Traveling around Texas

RedCoach luxury bus service fires up flash sale with $1.50 fares from Dallas

Ride to Austin for $3.

Courtesy of RedCoach

Luxury bus operator RedCoach, already known for its affordable $15 fares, is slashing tickets to rock-bottom prices for a limited time.

From February 24 to March 8, RedCoach is offering a 90 percent discount to the Dallas market for university students and the general population, according to a release.

That makes a $15 ride to Austin or Houston just $1.50 one-way or $3 round-trip. Less than a gallon of gas, the company notes.

"Travel and gas prices continue to rise, which is putting a damper on travel plans," the release says. "RedCoach is offering this promotion as part of its commitment to providing luxury travel at an affordable rate, for everyone."

The discount is available for all routes to and from both Dallas-area departure points — in downtown Dallas and a newly opened stop in Richardson (five minutes from University of Texas at Dallas).

Eligible routes are:

Dallas to Houston / Houston to Dallas
Dallas to Waco / Waco to Dallas
Dallas to Austin / Austin to Dallas
Richardson to Houston / Houston to Richardson
Richardson to Waco / Waco to Richardson
Richardson to Austin / Austin to Richardson

The only route that is not eligible for the promotion is College Station.

Travelers to and from Dallas and Richardson can use the following discount codes when booking online to get the discount:

UTD90 – University of Texas at Dallas students
UTA90 – University of Texas at Arlington students
SMU90 – Southern Methodist University students
DALLAS90 – All Dallas travelers

RedCoach, which launched in Texas in 2021, bills itself as an affordable option for luxury transportation and offers first class (27 seats), business class (38 seats), and economy class (56 seats). Perks for first and business class include extra legroom (always a plus) and the ability to recline seats up to 140 degrees.

Amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets, onboard entertainment, complimentary snacks and water, and no baggage fees.

RedCoach competes against Dallas-based Vonlane, which serves Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. RedCoach bills itself as an affordable option for luxury transportation.

Everyday prices start as low as $15 for one-way trips (Houston to Dallas and Houston to Austin, for example). A RedRider program allows users to rack up travel points and earn free tickets.

RedCoach’s current pickup and drop-off points in Texas are:

Dallas — Curbside adjacent to Café Herrera and Omni Dallas Hotel entrance, 593 S. Lamar St.
Richardson — 170 W. Campbell Rd.
Austin — Embassy Suites by Hilton, 300 S. Congress Ave.
College Station — Texas A&M University’s Wisenbaker Engineering Building, 188 Bizzell St.
Waco — 249 Daughtrey Ave. (new address)
Houston — Residence Inn Houston Downtown/Convention Center, 904 Dallas St.
Katy — Buc-ee's, 27700 Katy Fwy.

transportation

Hotel reno

Luxury hotel near DFW Airport unveils major refresh and new dining

Photo courtesy of Ricardo Marriott

House of Toro is the new chophouse at The Ricardo Marriott.

A longtime Westlake luxury hotel is ready to unveil a major renovation and rebrand to the public: The former Marriott Westlake has reopened as The Ricardo Marriott, named for famed Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta, the original designer of the hotel and its surrounding Solana Plaza.

According to a release, the 293-room property near DFW Airport recent underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation that included several new dining concepts and social spaces, along with new design elements, guest room refurbishments, and a pool refresh.

Dallas-based Coury Hospitality led the overhaul of the Marriott, Bonvoy Collection hotel.

"The Ricardo Marriott represents an exciting new chapter for this property,” said Andrew Casperson, President of Coury Hospitality, in a statement. “This transformation goes beyond a renovation. It reflects an intentional effort to honor the building’s architectural significance while introducing a renewed identity that is bold, design-driven, and reflective of Westlake’s evolving character.”

The renovations aimed to honor and augment Legorreta's original, 1987 design for the building and its campus, featuring his signature bold geometry and vibrant colors. (Legorreta's other well-known local building is the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, which features similarly striking colors and shapes.)

"Legorreta’s architecture anchors the experience, creating a strong sense of arrival, while refreshed interiors introduce layered materials, contemporary furnishings and curated color that elevate the guest journey," says the release.

The centerpiece of the renovation are the food and beverage offerings:

A new restaurant called House of Toro Chophouse & Patio serves as the hotel’s signature chophouse.
Black Pearl Lounge offers cocktails, light bites, and tableside caviar service.
Solana Lounge & Kitchen provides all-day dining with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Café31 offers Lavazza coffees, fresh pastries, and grab-and-go options.

The hotel also features more than 15,000 square feet of updated meeting and event space, along with outdoor areas and a new-and-improved pool. The spaces are designed to accommodate a range of uses, from corporate meetings to weddings and social events, the release says.

The Ricardo Marriott is now open and welcoming guests, at 1301 Solana Boulevard, Building 3, Westlake.

dfw airport renovation hotels