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

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top camping destinations

2 Texas campgrounds made the list of best places to camp in America

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Two Texas campground were just ranked among the best in America for 2025: Galveston's Stella Mare RV Resort in Galveston and Neches Bluff Overlook Campground in Davy Crockett National Forest.

For its 2025 Best Places to Camp Regional Awards, campground review platform The Dyrt combed through the most highly rated and favorably reviewed campgrounds across its website. Campgrounds were sorted into six regions: Central, Midwest, Mountain, Northeast, Pacific, and Southeast.

Stella Mare RV Resort ranked No. 6 on the The Dyrt's ranking of the best campgrounds in the Central region. The coastal resort is about 300 miles south from Dallas, or about a 4.5-hour drive.

Stella Mare offers 195 different RV sites just steps away from the beach and is pet friendly, making it an ideal summer vacation destination for families that want to spend as much time as possible near the shore. Campsite rates range between $39-$598 per night.

Stella Mare RV Resort Stella Mare is a great destination for families.Photo courtesy of The Dyrt

Other amenities provided by the resort include high-speed Wi-Fi, 30-50-amp service, two dog parks, barbecue grills, a heated outdoor pool, splash pad, hot tub, and a 3,000-square-foot observation deck. Stella Mare also hosts weekly events such as craft activities, bingo, and more.

In one review, a returning guest praised the resort's cleanliness and the attentive staff.

"We have visited Stella Mare every December for 4 years now. This last winter we stayed for 2 months and really enjoyed Galveston," the reviewer said. "The campground is well maintained. The staff is super friendly. They have events for all ages multiple times a week including kid and adult only crafts, candy bar bingo, wine night, s'mores, and golf cart parades for holidays."

Thrifty campers will enjoy staying at Neches Bluff Overlook Campground, which ranked as the No. 8 best campground in the Central Region. Neches Bluff Overlook is a free campground located in the Davy Crockett National Forest, which is about 150 miles southeast of Dallas.

Neches Bluff is a primitive campground that only offers "minimal amenities," according to The Dyrt, which means campers will have to rely on their own preparedness if they want to spend several nights in the East Texas forest. The campground operates on a first-come, first-serve basis, and guests are welcome to pick their own site and "create [their] own adventure."

One of the most stunning features of Neches Bluff is the panoramic views of the forest from the overlook, according to reviewer Rachel H.

“There was a creek nearby that we hiked up and down, even found what appeared to be a natural spring feeding the creek," wrote Rachel. "We used the creek as our water supply, and the water was delicious. Lots of cool rocks, and even found a couple snail shells. 10/10 would definitely go again and explore more. The overlook is so pretty, and honestly, this place gave us the perfect camping experience."

The top 10 best places to camp in the Central Region, according to The Dyrt, are:

No. 1 – The Wall, South Dakota
No. 2 – Scoria Pit, North Dakota
No. 3 – Buffalo Gap, South Dakota
No. 4 – Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground, North Dakota
No. 5 – Big Pine Campground, South Dakota
No. 6 – Stella Mare RV Resort, Texas
No. 7 – Hackberry Hollow Campground - Indian Cave State Park, Nebraska
No. 8 – Neches Bluff Overlook Campground - Davy Crockett National Forest, Texas
No. 9 – Territory Route 66 RV Park and Campgrounds, Oklahoma
No. 10 – Wilson State Park Campground, Kansas

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