hotel accolades

Hotel Emma lands on Travel + Leisure's 500 best hotels for 2026

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San Antonio's most luxurious hotel has earned prestigious acclaim in Travel + Leisure's annual report of the 500 best hotels in the world for 2026.

The T+L 500 List rounds up the highest ranked properties from the magazine's annual World’s Best Survey. Results are grouped geographically across eight global regions: the U.S.; Canada; the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean; Mexico, Central America, and South America; Europe; Africa and the Middle East; Asia; and Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific.

The T+L 500 List is a separate publication from the World's Best Awards, which is the in-depth breakdown of the world's top hotels, resorts, travel destinations, and more. Hotel Emma has made appearances in that yearly report, too.

There were nearly 190 U.S. hotels that made the list this year, and only 10 hail from Texas.

Since Hotel Emma's debut in 2015, this historic property has established itself as one of the most popular hospitality spaces in the Alamo City, and not just for its elegant guest rooms. The on-site restaurants and bars earned the hotel a top-10 ranking as one of the best hotels for food and drink experiences in the U.S. Since John Brand rejoined the culinary team in January, there has been a notable shift in the hotel's food and beverage offerings, including the occasional cocktail or food pop-up.

Hotel Emma has also snapped up numerous other awards from national publications like U.S. News and World Report and Forbes. The hotel is one of two five-diamond properties in Texas, and retained its coveted Two Key rating from the Michelin Guide in 2025.

Other Texas properties that made the T+L 500 List are:

Austin Proper Hotel
Bowie House, Fort Worth
Commodore Perry Estate, Austin
Hotel Drover, Fort Worth
Hotel Vin, Grapevine
Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa
Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas
The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa
The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston

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Old Idea, New Materials

Iconic Texas hotel revives 1930 dining room as chic new steakhouse

Photo by Justin Cook

The space is tied to tradition thanks to The Driskill's long history.

The Driskill Hotel may look like one of Texas' most unchanging institutions, but an interior redesign proves otherwise. While some changes are hidden behind guest room doors, San Antonians can now head to Austin to easily see the redesigned Driskill Grill and Bar, which has now officially reopened.

MML Hospitality, an Austin group that also includes Clark's Oyster Bar, Swedish Hill, Sammie's, and more restaurants, took control of this steakhouse makeover. Although the dining room and general concept already existed, MML is positioning this as a "new flagship restaurant for both MML and the city of Austin."

Driskill Grill and Bar interior Booths make the dining room feel both classy and cozy.Photo by Justin Cook

The Driskill Grill opened in 1930 — about 44 years after the hotel opened — and was one of the first fine dining restaurants in the city, according to a press release. Visitors will still see original architecture amplified with new additions that speak to the past: unlacquered brass, walnut burl paneling, and a pewter bar. The project spanned 6,000 square feet (enough to accommodate 243 guests) and was led by Lambert Maguire Design, with floral, art, and other design elements by Marjorie Harris.

On the culinary side, this will be the first time April Bloomfield, MML's executive chef as of 2025, heads a restaurant in the South. She moved to Austin for the gig, joining the restaurant's executive chef, Nick Erven, executive pastry chef Harry Flager, and general manager Dylan Falkenburg.

Driskill Grill and Bar dishes A peek at what's on the menu.Photo by Justin Cook

The new Driskill Grill keeps things classic with in-house dry-aged steaks at the center of the menu, alongside other selections that utilize whole-animal butchery. Pair that with a chilled martini, which is all we know about the cocktail menu so far. For dessert, guests can expect more classics including a New York cheesecake, a 10-layer chocolate cake, and a key lime pie.

The release also promises "old world service" to live up to the grandiose setting.

Driskill Grill and Bar interior This wraparound bar is the perfect place to pensively sip a cocktail.Photo by Justin Cook

The Driskill Hotel is located at 604 Brazos St. in downtown Austin.

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