Thompson Dallas
Daily price line
Upcoming nightly rates
Review
Character and identity
Set inside the restored National, once the tallest building west of the Mississippi, this 219-room Thompson occupies roughly half of George Dahl's 1960s tower in downtown Dallas. The long, gallery-like lobby is densely styled with books, ceramics and florals, propelling you toward the lifts rather than inviting a sit-down. Rooms lean Mad Men with an urban-cowboy edge: brass, leather, cow print, 1960s silhouettes. Dining is a serious draw, with Michelin-decorated chef Danny Grant running Monarch and Kessaku on the 49th floor, plus Catbird and Little Daisy lower down. The spa, two acres of outdoor space and a rooftop pool round it out.
Who's it for
Best for:
Design-literate couples and weekenders who want a big-city hotel with real cooking, a generous spa floor and roomy quarters (entry corner rooms run 544 square feet). It also suits business travellers who appreciate a polished base within walking distance of Neiman Marcus and FortyFiveTen, and anyone planning a long evening at Catbird.
Should look elsewhere:
Guests who want a classic resort view will find the downtown setting hems you in, with some windows facing office towers and faint DART rail noise below. Service is pleasant but reactive rather than anticipatory, and you'll need a rental car to reach Dallas's best restaurants outside the immediate blocks.
Bottom line
The food, drink and outdoor footprint are what set this place apart: Catbird's terrace, Grant's two restaurants upstairs and two acres of pool, cabanas and plunge pools give it more range than most downtown hotels. Book a corner room for the space and tub-side views, target a weekend when Catbird is in full swing, and save the 49th-floor penthouse only if budget is no object.