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    Pool Party

    Take a dip in the most fabulous hotel pools in Dallas

    Jennifer Chininis
    Claire St. Amant
    May 29, 2014 | 12:03 pm

    Exemplary amenities are essential to the hotel experience. And in a city like Dallas, where summertime temperatures require reprieve, those amenities must include a spectacular pool, preferably outfitted with plenty of chaise lounges, umbrellas, and food and beverage service.

    Most of the pools on this list are available only to hotel guests, so consider this a staycation guide for locals. From rooftop bliss to family fun, these are the best hotel pools in Dallas.

    Fairmont Dallas
    The Fairmont boasts one of the bigger pools in Dallas — a junior Olympic-sized beauty with excellent views of the city — especially when compared to other downtown hotels. That means ample seating and, of course, restaurant service, which is all the more enjoyable at strategically placed dining areas. Fairmont Dallas hosts a Summer Dive-in Movie series, which kicked off May 24 and runs every Saturday evening at sunset through August 30. Films are family-friendly, and refreshments include popcorn, salads, smoothies, old-fashioned hot dogs and burgers, and cocktails for the grown-ups. The series, like the pool, is available to guests only.

    Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas
    For the quieter side of Dallas, head to Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas. An oasis in the ’burbs, this family-friendly luxury resort has four pools from which to choose — including one spa pool exclusively for adults — available only to hotel guests and Four Seasons members. The flagship water feature is a winding pool accented by tropical landscaping and a waterfall. There’s a sandy beach at the family pool, where the maximum depth is 4 feet. Sun shy? Then head to the indoor Olympic-sized pool.

    Gaylord Texan
    The Gaylord Texan is practically its own town, and it’s worth booking a staycation in Grapevine just to swim — especially if you have kids. This outdoor bonanza includes a 600-foot lazy, winding river; two horse-shoe-shaped hot tubs that feed into a general swimming area; and slides, zipline and 27-foot-tall waterslide. There are 1,200 lounge chairs, beach chairs and family-style rounds, so there’s room for everybody. Pools are for resort guests only.

    Hotel Lumen
    The pool at this boutique hotel across from SMU may not be as impressive as some of the others on the list, but it offers what most do not: public access. On Sundays in the summertime — around mid-June to mid-August — swimmers and sunbathers of all ages can enjoy some pool time and complimentary nonalcoholic beverages and passed snacks for a small entrance fee. If you want to upgrade to a full meal and some grown-up libations, the Front Room happily obliges.

    Hotel Palomar
    Hotel Palomar has pool time down to an art. The heated infinity pool is perfect for swimming laps any time of year. Seating options ranging from traditional lounge chairs to outdoor couches provide a more relaxing pool experience for those averse to physical exertion. The pool is accessible only to hotel guests, but cabanas can be rented for private events.

    Hotel ZaZa
    Nestled among skyscrapers is a perfectly landscaped lap-style pool, with comfortable lounge chairs and the peaceful sound of a waterfall. It’s like being in your own backyard — if your backyard were an urban oasis packed with people much prettier than you are. The pool itself is modest — and available only to guests — but the people-watching is top-notch. And you can do that from next-door Dragonfly if you don’t have a room.

    The Joule
    The Joule has a real gem in its plexiglass-fronted pool. Designed by Adam D. Tihany, it hangs off the edge of the building by 8 feet, so guests feel like they are swimming off the hotel’s edge. Plus the view is like no other in Dallas. Hotel guests have complimentary use of the pool (which is also heated), and chaise lounges and cabanas are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Hungry? How about a quinoa bowl with almonds, goat cheese and roasted vegetables. If you must have Wi-Fi, there is access.

    NYLO Dallas South Side
    The infinity pool at NYLO South Side is making waves for its urban-cool vibe, which suits its South Lamar Street address. It’s a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown, but it still offers an incredible view of the skyline. Seating may be sparse, but the limited lounging just makes it all the more desirable, right? Hotel guests can take a dip in the pool and enjoy snacks and sips courtesy of Soda Bar. Not a guest? Throwing a private party is always an option.

