More about Adolphus Hotel
Dallas - High End
by keeweechic about Adolphus Hotel
Adolphus Busch of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association put a proposal to the city of Dallas to buy the City Hall property and build a 20 storey hotel. The City accepted and in 1912 the Adolphus Hotel was opened. At that time the French Renaissance Beaux Arts structure was the tallest building in Dallas and was dubbed the 'most beautiful building west of Venice'. In 1981 the original building was restored. The hotel has beautiful artwork and antiques displayed in an old world theme.
At the corner of the building is a Budweiser beer bottle shaped turret.
The hotel has 428 guestrooms and luxury suites. The French Room is a richly decorated restaurant complete with murals, arches and chandeliers and serves a classic French cuisine. The New York Times comments were "...indisputably the most striking and sumptuous restaurant in Dallas..." and Gourmet Magazine named The French Room one of America's "Top Tables," . It has also been listed on Conde Nast Traveler's Top 20 Restaurants in America, and was awareded Zagat Survey's Top 20 Food Ranking.
The Rodeo Bar & Grill at the Adolphus Hotel
by Bullabong
Great food and big portions. Menu includes burgers, sandwiches, salads, quesadillas, steaks and pizzas.
The bar has a great atmosphere and a good range of beers and cocktails. Lots of interesting artefacts on the wall . There is a huge trough full of monkey nuts that you can help yourself to. Everyone eating the nuts throws the shells on the floor! Great fun!
Skyscrapers from Reunion Tower
by grandmaR
The Pegasus at the top of the Magnolia Hotel is in the center of this photo. In front of it is another building designed by Sir Bossom for Adolphus Busch (the brewer). The Adolphus Hotel at 1321 Commerce St was the tallest building in Dallas when it opened in 1912.
On the far left is Thanksgiving Tower (1601 Elm - built in 1982) a 50 story all glass skyscraper . The next tall building toward the right is 1700 Pacific (also built in 1982) - a red granite clad skyscraper. "The base of the building aligns with the grid that is turned 45 degrees, while the tower aligns with John Neely Bryan's original street grid of Dallas which is roughly turned 15 degrees. At the 43rd floor, the tower begins a series of step backs that are turned on an angle with the 45 degree tilt. The building is 655 feet tall and has 50 floors. It is the 7th tallest building in the City of Dallas. The top of the building is illuminated at night."
The tallest building though is the Bank One Center built at 1717 Main in 1987. The tower is capped off by a barrel vault which starts out as a rectangle and therough a few setbacks ends up cross shaped tower. "At the top each arm is capped by a barrel vault. The center sections of the building that ultimately become the vaults are glass curtain walls, while the remainder of the building is clad in granite with smaller, rectangular windows. The height of the skyscraper is 787 feet and it has 60 stories, making it the 3rd tallest building in Dallas. At night the upper portions of the barrel vaults are illuminated with up lights that highlight the decorative grilles above the highest occupied floor."
Stayed 2 Nights - Got Charged for 3
by A TripAdvisor Member
I recently had the misfortune of staying at the old Adolphus Hotel. My original schedule called for me to stay three nights. On the third day, my work unexpectedly ended shortly after noon. We immediately called the hotel and requested a late checkout which the hotel staff granted. I checked out before 1:00pm in order to catch a 3:00pm return flight.
I received my credit card bill yesterday which contains an overcharge equal to another night's stay. I have tried to contact the Adolphus to no avail. I have been placed on hold and the hotel will not return my calls. In more than 25 years of business travel, I have never had anything similar happen to me.
I was surprised to learn that the Adolphus is supposedly a five star hotel. I will acknowledge that I did have a lovely view of the interior corridor. Make sure that you get one of these desirable rooms. On the other hand, if you want to see something besides a glimpse into another guest's room, these rooms aren't for you. I also had the pleasure of hearing the fine plumbing at the Adolphus whenever a neighboring guest flushed their toilet.
This Place Rocks!
by A TripAdvisor Member
Came to Dallas on business and would return for pleasure. Outstanding symphony - and the Sixth Floor Museum (a short walk from the Adolphus hotel) is amazing. Neiman Marcus is all you've heard it is - and then some! The Adolphus is centrally located, and my wife and I found many things to do nearby. If the weather is iffy, they have a luxury sedan that takes you to and from some of the city's best attractions. Our room was beautifully furnished and very cozy. It had easily the best bed I've ever slept on. Awesome!
If you've ever seen the movie GRAND HOTEL, this hotel has that feeling. We even saw some hip, young celebrities in the lobby. Sure didn't expect that - but way cool!
The food is terrific, too. We ate in the Bistro most mornings. I think I gained some pounds because of it (blame it on the eggs benedict - yum!). The French Room was incredible for dinner. We felt like we were in Paris. Even though it has a royal feeling - crystal chandeliers and soaring ceilings - the staff went out of their way to make us feel comfortable and welcome. The chef even came by our table!
We stayed at the Adolphus several days, so we got to know a lot of the staff, and they became "old friends" fast. Not what you'd expect in a big city. The doorman - Phil - is a model of customer service. While we were waiting for our rental car, we watched him in action. He greeted people by name - and seemed to be everywhere at once. Wow!
