Where to Stay in Dallas: The Best Neighborhoods and Hotels for All Budgets

Best neighborhoods in Dallas

Downtown

Downtown is where most Dallas hotels are, so it’s the easiest neighbourhood to find something that fits your budget and style. You’re close to the Sixth Floor Museum, the Dallas Arts District and Klyde Warren Park, and it’s an easy Uber to just about everywhere else on this list. It can feel a little quiet on weekends once the office crowd clears out, but for convenience alone, Downtown is hard to beat.

Uptown

If I had to pick one neighbourhood to base myself in Dallas, it would be Uptown. It’s easily the most walkable part of the city – no small thing in a city built for cars – and it’s got a great mix of restaurants, bars and boutique shopping, especially along McKinney Avenue. It can be a bit more upscale, so don’t expect many bargains here, but if you want a Dallas base that’s polished and easy(ier) to get around on foot, this is it.

Deep Ellum

Deep Ellum is Dallas’s arty, gritty heart, all murals, live music and late-night bars. It’s one of my favourite neighbourhoods in the city to spend an evening in – but there aren’t many hotels actually inside the district. I’ve included the closest and best options, but you may end up staying a short drive or Uber away and coming here to eat and drink rather than sleep.

Bishop Arts District

Tucked into Oak Cliff, Bishop Arts has a quaint, small-town feel that’s rare in a city as spread out as Dallas. It’s full of independent boutiques, galleries and some of the city’s best restaurants, and it’s a great pick if you want to feel like you’re staying somewhere with real neighbourhood character. Like Deep Ellum, hotel options are limited, so I’ve focused on the closest, best-rated choices.

Design District / Victory Park

This is Dallas at its sleekest and most modern, home to the American Airlines Center, plenty of contemporary art galleries and some striking architecture. It’s a good base if you’re in town for a game or concert, and it’s close enough to both Downtown and Uptown that you’re never far from anything else on this list.

🚘 Dallas is very car-dependent, so wherever you stay, factor a rental car or regular Uber use into your plans. Check rental car rates and availability with DiscoverCars, my preferred hire aggregator. 🚘

Best hotels in Dallas, Texas

Here’s a summary of the best hotels in Dallas. Read on for more detailed overviews of each one.

Hotel	Neighborhood	Price range	Check prices
Hotel Indigo Dallas Downtown	Downtown	$$	CHECK RATES HERE
Hampton Inn & Suites Dallas Downtown	Downtown	$	CHECK RATES HERE
The Joule	Downtown	$$$	CHECK RATES HERE
The Adolphus, Autograph Collection	Downtown	$$$	CHECK RATES HERE
Canopy by Hilton Dallas Uptown	Uptown	$$	CHECK RATES HERE
Hyatt House Dallas/Uptown	Uptown	$$	CHECK RATES HERE
W Dallas	Uptown	$$$	CHECK RATES HERE
Kimpton Pittman Hotel	Deep Ellum	$$$	CHECK RATES HERE
Home2 Suites by Hilton Dallas Downtown at Baylor Scott & White	Near Deep Ellum	$	CHECK RATES HERE
The Bishop Arts Hotel by Qresorts	Bishop Arts District	$	CHECK RATES HERE
The Madison Hotel	Bishop Arts District	$$	CHECK RATES HERE
Virgin Hotels Dallas	Design District	$$$	CHECK RATES HERE
Hilton Anatole	Design District	$$	CHECK RATES HERE

Where to stay in Downtown Dallas

Hotel Indigo Dallas Downtown

⭐️ Booking.com rating: 8.3 ⭐️ | Best boutique hotel in Downtown Dallas

I stayed here on my most recent trip back to Dallas, and it’s a hotel I’d happily book again. Hotel Indigo Dallas Downtown is right on Main Street beside the historic Majestic Theatre, an easy walk from the AT&T Discovery District and Dallas Farmers Market, and Deep Ellum is only 10-15 minutes away on foot.

The building dates back to 1925, and the colourful, characterful décor makes the most of that history rather than going for a standard chain feel. My room was comfortable (we loved having a separate bedroom), the bed was excellent and the staff were consistently friendly throughout my stay. It’s this kind of personality, paired with a central location, that makes it my top boutique pick Downtown.

