Walking into the HALL Arts Hotel is like setting foot in one of the most exquisite art museums you’ve ever visited — except then you get to stay there. That’s the allure of the boutique hotel, which is located in the heart of the Dallas Arts District near the Meyerson Symphony Center, the Winspear Opera House, the Wyly Theatre, the Nasher Sculpture Center, and more. With more than 30 works of art on display by artists worldwide, HALL Arts marries design, luxury, and location to create the ideal summer staycation spot in a city that not only appreciates art, but celebrates it.
That’s why, when visionary philanthropists Craig and Kathryn Hall of Dallas-based HALL Group opened the hotel in December 2019, they wanted the HKS Architects- and Bentel & Bentel-designed space to inspire guests through the art displayed all around them. The duo wanted visitors to feel inspired throughout their stay while also enjoying the elevated amenities and experiences of a luxury boutique property. To accomplish that, they worked with curators Virginia Shore and Patricia Meadows, who helped bring their artistic vision to life. The result is a stunning property with specially commissioned pieces in all common areas, suites, and meeting spaces — a real-life embodiment of the Halls’ belief that the arts should be available and accessible for everyone.
As the first hotel in the Dallas Arts District, HALL Arts Hotel, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, carries out that mission beautifully. From a floor-to-ceiling piece in the lobby that reads “Then I Wished That I Could Come Back as a Flower” and a collection of bright tambourines suspended from the ceiling representing cultural movements and activism, to a wall-mounted sculpture made of 6,302 stainless steel spoons and several massive murals throughout the hotel, everywhere you turn there’s a new work of art to admire and interpret.
The art chosen by the Halls runs from the lighthearted — “Let’s Pretend Tomorrow Night Never Happened” — to the awe-inspiring — think delicate glass sculptures placed with the utmost precision. On one wall, there’s even an interactive neon display that reads “All That is Possible is Real” or “All That is Real is Possible” depending on when you happen to glance at it. The one thing all the pieces have in common: they are meant for guests to enjoy.
Although the art is an impressive draw, the hotel is a great staycation spot for many reasons, among which are location, food and drink, and amenities. You can even bring your dog (under 50 pounds) to accompany you during your stay.
“HALL Arts Hotel is a great staycation destination because it’s in the center of all the action,” hotel general manager Ginger Martin says. “We’re surrounded by the beautiful Dallas Arts District and within walking distance of the city’s top attractions. Guests don’t even have to leave the hotel to have a wonderful visit: we have plenty of amenities to enjoy, including a rooftop pool, Ellie’s Restaurant & Lounge, and our Sit & Stay pet program.”
The beauty of HALL Arts Hotel is that you can enjoy a concert or an exhibit a block away, but you don’t have to. If you choose to stay inside the hotel for an entire weekend, there are plenty of ways to keep yourself occupied. Because Dallas summers can be sweltering, the rooftop pool, WAVES, is particularly handy. With sweeping skyline views, it’s the perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon with a drink in hand. If you wish to extend the relaxation, you can book an in-room spa treatment during your stay (the hotel has partnered with Hiatus Spa + Retreat to curate a pampering experience). And if you want to get your heartrate up again, guests have access to a state-of-the-art 2,900-square-foot fitness center, complete with TRX Modular Suspension Training and, of course, Peloton bikes.
The guest rooms themselves are not to be overlooked. Featuring unique photographs by different Dallas photographers from a Through the Lens: Dallas Arts District competition, the rooms and suites provide a more personal extension of the hotel’s artistic theme. Clean, modern design and oversized bathrooms stocked with Natura Bissé products might make you rethink any plans you’d made for that day.
But if you do venture outside your cozy room, let it be for Ellie’s Restaurant & Lounge. With a new chef in Dan Landsberg, seasonal menu items, and one of the most spectacular dining settings in Dallas, Ellie’s — named for Craig Hall’s late mother — is the epitome of tradition-meets-avant-garde. Enjoy dinner dishes including duck confit tostada, roasted sea scallops, and harissa-marinated lamb. Sip a glass of wine or a signature cocktail in the lounge before you are seated — El Spritz de Primavera, with Aperol and rosemary, and Strawberry Elixir, with balsamic and basil, are guest favorites. While you eat beneath a light sculpture reminiscent of stars, let the sounds of a Steinway grand piano transport you back in time.
However you choose to spend your staycation at HALL Arts Hotel, you’ll depart feeling rejuvenated and invigorated. “Visitors of the hotel leave feeling refreshed and inspired,” Martin says. “They love the luxury accommodations and the stunning art collection that is visible at every turn.”
And because Craig and Kathryn Hall believe art should always be accessible to everyone, you can come back anytime.