There is no city quite like Dallas, the cool older sister of the Texas cities. 

Dallas is put together; she goes to concerts on the weekend and unwinds with a Swedish massage on Sundays. Dallas is the mecca for the undeniably iconic. And the best of Texas can be experienced all at once—at its own pace—at The Highland Dallas, Curio Collection. Modern, but not fussy. Of another western era, but not overdone. 

Following a complete renovation of its public spaces and all 204 guestrooms, The Highland has emerged as a refined modern lifestyle destination and a sanctuary for those seeking restorative luxury. From its world-class spa to its state-of-the-art accommodations and award-winning culinary experience at The Reserve at The Highland, led by Executive Chef Andrew Bell, this newly reimagined hotel is the ultimate escape.

Your keys disappear into the hands of the valet, and a modern Southern hospitality takes shape around you like a warm cowhide jacket.

Inside, the Highland’s newly renovated lobby is a quiet symphony of Dallas’s past and present. At the heart of the lobby stands a custom handcrafted terracotta mural inspired by Texas’s rolling hills and the state’s iconic bluebonnet flowers—an impressive work that acts as both a greeting and celebration of the inherent beauty of the area. Dark wood and rawhide curve gently into modern lines; art sourced from the city’s creative heartbeat hangs with the unpretentious pride of a local who has nothing to prove. It smells faintly of coffee and new beginnings. The reception desk sits ahead, tipping its hat, with its patrons smiling and ready to greet you. To the left, a bar offering warm coffee; to the right, The Spa at The Highland humming like a sanctuary—beckoning you to shed the weight of the world. This emphasis on art, architecture, and design distinguishes The Highland from other luxury hotels, providing not just a spectacular place to stay but an invitation to experience Dallas and reconnect with the soul of the city. Everything here feels deliberate and intentional, as if the building itself has been waiting just for you.

You receive your keys, and all that is left is to go up to one of the 204 newly renovated guestrooms. Your room welcomes you with refinement and an attuned sense of detail that you will find reflected throughout your stay.

Each room is its own small universe: custom-made furniture grounds the space in the region’s craft, art that hints at Dallas’s layered identity, and open layouts that breathe even before you do. The bedding is cloud-soft, the lighting warm in that “afternoon drifting into evening” sort of way. Modern amenities—smart TVs, reactive nightlights, USB ports tucked exactly where they should be—remind you that luxury can be both comforting and quietly intelligent.

Perhaps your room window overlooks an SMU tennis match volleying back and forth, or the sparkling pool deck below where guests lounge beneath the southern sun. Either way, you set down your bags knowing you can hit the town or hit the hay – and have a spectacular time regardless, wrapped in an indulgent thread count or the indescribable culture and energy of Dallas.

At The Reserve at The Highland, the hotel’s newly opened signature restaurant, dinner unfolds like a pristinely choreographed performance. 

The waitstaff speaks about each dish with reverence, describing the ingredients and techniques with such clarity that you are tempted to order the menu in its entirety. Under the direction of Executive Chef Andrew Bell, a Dallas native with decades of culinary expertise, The Reserve has become a destination for the finest cuts of aged beef and remarkably intelligent menu pairings. 

The modern American grille celebrates the art of the perfect cut, featuring steaks that range from butter-tender filets to a spectacular 24-ounce dry-aged ribeye aged 30–90 days. Each cut is treated with the respect it deserves, paired with seasonally driven sides and sauces that elevate rather than overshadow. 

The menu reads like a masterclass in balance—the Lobster Amatriciana with bucatini and guanciale, the Dover Sole Meunière accented with lemon and capers, each dish thoughtfully composed to create harmonies of flavor and texture. You can taste the precision in every bite, the way components speak to one another across the plate. The dining room—anchored by a striking green-tiled open-air kitchen—glows with the warmth of people who understand that a good meal can change the course of a day, or a life. Nothing here is accidental; every pairing, every texture, every scent has been orchestrated by Bell with meticulous care to deliver an experience that feels both timeless and utterly contemporary.

Beyond the tables and guestrooms, The Highland reveals itself as a place built for a thousand different kinds of days. More than 11,000 square feet of event space stretch across the property like a promise—rooms where ideas will be born, where celebrations will find their spark, where stories will begin in quiet moments. The business center stands ready. The fitness center hums with the steady rhythm of travelers who refuse to lose their pace on the Pelotons or with weights. 

And then, there is The Spa at The Highland—the crown jewel of this newly renovated property, a full-service sanctuary designed to be a destination in its own right.

At The Spa at The Highland, time slows to a whisper. You surrender yourself to a slow, deliberate Swedish massage that seems to unspool the city’s tension from your shoulders. The spa is more than an amenity—it’s a reason to book your stay. Perhaps you brave your first-ever cold plunge before settling into the warmth of the sauna. Afterwards, you drift through the recovery room, linger beneath a hot shower in the pristine locker room. The contrast feels clarifying, almost ceremonial. This is not a place you visit between activities; this is the activity. The spa’s tranquil atmosphere, expert therapists, and thoughtfully designed wellness circuit make it worthy of planning an entire weekend around. Whether you’re seeking deep tissue relief, rejuvenating facials, or simply a few hours to decompress in a space that understands the art of restoration, The Spa at The Highland delivers an experience that lingers long after checkout.

In the midst of all this, it becomes clear: The Highland’s renovation is not merely cosmetic. It is a rebirth, a reimagining, a love letter to what Dallas has been and what it dares to become. Every detail—from the newly designed guestrooms to the reimagined public spaces—has been carefully considered to create a seamless blend of modern sophistication and timeless southern charm. It is polished without pretense, artistic without abstraction, luxurious without losing the soft-spoken charm that defines true southern hospitality.

Here, the city’s history and future sit comfortably side by side, like two old friends in familiar conversation. The Highland does not choose between them—it bridges them. 

And when you finally collect your keys again, something in you hesitates. Because leaving The Highland is not just stepping out of a building—it is stepping out of a story. One you have lived, if only briefly. One you already want to return to before you have even left.

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Cover Photo courtesy The Highland Dallas

Juliana Stanford is a Public Relations Specialist and editorial contributor with a passion for traveling as well as connecting stories through culinary roots and cultures. With experience in marketing and international engagement, she brings a global lens to every destination she covers. She has worked across Texas and abroad – often seen with a backpack or surfboard – sharing stories that highlight memorable experiences, adventures, local flavors, and meaningful connections.