Hotel Daphne, a boutique hotel from Austin-based Bunkhouse Hotels slated to open January 2026, has unveiled some design details ahead of the property’s debut…
Known for its one-of-a-kind boutique hotels throughout Texas and beyond, Bunkhouse Hotels expanded to Houston in early 2025 with Hotel Saint Augustine. Following its arrival in the Montrose neighbourhood, Hotel Daphne will offer Houston another community-oriented and design-driven retreat – this time in the historic Houston Heights.
Image credit: Julie Soefer
The 49-room property will serve as an extended living room to locals and travellers alike, featuring an all-day restaurant, ground floor bar, library and private events space, picturesque courtyard, and a signature lobby retail shop in the charming residential neighbourhood.
Opening in phases, Hypsi, the hotel’s full-service restaurant and lounge, will debut first with dinner service in November 2025. The hotel looks forward to welcoming overnight guests shortly following Hypsi’s arrival.
“We are thrilled to soon welcome guests to Hotel Daphne, creating a new gathering place in the heart of the Heights. This neighbourhood has such a rich history and creative energy, and our team is excited to once again bring that authentic Bunkhouse Hotels experience to Houston,” commented Omar Abreu, Regional General Manager, Hotel Saint Augustine + Hotel Daphne.
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- Image credits: Julie Soefer
Designed in-house by Bunkhouse Hotels, Hotel Daphne’s interiors will draw inspiration from the Heights’ diverse architectural style of Arts and Crafts, blending custom furniture, vintage finds, and bold, trippy prints. Hypsi’s design will balance playful whimsy with cozy familiarity, featuring opulent fabrics, a lush courtyard, an indoor fireplace framed by an antique mantel, psychedelic pillows, and a bar with leather Cassina chairs, nodding to the Heights’ historic supper clubs.
Whereas Hotel Saint Augustine made a purposeful choice to refrain from traditional artwork on the walls as a response to the hotel’s location adjacent to the Menil Collection, Daphne’s art program will emphasise the property’s curatorial feel, featuring custom works by Austin- and Los Angeles-based artist Alexandra Valenti, as well as an impressive selection of original pieces from the private collections of hotel owners, Bob & Ben Ackerley.
Architecture is a collaboration between Massachusetts-based Blanchard A+D and California-based Darwin Architecture, with landscape architecture by Houston’s McDugald Steele. The five-story painted brick structure with stepped parapets and steel windows is thoughtfully integrated into the neighbourhood’s character.
Main image credit: Julie Soefer