My wife said forget about Eloise at The Plaza - it should be Eloise at The Adolphus!
Couldn't ask for more elegance
by TripAdvisor Member poodleone
We stayed on the spur of the moment after seeing a great rate on the Internet. What a fabulous room- so large and elegant. Best bed and linens I have ever experienced. The walk-in closet/dressing room was terrific. We were so pleased with the service as well as the charm of an old hotel. We will be back when we can take advantage of all the offereings.
Lovely Adolphus
by A TripAdvisor Member
A business trip took me to Dallas and I checked into the Adolphus for the first time. This is an old property, but well-maintained. The service from all the staff that I met was excellent with the exception of cocktail servers in the French Room Bar on a slow night. Four tables, two servers - why should a guest have to go to the bar to refresh a cocktail?
Bathrooms are small, but well-appointed and my room was spacious and very clean.
There is a fine dining restaurant on property which is closed on Sunday and Monday nights, which was most disappointing since those were the nights that I stayed.
This property might be awkward for anyone with a physical disability. From the front desk, you must go up an escalator to reach the elevators to get to your room. Also, some of the elevators need a bit of sprucing up - the wood inside is beat up and scratched.
Adolphus Better than What Surrounds It
by TripAdvisor Member wanderer
I stayed at the Adolphus for a conference and would recommend it to people who want to stay in Downtown Dallas. I'm not so sure I'd recommend staying in Downtown Dallas, but that's another story.
The Adolphus is clean, pleasant with furniture that ranges from nice to outstanding. I liked the wood paneled and mirrored elevators, which were of varying sizes. I didn't try any of the restaurants--my conference fed me some of the time and the $85 tasting menu at the French Room was a bit beyond my means.
My room was good-sized although not huge, with a good sized (not really walk in) closet and desk. At $149, I was paying a discounted conference rate. I appreciated having a radio strong enough to pick up the local NPR station, this sounds like a small thing but you don't always get that. The bed was comfortable, lighting was adequate, darkness was good at night, with no appreciable noise problems even though a group of cheerleaders was staying in the hotel. I had no water pressure problems.
There seemed to be a lot of staffpeople around. Staff talked to me more than I'm used to and even chambermaids asked if everything was alright. I didn't need this but it was a pleasant surprise.
There are some design problems. The main pedestrian entrance to the hotel is through the auto drop off area. The walkway through there is not wide enough to get a wheelchair or stroller through, it was barely wide enough for me! There's another entrance but it's only open weekday daytimes, like so much of Downtown Dallas. As mentioned before the lobby does have two different levels, connected by an escalator. I think this is the result of having an old wing and a new wing.
The hotel is near the light rail line, near the museum of John Kennedy's assassination (!), not too far from museums and concert halls in the Arts District, near a lovely grocery store/cafe/bar. But Downtown Dallas is a very dead place on Saturday, with so few people that there aren't even many homeless around!
Fabulous Hotel
by TripAdvisor Member VacationFor6
Newly renovated, this hotel is a jewel in downtown Dallas. The lobby area is magnificent. The accomodations are roomier than most, and the beds were quite comfortable. We ate at the bistro for breakfast and dinner, both were good, but not stellar. We also ate at the Rodeo Bar one evening, again good, but not great. The service in the restaurants and the hotel itself was EXCELLENT. We will definitely stay here again when next in Dallas!!
Forum Posts
Retired ladies need info about Dallas sightseeing
by cmonroe
My friend and I will be in Dallas the first of May and would like to see some highlights of Dallas. We have read about Mary Kay tour, which sounds interesting, and also about a lot of import/export stores on Harry Hines Blvd. Can you give us any info about these areas??? And any other suggestions?? Also a nice local owned restaurant, moderate priced. Thanks for all your suggestions and help.
Re: Retired ladies need info about Dallas sightseeing
by ATXtraveler
We are definitely glad you are making a visit to Dallas, Howdy!
Could you lets us know a little bit more about the things you normally like to do on vacation? If shopping is your main objective, there are lots of opportunities, if you let us know what you are looking for. There are major jewelry exchanges, carpet/rug places, textiles, electronics depending on your needs.
If history is your thing, there is the book depository and the grassy knoll for Kennedy History buffs, or the only location outside of Washington DC where a President was inaugurated (LBJ at Love Field).
Also, some people like the history of the show Dallas, which is located at Southfork Ranch. On a cowboy note, there is also the stock yards in Fort Worth.
More information on what you like to do on vacation would be very helpful. I would also recommend looking at the already built pages for Dallas by entering Dallas on the Search: function at the top, then choosing "Things to Do".
Re: Retired ladies need info about Dallas sightseeing
by YVRDave
It may not be a moderate resterant but, please look at the Fench Room at The Adolphus Hotel.
I think you ladies will love it
Re: Retired ladies need info about Dallas sightseeing
by txlcs
If you're looking for jewelry, handbags, etc.., Sam Moon is a popular place to shop. It's on Harry Hines just north of I-635(LBJ freeway). There are other small stores in the area but Sam Moon's is the best known.
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