2026 world's best awards

4 Dallas hotels win 2026 World's Best Awards from Travel + Leisure

Hotel Crescent Court topped the list as the No. 1 best hotel in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Photo courtesy of Crescent

Dallas' top-tier hospitality industry is continuing its winning streak: Four local hotels and resorts were lauded among the best hotels in the world, according to Travel + Leisure's 2026 World's Best Awards.

Travel + Leisure's annual World's Best Awards are the culmination of readers' choice surveys of the ultimate travel experiences around the globe, which include the top hotels, resorts, travel destinations, and more. The 2026 survey had more than 207,000 responses from T+L readers with over 661,000 votes across 10,088 accommodations, cruise lines, and other properties.

Leading the pack in Dallas-Fort Worth is Hotel Crescent Court, which soared to the top of the list of the best local hotels in 2026. With 186 guest rooms, 40 luxurious suites, a rejuvenating spa and fitness center, and a rooftop heated pool, Hotel Crescent Court offers guests an inviting atmosphere that feels much more like a "home away from home" than a hotel. And according to T+L readers, its grand design is another perk of the stay.

"The landmark in Uptown Dallas sets itself apart with a blend of European-inspired elegance and classic Texan hospitality, as well as its castle-like façade, designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Philip Johnson," T+L wrote.

Hotel Crescent Court's private dining club is one of the best-kept secrets in the city. Photo courtesy of The Crescent Club at Hotel Crescent Court

In all, Dallas dominated the local list with four out of five hotels based in the Big D. The HALL Arts Hotel made its grand debut on the list, while The Adolphus and Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek made the cut for another consecutive year. Rosewood Mansion also appeared on T+L's separate list of the 500 best hotels in the world in May 2026.

The best hotels and resorts in Fort Worth
Fort Worth's famous Hotel Drover was the only Cowtown entrant on the list of the best hotels in the Metroplex. The five-year-old hotel is celebrating half a decade in the Stockyards this year with anniversary packages, multimillion-dollar upgrades, and more.

Fort Worth's Bowie House also reaffirmed its status as one of the most deluxe hotels in the region (and beyond) after it ranked as the 15th best hotel in the U.S. for 2026.

The city of Fort Worth was also dubbed the 6th best travel destination in the U.S. this year, proving that readers are still obsessed with visiting Funkytown for its historic attractions, restaurant scene, and more.

"In its 31st year, the World’s Best Awards continue to be a reflection of the extraordinary experiences that you, our trusted readers, crave," T+L editors wrote. "This year, we at Travel + Leisure implore you to explore the winners with the same curiosity in which you chose them. While some hotels offer a rich backstory and entrancing interiors, others are brand new to the hospitality scene... As for the top cities, tried-and-true reign supreme with phenomenal attractions, superlative hotels, and electric dining scenes."

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End of the Road

Hill Country's Enchanted Rock opens expanded backcountry to hardcore hikers

Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Enchanted Rock Ranch is a new purchase that was added on to the state park in 2025.

Confident hikers have a new area of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area to explore in the Texas Hill Country. On July 7, the park opened the Backcountry Area, which invites visitors to stop by during the daytime for self-guided use.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says additional amenities will be added later to accommodate visitors of all experience levels.

This marks the first phase of development for the newly expanded state park, which doubled in size thanks to a 3,073-acre acquisition in 2025.

Enchanted Rock, in Fredericksburg, is one of Texas' Centennial Parks, a group of parks purchased or expanded through the $1 billion Centennial Parks Conservation Fund that Texas voters approved in 2023. Each is on a timeline that guides how the public will use them; at 12 months, they should be ready for guided hikes, and in 18 months, visitors can "explore on their own," a webpage about the Centennial Parks explains.

“This first wave of development will be a good fit for true adventurers who want a more rugged experience than what they’ve been currently experiencing at Enchanted Rock,” said superintendent Doug Cochran in a press statement. “Future phases will see closer parking so people of other experience levels can enjoy the beauty of the Backcountry.”

For now, the only way to access the Backcountry is through park headquarters, followed by a roughly two-mile hike to the pedestrian gate. Visitors can find their way through new trail maps at the headquarters and online.

Because the park expansion is still early in its development, visitors should take extra precautions. Trails are "rugged," TPWD says, and there is not much shade. There are two water refill stations in the new area: one at the entrance and another toward the center of the property with a portable restroom.

TPWD further cautions that hikers bring their own water, salty snacks, sunscreen, long shirts, a buddy, and a cellphone. Having a hiking plan in advance enhances safety, especially if it includes heat safety precautions.

The Backcountry Area at Enchanted Rock will have different hours from the rest of the park. The Backcountry will be open from 8 am to 6 pm.

Texans plugged into park news have likely heard about several new park projects. In Central and South Texas, they include the newly purchased Silver Lake Ranch, Bear Creek State Park, and an area in Burnet and Lampasas Counties including Yancey Creek.

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