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    Small Town Staycation

    This charming Dallas suburb offers an unexpected weekend escape

    Julia Bunch
    Feb 8, 2017 | 10:34 am

    Forget McKinney’s status as a suburb of Big D; this quaint town has a personality all its own. Book a babysitter and pack a bag for you and your honey, or call your friends and ditch reality for 48 hours in this North Texas charmer.

    Stay
    Accommodations at the Grand Hotel & Ballroom situate you right near the action — the town square, that is. Each of the 44 rooms are decorated in different styles with antique furniture. Book early because the Grand Hotel often hosts wedding and events that occupy most of the hotel. The friendly staff is helpful in recommending attractions and restaurants.

    If you’re looking to be in a quainter atmosphere outside downtown, try the McKinney Bed and Breakfast. The B&B has only three rooms, making it much quieter than staying closer to town. Husband and wife innkeepers spoil guests with al fresco breakfast and snacks.

    Explore
    At 289-acres, the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Refuge is a haven for birders, wildlife lovers, and casual hikers. Walk any of the 6.5 miles of trails solo or check the Heard’s website for a list of bird walks and guided hikes.

    Shop
    If your idea of a stroll involves more window displays than warblers and wrens, park a block or two away from the Old Collin County Courthouse (you’ll be lucky to find a good spot) and weave in and out of the streets window shopping. Try on shoes at Pumps, shop ethically sourced goods at Fair & Square Imports, and update your wardrobe at Bloom women’s clothing boutique. But you won’t need an agenda for exploring the square. Just don’t miss the part sandwich shop, part antique store, part greeting card store called Patina Green Home and Market (a CultureMap editor’s pick). The owners prioritize locally grown goods, making the sandwiches taste extra delicious. Order the beet pastrami, or the smoked ham and cheddar, or anything, really.

    Dine
    You can’t go wrong with food from Spoons, Rye, Square Burger, or Square Sushi. For a classier affair, make a dinner reservation at Harvest to dine on the local and regional menu and craft cocktails. Sugarbacon also comes highly recommended by CultureMap editors. Health-conscious eaters should order the ancient grains salad and indulgers should get the barbecue shrimp and grits. Outside the square, Hutchins BBQ has the best brisket stuffed jalapeños this side of of the Mississippi.

    Drink
    Stop at Landon Winery on the square to split a bottle on the breezy patio with a cheese board or hummus plate, or belly up to the bar for a tasting of several of Landon Winery’s own vinos.

    Venture outside the square for a McKinney-made beer at Tupps Brewery, adjacent to the historic cotton mill. The Texas Shade hefeweizen is an easy drinker but the Northbound 75, made with poblano peppers, makes for the most interesting brew. For the full experience, go on a Saturday afternoon while the brewery hosts live musicians. Order a flight or play one of the bar games, such as bean bag toss.

    To stay outside the downtown area, try the McKinney Bed and Breakfast.

    McKinney Bed and Breakfast
    McKinney Bed and Breakfast/Facebook
    To stay outside the downtown area, try the McKinney Bed and Breakfast.
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    Hotel News

    Storied Dallas hotel aims to reclaim grand status with new restaurant

    Teresa Gubbins
    Apr 9, 2026 | 1:07 pm
    Lions Den, Stoneleigh Hotel
    Photo courtesy of The Stoneleigh
    Lion's Den is described as a modern Italian supper club with American classics.

    A storied hotel in Dallas is ready to relaunch: The Stoneleigh hotel, located at 2927 Maple Ave., is debuting following a major transformation with a goal to reclaim its status as "The Grand Dame of Uptown."

    As part of its revival, the hotel — formerly known as Le Meridien Dallas, The Stoneleigh — will join Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection, a portfolio of more than 330 properties that also includes the Adolphus and Hall Arts Hotel.

    A multimillion-dollar transformation of the Stoneleigh includes reimagined interiors by boutique design studio Fettle and a new restaurant led by a James Beard Award-winning chef. The hotel remained open during the renovation.

    The Stoneleigh first opened in 1923, and was billed as the tallest hotel west of the Mississippi at the time of its opening. It's the second-oldest hotel in Dallas, following The Adolphus. It has undergone more than one rebranding during that time, including a $36 million renovation in 2008. It has been a Le Meridien since 2013.

    Its transition to Marriott’s Autograph Collection is designed to solidify its status as one of Dallas’ premier hotels, while aligning it with a portfolio of properties known for individuality, character, and memorable guest experiences.

    According to a representative, the property will officially rebrand on April 15.

    Stoneleigh Hotel Newly transformed room at Stoneleigh Hotel.Stoneleigh

    Bold new design
    The revitalized Stoneleigh will feature:

    • Expansive guest rooms and suites redesigned with bold textures and vibrant patterns
    • Immersive community programming featuring live music and entertainment, for hotel guests and locals alike
    • Reimagined pool and terrace
    • Meeting spaces and private venues
    • Fitness center with a focus on advanced performance equipment and strength training

    Dining
    The hotel will feature two new dining concepts led by chef Michael White, whose accolades include five simultaneous Michelin stars and multiple 3- and 4-star reviews from The New York Times. He was recently featured on a segment on the Today show.

    Bar Leonessa
    Now open, Bar Leonessa is a daylight café that evolves into a nocturnal cocktail lounge. It serves artisanal coffee, European pastries, and inventive spirits amidst a stylish Dallas atmosphere.

    Lion's Den
    Slated to open May 1, the hotel's main restaurant is described as a modern Italian supper club, with a menu of American classics, pastas, and a sprinkling of contemporary trends.

    There's caviar with crème fraiche & potato chip, mushroom toast, and Caesar salad. A second course of pastas includes gnocchi, garganelli with prosciutto & English peas, agnolotti with oxtail & leeks, mushroom risotto, bucatini with clams, and tagliatelle with ragu Bolognese.

    Entrees include:

    • cauliflower steak with pinenut sauce romesco
    • branzino with artichoke
    • veal chop with asparagus
    • ribeye with rosemary potatoes
    • Dover sole
    • Guinea hen cacciatore with Jimmy Nardello peppers, squash, and tomato

    There are two sharing dishes: surf & turf with filet mignon and langostino; and Porterhouse Two Ways with tartar de manzo, strip loin, baked potato, and tableside egg.

    An impressive list of seven desserts includes on-trend offerings such as olive oil cake, soft-serve ice cream, and a tiramisu big enough to be shared.

    The restaurant is a concept from BBianco, a hospitality group founded by chef White and partner Bruce Bronster, which also includes Santi, an Italian restaurant they opened in New York in 2025.

    Lion's Den will initially be open for breakfast and dinner, with lunch and brunch to be added at a later date.

    “The Stoneleigh has always been more than a hotel — it has been a gathering place, a cultural landmark, and a symbol of Dallas’ spirit,” says Shai Zelering, Managing Partner, Global Head of Hospitality at Brookfield’s Real Estate Group. “This reimagining honors that legacy while introducing fresh, immersive experiences. With Chef Michael White leading the culinary vision, The Stoneleigh will once again be the centerpiece of Uptown.”

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