The Heights: Restaurant to Break the Ice at New Hotel Daphne

In Houston, Austin-based hospitality brand Bunkhouse Hotels, with a top chef at the ready, provided an update on Hotel Daphne, a 49-room boutique hotel under construction in The Heights neighborhood.

A development of Houston-based Woodlane Partners, Hotel Daphne will open at 347 W. 20th Street at Ashland Street in phases, starting with restaurant Hypsi in November. Rooms will be open to guests in January with rates starting at $359.

It will be the second Houston hotel under the Bunkhouse Hotels umbrella following opening of the Hotel Saint Augustine in Montrose in December. That hotel, located next to the Menil Collection, is home to another chef-led restaurant, Perseid. Part of the Hyatt organization, Bunkhouse operates a collection of stylish, one-of-a-kind boutique hotels around the world.

The lobby at the new Hotel Daphne will resonate with Arts & Crefts style. Image by Viewpoint Studios.

“We are thrilled to soon welcome guests to Hotel Daphne, creating a new gathering place in the heart of the Heights. This neighborhood has such a rich history and creative energy, and our team is excited to once again, bring that authentic Bunkhouse Hotels experience to Houston,” said Omar Abreu, Regional General Manager, Hotel Saint Augustine + Hotel Daphne.

Old oak trees along 20th Street nearly stretch to the top of the five-story hotel, which is set to feature a bar, a library and small private events space, courtyard, and lobby retail shop in addition to the restaurant. Shopping and dining options are walking distance with many options along 19th Street or down the street at Heights Waterworks.

Designed by Blanchard A+D of Massachusetts and Darwin Architecture in California, Hotel Daphne draws inspiration from architecture from recycled industrial buildings of the Heights. The white painted brick building features stepped parapets and steel windows. McDougald Steel of Houston handled landscape architecture.

Bunkhouse Hotels handled interiors, incorporating Arts and Crafts style into the design mixing custom and vintage décor. Artwork from the collection of co-owner, Bob Ackerley, director of Wood Lane Partners, will be displayed along with custom pieces by Austin/Los Angeles artist Alexandra Valenti.

Hypsi Restaurant by James Beard Award nominee Terrence Gallivan

Led by Executive Chef and two-time James Beard Award nominee Terrence Gallivan, Hypsi will initially open for dinner service. Gallivan, whose former restaurants include The Pass & Provisions and Elro, is set to feature Italian fare and cocktails a setting inspired by the private drinking clubs of The Heights’ bygone days. Diners will find dishes such as a Crispy Skin Vermillion Snapper with a fresh herb salsa verde, a Tableside Mozzarella Cart serving multiple types of cheeses, cocktails, Italian wine, and spritzes.

Hypsi’s design will blends “unexpected whimsy with comforting familiarity,” featuring an indoor fireplace with antique mantel, banquettes with psychedelic pillows, a bar with leather Cassina chairs, and a courtyard. The restaurant will later expand to morning and lunchtime hours.

“I’m honored to introduce Hypsi to the Heights and to be part of Hotel Daphne’s opening chapter,” said Terrence Gallivan, Executive Chef, Hotel Daphne. “This is an incredible opportunity to cook for a city I love in a neighborhood with such a unique story, and my hope is that Hypsi becomes a place where locals and visitors alike will return time and time again, whether to celebrate one of life’s special moments, to simply enjoy a thoughtfully prepared meal, or to linger over cocktails and conversation with loved ones.”

Bunkhouse Hotels will offer an opening special with a 20% discount for initial guests at Hotel Daphne.