Thompson Dallas, by Hyatt

"Why book? Everything’s bigger here, from the urban outdoor space to the spa amenities to the room footprints. Set the scene: There is a lot to grab your eye when you first walk into the Thompson Dallas’s long, narrow lobby, which is lined with bookshelves filled with glass and ceramic objects and pedestals nearly overflowing with floral arrangements by Shane Friesenhahn, whose technicolor floral shop sits just around the corner from the check-in desk. It’s not the kind of lobby you sit and stay awhile—though there’s plenty of seating. It propels you forward, into the hotel’s elevator banks to its many restaurants and spa, into the on-site barber shop, Friesenhahn’s shop, or out into Dallas’s downtown towards the Neiman Marcus flagship and FortyFiveTen. I visited on a weekday amid the pandemic, which meant the lobby and elevators were quiet—but everyone from hardened business execs to excitable young weekenders can find a place here. The backstory: Once the tallest building west of the Mississippi, the National sat vacant for nearly a decade before developers launched a complete renovation. The first Thompson outpost in Texas now takes up about half the building, with office spaces and residences on the upper floors. The exterior was designed in the ‘60s by Goerge Dahl, the architect behind some of Dallas’s most iconic buildings, including much of Fair Park and the Neimans flagship. While much of the building—particularly the lobby—have a distinctly modern feel, much of the building’s original materials, like the ninth floor’s travertine walls, were restored. The rooms: I stayed in one of the 544-square-foot corner rooms, which featured an extra-large leather couch in its living room, workspace, king-sized bed, and bathroom with a rainfall shower and freestanding tub—all with views of blue-tinted Fountain Place and the Trinity River. The bed also features one of my all time favorite hotel amenities: a fold out reading light built into the headboard so you can stay up late without blinding the person next to you. Throughout the rooms, Mad Men–meets–urban–cowboy decor brings in 1960s-style furniture, light fixtures, and brass accents, all styled with cow print and leather. In-room amenities are equally as luxe, thanks to the Kate Weiser chocolates in the mini-bar, Frette robes, and DS & Durga Bowmakers bath products. If you’re looking for more extravagance, though, book room 4903, one of two 2,000-square-foot penthouses on the 49th floor. It’s the highest penthouse hotel suite in the state and takes full advantage of its height with sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows offering unobstructed views from the dining room, bedroom, and even soaking tub, placed just in front of the tinted window. There’s also a fireplace, a private elevator, and a dedicated concierge to use during your stay. (This penthouse starts at $10,000 per night.) Food and drink: You’re flush for choice when it comes to eating at the Thompson—and one restaurant-bar in particular, Catbird, is drawing locals who aren’t spending the night. Inside, the dimly lit, leather booths and plush seating give off an exclusive social club feeling, while the greenery-covered pergola on the expansive terrace offers a much more tropical vibe. (Expect to take lots of Instagram photos here.) Cocktails and small plates are the go-tos here. Earlier in the day, head to Nine, which serves breakfast and lunch staples, perfect for local business meetings and weekend brunches. Up on the 49th floor, not far from the penthouses, the National’s two restaurants are set to open in March, both helmed by Michelin-star Chef Danny Grant. Monarch’s dishes are centered around the restaurant’s wood-fired grill (think wagyu tomahawk steaks), while 60-seat Kessaku will focus on sushi and sake. While Texas was allowing indoor dining while I stayed, I opted for room service instead which comes from Nine until the early afternoon and Catbird in the evening. (Orders after 9 p.m. come off a petite menu with basic wraps and deserts.) My Texas beef bao buns, grilled brussel sprouts, and charcuterie board arrived in about 30 minutes. While they probably would have been better eaten in one of Catbird’s lively, dark corners, they did the trick just fine on my room’s leather couch. The spa: Located on the hotel’s ninth floor, the spa offers massage treatments, body wraps, scrubs, waxing, and facials. There are also 30-minute treatments for those on a time crunch or locals looking for a lunch break neck massage. Leave time for all of the spa’s extra amenities after your treatment, like the infrared saunas and hot and cold plunge pools on the spa’s terrace overlooking downtown. In true Texas form, there’s also a blow dry bar and nail salon in the spa, too. The neighborhood/area: You’re smack in the middle of downtown Dallas here, around the corner from The Joule and The Adolphus and within walking distance to top-tier shopping. Some of the cities best restaurants are a short drive away, so be sure to have a rental car if you plan on exploring beyond a four-block radius. Despite the hustle and bustle, the rooms here are a relatively quiet retreat (sometimes I could faintly hear the DART light rail from the station below). The service: Friendly without being pushy, service here is what you make of it. The front desk and man who delivered my room service were quick to engage in conversation when I initiated but offered simple hellos when I was rushing through the door. Accessibility: All of the hotel’s spaces are accessible via large elevators and guests with disabilities or mobility concerns can book ADA-friendly rooms with lowered thermostats, light switches, door latches, emergency strobe lights, and accessible bathrooms. Anything left to mention? A huge perk here is the outdoor space, some two acres of it. With tons of seating around fireplaces and under trellises, a large pool, sunbathing deck, and resort-style cabanas, and the spa’s plunge pools, there’s plenty of room to spread out outside. It is downtown, so you won’t always have sweeping views (you may be looking into an office building while you down a happy hour cocktail) but the all-weather spaces offer the chance to socialize or relax outside, a boon amid the pandemic." - Meredith Carey