Rooms for growth

Popular Dallas-Fort Worth resort debuts $120 million expansion

The Gaylord has a new claim to fame.

Photo courtesy of the Gaylord

One of the biggest hotels in the Dallas-Fort Worth area just got a lot bigger thanks to a $120 million, 303-room addition. The Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine — the top money-making hotel in Texas — celebrated the grand opening April 20 of its new Vineyard Tower.

With the opening of the Vineyard Tower, the resort now has 1,814 guest rooms, up from 1,511. In addition, the expansion adds 86,000 square feet of meeting space, bringing the property’s total meeting space to about 490,000 square feet.

As measured by self-contained exhibit and meeting space, the Gaylord Texan Resort now ranks as the country’s third largest convention and meeting hotel outside the gaming sector.

In keeping with the Gaylord's rustic and refined aesthetic, the first floor of the Vineyard Tower welcomes guests with a dedicated main driveway and outdoor garden terrace.

One of the tower's highlights is the 30,000-square-foot Tate Ballroom, named in honor of Grapevine’s longtime mayor, William Tate. The décor in the second-floor ballroom pays tribute to the Texas longhorn.

Nashville, Tennessee-based Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc. owns the Grapevine resort.

“This expansion illustrates Ryman Hospitality Properties’ confidence in group-business demand within our brand,” says Mike Stengel, senior vice president of operations for Gaylord hotels and Marriott convention hotels.

A report from San Antonio-based hotel consulting firm Source Strategies Inc. shows that in 2017, the Gaylord Texan Resort collected the most overall room revenue among Texas hotels — nearly $89.1 million.

The resort hosts an array of major events in Grapevine. For instance, the property will be the site of Meeting Professionals International’s World Education Congress in 2020. In 2013, the gathering was held at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas.

With its many restaurants and other amenities — including Glass Cactus Nightclub, Paradise Springs waterpark, Relâche Spa & Salon — the Gaylord is also a popular staycation destination for Dallas-Fort Worth residents. Its holiday lights and ice displays make it a top attraction throughout December.

hotels

an architect's dream

This stunning steel house is the No. 1 most 'wishlisted' Airbnb in Texas

Robert Bruno Steel House Airbnb in Ransom Canyon, Texas

Photo courtesy of Airbnb

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A stunning architectural paradise just minutes outside of Lubbock is drawing attention as the most sought-after Airbnb property in Texas.

The vacation rental platform's 2026 list of the most "wishlisted" listings in the U.S. surveyed over 2,000 people to find which properties "offer a unique experience for every type of adventurer across all 50 states." More than half of all respondents said uniquely designed listings would attract them to previously overlooked destinations.

The Lone Star State's most desirable — and most fascinating — Airbnb listing is Architectural Marvel: Robert Bruno Steel House, a futuristic 2,200-square-foot three-story piece of art. Last year, the most wishlisted property was a shipping container treehouse in North Texas.

The structure was built and designed by sculptor and Texas Tech University professor Robert Bruno in 1973, but it wasn't quite finished by the time Bruno died in 2008 at the age of 63. The famous building and its history was extensively documented by Texas Monthly in 2022.

"The Robert Bruno Steel House is a one of a kind house and you will never see anything like it," the listing says. "Enjoy the beautiful sunrise on the balcony and the stunning sunset from the large windows."

Robert Bruno Steel House living room Experience the views from the comfort of the living room.Photo courtesy of Airbnb

The Steel House is a 20-minute drive east from Lubbock and about five hours from Dallas, located near Lake Ransom Canyon and offering beautiful views of the water.

The listing says it can accommodate up to eight guests across three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, and a spacious living room, and it offers in-unit washer and dryers for extended stays. Guests might become awestruck at the home's organic and unconventional design, the flood of natural light coming through stained glass windows, the sweeping staircases, and more.

"I first discovered this house in the mid[-]90s from an old 80s art magazine," one reviewer said. "This is truly a very rare sculptural an[d] architecture marvel to be able to stay in. The new interiors artfully compliment the design and are comfy. The view in the canyon is splendid through the windows. It was a true treasure and I’m glad it’s open to the public to be shared."

Robert Bruno Steel House bedroom Two of the Steel House bedrooms have queen size beds, while the third bedroom has a king.Photo courtesy of Airbnb

The property also boasts an abundance of local wildlife, such as deer and two great horned owls — which also means drones are prohibited on the premises for their protection.

Two-night minimum stays at the Robert Bruno Steel House in May 2026 start at about $585 per night, according to the listing.

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