Hotel Review • United States • Houston

Treating My Grandma & Cavalier to Hotel Daphne

Title: Hotel Daphne Houston Review: Inside Bunkhouse Hotels’ Stylish Heights

The Review

Why it works

Hotel Snapshot

As a Houston native, I'd like to think I'm pretty in-the-know on the city's newest diamonds, right as they form. Within the same day, three people happened to ask me about Hotel Daphne — and then their team reached out hours later for a staycation. You can imagine the speed of my response.

I've always believed that there are angels on earth — my grandma, Linda, and my Cavalier, Prince, are two among them. Hotel Daphne was kind enough to welcome the three of us for a dazzling night with dinner and breakfast on the house.

Credit Brandon Scott Roye

It's always exciting to experience a new hotel in its infancy. Honestly, if I didn't know the hotel was new, I would assume they'd been a well-oiled machine for two or three years. The staff was in lockstep with one another, even coordinating a room drop with matching embroidered sweaters for my grandma and me — because we couldn't stop reminiscing over their splendid boutique selection.

Hotel Daphne is a celebration of colorful, considered design. It was clearly made by a team that loves what they do and wants to share that joy with others. Waltzing through the hotel was such a sensory experience — with over 160 artworks from the Ackerley Family Collection — that my grandma kept repeating, "My eyes are so full, there's too much to see!"

To the hotel team: my grandma and I would like to sincerely thank you for the unforgettable stay. These imaginative, welcoming spaces are exactly what Houston needs to grow and evolve as a leading city.

Credit Julie Soefer

Design & Character

There is a wonderful cohesion and juxtaposition between the architecture by Blanchard A+D and the interiors by Bunkhouse's design head, Tenaya Hills. From the outside, it’s a blank slate that respectfully blends into the neighborhood's modernist landscape.

Stepping inside, the terra cotta tile at the door gives a taste of what's to come — a groovy, '70s-inspired lobby with a Murano chandelier, rich gem tones, fine textures, sculptural flowers, and the welcoming smiles of a staff trained in proper Southern hospitality.

To the right, a maximalist library with wall-to-wall lacquered paint, bespoke chess tables, an abundance of art objects and books, a handwoven floral rug, and glorious light shining through the windows. This energizing space was crafted for relaxing, working, and private events.

Beyond the entrance is their buzzing restaurant, Hypsi. Since we thankfully "know a guy," we were able to get in — though we couldn't help but notice the full house and line out the door. Aligning with the exterior entrance, the outdoor patio was stark white with leather fringe chairs for a charming Western flair.

Reflecting on the space, this is truly "new" design. For those who actively strive to educate their eye, I would encourage you to add this technicolor experience to your repertoire.

Credit Julie Soefer

The Rooms

According to my grandma, the best part of the room was the psychedelic fabric headboard and the AI-designed carpet inspired by William Morris's Strawberry Thief pattern. As a painter and strawberry farmer for many decades, she was thrilled by the never-ending discovery of artistic details.

With 49 suites and rooms across four floors, the guest experience is private and cozy. There was quite a display of locally sourced drinks and bites. For the sake of my grandma's church group on Monday mornings, let's just say that Prince and I thoroughly enjoyed the red wine.

The bathroom featured stunning emerald zellige tiles and a green onyx vanity with exposed chrome piping. After spending way too long relaxing in the shower with the Dr. Vranjes bath products, we wrapped up in the best hotel robe I have ever seen. Bunkhouse does a great job with colorful, cozy robes that make you smile.

Thinking about these imaginative rooms, it wouldn't surprise me to hear of Houston musicians writing top hits within these walls. This is design that relaxes and opens the mind to new possibilities.

Courtesy of Bar Daphne at Hotel Daphne

The Food & Drink

Hypsi is helmed by Chef Terrence Gallivan — a two-time James Beard nominee, formerly of Pass & Provisions and Michelin-starred Alto in New York.

After my grandma braved her first Uber ride from the suburbs to the city, you can imagine she was ready for a warm meal. Dropping our things off in the room, we poked around the hotel a bit before landing at Hypsi's outdoor patio. Sipping on sparkling wine (and sparkling water for my church-goers out there), Prince sniffed around and posed for shots in front of the lovely waterfall.

For dinner, we began with the fluffy house-made focaccia, black truffle arancini, and crispy squash blossoms with whipped ricotta, followed by the duck bolognese cavatappi for me and the beef short rib brasato with brussels sprouts for grandma. For breakfast, we delighted over frothy lattes, avocado toast with poached eggs, a fruit bowl with fresh mint, and frittatas with fresh vegetables and mozzarella.

With every bite, my grandma would slightly jump with excitement — priceless.

Since my visit, Hotel Daphne has opened its ground-floor bar, Bar Daphne — a modern neighborhood cocktail bar inspired by the secret drinking clubs that thrived during the Heights' dry days.

Credit Julie Soefer

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