
The Driskill
Best for travelers who want a storied, full-service downtown hotel with multiple on-site restaurants, event space and a landmark bar.
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The Driskill is a 4.5-star historic downtown Austin hotel with multiple restaurants, meeting spaces and a landmark bar; read this if you want classic Houston/Texas‑style luxury and a central nightlife location. Urban Cowboy Villas Heart of 704 is a 3‑star urban villa–style boutique lodging in South Congress; read this if you want an independent villa-feel base near SoCo rather than a full-service downtown hotel.
Updated · about 1.7 mi apart (≈2.7 km)

Best for travelers who want a storied, full-service downtown hotel with multiple on-site restaurants, event space and a landmark bar.

Best for travelers who want a smaller, villa-style boutique stay near South Congress with private-entry accommodations and a virtual front desk.
When The Driskill wins: choose The Driskill if you want a central Sixth Street address, multiple on-site dining and bar options (including the famed Driskill Bar and The Driskill Grill), a 24-hour fitness center, and extensive meeting/wedding spaces in a historic landmark.
When Urban Cowboy Villas Heart of 704 wins: pick Urban Cowboy Villas Heart of 704 if you prefer a South Congress location, villa-style private accommodations with a balcony/patio and contactless arrival through a virtual front desk, and are comfortable with a smaller, simpler property.
Bottom line: The Driskill suits guests seeking full-service, historic downtown lodging and on-site food/drink options; Urban Cowboy Villas Heart of 704 suits travelers wanting a boutique, self-entry villa near South Congress and Lady Bird Lake.
| Category | The Driskill | Urban Cowboy Villas Heart of 704 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Polished, historic downtown landmark hotel with formal dining and event spaces | Urban, villa-style boutique lodging with private entrances and a laid-back self-service approach |
| Location | Corner of 6th & Brazos in downtown Austin (steps from Sixth Street, Paramount Theatre) | South Congress (405 Academy Dr) within walking distance of South Congress Ave and Lady Bird Lake |
| Size | 189 guestrooms, including 14 suites; large meeting and event capacity (18,000+ sq ft) | Small vacation-home style property — room types: Comfort House, City View |
| Ages / check-in rules | Reservation holder must be 21+ at check-in (property enforces 21+ check-in) | Minimum check-in age 22 (supplier listing); not adults-only |
| Pools | No on-site swimming pool | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site venues: The Driskill Grill, The Driskill Bar, The Victorian, 1886 Café & Bakery | No on-site signature restaurants listed; self-catering microwave and private balcony/patio available |
| Spa & wellness | No in-house spa; guest discount (15%) with nearby milk & honey day spa; 24-hour fitness center on-site | Not published |
| Known for | Historic 1886 hotel with landmark bar, downtown events, weddings and live music | Villa-style boutique stays with virtual front desk and private entrance |
| Parking | Valet-only parking (surcharge) | Carport and off-street parking available |
| Connectivity | Complimentary high-speed WiFi throughout the property | |
The Driskill sits at 6th & Brazos in downtown Austin, steps from Sixth Street and within easy walking distance of many downtown attractions.
The Driskill is best if you want to be in the thick of downtown Austin.
Urban Cowboy Villas Heart of 704 is located in the South Congress area, a short walk to South Congress Avenue’s shops and Lady Bird Lake.
Urban Cowboy Villas places you near SoCo and lakefront paths rather than downtown’s Sixth Street.
The Driskill offers a wide range of historic and updated rooms and suites across a large, full-service hotel.
Choose The Driskill for variety, historic character and full hotel services.
Urban Cowboy Villas Heart of 704 offers villa-style vacation-home units with private entrances and simple in-room amenities.
Urban Cowboy Villas suits travelers who want a private-entry villa feel with basic in‑unit facilities.
The Driskill has multiple on-site dining and bar venues suitable for a range of meals and occasions.
If on-site dining variety and a landmark bar matter, The Driskill is the stronger choice.
Urban Cowboy Villas provides limited on-site dining facilities; most eating options will be nearby restaurants on South Congress.
Urban Cowboy Villas works if you plan to eat locally around SoCo rather than rely on hotel restaurants.
The Driskill does not have an on-site swimming pool but is centered on historic public spaces, dining and events.
The Driskill’s main draw is its historic public spaces and dining rather than pool or beach amenities.
Urban Cowboy Villas offers private vacation-home accommodations; specific signature amenities are limited on the supplier listing.
Urban Cowboy Villas emphasizes private villa-style lodging and contactless service rather than a property-level pool or spa.
The Driskill combines a 24-hour fitness center with nearby spa partnerships and active downtown nightlife.
The Driskill gives fitness and nightlife options on-site and spa options nearby.
Urban Cowboy Villas puts you near South Congress bars and music venues; in-property wellness details are not published.
Urban Cowboy Villas relies on neighborhood nightlife and nearby wellness providers rather than in-house spa or gym facilities.

The Driskill — direct access to Sixth Street, live music, and multiple on-site bars and restaurants.

Urban Cowboy Villas Heart of 704 — walk to SoCo shops, restaurants and Lady Bird Lake.

The Driskill — hundreds to thousands of guests capacity and extensive historic event spaces.

Urban Cowboy Villas Heart of 704 — private entrance access, balcony/patio, and virtual front desk.
The Driskill is steps from Sixth Street; Urban Cowboy Villas is about 1.7 miles (≈2.7 km) from Sixth Street.
The Driskill does not have a pool and has no on-site spa (it offers a discount with a nearby day spa). Urban Cowboy Villas’ listing does not publish a pool or on-site spa.
The Driskill provides full-service amenities: multiple restaurants and bars, a 24-hour front desk and concierge, valet parking and extensive event spaces. Urban Cowboy Villas is a smaller, villa-style property with virtual check-in and fewer on-site services.
Neither property is adults-only. Both allow general (all-ages) stays, though The Driskill requires the reservation holder to be at least 21 to check in.
Explore how The Driskill stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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