Hilton Anatole

Hilton Anatole is a towering hotel on a large property in downtown Dallas. The sprawling lobby atrium is Asian-inspired with large reflecting pools surrounded by simple, cushioned furniture and a wood framed veranda. Plants and potted trees add color, while warm sunshine enters from the glass ceiling on clear days. Around this central area are wings with more places to sit and an impressive array -- more than 1,000 pieces -- of art, much of it from Asia.

The serenity the lobby inspires is a bit at odds with the purposes of most of the venue’s clientele. The Hilton is located in a high-business part of town and has the ability to accommodate large groups; thus, the majority of guests are business travelers or conference attendees. That said, Hilton Anatole offers a lot for vacationers as well. Its location next to I-35 makes it easy to get around the entirety of Dallas. The V Spa, the hotel’s extensive wellness center, also draws guests seeking relaxation.

Despite boasting acres upon acres of greenery and a large sculpture garden, the area around the Hilton Anatole is in a gritty, less than welcoming part of the city. Its proximity to I-35 makes it easy to get around town, though. Nearby, there are corporate offices, other hotels, and the Southwestern Medical District. Trinity River Greenbelt Park is about a half-mile south. The hotel is about a twenty-minute drive northwest to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

Rooms at Hilton Anatole are large and clean. Keeping with the lobby decor, rooms have red accent walls, Japanese and Chinese prints, and headboards mimicking pagoda silhouettes. In addition to two double beds or a king-sized bed, there’s a workspace and reading chair with ottoman. Rooms come with a large flat-screen TV, coffeemaker, MP3 alarm clock, and free newspaper on weekdays. Wired and wireless Internet are available as well, but for a fee. The marble-countertop bathrooms are moderate in size but include a tub and Peter Thomas Roth bath products. Views of the Dallas skyline are visible in the distance from some rooms.

Hilton Anatole has a lot to offer -- a range of eating and drinking options, a beautiful art collection, sprawling grounds, and an extensive meeting space, to name a few. The hotel’s health club, The Verandah, is so posh that locals come specifically to use the facilities. The space includes a full basketball court, tennis and squash courts, an indoor lap pool, weights, cardio machines, and more. The connected V Spa offers an array of body and face treatments. The fitness center and spa all cost extra, as does the Wi-Fi and parking.

The Hilton has five on-site restaurants and bars, which range in offerings from the fine dining steakhouse SĒR to the burger joint Media Grill + Bar. Lighter fare can be found at Counter Offer while cocktails are served at Gossip Bar. 24-hour room service is available. And the hotel's dedicated event space is massive, with more than 600,000 square feet that includes 79 meeting rooms and 11 ballrooms.