6 historic Texas Hotels That Will Leave You Awestruck

Texas has a wealth of historic hotels and travelers are increasingly seeking out such accommodations when on the road. Staying at historic hotels is one way that travelers can experience something more personal instead of staying at the standard chain hotels.

 A study by Fairmont Hotels show that when people travel, they are increasingly looking for cultural, historical and more personal experiences. Part of what they learned when conducting the survey show:

• Hotels with rich histories give guests the feeling of a meaningful, important and enduring experience.

• Guests view experiences as more important than owning material things

• People are seeking cultural experiences when they travel

• People view travel as a way to create unforgettable memories and experiences.

While many people look at a hotel as nothing more than a place to lay their head while on the road, others view the hotel as part of the travel experience and there are numerous hotels in Texas where guests can immerse themselves in the history and culture of the past.

There are a lot of hotels that are located in old buildings previously used for other purposes but for this article the hotels listed were built and for the most part, continuously operated as a hotel.

While certainly not a complete list here are a few of the very best historical hotels in Texas:

1. The Menger – San Antonio

2. The Gage Hotel – Marathon

3. Grand Galvez – Galveston

The Hotel has welcomed such guests as Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower and Lyndon Johnson. Other notable celebrities have included Jimmy Stewart, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington and Howard Hughes.

One of the more famous guests was a lady named Audra. In the 1950’s she hung herself in the bathroom of Room 501 after learning her fiancé’s ship had gone down in a storm. He showed up a few days later by the way. Over the years some guests have reported strange things happening in and around room 501 and you can always ask for the room if you dare.

4. The Driskill – Austin

Like other historic hotels, The Driskill is said to be haunted. Two brides hung themselves in room 525, additionally a lady committed suicide on the 4^th floor and little girl died on the grand staircase while playing with a ball. In fact The Driskill is said to be one of the most haunted hotels in America. 

5. Excelsior House – Jefferson

6. Hotel Settles – Big Spring

Originally opened on October 1, 1930, Hotel Settles was built by Will R. and Lillian Settles, after they struck it rich discovering oil on their ranch. At the time, it was the tallest building between El Paso and Ft. Worth. The family sold it after only two years when the great depression hit and oil profits dropped.  The hotel went through several owners with one being rancher, hunting guide and Texas Ranger John Birdwell. At one point an English Earl came to town, Joseph Heneage Finch, the 7th Earl of Aylesford in Great Britain, to be exact. It seems Joseph decided to head to the far ends of the earth after a scandal beset him in England. His wife was, let’s say friendly with other men. It was Birdwell who decided Texas didn’t need a fancy Earl and nicknamed Heneage, “The Judge”. You can read a fascinating account about the Earl here. Over the years the Hotel Settles has had a few famous guests, Elvis Presley, President Herbert Hoover and big band leader Lawrence Welk to name a few.

There are are numerous B&B’s that are in historic old homes and you can even stay in an old Spanish Mission.

The oldest hotel in Texas is the The Magnolia Hotel, Seguin Texas.. It was in operation as early as 1844 and operated as a hotel and an apartment building. In 2013 it was purchased and is being restored as a private residence, but does offer ghost tours.

The next time you travel check out some of the more historic hotels in Texas. Instead of a bland room with cookie cutter interiors you could stay at a place rich in history and maybe even encounter a ghostly spirit or two.