Best Hotels near Southern Methodist University

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. Oil heiress Caroline Rose Hunt turned this mansion of a former cotton mogul into a hotel in 1981. Now, the property envelopes guests in elegant decor, with guest rooms sporting French doors opening up onto private balconies. (Meanwhile, the RoseBuds for Children program will ensure that your little one has everything he or she needs for a peaceful night, including kid-friendly bath products and a crib, if necessary.) 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. And to satisfy your taste buds, executive chef Sebastien Archambault cooks up new American cuisine with French influences at The Mansion Restaurant. This five-star hotel gets rave reviews, with many recent guests saying the staff go above and beyond to anticipate guests needs. However, there are still some naysayers who – despite the hotel's recent renovations – claim there's room for design improvements.

New to the Hilton brand, The Highland Dallas is the first hotel in Hilton's boutique Curio Collection and aims at adding sleek personality to the hotel. So far, recent guests haven't been disappointed with the swanky digs or the customer service, saying staff goes out of their way to meet their needs (including those of your four-legged friends). Pooches aren't the only ones pampered at this property, however: Treat yourself to a massage or yoga class at the Exhale Spa before spending a lazy afternoon by the infinity pool and an evening at the popular Knife restaurant. When it's time to sleep, you'll find Italian Frette linens and 32-inch flat-screen TVs in your room. And while these features – combined with a great seat near the southeast corner of Southern Methodist University's campus – surely capture guests' attention, most visitors say that it's the warm, welcoming staff that make their stays memorable. Members of the Hilton Honors loyalty program may use their existing points for perks like free room upgrades.

If you're looking to sample traditional Texan luxury, consider a night or two at the Warwick Melrose Hotel. Sitting about 2 miles north of the Dallas Arts District, this stunning property was constructed in 1924 and has since catered to such notables as Elizabeth Taylor, Luciano Pavarotti and Arthur Miller. It's easy to see why the rich and famous choose to stay here: Though it lacks a pool (a sore point for some guests), the hotel is decked out in Old World decor, and the Landmark Restaurant is a favorite among guests and critics alike. While some recent travelers observed a need for an update in the decor, the traditional king rooms are still fitted with amenities like plush bathrobes and 37-inch TVs. The presidential suite covers 1,500 square feet and boasts a crystal chandelier and a garden tub. Recent visitors also warn about the street noise at night – for a more peaceful slumber, make sure to reserve a room facing away from Oak Lawn Avenue.