Hotel Swexan in Dallas' Harwood District will debut with 3 new restaurants

A new hotel opening in Dallas' Harwood District will open with three culinary concepts including a steakhouse.

It's the Hôtel Swexan, a 134-room boutique hotel fusing Swiss heritage and Texan hospitality, launched by Harwood Hospitality Group (Happiest Hour, Saint Ann Restaurant & Bar, Dolce Riviera) and set to open in mid-2023.

According to a release, all three restaurants and cocktail spaces will be open to Hôtel Swexan guests and non-guests alike.

Stillwell's
The "headlining act" is Stillwell’s, a bold Texas steakhouse which pays homage to its female heroine for which it is named, Hallie Stillwell.

Located in the heart of the hotel on the seventh floor, Stillwell’s will be a gathering point and celebratory destination for locals and guests alike, with a lively bar, inventive cocktails, plush seating and mid-century, jewel-toned and walnut adorning design.

The restaurant will exclusively serve HWD – Harwood Premium Beef – a new sourcing vertical that has been years in the making. Through a partnership between Harwood International and a Texas/Oklahoma ranch, Stillwell’s guests will receive world-renowned, locally raised and ranched Akaushi cattle. One of the hallmark features of the HWD Beef (aside from its exclusivity at Harwood restaurants) is its zero-waste component. HWD utilizes the full animal, turning hides into leathers and rugs, and bones to make stocks, sauces and even dog treats, ensuring no waste is produced from the partnership.

Menu highlights at Stillwell’s will include a decadent chilled shellfish & caviar selection pulling the best from Pacific & Atlantic waters; appetizers blending steakhouse classics like Steak Tartare with playful items like Lobster Corn Dogs with Mustard Crème Fraiche & Micro Shiso; a wide selection of proprietary bone-in cuts such as a the 32 oz. Tomahawk & 24 oz. Smoked Beef Rib, sit alongside a 28-day Dry-Aged New York Strip and other classic cuts from the HWD Beef selection. Guests will also find familiar but over-the-top sides like Beef Tallow Fries, Port Salut Mac & Cheese and Jumbo Onion Rings with Green Goddess.

“When developing the menu for Stillwell’s, we wanted to infuse traditional steakhouse offerings with an unexpected twist – whether it be an adventurous new flavor, an elevated childhood treat, or plates that bring local farmers and purveyors to center stage,” said Executive Chef Raymond Bocanegra. “Stillwell’s dishes are sophisticated, yet colorful and inspiring, meant to be shared, promote conversations and expand to new palettes, while remaining proud and true to our roots as an authentic Texan steakhouse.”

On the beverage front, Master Sommelier Barbara Werley has crafted a stunning wine list featuring rare and hard-to-find wines including back-vintages from world renowned producers to a robust selection of large format bottles. The cocktail menu tips its hat to steakhouse classics while a curated list of spirits and after-dinner drinks round out the program.

Isabelle’s
Isabelle’s is Hôtel Swexan’s chic lobby-level enclave with a patio inspired by the sidewalk cafes of Europe. Dappled with bright light and French flare (do they mean "flair"?), it will serve Parisian-approved breakfast, lunch and light bites. The main event will be Isabelle’s afternoon tea program, a curtsy to the hotel’s European influence and inspired by the grand hotels of London and Paris. Guests will enjoy the combination of sweet and savory with classics like Cucumber and Caviar Tartine or Tea Sandwiches, side-by-side with craveable pastries and fruits of the season. A selection of teas, coffees, sparkling wine and aperitifs ensure a perfect accompaniment, whether the guest is seeking a traditional experience or something more celebratory. In the evenings, Isabelle’s will transform into a swanky martini bar for the perfect night cap, with a menu inspired by the mixology capitals of the world, from Tokyo to New Orleans.

Babou’s and the Library at Babou’s
Babou’s and the Library at Babou’s is an energetic, underground room and cocktail lounge. Towering bookshelves and rich leather seating allow for intimate conversation, but a separating door gives way to a hidden cocktail bar, with colorful carpeting, electric wall art and even expertly curated, one-of-a-kind restrooms. Babou’s and the Library at Babou’s will be the hotel’s exuberant nightlife destination – a floor dedicated to entertainment, connection, and curiosity.

A family-owned, 134-room boutique concept, Hôtel Swexan strikes the perfect fusion of its familial Swiss heritage with quintessential Texan hospitality (as denoted by its moniker). Situated in the heart of Dallas, Hôtel Swexan offers enchanting suites, five independent hospitality concepts, a private social club and an expansive rooftop infinity pool with panoramic views of the Dallas skyline. Exuding European elegance and old-world luxury yet remaining true to its lovable and unwavering Texan spirit, the hotel is uniquely playful and inviting.

Harwood International is an international real estate firm with offices and developments in select niche markets, including Dallas, Geneva, and London which has transformed the Dallas neighborhood into the acclaimed Harwood District featuring office, residential, and retail within a park-like campus with gardens and art-filled lobbies. The 19-city block District will continue to grow to include over 14 million square feet of office, retail, and residential development.