Hampton Inn & Suites Dallas Downtown

⭐️ Booking.com rating: 8.4 ⭐️ | Best family-friendly stay in Downtown Dallas

The Hampton Inn & Suites Dallas Downtown is a solid pick if you want reliable chain-hotel comforts over a boutique atmosphere, especially if you’re travelling with family or on a budget. It’s on Commerce Street, close to the AT&T Discovery District and an easy walk to the convention centre, Deep Ellum and the Farmers Market.

The complimentary hot breakfast is one of the biggest draws, and there’s a large indoor pool that makes this a good year-round option for families, plus suites with useful extra space. 

Street noise is a recurring gripe, so ask for a high floor if you’re a light sleeper. There’s no self-parking (valet only, around US$50 a night), so factor this into your budget.

The Joule

⭐️ Booking.com rating: 8.9 ⭐️ | Best luxury hotel in Downtown Dallas

For contemporary luxury, The Joule is Downtown’s standout. The Joule occupies a beautifully converted 1920s neo-Gothic building on Main Street, right across from the giant “Eye” sculpture, and it doubles as something of an art gallery, with a strong collection on display throughout.

The signature feature is the cantilevered rooftop pool, projecting dramatically out over the edge of the building, and the subterranean spa is one of the best in Dallas (the facials are well worth it). 

I love coming here to eat and drink: CBD Provisions is a beautiful brasserie, Sassetta is one of my favourite romantic restaurants in Dallas and the bartenders at underground cocktail bar Midnight Rambler mix a mean cocktail. For a special occasion, this is one of the best hotels in Dallas to book.

The Adolphus

⭐️ Booking.com rating: 8.5 ⭐️ | Best historic luxury hotel in Dallas

If The Joule is Downtown’s contemporary luxury pick, The Adolphus is its historic counterpart. Opened in 1912, it’s one of Dallas’s most storied hotels, all grand public rooms and ornate architectural details.

The seventh-floor rooftop pool is stunning, with city views and cabanas, although it can get crowded if there are weekend events and parties. There are several dining options that all make it easy to never leave the hotel: City Hall Bistro, Rodeo Bar and Otto’s Coffee, as well as the French Room’s must-book afternoon tea.

The 407 rooms are individually styled with high ceilings, curated artwork and historic details, and it’s a Marriott hotel so you can earn or redeem points. Definitely let the staff know if you’re celebrating a special occasion – they like to add thoughtful touches like room upgrades or anniversary champagne.

→ READ NEXT: How to spend a weekend in Dallas

Where to stay in Uptown Dallas

Canopy by Hilton Dallas Uptown

⭐️ Booking.com rating: 8.8 ⭐️ | Best hotel in Uptown Dallas

Canopy by Hilton Dallas Uptown sits right in West Village, one of the most pedestrian-friendly pockets of Uptown, surrounded by restaurants, cafés, bars and boutiques. If you want to walk out the door and be somewhere good within a few minutes, without relying on a car or an Uber, this is the best Dallas hotel on the list.

The rooftop lounge, with cocktails and skyline views, is the thing everyone raves about, backed up by a stylish, contemporary design that feels more boutique than chain. There’s a fitness centre, pet-friendly rooms, an on-site café and restaurant, room service and complimentary tasting evenings. There’s no pool here though, and parking is valet only.

Hyatt House Dallas/Uptown

⭐️ Booking.com rating: 8.4 ⭐️ | Best self-contained hotel in Uptown Dallas

If you need more space than a standard hotel room, Hyatt House Dallas/Uptown is the pick. Suites come with fully equipped kitchens and separate living areas, which is great if you’re staying a while or travelling with family. It’s about two blocks from the American Airlines Center, making it a useful base for games or concerts.

Breakfast is excellent, with a good spread of eggs, sausage, potatoes, waffles, oatmeal, fruit, yogurt and granola, and there’s an outdoor pool and hot tub. 

This is a functional hotel rather than a fashionable one, and its Harry Hines Boulevard location is less appealing for strolling than West Village, but for space and value, it delivers.

W Dallas

⭐️ Booking.com rating: 8.0 ⭐️ | Best luxury hotel near Uptown

If you’re in town for a game or concert, W Dallas is about as close as you can get, sitting right beside the American Airlines Center. It’s technically in Victory Park rather than central Uptown, but close enough that I think it can live in the Uptown hotel list.

The standout is the WET Deck on the sixteenth floor, an outdoor infinity pool with skyline views that stays open year-round, plus a fashionable, energetic atmosphere throughout the hotel. 

