"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe?There is an almost endless lineup of flashy, new buildings in Dallas's Uptown neighborhood, but this hotel has history here, standing with quiet confidence since 1923, and the crowd is sophisticated without being stuffy. What's the backstory?A member of Marriot's Distinctive Premium Collection brand category, the Stoneleigh Court hotel was said to be the tallest hotel west of the Mississippi River when it opened. In 1934, Col. Harry E. Stewart was so taken by the hotel that he purchased it, expanded it, renovated, and even moved into it. His 7,200 square foot penthouse was the first in the state of Texas. Today, his penthouse features eight meticulously renovated rooms. Tell us all about your room.I stayed in the junior suite and while it had a modern feel it did not lack personality. The bed and the duvet were both pillow top, and the bathroom had a luxurious marble finish. If you can swing it, the penthouses are the rooms to see. They were renovated in 2016 in modern baroque style by Studio 11 Design. Is there a charge for wi-fi?If you aren't a member of the Marriott rewards program there's a fee for in-room wi-fi. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at?Perle on Maple is a cozy bistro just inside the hotel and is manned by executive chef Wade Burch who takes pride in sourcing Texas ingredients. The farm to table menu rotates seasonally, and recent standouts include Waygu short rib ravioli with truffle butter and trumpet mushrooms and a sweet potato gnocchi cooked in a sage brown butter and topped with pancetta, toasted pumpkin seeds, and pecorino. Locals and travelers alike find themselves at The Stoneleigh and Perle on Maple on Wednesday for half price bottles of wine. Any other features you loved? I actually really enjoyed the online booking process. There's a drop down menu titled "choose your features," which asks your preferences on everything from how high of a floor you wish to stay on to whether you want extra pillows. There's also an option to request a crib, which was very convenient for me since I was traveling with my four-month-old. What type of travelers will you find here?Marriott Mavens. Its members travel well and travel often, but rarely splurge. That said, they expect and seek out quality hotels with personality and luxury touches that go above and beyond that of your everyday chain hotel. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene?This hotel is conveniently located in the middle of Uptown, which makes it walkable to upscale restaurants and bars and meetings in the area. The hotel fits in despite being the oldest in the area, and its recent renovation makes it relevant again. It's also quite near the Katy Trail, a great stretch for walking and running. Is there anything you'd change?Would love free wi-fi. Is that too much to ask in 2020?" - Diana Oates
