 

The Hotel Havana – San Antonio

Another Texas hotel on the National Registry of Historic Places is the Hotel Havana in San Antonio. Reopening after a significant renovation in 2010, the Havana blends modern amenities with historic charm.

 

 

 

However, its past does evoke some darker memories as well. Namely in 2002 when the FBI conducted a sting operation on the property to bust a city-councilman accused of accepting bribes.

 

 

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Hospitality Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @HospitalityMKSL
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

IP730D
One Radio, Three Networks, Seamless Coverage: Meet the IP730D
February 4, 2026

The IP730D is a true game-changer in professional communications, blending LTE, IDAS, and analog networks into one powerful hybrid radio. Designed for flexibility and confidence in the field, it uses dual PTT buttons to let users transmit and receive across networks seamlessly—delivering reliable, wide-area coverage wherever it’s needed. From the moment it comes out of…

Read More
IP-M60
One Device, Two Networks: Meet IP-M60, the World’s First LTE and VHF Marine Hybrid Transceiver
February 4, 2026

The IP-M60 sets a new standard in marine communications by bringing LTE and VHF into a single, purpose-built hybrid transceiver. It uniquely combines a traditional VHF marine transceiver—relied on worldwide for maritime safety—with LTE connectivity for long-range, land-based communication within cellular coverage. By uniting these two networks in a single handheld device, the IP-M60…

Read More
solo sailing
Solo Sailing Around the World Demands Reliable Communication, Sound Judgment, and a Respect for Risk
February 4, 2026

For most people, crossing an ocean by sail sits firmly in the realm of the dangerous and impractical. Doing it alone, on a small boat, means weeks without land, crew, or margin for error. While modern adventure is often designed to feel safe and predictable, solo ocean sailing offers none of that—only isolation, consequence, and…

Read More
NFL Linebacker
Former NFL Linebacker Thomas R. Williams Talks about Life after Football
February 4, 2026

On this episode of the Through the Storm podcast with Dr. Travis Hearne, Travis sits down with former NFL linebacker, leadership expert, author, and all-around amazing human, Thomas R. Williams.  Since 2018, Thomas R. Williams has been a proud member of The Jon Gordon Speaking Team, dedicated to developing positive leaders and fostering stronger,…

Read More
Related
commercial leadership
Software & Technology
Why Hotel Performance Depends on Commercial Leadership Across Sales, Marketing, and Revenue
January 28, 2026
How Hotels Bounce Back From the Unexpected
Healthcare
How Hotels Bounce Back From the Unexpected
September 4, 2025

In this episode of Inside Restoration & Recovery, host Martha Lewis sits down with Josh Creznic, Director of Hospitality Services at BMS CAT, to unpack the unique challenges and critical priorities in hotel restoration. With over two decades of experience in hospitality—spanning major brands like Marriott and Wyndham—Josh brings deep insight into how restoration…

Read More
sustainability
Healthcare
From Green Initiatives to Guest Loyalty: Building the Future of Hospitality Through Tree Planting and Plastic Cleanup Programs
August 27, 2025

Sustainability is no longer optional in hospitality—it’s the expectation. A recent Booking.com report found that 84 percent of global travelers now prioritize making their trips more sustainable, raising the bar for hotels worldwide. Yet too many properties are still relying on the basics—like towel reuse cards or energy-saving reminders—that guests increasingly see as table stakes….

Read More