After months of construction dust and closed doors, The Stoneleigh in Uptown Dallas is back in business. The century-old hotel reopened today following a months-long, multimillion-dollar transformation that delivered redesigned guest rooms, a refreshed pool and a theatrical, Dorothy Draper-inspired interior. The relaunch also introduces two chef-driven spots that are explicitly designed to pull locals back into the lobby, not just upstairs to their rooms.
Design and repositioning
Owner Brookfield Properties led the overhaul, bringing in London-based design studio Fettle to remix the hotel’s Art Deco and Jazz Age bones into a modern, maximalist interior. The property has been repositioned into Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection and is slated to roll out a lineup of public programming that ranges from poolside events to live music, as reported by Hotel Management. The work is meant to restore original architectural flourishes while layering in new amenities that appeal to both overnight guests and Uptown residents looking for a scene.
Chef-led dining moves in
James Beard Award-winning chef Michael White is taking over the hotel’s entire culinary and cocktail program and has developed two original concepts for the property, industry reporting says. His long resume, which includes multiple Michelin-starred restaurants and high-profile New York projects, has become a major selling point in the marketing around The Stoneleigh’s relaunch, per Pebble Beach Food & Wine.
What is open now
The hotel’s flagship restaurant, Lions Den, is already taking reservations and is currently listed as serving breakfast and dinner, with lunch and brunch marked as “coming soon,” according to the restaurant’s site (Lions Den). A sultry lobby bar called Bar Leonessa is set to function as a daytime cafe that transitions into a late-night cocktail room once full service is fully rolled out.
Uptown’s ‘Grand Dame’ returns
Opened in 1923, The Stoneleigh is one of Dallas’ oldest hotels and has long carried the nickname Uptown’s “Grand Dame.” Owners and managers say the redesign brings back many historic details while adding cinematic public spaces intended to draw both visitors and neighbors back into the building, according to The Real Deal.
Local coverage and reaction
WFAA’s Good Morning Texas recently featured a segment on the relaunch in which Michael White walked through the new restaurants and talked about some early menu ideas, per WFAA. The broadcast offers a quick peek inside the revamped dining rooms and highlights some of the theatrical design touches the hotel is counting on to appeal to both travelers and locals.
When to go
Rooms and event spaces are bookable now through the hotel’s reservation portal and Marriott Bonvoy (The Stoneleigh). Reservations for Lions Den are available via Resy and the restaurant’s site. Those looking to be first in the door should keep an eye on the hotel’s “Happenings” calendar for soft openings, chef events and live music nights.
