Hotel News

Mambo taxis coming soon to new rooftop bar at the Tru by Hilton Dallas

Mambo Taxi

Kevin Marple

A Hilton in the center of Dallas has new owners with big plans for the property including a rooftop bar. According to a release, Charter Holdings and The Liberty Group have acquired the Tru by Hilton Dallas Market Center, a 152-room lodging located at 1949 N. Stemmons Fwy., with a major renovation that'll create Dallas' largest open-air rooftop bar.

The acquisition represents a strategic investment for both Charter Holdings and The Liberty Group Charter Holdings has expertise in Dallas real estate while The Liberty Group has a track record with Hilton-branded properties.

Charter Holdings president Ray Washburne says in a statement that "the Tru by Hilton Dallas Market Center aligns perfectly with our strategy of investing in high-quality assets in prime Dallas locations. We're particularly excited about transforming the rooftop into a destination bar that will offer unparalleled views of the Dallas skyline."

The rooftop bar is a key part of the plan. It will be operated by M-Crowd, Ray Washburne's restaurant group which owns Mi Cocina, and will serve great food and drinks including their famous Mambo Taxis.

"We're creating more than just a bar; we're designing a rooftop destination that will become a must-visit spot in Dallas," Washburne says. "Guests can expect top-notch cuisine, craft cocktails, and an atmosphere that captures the essence of Dallas nightlife, all while enjoying breathtaking views of the city."

Tru by Hilton Dallas Market CenterTru by Hilton

Tru by Hilton is a midscale brand launched by Hilton in 2016. They've seen rapid growth, currently boasting more than 250 open hotels worldwide with additional properties in development. The brand is known for its innovative design, affordable pricing, and appeal to cross-generational travelers.

The Liberty Group operates various Hilton properties, including full-service, focused-service, and extended-stay brands across multiple markets.

"As Dallas continues to flourish as a major economic and cultural hub, the hotel market is experiencing significant growth,” said Dan Klingerman, President of The Liberty Group. “This trend is fueled by strong demand from both business and leisure travelers, positioning the city for continued success in the hospitality industry.”

Key features of the Tru by Hilton Dallas Market Center include:

A signature enlarged lobby with areas for work, play, dining, and lounging
Complimentary "Top It" breakfast bar24/7 "Eat. & Sip." market with snacks and drinks
Modern fitness center
Efficient and streamlined room designs
Soon-to-be-renovated rooftop bar opening date TBA

The hotel's location in the Dallas Market Center area provides a prime spot for both business and leisure travelers. As part of the Hilton portfolio, the property participates in the Hilton Honors loyalty program.

This acquisition aligns with the growing trend of Tru by Hilton properties changing hands, reflecting investor confidence in the brand's performance and the strong fundamentals of the Dallas hospitality market.

The timeline for the rooftop bar renovation will be announced in the coming months.

Airport News

Dallas Love Field relocates Uber Lyft ride-share pickup spot again

Dallas Love Field

Dallas Love Field is relocating its Uber / Lyft pickup spot again. According to a release, the airport will relocate its transportation network pick-up area from Garage B to the current valet pavilion and Garage C on the terminal's southeast side.

The change will go into effect on January 3, 2025.

Impacted services include app-based rideshares (Lyft, Uber, and Wingz), taxis, limousines, and on-demand vehicles. This relocation will provide outbound ground transportation passengers with an approximate six (6) - minute walk to their ride.

This is an improvement over a change that Dallas Love Field implemented in 2023, when they relocated the rideshare pickup spot to Garage B — a location that required a lengthy and challenging walk for some less fit travelers, provoking "extreme dissatisfaction" among travelers.

An analysis completed over the summer determined that significantly less space was needed for TNC pick-up. (The previous demand capacity analysis was completed pre-pandemic.)

Starting Friday, January 3, 2025:

Passengers seeking or drivers providing app-based rideshare pick-ups will be directed to the reconfigured valet pavilion.
Passengers seeking or drivers providing taxi, limousine, and on-demand pick-ups will be directed to Garage C Level One, adjacent to the valet pavilion.
Transportation network drivers can only stage in the designated TNC holding lot and pick up passengers in the marked spaces for their service. Repeated violations will result in penalties.
Valet customers will continue using the second farthest right lane on Herb Kelleher Way to enter the valet pavilion.
Transportation providers will begin using the farthest right lane on Herb Kelleher Way to turn into the new retrofitted entrance to the valet pavilion.
Passengers requiring special assistance or accessible rides will continue utilizing the lower-level curb for pick-ups.

The six-month project repurposed existing parking spaces in valet and Garage C to create pick-up areas, retrofitted curbs, replaced striping, modified traffic light schedules, reconfigured lobby/waiting areas, and added signage.

To improve the stakeholder experience at Dallas Love Field and facilitate more organized and streamlined transportation operations, the Department of Aviation analyzed multiple locations to relocate the pick-up area. The valet pavilion and Garage C Level One were determined to be the most efficient locations due to their proximity and the comparative ease with which the solution could be implemented.

airport