    Omni Dallas
    The Omni Dallas infinity pool and hot tub offers a stunning, up-close view of downtown. Shaded and in-the-sun chairs provide ample lounging from which to take in the sights. The Omni pool is heated in the wintertime, making it a relaxing dip any time of year. The full-service bar doesn’t hurt, either. But you better get a room: The Omni pool is for guests only.

    Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
    Everything about the Mansion feels refined, including the residential-style pool, which has a Palm Springs feel. What it lacks in size it makes up for with comfort — and access to the award-winning cuisine coming out of that famous kitchen. Enjoy those dishes — and cocktails, naturally — at the trellised dining area before resuming your position on the sunning deck. Guests only, please.

    W Dallas Victory
    If you’re looking for a birds-eye view of Dallas, then the 16th floor pool at the W Hotel is it. A glass enclosure allows guests to safely swim up to the skyline from dusk to dawn. The W’s signature food and drink service is available poolside, so you won’t have to lift a finger while you lounge on top of the world. The pool is open only to residents and guests — but that’s an incentive to stay there, right?

    Fairmont Dallas welcomes guests to Summer Dive-in Movies on the rooftop.

    the fairmont, dallas, pool, hotel
    Photo courtesy of Fairmont Dallas
    Fairmont Dallas welcomes guests to Summer Dive-in Movies on the rooftop.
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    where to travel right now

    Coastal holiday boat parades + 10 more Texas travel ideas for December

    Amber Heckler
    Dec 2, 2025 | 2:10 pm
    The Illuminated Boat Parade in Corpus Christi
    Photo courtesy of Downtown Corpus Christi
    The Illuminated Boat Parade in Corpus Christi takes the festivities to the water.

    Winter is here, Texas! That means only one thing: It's time to plan a festive holiday getaway, or finally book that must-needed staycation to unwind from the Thanksgiving break blues.

    North Texas travelers can head down to the coast for a weekend of holiday boat parades, get inspired at a Celtic holiday festival outside Austin, or keep things simple and local with an overnight stay at a Dallas Arts District hotel.

    Here are our top 11 picks for winter Texas travel events, hotel news, and more in December.

    Throughout Texas

    There's a new luxury van service connecting Austin, San Antonio, and Houston: Shutto, a new mobility shuttle startup, is now offering luxe road trips Monday through Saturday with departure times in the morning and evening. Riders can enjoy complimentary WiFi while they relax on plush leather seats during their stress-free ride in Mercedes Sprinter vans. Van routes also include a guaranteed pit stop at Texas' favorite travel center Buc-ee’s. One-way fares range from $47-$87.

    Austin

    Immersive experiences are a fun way to spend time with friends and family, and a new virtual reality (VR) experience is giving visitors a look at ancient Egypt: Horizon of Khufu will debut at VieVR (11000 Middle Fiskville Rd., Ste. A1) on December 5. During the 45-minute tour, guests will explore the Great Pyramid of Giza, "fly" over the plateau, look off the top of the pyramid in every direction, explore the corridors and burial chambers as an embalming ceremony happens, and much more. Tickets ($36 for adults and $32 for children) are available via Fever.

    Downtown Austin hotel Hyatt Regency Austin has completed a big renovation project to make over its 448 guestrooms and suites, plus its meeting rooms, public spaces, and more. The hotel has also opened three new dining concepts: Texas-inspired restaurant Ripple & Roots, a breakfast eatery called Cypress Grove, and grab-and-go food market Juniper Breeze Market. Nightly rates at the newly renovated Hyatt Regency Austin begin at $213 in December.

