This past week we stayed at the historic Adolphus Hotel, which is located centrally in the Main Street District of Downtown Dallas. The hotel boasts a 100+ year history and upon its opening in 1912, it was actually the tallest building in the state of Texas and the only luxury hotel in Dallas. You might recognize the name from the original owner, Adolphus Busch, co-founder of Anheuser-Busch. Busch modeled the original property after a Beaux-Arts German Castle.
Inside the hotel, you will find three lobbies, a ballroom, two bars, bistro, retail store, coffee shop, barbershop, and the hotel’s signature restaurant: The French Room. During the most recent $90 million dollar renovation [which was completed in 2018], the designers aimed to create a space that would not only welcome tourists but also become an attractive space for Dallasites to spend time working from the lobby or enjoy an after-work cocktail.
The history of the space is what makes staying at the Adolphus a truly remarkable experience, and lucky for you each concierge is trained to give official tours of the space. The ornate French Room restaurant is adorned with a stunning piano that was destined for the RMS Titanic, but due to delayed delivery, it arrived after the ship had taken sail. The grand chandelier that sits above the escalators in the lobby was another item that withstood the test of time during the 1980s estate sale.
City Hall Bistro is open to guests and locals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner serving Southern, European cuisine. Lunch is perhaps the best deal with a combo option where you can choose a starter and entree for just $15. The restaurant features a clean, modern design with attention to detail.
The seventh floor of the hotel features a pool, spa, and workout facilities. On Sundays, the pool is open to locals and there is a DJ playing tunes. During the week, however, the pool maintains a very low key vibe with food and beverage service at the bar and the option to purchase a cabana. The 5,000 square foot spa features six treatment rooms, a couple’s room with a private terrace, a relaxation room with a patio overlooking Dallas, a salon and healthy food offerings. Treatments range from couple’s massages to pedicures to facials.
The Adolphus was also welcoming to our seven-month-old Golden Retriever puppy. Pets under 35 lbs can stay at the property with a $100 non-refundable pet deposit per stay.
