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Texas' first shipping container hotel opens in beloved antique mecca Round Top

Round Top, Texas, has long been a must-hit destination for antique lovers, thrifters, pickers, wheelers and dealers, art lovers, and deal finders who flock to the bi-annual Original Round Top Antique Fair. And with classic joints like Royer's Round Top Cafe and the opening of hot spots like Rancho Pillow, Round Top has become a year-round destination for Texans.

FlopHouze, a new "shipping container hotel" located just a few minutes from downtown Round Top, is offering another reason to make the hour-and-a-half trek from Houston. Housed on the same property as the Round Top Ballroom and Recycling the Past, the six-unit FlopHouze is the first hotel in Texas to be made entirely out of shipping containers, according to a release.

Each individual container was designed much like a fashionable tiny home (the units are also available for purchase), with a living space, kitchenette, bathroom, and sleeping quarters. The individual units can sleep three to six people comfortably, depending on the design and furniture.

In keeping with the mission of sister business, Recycling the Past, FlopHouze interiors were upcycled with reclaimed lumber from upstate New York and a Kentucky distillery, while the kitchen was constructed using cabinets from a laboratory in Brooklyn and floors from a bowling alley in Texas.

The rooms also come with expansive windows (lest you were worried you would be stuck in a giant metal box) that were salvaged from a school in Philadelphia. And to truly enjoy those epic Round Top sunsets, every room has access to a garden area with hammocks, firepit, and deck chairs. "Every detail of this property has been carefully crafted to ensure that your stay is a comfortable and memorable one," the hotel says on its website.

Rates begin at $175 per unit per night and increase to $275 per night during the high season. After two guests, FlopHouze charges $25 per person per night. Over the course of the next year, the owners say they plan to add even more units to the hotel, ensuring everyone can live out their own tiny home dreams.

The beds come in queen and twin options.

Courtesy photo

The beds come in queen and twin options.

hotels

Old Idea, New Materials

Historic Texas hotel reopens 1930 dining room as elegant 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 Austin's most unchanging institutions, but an interior redesign proves otherwise. While some changes are hidden behind guest room doors, guests can easily see the redesigned Driskill Grill and Bar, which has now officially reopened.

MML Hospitality, the Austin-based group behind Clark's Oyster Bar in Montrose, 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.

hotels openings renovation history downtown steakhouse