Hotel News

New boutique hotel aimed at hipsters opens in Frisco near The Star

Two new hotels are open at Frisco Station.

Photo courtesy of Marriott

Frisco Station, a multi-use corporate campus that wraps around The Star in Frisco, has unveiled two newly opened hotels, with two more on the way.

The AC Hotel and Residence Inn are two new adjoining hotels by Marriott International that combine two hotels in the same building.

AC Hotel has 150 rooms on eight floors.
Residence Inn has 150 rooms on seven floors.

The space also features a 3,000-square-foot ballroom and media salon. A full-service Starbucks will open later this year.

Residence Inn is designed with the extended stay traveler in mind. Every guest room is a suite with choice of studio or one bedroom options, plus a functional living space. Each suite is complete with fully equipped kitchens, so guests have the control over what they eat and how their food is prepared without ever having to leave the hotel.

AC Hotel is the sexy boutique hotel, aimed at "creative, well-traveled, and business-minded guests who are constantly on the go." That includes sleek, stylish rooms with smooth wooden textures and soft fabrics; a multi-use lounge; and local art, all designed to bring an "elevated guest experience."

The first AC Hotel in Texas opened in downtown Dallas in 2017.

According to the release, the brand focuses on removing "unnecessary aspects of a normal hotel" to create a thoughtful and well-designed space. What would be unnecessary aspects of a normal hotel? Maybe a bed. Maybe a bed gets in the way of thoughtful design.

The Frisco location is described as embodying Spanish roots and a global mindset, with European-influenced food and beverage, local spirits, craft beer, cocktails, and tapas.

Marissa Maguire, who serves as general manager for both properties, points out their obvious asset: proximity to Jerry Jones.

"Our spaces will be located in the heart of Frisco Station and right around the corner from popular local attractions such as The Star and Legacy West, and is a short drive from Downtown Dallas," Maguire says in a statement.

Marriott is working with NewcrestImage on the hotels. NewcrestImage, which seems to have a space problem in its name, owns and operates 28 hotels, with another 15 under construction or in development, in Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Houston. The company is based in Lewisville.

NewcrestImage spokesman Rick Crain says that Frisco is happening.

"The North Texas area, specifically Frisco, has seen substantial growth and development in the past several years, and we wanted to be a part of the excitement," Crain says.

hotels

Smoke on the Thames

2 Michelin-starred Texas pitmasters take their world-class BBQ to London

InterStellar and La Barbecue at The Ned London

The Ned London/thened.com

Even in Austin's home scene, these restaurants are considered the cream of the crop. Abroad, this is an extra special treat.

Two of Texas' best barbecue joints are are firing up their grills in London. Austin-based InterStellar and La Barbecue are in residence for one month a London hotel called The Ned.

Service started on September 4, and guests have until October 4 to see what great barbecue tastes like on the other side of the pond.

Each restaurant sent their best representative: John Bates of InterStellar BBQ and Ali Clem of La Barbecue, the two pitmasters who opened the restaurants and led them to barbecue's first Michelin stars. Both are somewhat traditional with a few signature twists, making them a good match beyond their similar levels of prestige.

Proteins on the menu include pork ribs, pulled lamb shoulder, chopped cheese sausage, and InterStellar's famous peach tea pork belly burnt ends. Brisket will be available as an add-on. The team is also cooking up sides and pairing the bites with cocktails made for the occasion by Jack Daniels.

The exclusive sharing tray is available for $75 per person, with a minimum of two people per reservation ($150). A 14.5 percent service gratuity is also being added.

Many barbecue fans understand that a smoker plays a huge part in the final product, and being away from home could dramatically change the cooking process. An Instagram post explains (and seems to lightly promote) that the pitmasters are using Ironbrand smokers, which are custom-made in the United Kingdom.

The residency is happening at Electric Bar & Diner, The Ned's all-day American diner. The 248-room hotel is located in Poultry, on the north side of the River Thames near St. Paul's Cathedral. It is also very near to the Bank Station, a connecting station for four rail routes, making it easy to get to from many parts of London.

Booking is already going fast, so guests who want to snag a space should commit soon.

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