Many rooms overlook Victory Park or the skyline, some with balconies, and the suites can be particularly spacious so you’re not tripping over your luggage. Check your room carefully before booking, as some suites have open-concept bathrooms – not my favourite feature of modern hotels!

Valet parking is steep at $70 a day, and the pool can get crowded since day passes are sold to non-guests, but for a stylish stay near the arena, it’s hard to top.

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Where to stay in Dallas: Deep Ellum

Kimpton Pittman Hotel

⭐️ Booking.com rating: 8.3 ⭐️ | Best luxury hotel in Deep Ellum

Part of the Kimpton Pittman Hotel occupies the former Knights of Pythias Temple, a century-old Beaux-Arts landmark designed by William Sidney Pittman, Texas’s first Black architect, and the building was once an important gathering place for Dallas’s Black community, hosting musicians like Blind Lemon Jefferson. That history gives the hotel real character.

Rooms are modern and mostly spacious, with comfortable beds, floor-to-ceiling windows and local artwork that ties back to the neighbourhood. The courtyard pool is one of the hotel’s best features, with loungers, cabanas, a communal firepit, and food and drink service. 

Downstairs, Elm & Good is an excellent dining option, serving wood-fired dishes, cocktails and weekend brunch (here’s my guide to the best brunch in Dallas). There’s also an evening social hour, complimentary bicycles and yoga mats, and pets are welcome. 

Deep Ellum is known for its nightlife, so weekend noise can be noticeable. If you’re a light sleeper, ask for a room away from Elm Street and the railway.

Home2 Suites by Hilton Dallas Downtown at Baylor Scott & White

⭐️ Booking.com rating: 8.1 ⭐️ | Best affordable hotel near Deep Ellum

While Home2 Suites by Hilton Dallas Downtown isn’t technically in Deep Ellum, it’s close enough that you can be there in a jiffy! It’s close to Baylor University Medical Center, and a great budget-friendly Deep Ellum hotel option if the Kimpton Pittman is out of range.

The studio and one-bedroom suites come with kitchens, and the included breakfast (with make-your-own waffles) adds up to real savings for families. 

There’s also an outdoor pool and cheap parking at $19 a night. The surrounding blocks feel more hospital-adjacent than atmospheric, so you’ll need to go a little further to soak up Deep Ellum’s famous nightlife. However, the restaurants around Elm and Main streets are walkable from here.

→ READ NEXT: The best brunch in Dallas

Where to stay in Bishop Arts District

Bishop Arts has very few proper hotels, and the two below are small, independent properties rather than full-service hotels. Both sit near the district rather than right among its restaurants and shops, but they offer a lot more local character than staying Downtown.

The Bishop Arts Hotel by Qresorts

⭐️ Booking.com rating: 8.8 ⭐️ | Best affordable Bishop Arts hotel

With only 12 individually decorated rooms (in themes like Angkor Wat, Nairobi and Machu Picchu), The Bishop Arts Hotel feels more like a guesthouse than a conventional hotel, and the colourful interiors give it a lot of personality. The courtyard pool is its biggest point of difference, in a quiet, residential pocket of Oak Cliff about a 15-minute walk from the heart of Bishop Arts.

Free gated parking is a plus in a city this car-dependent. It runs as a self-service hotel, with access codes for parking, the building and your room, which some guests find a little confusing to start. There’s no elevator, so it won’t suit anyone with limited mobility, but for an affordable, characterful stay, it’s a good option.

The Madison Hotel

⭐️ Booking.com rating: 9.0 ⭐️ | Best boutique hotel near Bishop Arts

The Madison Hotel occupies a century-old former Oak Cliff boarding house, restored and reopened as a 27-room boutique hotel in 2024. It’s one of the most design-led small hotels in Dallas, all moody colours, local art and contemporary furnishings.

It’s about six blocks from the heart of Bishop Arts, roughly a 15-minute walk, in a peaceful pocket of the neighbourhood, and the Beckley streetcar stop is five minutes away for a car-free trip into Downtown. 

Rooms are small, at around 125-140 square feet, and it’s a limited-service property with no restaurant or pool, but for design lovers or a romantic weekend, it’s a lovely choice.

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Where to stay in Design District / Victory Park

Virgin Hotels Dallas

⭐️ Booking.com rating: 8.6 ⭐️ | Best hotel in the Dallas Design District

Virgin Hotels Dallas is close to the galleries, furniture showrooms, restaurants and bars that define the Design District neighbourhood. 

