Any suggestions for a nice hotel in Dallas?? I'm attending a show at the convention center in Feb 04. Good food suggestions also welcome.

One of the big drawbacks about the Dallas Convention Center is that there is not a hotel in the immediate area. If you don't have budget constratints, I'd recommend the Le Meridien at the Plaza Of The Americas, or the Adams' Mark. They are right on the DART rail line, so you'd just be a short train ride from the Center. If your budget is smaller, there is a Hampton Inn between the West End and the Convention Center that is walking distance. Other hotels downtown include the Magnolia (which gets great reviews here), and the Fairmont.

Dallasites LOVE to eat out, and there are SO many good

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Dallasites LOVE to eat out, and there are SO many good restaurants in the city! Look at www.dallasnews.com for the Guide section, and check out the restaurant reviews there. West End mostly has chain-type restaurants. Deep Ellum has some funky and eclectic places. McKinney Avenue has more upscale places. It's your choice!

I've stayed at the Adams Mark and plan another for the next convention because of the DART service and because the hotel offers 24 hr room service. Sometimes convention schedules don't allow time for dinner so it's nice to have room service. I haven't been there for a couple of years but recall that they had a great breakfast buffet.

If you want a very nice hotel, there's the Adolphus ~~ http://www.hoteladolphus.com/

Many of the big conventions run shuttle bus service to the main hotels with whom they have negotiated favorable rates for their attendees. You should check on this with the sponsor of the show, as it may impact your decision.

Hyatt Regency is another neaby hotel choice. It's massive, but it does offer a number of restaurant choices in-house, if you don't feel like leaving the hotel to eat.

Just finished a huge Dallas convention and I stayed at the Adolphus for the duration. I think I would prefer the Magnolia though it is a couple of blocks further. The Adolphus is certainly walking distance to the convention center but you will probably have a shuttle, as someone mentioned above. The Adams Mark and Le Meridian are FARTHEST from the conventin center, being on the East Side of downtown.
The Fairmont is on the far north side of downtown. Other choices nearby would be the Hyatt, Hotel Lawrence or the Hampton Inn, which are on the west side of downtown and you could walk to the convention center if you wanted, or needed to. I missed the bus one morning and could not wait 30 minutes, so I just walked 5 minutes and I was there...

The DART train runs right in front of the Adam's Mark and the Le Meridien, and then right under the Convention Center. It's quite convenient!

The Adolphus is a great hotel with character. The French Room there has fabulous food but is expensive.

Hi Christie... you are TOTALLY right! I live here (and always drive) so I am not familiar with the public transit. Stupid, huh?
Ok... now that Christie has estabished that it is really quick to get to the CCtr I would suggest the LeMeridian (now the Westin) over the Adams Mark.
But the Adolphus, Magnolia and Lawrence have it all over the above hotels. And FYI, I had Thursday night price fixe dinner at the French Room. 145 per person. It was good, but not that damn good!

Go ChristieP, you are right once again. You give great recommendations. I agree with you completely.

Well thanks, y'all.

I am a BIG fan of using the DART rail when I have to go into downtown Dallas, or when I want to go to the Dallas Zoo. (I wouldn't even know how to drive to the Zoo since I always take the train!)

I stayed at the Hyatt last year and hated it... I would definitely recommend one of the other hotels in the area.

It's relatively close and if there is a big convention, they will probably have shuttle buses (it's about 5 minute walk or so). However, there is nothing around it and it is right off of railroad tracks. Freight trains bas pass by enough to be annoying. Probably the worst Hyatt I have stayed at IMO.