For 33 years, Condé Nast Traveler has published an annual Readers’ Choice Awards feature, recognizing its audience’s favorite hotels and resorts across the globe. This year, the voting took place in April, when hardly anyone was leaving the house, let alone traveling.
Readers likely visited these hotels in 2019 or years prior, creating impressions enduring enough to warrant a nomination months (or years) later. To determine the winners, over 715,000 readers rated their travel experiences at accommodations worldwide. One Dallas hotel made the list of The 50 Best Hotels in the World, and six Dallas properties were named among the best in Texas. Here’s a closer look at the local award winners and the features that wowed Condé Nast Traveler critics.
Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek | #1 in Texas, #32 Worldwide
We’re not surprised this iconic Dallas property earned first place on Condé Nast Traveler‘s list of the top 20 hotels in Texas, but we are impressed that it ranked among the top 50 in the world. Condé Nast Traveler‘s critic noted that the hotel exudes Old Hollywood glamour from its peachy-pink exterior to its sultry Mansion Bar. It notes that its tucked-away location makes it feel like the city’s best-kept secret. The review also pointed out the thoughtful amenities (like Natura Bissē toiletries and a Nespresso machine), top-notch dining (The Mansion Restaurant’s legendary tortilla soup got a shout-out), and family-friendly services (from babysitting to kid-approved dining options).
HALL Arts Hotel | #5 in Texas
Considering this Arts District destination opened just last December, a number 5 spot on the list is impressive. Perhaps it’s because both Dallasites and travelers are pleased to finally have a hotel in the Arts District. “The idea behind HALL Arts Hotel was to create a Dallas destination that celebrates the city’s arts and culture in a setting that is as sophisticated and thought-provoking as the art it houses,” says Craig Hall, HALL Arts Hotel developer and founder and chairman of HALL Group. The 183-room hotel was praised by Condé Nast Traveler for its art collection, including local photography curated by Virginia Shore; the rooftop pool and proximity to performing arts venues were also noted. At the time of the publication’s review, the hotel lacked a physical spa space. On October 1, HALL Arts Hotel announced a partnership with Hiatus Spa + Retreat. Guests can now book in-room treatments like Swedish massages and hot stone therapy.
Hotel Crescent Court | #9 in Texas
Though this Uptown hotel is one of the largest and busiest in its neighborhood, its interior manages to exude tranquility. A 2018 remodel added floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the hotel, amplifying the natural light and creating a bright and airy atmosphere. Condé Nast Traveler commended the refreshed design as well as the hotel’s amenities (like the pool, spa, and workout classes) and dining options (such as Beau Nash’s Champagne cocktails and Nobu’s sushi rolls). The critic also commented on the gastronomic variety in the neighborhood, including walkable destinations like Ascension Coffee.
Hotel ZaZa Dallas Uptown | #12 in Texas
Several Hotel ZaZa locations ranked among the top 20 in Texas, including one in Austin and two in Houston. Dallas’s own Hotel ZaZa just missed the top 10, but Condé Nast Traveler still sang its praises. The critic stayed in one of the boutique hotel’s ebullient “theme rooms,” which included a zebra print design scheme that only Hotel ZaZa could pull off. The hotel’s New American eatery, Dragonfly, and its ever-busy pool bar were noted as highlights. Patrons at both were described as a “young professional party crowd,” an apt description of Uptown’s regulars.
Virgin Hotels Dallas | #16 in Texas
Like HALL Arts Hotel, Virgin Hotels Dallas opened in December 2019. The hotel is nestled in the Design District, where most other accommodations are cookie-cutter nationwide chains that attract business visitors. Virgin’s neon red-and-white exterior sets it apart. In the few short months before the shelter-in-place order took effect, its trendy bar managed to become a hotspot for nightlife. The 268-room hotel was lauded by Condé Nast Traveler for its artsy public spaces, bustling pool, and Commons Club restaurant (helmed by Homewood’s Matt McCallister). While the rooms were described as somewhat “no-frills,” the publication did call out several notable features, like a markup-free minibar and a well-lit vanity. In all, the critic called Virgin Hotels Dallas a “fabulous” addition to our city’s hospitality scene.
The Adolphus Hotel, Autograph Collection | #19 in Texas
Says Condé Nast Traveler, this historic hotel has an unparalleled blend of old-school charm and modern amenities. Though The Adolphus has been a downtown Dallas fixture for decades, the critic noted that a 2018 renovation breathed new life into the hotel’s interior and reaffirmed its status as a favorite of Dallasites and out-of-towners alike. The review highlights Commerce, its Otto’s coffee shop, Spa Adolphus, the rooftop pool, and, of course, The French Room.
