Bunkhouse Hotels expands its Houston presence with the opening of Hotel Daphne, a 49 room refuge in the historic Houston Heights. Following the success of the exquisite Hotel Saint Augustine in Montrose, the Austin-based brand continues its mission to create boutique hotels that feel less like a place to sleep and more like an extended living room for locals and travellers alike.
Hotel Daphne draws inspiration from the Heights’ rich architectural character and utopian history, blending echoes of the past with contemporary design. Housed in a newly constructed five storey brick building designed from architects Blanchard A+D, the property honours the Arts and Crafts movement with stepped parapets, steel-framed windows, and painted brick, while large heritage oaks soften the courtyard spaces. Interiors by Bunkhouse evoke the myth of Daphne, weaving subtle nods to the Grecian story of desire and transformation into the guest experience. Handmade tiles, layered textiles, and bespoke AI-designed carpeting are paired with a curated mix of antiques and vintage finds, giving each room a sense of character.
Guest rooms and suites are a serene counterpoint to the hotel’s public areas, featuring custom upholstered beds, mohair seating, Arts and Crafts-inspired furnishings, and bathrooms wrapped in rich tile and elegant onyx. Select rooms open onto private terraces overlooking the courtyard, while artwork from co-owner Bob Ackerley’s private collection and pieces by Austin- and Los Angeles-based artist Alexandra Valenti punctuate the spaces with a personal, local touch.
Hypsi, the hotel’s restaurant and bar, takes cues from the private drinking clubs of Houston Heights’ dry days, offering an elevated retreat with Italian-inspired fare, aperitivo, and craft cocktails. Interiors nod to Prohibition-era speakeasies, with deep-toned materials, vintage velvet chairs, and blueberry lava stone bars, extending into the courtyard with climbing vines and whimsical mosaic tables. Executive chef Terrence Gallivan, two-time James Beard nominee, curates a menu designed for indulgence and discovery.
From the lobby’s handmade tiles and Murano chandelier to the library’s onyx chess sets and handwoven rugs, Hotel Daphne is a place where comfort, and imagination blend. With spaces to gather, retreat, and explore, the hotel embodies Bunkhouse’s philosophy of community-driven hospitality, offering a new destination for those seeking the eclectic spirit of Houston Heights.
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Hotel Daphne Houston Photography, Julie Soefer.
