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The Westin Southlake

Featured Article

The Westin Southlake

Where Rest Meets Remarkable

Article by Jennifer Brown-Thomas

Photography by Samantha Farris, The Westin Southlake

Originally published in Southlake City Lifestyle

Every now and then, you walk into a place and feel something deeper than design.
It’s not just the lighting or the linens. It’s the way your shoulders drop, how your breath softens, how it makes you feel: all without explanation, and leaves you completely at ease.

That’s the magic of The Westin Southlake.

More than a hotel, it’s a sanctuary of hospitality where warmth isn’t just offered, it’s lived. Where luxury is not loud, but deeply felt. And long after your bags are unpacked and your stay is over, that feeling stays with you.

Tucked into the charm and sophistication of Southlake, this hotel isn’t just winning hearts, it’s capturing global attention. In 2024, The Westin Southlake was named the No. 1 Westin in the world for Guest Satisfaction. That’s not marketing spin. That’s the voice of real travelers: families, professionals, couples, and locals, all who’ve stayed there, felt the difference, and called it unforgettable.

It’s not just one shining moment. The hotel has also earned top rankings across nearly every major guest experience category in the U.S. and Canada for two years running: cleanliness, food and beverage, staff service, maintenance, and Marriott International’s intent-to-recommend, based on guest satisfaction. These aren’t small wins. They’re proof that excellence here isn’t occasional, instead it’s embedded in the culture.

But those accolades are only a small part of the story.
Because what makes The Westin Southlake truly remarkable is the heart and soul behind it.

General Manager Volkan Tekinkoc leads with intention and empathy—qualities that earned him Marriott’s Full-Service GM of the Year for the U.S. and Canada. Under his leadership, hospitality becomes more than a service, it becomes a relationship. Every team member, from the

front desk to housekeeping to room service, operates with a shared purpose: to help guests feel better than when they arrived.

And they do.

Guests return not only because the beds are comfortable and the food is memorable, but because they’re remembered. Birthdays are celebrated with handwritten notes and sweet surprises. Business travelers are greeted by name. Families with young kids find highchairs waiting before they even ask. The staff pays attention. And that’s exactly where the magic lives: in the quiet, thoughtful details that say, “We’re here for you.”

With every passing check-in and check-out, this commitment continues to extend far beyond the lobby.

At Jellico’s, the hotel’s signature restaurant, Executive Chef Calisxta Reyes and Chef de Cuisine Mark Denz Guzman have curated a globally inspired menu that fuses bold creativity with deep cultural roots. The end result? A dining experience that feels as thoughtful as it is delicious. You can taste the care in every plated dish along with the warmth of Reyes’ Mexican-American heritage, the finesse of Guzman’s international training, and the passion of a team that cooks with soul.

For a more relaxed setting, Curve Lounge offers everything from locally curated wine lists to extra dry martinis, with live music on select nights and an intimate atmosphere that invites you to linger. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t rush you. You may come for a cocktail, but you’ll stay for the ambiance.

And then there’s the pool.

On summer Saturdays, it comes alive with sunshine and laughter. Families gather for splashy fun and lawn games. Friends relax in shaded cabanas, toasting with prosecco and sparkling water. Kids cannonball. DJs spin. It’s resort-style fun without ever leaving town, and coupled with the VIP cabana experience makes it feel like your own private island escape.

The Westin Southlake was designed with every type of traveler in mind. Families enjoy kid- friendly menus, giant outdoor games, poolside basketball, and spacious suites. Pet lovers are met with designated pet-friendly rooms, welcome treats, and Heavenly® pet beds. Business travelers and wellness enthusiasts appreciate the Peloton-equipped Workout Suites, in-room yoga gear, and lavender balm placed thoughtfully at each bedside.

And sometimes, it’s the little things: a robe waiting at just the right moment, a fresh cup of coffee delivered with a knowing smile, and a quiet “welcome back,” that turn a simple hotel stay into something deeply personal.

The Westin Southlake doesn’t just serve its guests, it serves its community. The hotel supports youth programs, partners with local nonprofits, donates to fundraisers, and actively participates in and sponsors golf tournaments that raise money for local causes. The team is often found not just working in the city, but standing with it. They attend school events, champion women-led businesses, sponsor festivals, and contribute auction packages that fund real change.

Because here, hospitality doesn’t end at the guest room door. It pours back into the town it calls home. That’s the true magic.

You could come for the awards: AAA Four Diamond, U.S. News Gold Badge Winner, a Top 10 Texas Hotel by TripAdvisor, Best Hotel in Dallas by Travel + Leisure. But what stays with you isn’t the accolades. It’s how this place made you feel.

Seen. Cared for. Restored.
At The Westin Southlake, hospitality isn’t a transaction. It’s a promise.

A promise that wherever you are in your journey, whether celebrating, reconnecting, escaping, or simply pausing—you’ll be met with grace, intention, and a sense of peace you didn’t know you needed.

And that’s what makes it more than the best Westin in the world. That’s what makes it your home-away-from-home.