Rooms here are called “Chambers,” and a sliding privacy door separates the sleeping area from the dressing room and bathroom, which makes the layout feel more practical than your average hotel room. Beds are comfortable, and floor-to-ceiling windows bring in plenty of skyline views.

I love the Pool Club, a heated outdoor pool with loungers, cabanas, skyline views, a bar and a summer food menu, reserved for hotel guests (and some external bookings). 

It’s a lively, adult-oriented hotel rather than a quiet family stay, but for style and a great pool scene, it’s Design District’s best.

Hilton Anatole

⭐️ Booking.com rating: 8.5 ⭐️ | Best family hotel near the Design District

If you want a hotel that doubles as the destination, the Hilton Anatole is it. The JadeWaters resort pool complex is the defining feature: a three-acre seasonal water complex with a lazy river, two 180-foot waterslides, a beach-entry pool, a children’s splash area, cabanas and poolside dining, plus a separate leisure pool with a hot tub and swim-up bar – both kids and adults will love this! It’s one of the best family hotels in Dallas.

More than 1,000 artworks and artefacts are scattered throughout the hotel and its sculpture park, which makes the sprawling public areas worth a wander in their own right. Rooms are comfortable and clean, with tower rooms the more modern choice.

This is a huge convention hotel, with more than 1,600 rooms, so it can feel busy and impersonal. But for a resort-style family stay, it’s hard to match.

→ READ NEXT: The best places to visit in Texas

Final thoughts: Where to stay in Dallas

With a city as spread out as Dallas, where you stay really is important. Downtown gives you the widest choice and puts you close to the big sights, Uptown is the most walkable and polished base, Deep Ellum and Bishop Arts trade hotel choice for genuine neighbourhood character, and the Design District and Victory Park suit anyone after something sleeker or event-focused.

Whichever area you land on, Dallas is a great city to visit!

Best places to stay in Dallas: FAQ

Which neighborhood should I stay in for a first-time visit?

Downtown or Uptown are your safest bets. Downtown puts you closest to the big sights like the Sixth Floor Museum and the Arts District, with the widest range of hotels to choose from, while Uptown is the most walkable neighbourhood in the city and has a lovely mix of restaurants and bars right on your doorstep. If you’re only in Dallas for a short trip and want to minimise time spent in the car, I’d lean Uptown.

Do I need a car to get around Dallas?

Most likely, yes. Dallas is a sprawling city, and while Downtown and Uptown are walkable enough on their own, getting between neighbourhoods (say, from Bishop Arts to Deep Ellum) really does need a car or regular Uber use. If you’re staying in one neighbourhood and mostly exploring on foot, you can get away without renting a car, but I’d still plan for rideshares to cover the gaps.

Which airport should I fly into: DAL or DFW?

Dallas has two airports. Dallas Love Field (DAL) is smaller, easier to get through and closest to Downtown, and it’s my personal favourite to fly in and out of. If you can get a flight here, choose it. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is larger, sits between Dallas and Fort Worth, and is where you’ll land if you’re flying internationally or with American Airlines. From DFW, expect a 35-45 minute taxi into Downtown depending on traffic.

Is Dallas safe?

Dallas is generally a safe city to visit, and the neighbourhoods I’ve covered in this guide are all well-trafficked areas that see plenty of visitors. As with any big city, use normal precautions: stay aware of your surroundings, especially late at night in nightlife-heavy areas like Deep Ellum, and stick to well-lit streets when walking back to your hotel.

What’s the best neighbourhood for nightlife?

Uptown and Deep Ellum are the two standouts for Dallas nightlife, but they offer different experiences. Uptown is polished and upscale, with cocktail bars and restaurants clustered around McKinney Avenue and West Village. Deep Ellum is grittier and more music-focused, full of live venues, murals and late-night bars. 

Now you know where to stay in Dallas, which area will you choose? Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions before you visit Santiago.

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Read next

Before you go… you might like these Dallas travel articles:

• A Local’s Guide to the Perfect Weekend Trip to Dallas, TX
• The Best Brunch in Dallas
• Dallas Date Night: The Most Romantic Restaurants
• Best Day Trips from Dallas (Within 3 Hours)
• The Best Places to Visit in Texas
• How to Plan a West Texas Road Trip

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