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If anything could dislodge Park Cities swells from the smoky bog of Javier's, it would be Central 214. The bar at Tom Fleming's restaurant in the Hotel Palomar is the most inviting destination for discriminating tipplers in many months.
Forget everything you might've thought about the bedraggled "Hiltop Inn." The Palomar, which holds its grand opening Thursday, is a complete and inspired transformation, one that's reflected in the effortless cool and comfy touches (backlit bar, glazed ceramic stools) of the lounge, designed by Paul Draper.
In 10 words or less: Amber waves of glam at Hotel Palomar
How happening: Strong midevenings for such a recent arrival
Who's there: Hotel guests and early adopters
Prime real estate: The casual couches looking out to the lobby
- Mr. Dallas (10/2006)
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By SUZANNE MARTA / Staff Writer
With its newly opened Hotel Palomar and Residences, upscale boutique inn operator Kimpton Hotels and Restaurant Group LLC is driving its first stake into the competitive Dallas travel market
Developed by Realty America Group and Behringer Harvard Real Estate Investments, the project signals a shift for Kimpton, which is better known for intimate hotels crafted from historic downtown buildings
The Palomar is being billed as an "urban resort," a $100 million complex with a hotel, spa, condominiums and retail on a 5.4-acre site at the southeast corner of North Central Expressway and Mockingbird Lane
Early responses from customers have been positive, said Joe Schwingler, general manager of the Palomar, which has 198 rooms and almost 9,000 square feet of meeting space
"People are raving," he said. "They're happy to see the hotel return to its place as a jewel."
The stylish hotel has had three previous identities over the last four decades. It opened as the Dallas Hilton Inn, then changed to the Hiltop Inn and most recently became the derelict Hotel Santa Fe. Through all of its transformations, the original blond brick exterior was left substantially intact. But to create the Palomar, the hotel interior was taken down to the studs and remade with an artsy theme
The lobby entrance is colored in a sophisticated chocolate-brown palette. A fireplace-warmed "living room" encourages guests to linger with gourmet coffee service in the morning and wine in the early evening
On the first two floors, where the lobby, restaurant and meeting space are located, Kimpton installed $500,000 worth of original artwork.
Such improvements are intended to recapture the attention of locals and travelers alike.
Dallas' Hotel Palomar is the company's third under that name, following the original in San Francisco and a Washington D.C., location that opened in July.
Published in The Dallas Morning News: 10.07.06
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