City: Dallas, TX

Category: Accommodations

Telephone: (214) 871-7111

Address: 2927 Maple Ave.

Description: Opened as the Stoneleigh Court Hotel in 1923, this was the tallest residence hotel west of the Mississippi at the time. The 11-story brick beauty—a favorite of celebrities over the years, from Lauren Bacall and Bob Hope to Tom Cruise and George Strait—has had almost as many lives under various management companies than Dallas has plastic surgeons. Recently, however, it reopened after a $36 million transformation that makes it unequivocally the most gorgeous hotel in North Texas, if not the whole state. There are 170 grand guest rooms and suites, all given updated looks but with distinct Art Deco inspiration, and each with a stunning amount of space in bedroom, bath, sitting room, and closet. The spa is a special version of exquisite, with signature products and services. There’s a pool to come, but for now you can chill happily in the lovely bar, which bridges the divine lobby space and the contemporary but ever-so-elegant restaurant, Bolla. In the latter, Iron Chef competitor and James Beard Award nominee David Bull, formerly of the Driskill Hotel in Austin, produces tasting menus of updated Italian fare.