Background
One of the most historic and famous hotels in Dallas, the Adolphus was built by and named after Adolphus Busch, of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company, and opened in 1912. Designed in a Beaux-Arts style by architects Barnett, Haynes and Barnett of St. Louis, its original 19 floors of brick and red and grey granite are decorated with gargoyles, Greek gods, French Renaissance floral designs and mythical animals. It is even topped off with a beer bottle turret.
It has undergone several extensions over the years, with a room count at one point reaching 1,200 rooms. After the last renovation, costing US$95 million dollars, it has 407 rooms and 56 suites. It is a member of Marriott’s Autograph Collection and is operated by Makeready.
Where is it?
The property takes up a whole city block on Commerce Street, right in the centre of Dallas Downtown, opposite the new AT&T Discovery District.
What’s it like?
The entrance is through a sort of ante lobby with a coffee shop, Otto’s (named after a previous general manager) to the right, and a gift, jewellery and design shop to the left. Through a second set of doors is the wood-panelled reception with a back wall with hundreds of room keys for decoration. In one corner there are some seats in front of art books on display shelves.
The staff are friendly, always willing to have a joke and very welcoming to visitors from ‘out of state’, which in March from the UK we certainly were.
To reach the rooms you take twin lifts up into the original lobby which is now the ‘Social Lobby’ and the City Inn Bar. Look up and you’ll see an original heavy chandelier from the hotel, and all around there are lots of eagle motifs from the brewery.
Interior design is by Dallas firm Swoon, the Studio, and combines historical artefacts from the old hotel, including an eagle lectern, a grand piano that apparently was supposed to be on the Titanic and old prints of the hotel in the 1920s, along with modern art from Texan artists.
Rooms
There are many different room categories, but having had a recent renovation they are all of a high standard. The rooms are on floors 4 to 21. Entry level Deluxe rooms are 36 sqm and have a work desk, USB charging as well as standard plugs, coffee and tea maker, 32-inch flatscreen televisions, bathrobes, laptop safes and an armchair in addition to a work chair.
Views are varied but are likely to be of surrounding buildings unless at the front and on one of the higher floors. The Executive Junior suites are 46 sqm and some have a corner position so from higher floors are worth the view. Soundproofing is good throughout the hotel.
Food and drink
The French Room has high ceilings, white plaster walls, Murano glass chandeliers and a fine dining tea service from Wednesday through to Sunday (there are plans for it to return to a full dining experience as demand returns).
Adjacent is the French Room Bar, not currently open, and then the City Hall Bistro for breakfast and lunch. There’s also the Rodeo Bar which has been around since 1981 and was recently renovated, and now has a downstairs game room and lounge. It hosts live music and serves Texan food.
Meetings
Small meeting rooms are available. There are two large ballrooms on level three – the Grand Ballroom which looks out on to Commerce Street and the Century Ballroom which seats 250 for a banquet. On the 19th floor the Governor’s Ballroom has ivory-panelled walls, herringbone parquet floor and arched barrel-vaulted ceilings.
Leisure
The spa, fitness centre and pool deck and bar are all on the seventh floor. There’s a barber’s shop on the ground floor.
Verdict
A superb renovation of a classic hotel – modern yet retaining many period features from its heyday.
FACT BOX
- Best for Being at the centre of Downtown to appreciate the history of this great city
- Don’t miss Breakfast in City Hall Bistro – heritage bacon, two eggs ‘your way’, sourdough toast, fries, then cancel your appointments and go back to bed
- Price Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in June started from US$411 for a Deluxe room, plus a daily amenity fee of US$25
- Contact 1321 Commerce Street, Dallas, Tx 75202; +1 214 742 8200; marriott.com
