Sometimes where you’ll sleep on vacation is an afterthought, and sometimes the hotel itself is a worthy destination. Fresh off a $22 million renovation, The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas is the latter — a 5-star Uptown Dallas hotel that provides such a luxurious getaway, you don’t need to plan much else. 

5-star luxury at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas

From the moment you step into the newly renovated lobby of The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas — expertly decorated with fresh flower arrangements that change every Thursday — you feel the weight of the outside world start to lift. 

Doors are opened for you, you’re greeted at every turn and it’s a very Annie’s first time in the Warbucks mansion experience. Everyone seems delighted you’re there and quickly learns your name.

At check-in, you’re greeted with a sampler margarita and invited to have another when the chef visits the lobby later that evening. If you’ve reserved one of the hotel’s spacious Club Suites, you’ll also learn the times of the five complimentary food services each day, served in the Club Lounge on the 7th floor. 

Club Suites at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas are the ultimate way to spoil yourself. In the newly redesigned guest rooms, you’ll have more space to relax, early check-in and late checkout, valet parking and access to 24-hour treats in the Club Lounge. From breakfast to afternoon tea to late-night desserts, the light bites (and adult beverages) are delicious. 

But be sure to save room for fine dining at Fearing’s. Created by celebrity chef Dean Fearing, known as the godfather of southwestern cuisine, this hotel restaurant is a local favorite for Sunday brunch. Make a reservation for any day of the week and indulge in hearty menu items like Dean’s tortilla soup, chicken fried Maine lobster and fried cherry pie. 

In between meals, take a yoga class in the hotel’s gorgeous fitness room, order in-room dining to be delivered to the rooftop pool or indulge in a spa treatment. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas Spa, which earned a 2023 Forbes Travel Guide award, offers a $30 day pass to enjoy the whirlpool, steam room and sauna. Or, you can enjoy these amenities for no additional charge if you book a spa treatment like a facial or massage. 

Beyond the hotel — DFW delights

If you want to explore some of the area attractions, there’s a complimentary hotel car. A driver will take you anywhere within three miles of the hotel, and pick you up from there, too. 

A few options within three miles of The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas include:

>Klyde Warren Park, an urban park with a free Nancy Best Fountain evening performance. 

>Perot Museum of Nature and Science, with exhibits from dinosaurs to space exploration.

>Dallas Museum of Art, one of the largest art museums in the country.

>AT&T Performing Arts Center, with free family weekends and free first-Saturday tours.

>American Airlines Center, home to the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars.

Another option is to take the free M-Line Trolley to explore Downtown Dallas. Hop on the trolley at the maroon stop in front of the hotel and head to attractions such as the Dallas World Aquarium and the Giant Eyeball. The M-Line Trolley operates daily, 365 days per year.

Or, for a truly memorable outing, grab your car from the valet and head to the brand-new Meow Wolf Grapevine. This one-of-a-kind immersive art experience opened its Grapevine Mills Mall location in July. It’s about 25 minutes from The Ritz-Carlton but is worth the extra effort. 

More than 30 Texas artists helped bring Meow Wolf Grapevine to life, including sculptor Dan Lam of Dallas, mural artist Tsz Kam of Austin and interdisciplinary (light, music, animation and video) artist Carmen Menza of Dallas.  

Plan to spend a few hours exploring this vibrant world of interactive art installations with secret passageways, holes to crawl through, slides to go down and surprises around every corner. It’s sure to be the highlight of your DFW getaway.

Plan your luxurious Dallas getaway

If it suits your schedule, book a mid-week stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, when most guests are business professionals. You’ll have the heated pool to yourself and your choice of spa appointments. Book a Club Suite for access to the Club Lounge meals, or ask to add lounge access to your stay for an additional fee.  

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Cover photo courtesy The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas.

Notorious for cramming every possible must-see destination into a single trip, Austin-based writer Heidi Gollub only recently discovered the joy of actually relaxing on vacation. It’s a novel idea, but she’s starting to see the appeal of a getaway filled with naps, snacks and reading books by the pool.