Arrival/Check-In: I arrived at DFW late in the afternoon and took an Uber to the hotel. My colleague, who was staying nearby, had rented a car for our time in Dallas. The Uber driver was originally from Houston, so we passed the ride trading stories about the recent storms. The Ritz-Carlton sits along historic McKinney Avenue, a neighborhood that has experienced substantial growth and revitalization in recent years. When I was dropped off, the welcoming front-door staff escorted me inside to the registration area. Check-in was efficient, and I was informed I had been upgraded to a suite. I often receive upgrades for very short stays, and this occasion was no exception. The lobby is grand in the classic Ritz-Carlton style, with the popular Rattlesnake Bar and Fearing’s Restaurant branching off the main space.
Guest Quarters: I stayed in room 325, located down the hall and tucked into a corner of the building, giving the suite a layout similar to a corner office. A long entry hallway led to the main living area. To the left, the spacious bathroom featured twin sinks set into black marble countertops. A separate tub sat by a window, though the view faced an adjacent flat roof and offered little in the way of scenery. The bathroom also offered a large walk-in shower with a generous rain showerhead and a shaving mirror. Amenities included Asprey shampoo, conditioner, and lotion.
Opposite the bathroom, a hall table served as a minibar and housed a Nespresso coffee station. The suite itself was roomy, with a king-sized bed and a work desk flanked by two chairs. An oversized upholstered chair sat in the far corner near the windows, making a comfortable spot for reading. Because the room occupied the outside corner of the building, it benefited from abundant natural light. On the opposite wall a credenza held a flat-screen television and the entertainment components.
Services/Amenities: Housekeeping provided reliable service, consistently leaving plenty of bottled water and respecting the “do not disturb” sign while I was working in the room — a courtesy I truly appreciated. Although we did not dine at Fearing’s during this stay, it is widely regarded as one of Dallas’s top steakhouses. We did enjoy drinks at Rattlesnake Bar, which is associated with Fearing’s. The bar’s name is cleverly discreet; a few colleagues I invited had trouble finding it until they asked for directions. Michael, our server, took excellent care of us and guided our pre- and post-dinner wine selections.
Top Takeaways:
◆ Rattlesnake Bar would benefit from more visible signage — it’s an excellent meeting spot once you find it.
◆ The hotel offers a prime location and comfortable guestrooms, continuing a long-standing Dallas tradition of refined hospitality.
THE RITZ-CARLTON, DALLAS
2121 McKinney Ave.
Dallas, TX 75201
tel 214 922 0200
ritzcarlton.com