It was a sunny day as I walked into the lobby of the new JW Marriott in the Dallas Arts District, but the aura inside the newly minted property was even more vibrant. The city’s first JW-branded hotel, a development from the Sam Moon Group, sits in the heart of the Dallas Arts District and takes its inspiration from the culture and sights that surround.
The brand finds its niche in gateway international cities between ultra-luxe stays and business travel. The 267-key hotel in Dallas includes premier suites with views that stretch from south of downtown to Uptown and the DFW horizon line beyond.
After checking into one of the property’s 11 museum suites (there is one presidential suite and one VP suites), my wife and I headed down to the 11th floor for light bites and drinks at a bar outside of Margaret’s. Named for Margaret McDermott, the ranch-to-table, three-meal restaurant is a property centerpiece. We enjoyed house cocktails and the demi-charcuterie, which features local cheeses, artisanal meats, and charred sourdough. Pro tip: choose corner seats closest to the restaurant at dusk to watch the sun tuck itself in just beyond the Margaret McDermott bridge.
The chef at Margaret’s rotates the menu each season, but on the winter menu, my wife and I enjoyed the delicate yet flavorful squash dumplings and bourbon-braised pork belly as appetizers. For mains, the seared duck breast was perfectly tender and the center cut filet with a hasselback potato on the side was fantastic. If seafood is more your style, opt for the crispy octopus appetizer and delicious chilean sea bass entrée.
A bonus of staying at the JW Marriott is its easy access to the country’s largest contiguous arts district. My wife and I dressed up, put on our winter coats, and walked a couple of blocks to see a spectacular Dallas Symphony Orchestra performance of Christmas pop hits. Other options include the Dallas Museum of Art, the Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and the Winspear Opera House—all just a block or two or three from the hotel.
The JW is an ideal complement; its art collection breathes its own identity into the life of the district. Along with orchestral brass fixtures and digital representations of vinyl albums in the guest rooms, the hotel has 20 commissioned art pieces, including a monarch butterfly painting by the daughter of Sam Moon Group Vice President and General Counsel Daniel Moon.
After the symphony performance, my wife and I walked up and down Ross Avenue then made our way to Klyde Warren Park for a nightcap. We followed it up with a second drink at the hotel’s sky bar, Vincent’s, on the property’s 11th floor. Named for Vincent an Gogh, the open-air is adjacent to the pool.
For breakfast and brunch, Margaret’s offers staples like Texas hash, lox and bagels, and a substantial breakfast burrito. If you’re on the go, visit the JW Market for pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee. And if you’re taking advantage of extra relaxation time, like my wife and I, in-room dining is also provided.
As I write this story from D Magazine’s office on the 21st floor at St. Paul Place, I can see the 19th floor museum suite where my wife and I stayed. Two years ago, the building was just a parking garage. But now, how I envy whoever is staying in that space. Care to give it back to me?
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