    There's a piece of Celtic holiday cheer hidden in the rolling woods of McDade, a small town 35 miles east of Austin. The Sherwood Celtic Yuletide Festival is returning from December 12-14, transforming the grounds of the beloved Sherwood Forest Faire into a winter weekend of music, merriment, and holiday magic. Guests can expect artisan shopping, archery, live music, Highland Games like Scottish hammer swinging and shot put, and more. Tickets (including day passes, weekend passes, and camping) are available online starting at $12.50.

    Sherwood Forest Faire Yuletide Festival 2024 Participants at last year's inaugural Yuletide Festival. Photo courtesy of Sherwood Forest Faire

    Houston

    The Thompson Houston hotel is kicking off the holiday season with its "12 Days of Thompson" series from December 4-25. A few of the special activities, created for both locals and visitors, include a hot cocoa station in the hotel library (December 8), a local maker's market (December 13), a pet-friendly photo hour (December 20), and many more mini celebrations. Rates at the Thompson Houston begin at $283 per night.

    Along the Gulf Coast

    Texas coastal city Corpus Christi is hosting multiple lighted holiday boat parades during December. The first extravaganza – the Port of Corpus Christi Illuminated Boat Parade – is scheduled on Saturday, December 6 starting at 7 pm. Local boaters will compete for the title of "most festive vessel of the season" and an after party will follow. La Posada Lighted Boat Parade will take place the following weekend (Dec. 12-13) with U.S. Marines on site for a children's toy drive at Doc's Seafood & Steaks to help Santa collect new, unwrapped toys.

    San Antonio

    The future site of San Antonio's Pearl mini golf course (1100 Springs Plaza) has been temporarily turned into an outdoor ice skating rink for the holiday season until January 4, 2026. The iconic Pearl district has made its own transformation into a winter wonderland shimmering with lights and holiday music. Tickets to the ice rink at Pearl range from $20-$28 and include skate rental. Skate sessions last about an hour, and the last skate at 9:15 pm is 45 minutes long.

    At home in Dallas-Fort Worth

    The first-ever CultureMap City Rink, presented by Verizon, has made its grand debut at the Main Street Garden in downtown Dallas, and will run until January 5, 2026. Visitors can expect themed pop-ups and a full slate of programming designed for every kind of holiday reveler. From romantic Date Skate Wednesdays to Family Movie Nights and Shop + Skate Saturday Markets, there’s something new happening each week. Tickets are $18 for all ages, and include skate rentals and 75 minutes of ice time. Advance tickets, group reservations, and private rink rentals are available at cityrink.culturemap.com.

    CultureMap City Rink tree lighting 2025 The CultureMap City Rink will be open through January 5, 2026. Photo by Ashley Gongora

    The HALL Arts Hotel in Dallas' Arts District is offering guests a special "Holiday at the HALL" package for stays booked from December 13-31. The package includes a single-night stay with a welcome amenity, complimentary valet, a $50 dining credit for hotel restaurant Ellie's Restaurant & Lounge, and late checkout. Nightly rates with the "Holiday at the Hall" package begin at $389 in December.

    Congratulations are in order for Fort Worth and Frisco, which were the only two Texas destinations included among Good Housekeeping's "23 Unexpected City Vacations to Add to Your Travel Bucket List" in its 2026 Travel Awards. The lifestyle publication had more than 125 travel testers — including staff members, travel industry experts, and trained consumer evaluators — discover unexpected destinations with the best attractions, accessibility, lodging variety, safety, service, and overall appeal.

    The luxurious Bowie House hotel in Fort Worth will teach North Texans all the tricks for making the best tamales during a tamale-making class on Saturday, December 20 from 2-3:30 pm. Attendees will learn how to make fresh masa, master the technique for wrapping tamales, and take home their own to impress their loved ones. Tickets are $85 per person and can be purchased online via Tock.

    The Illuminated Boat Parade in Corpus Christi

    Photo courtesy of Downtown Corpus Christi

    The Illuminated Boat Parade in Corpus Christi takes the festivities to the water.

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