Recently, I returned to Dallas, only my second visit, for a two-night stay at the sprawling luxury property, the Omni Dallas, on the weekend of their one year anniversary: 11/11/12. Located in the revitalized downtown, the Omni Dallas Hotel celebrates all things Dallas – big, celebrities, luxury, and superb service.
view from the pool-side Uptown Terrace at Omni Dallas
Location
Like Dallas, the hotel is big: a 23-story trendy building on six acres, part of the revitalization of downtown. The exterior is steel and glass with a boomerang-shaped tower. Inside the hotel can be a bit overwhelming in sheer magnitude, with its 1,001 guest rooms and overabundance of meeting space (110,000 square feet), connected by a skybridge to even more meeting space (2.1 million-square foot) at the Dallas Convention Center.
Arrival Experience
A wide, street-level, porte-cochere spans the front entrance, efficiently welcoming arrivals. Step into the lobby and you’ll directly face the receptionist desk with several friendly faces. Check-in was quick and painless, but then step back and you’ll discover the first floor wraps around the building like a maze.
Standard Suite at Omni Dallas
The Lobby Bar is to the right, and then little pods of lounging space to the left lead to a coffee shop, gift shop and another restaurant. The elevators are cleverly disguised behind the wall directly to the left of the reception desk, again a bit confusing at first.
Accommodations
Upon entering the room, the television was turned on to the hotel’s channel, and I was immediately able to view my message, “Welcome to the Omni Dallas, Diana.” A nice touch when just arriving. My view was of the downtown, but others reported a view of the back parking lot.
My standard accommodations (two queen beds) were more than adequate, although some reviews have noted the rooms were a bit smaller. I particularly liked the expansive work desk directly underneath the flat-screen, and multiple plug-ins for all my electronic equipment. For my meeting group, complimentary wireless was arranged, but usually the in-room fee is $9.95.
Dining & Amenities
In addition to room service, several dining options are available for guests on the first floor,. Choose from Bob’s Steak & Chop House (Bon Appétit calls this nationally renowned steak house, “the kind of fare you’ll want to go back for again and again.”) and Texas Spice, a casual farm-to-market eatery.
The Lobby Bar is your typical hotel offering, but what stands out is the great outdoor seating (avoided in heat of the Texan summer, of course). Another interesting option is the Uptown Terrace, a pool-side place to kick-back, order a drink and enjoy the view of the Dallas skyline.
Patio of the Omni Dallas’ Lobby Bar
At the end of the evening, a group from my convention did congregate at the The Owner’s Box, the ultimate sports bar, to catch a college football game on the 16-foot screen, and drink a cold one. It was Saturday evening, and the place was packed. Service was actually quite good considering the crowd.
The Omni’s signature coffee shop is Morsel’s. I did enjoy a holiday-themed pumpkin-spiced coffee. Also offering pastries, snacks, sandwiches and other beverages, Morsel’s is located inside the Collections Gift Shop.
Although unfortunately I didn’t get to experience the spa, Mokara Spa is located on the fourth floor.
Artwork
The Omni Dallas prides itself on its local connection, displaying over 150 Dallas artists for a total of more than 6,500 pieces. These unique art piecesare located throughout the property, including in your room. The hotel’s gift shop, Collections, also showcases the artists offering an opportunity to purchase art by these local artists, in addition to the usual hotel gift shop sundries.
The Omni Dallas features more than 150 local artists, such as this display on the 3rd floor.
Summary
My first glimpse of this bigger than life Texan city was during the show that made it famous: Dallas, the famous 80s night-time soap opera. Imagine my surprise while examining the artwork on the first floor when Larry Hagman in the flesh walks into the lobby!
Besides the celebrity sightings (singer Jewel was also in the building) and the obvious meeting-friendly status, my stay at the Omni Dallas was everything a hotel should be – pleasurable and without any problems.
Book online through Hotels.com.
Accommodations courtesy of Omni Dallas
Photos Courtesy of © Diana Rowe and Omni Dallas
