hospitality awards

Storied Dallas hotel crowned best Texas resort for 2025 by U.S. News

Rooftop pool at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas

Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek is the best resort in Texas.

Photo courtesy of U.S. News & World Report

Nearly two dozen of Dallas' most luxurious hotels have earned new accolades in U.S. News & World Report's just-released rankings of the best hotels and resorts in Texas for 2025.

The 15th annual report by U.S. News analyzes more than 31,000 properties across the United States, Europe, Bermuda, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. Hotels are ranked based on industry awards, star ratings, published opinions from travel experts, and online guest reviews.

Dallas' prestigious Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek claimed the No. 1 spot in the publication's list of Best Resorts in Texas.

This resplendent hotel has been on the radar for many locals and out-of-towners who want the most extravagant experiences in the city. Oil heriess Caroline Rose Hunt first turned the property into a hotel in 1981, and it underwent extensive renovations in 2020 to upgrade its luxe guest accommodations.

"Rosewood Hotels & Resorts' flagship property sits north of the vibrant Dallas Arts District, providing the tranquility needed for a good night's sleep alongside the convenience of a relatively central location," the hotel's profile says. "Now, the property envelops guests in elegant decor, with guest rooms sporting French doors opening up onto private balconies."

Guest room bathroom at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek Everyone deserves a relaxing stay at a top-tier hotel.Photo courtesy of U.S. News & World Report

But a stay there won't come cheap, U.S. News warns, considering its numerous amenities and on-site activities.

"When you're not admiring your digs, take advantage of the hotel's temperature-controlled outdoor pool and deck or head to one of the nearby parks for a little fresh air," the publication says. "And to satisfy your taste buds, executive chef Charles Olalia cooks up new American cuisine with French influences at The Mansion Restaurant."

The esteemed hotel has received many top awards of late, including earning one Michelin Key in its inaugural Texas guide. The One Key status is awarded for hotels that provide exceptional stays with guest services that go above and beyond what other similar hotels would offer.

Rosewood Mansion's attentive staff inspired many five-star reviews, which is what U.S. News says helped the hotel cinch the win over all other Texas resorts.

Five other Dallas-Fort Worth resorts ranked among the statewide top 25 as follows:

No. 4 – Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa
No. 5 – The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas, Irving
No. 10 – Dallas/Fort Worth Marriott Hotel & Golf Club at Champions Circle, Fort Worth
No. 11 – The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa, Frisco
No. 15 – Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine

The best hotels in Texas
In U.S. News' separate ranking of the best Texas hotels for 2025, Dallas-Fort Worth took home the highest number of awards with 18 total hotels earning spots on the list.

San Antonio's Hotel Emma continued to reign as the No. 1 best statewide, and ranked No. 19 in U.S. News' nationwide rankings.

Meanwhile, The Joule in downtown Dallas' historic district ranked highest out of all DFW-area hotels on the list, and climbed into the No. 3 spot in Texas.

According to the hotel's profile, the Joule's vast modern amenities and its contemporary chic design are extremely deserving of reviewers' high praise.

"Recent guests say they were beyond impressed with the decor, as well as the numerous amenities, including a library and several shops," U.S. News says. "The Joule's stunning infinity pool is also worth a look: Its daring rooftop design earned it a spot on our list of the Prettiest Hotel Pools."

Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek also appeared in the top 10, landing at No. 9 statewide.

The 16 other Dallas-Fort Worth hotels that earned recognition among the top 50 best hotels in Texas are:

No. 4 – Hotel Crescent Court
No. 5 – The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas
No. 6 – Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection, Fort Worth
No. 7 – HALL Arts Hotel Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton
No. 8 – Hôtel Swexan
No. 9 – The Adolphus, Autograph Collection
No. 19 – Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa
No. 25 – Hotel Vin, Autograph Collection, Grapevine
No. 27 – The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas, Irving
No. 29 – Hotel Drover, Autograph Collection, Fort Worth
No. 38 – The Crescent Hotel, Fort Worth
No. 40 – Grand Hyatt DFW, Grapevine
No. 42 – The Westin Dallas Southlake
No. 43 – Live By Loews, Arlington
No. 46 – Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton Convention Center
No. 47 – Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star

hotels resorts us news & world report awards dallas

Best of the South

Southern Living lauds Hill Country hotspot among best towns in the South

Photo by Steve Rawls

undefined

The famous German Hill Country town of Fredericksburg is getting the spotlight as a must-visit destination in Southern Living's 2026 South's Best Awards.

Fredericksburg claimed the coveted No. 3 spot in the publication's ranking of the Best Small Towns in the South.

The annual awards are determined through third-party online surveys of Southern Living consumers from July 9 to September 9, 2025. Over 17,000 respondents rated their favorite places across the South, the report said.

The top two best small Southern towns were St. Augustine, Florida (No. 1), and St. Simons Island/Golden Isles, Georgia (No. 2).

Specifically, Southern Living gave a nod to Fredericksburg's growth and the recent addition of The Albert Hotel, which opened in 2025. The Albert Hotel was ranked the 10th best new hotel in 2026.

"The city’s premier full-service luxury hotel revives a cluster of 19th-century landmarks, from a historic saloon to a former pharmacy that is now a cafe, deli, and artisan market," the report said. "Alongside the 105 minimalist guest rooms, a holistic spa and a limestone pool provide moments of quiet relaxation."

We all need a relaxing day poolside at the Albert Hotel pool oasis.Photo by Chase Daniels

As the Fredericksburg area grows, Southern Living said, it still maintains its cozy, small-town feel.

"Fredericksburg still wears its German heritage on its sleeve, evident throughout Main Street architecture and a lively cluster of biergartens and long-running seasonal festivals," Southern Living wrote. "Wine lovers will feel particularly at home thanks to more than 100 wineries and tasting rooms scattered throughout town and the surrounding countryside."

It's no wonder Southern Living decided to locate its 2026 Idea House there.

Popular events like the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival and locally focused programs like the Texas Hill Country Wineries wine passports draw in crowds from all parts of Texas. The town is about a five-hour drive from downtown Dallas, which makes it a great weekend or spring break escape. North Texas travelers might even spot small patches of bluebonnets during their road trip through the Hill Country.

No matter which route you take, travelers should make a pit stop through another small Texas town called Marble Falls, which is home to one of Southern Living's most legendary Southern restaurants: Blue Bonnet Cafe. According to the report, its longstanding staff members embody the idea of "southern hospitality" every day.

"There’s one real reason the Blue Bonnet Cafe is so widely respected: The folks who run the place have been holding this small-town diner to high standards for years," the report said.

Blue Bonnet Cafe opened in 1929 and was later bought by the Kemper family in 1981, who still own and operate it today. Southern Living recommends ordering one of the blue plate specials, and a slice of pie is a mandatory treat.

"With 15 options — from luxuriously creamy to bright and fruity — you’re guaranteed to find one you’ll love," the report said.

Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls, Texas Ordering a slice of pie is a requirement, not a suggestion.Blue Bonnet Cafe - Marble Falls, TX/Facebook

The only other Texas destination to earn recognition in Southern Living's annual awards was the iconic Franklin Barbecue in Austin, which was crowned the best barbecue joint in Texas by the publication's readers.

"Fans from around the world queue up for hours to experience the craftsmanship that has made Franklin a barbecue celebrity," the report said. "Flawless prime-grade brisket with a sweet, tangy glaze is still the showstopper here, and it’s accompanied by the quintessential Central Texas lineup of pork ribs, turkey, and jalapeño-Cheddar sausage."

travel southern living awards fredericksburg marble falls barbecue austin