The Vibe: Soulful sensibility.
The Area: Downtown Dallas.
The DNA: Excessive ornamentation was en vogue in the early 1980s, which was the last time The Adolphus hotel underwent a significant renovation. For the recent revamp of the Beaux-Arts icon, local design studio Swoon the Studio scaled back, reimagining it as a young couple’s quietly elegant family estate in Europe. Part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection and operated by Dallas hospitality and development firm Makeready, the Adolphus has attracted visiting luminaries for decades since its development by beer titan Adolphus Busch around 1912. For nearly two and a half years, Swoon the Studio overhauled the public spaces to make way for additions such as Spa Adolphus, which includes an alfresco relaxation area and the airy lifestyle boutique Commerce Goods + Supply. New restaurants, including the charcoal-hued, Viennese-influenced Otto’s Coffee & Fine Foods and white-tiled bistro City Hall, bolster storied fine dining restaurant the French Room. It remains ornate in its modern incarnation, but the ceiling now wears a simple white shade, no longer flaunting its signature cherub frescoes. The French Room Bar, where a red Chinoiserie-style mantel pops against deep blue walls, offers a more intimate experience. Custom mosaic floors greet guests at reception, while the upper lobby’s bar is fashioned from Carrara marble and raw brass. In the Drawing Room, a duo of antique limestone fireplaces from France were, despite structural challenges, painstakingly reassembled. Another highlight was discovered upon removing layers of old carpeting in the French Room Salon: lustrous marble flooring illuminates the Adolphus’ graceful timelessness.
Suite-Me-Up: The upgraded guestrooms, courtesy of local firm Duncan & Miller, have a residential feel and feature uninterrupted downtown Dallas views, gleaming hardwood floors, and a curated selection of artwork.
Seen: Hospitality Design, WeHeart
✅ free Wi-Fi • size matters: 407 rooms (37-139m2) (398-1,500 sq ft) & suites (46-140m2) (495-1,507 sq ft) • hotel opened: 1912 • interior design: Swoon the Studio • bathroom amenities: Red Flower • parking possible on-site (charged) • pets allowed • 24-hour front desk • wheelchair accessible
