RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com
Although we’re already halfway through Pride month, there’s still time to consider a bit of a staygaycation right here in downtown Dallas at the legendary Fairmont Hotel. The luxury space invites guests to celebrate Pride amid its opulence and views during June.
It’s a little bit convenient, since it is close to the Dallas Arts District Block Party on June 20 and to this weekend’s Dallas Pride Music Festival and Parade.
But even if you don’t make it in June, The Fairmont is an easy choice for a staycation.
To start, Fairmont’s Gold Experience is an opulent offering that includes a suite overlooking the downtown skyline, private lounge access, an all-day honor bar, complimentary breakfast and afternoon canapes, complete with a dedicated concierge. An invitation to experience the Gold firsthand led to an overnight stay that provided an insightful look to Fairmont’s Pride offering.
And it’s a good one.
The Gold Experience starts on high — well, after you meet some very attentive valets and the friendly front desk staff. Floors 17-19 in the North Tower are all dedicated to Fairmont Gold. The dedicated lounge for the floors is found on the 18th floor.
The Rio Grande Suite was my home for the night and — Dear God!
The door opened to immediate views of the downtown skyline. That was a breathtakingly wonderful surprise before I even laid eyes upon the room itself, even for this native Dallas guy who has seen the skyline his entire life.
The suite was immediately comfortable with its cool air conditioning already running. Slightly minimalist, the living room was equipped with a sectional sofa, dining table, desk and entertainment console.
The-floor-to-ceiling windows extended into the spacious bedroom with a king size bed, closet, another television and a sitting area. The bath had a lovely walk-in shower with Le Labo products. Pardon the fixation on this, but the scents of the soaps and shampoos were easily addictive, striking a beautiful balance between traditional masculine and feminine qualities. It was, perhaps, the perfect nonbinary scent that made it easy to justify extended showers and moisturizing.
The truly appealing part of the suite was its lack of stuffiness. The decor was sleek, yes, but comfort was centerstage. Even with its luxe reputation, the room didn’t distract with unnecessary flourishes, instead creating a welcoming space through its refined design and comfort
Seriously, if I didn’t have to get out, I would have stayed in the room the entire time with my book.
But there was a whole world outside the room to see.
I grabbed my laptop to work out on the rooftop pool. On that early Friday afternoon, the pool wasn’t full, but it was busy. The pool bar greeted me, but I opted against a drink because clearly I wasn’t thinking straight — a sign that Pride was coming.
The junior-size Olympic pool was a stunning setting as Dallas skyscrapers towered around. In lieu of a dip, I found an aromatic garden with some comfy cabana-esque spots to lounge with the laptop and attack the inbox.
Depending on the time of day, the delightful experience can range on a spectrum depending on the sun. The sun was up high that day, so the heat got to me after not too long. But I suffered for my work amid the beautiful scenery before going back to the room for another shower before dinner, because — you know — I wanted to smell nice (again).
An early reservation may have been a mistake for dinner. At 6:30 p.m., the restaurant had not hit its dinner rush, so other than the table behind me, I was the only one in the Pyramid Restaurant.
Dinner began with a gorgeous salad of young lettuces and herbs. Arugula, fine herbs, honeycrisp apple with marcona almonds and manchego in a Banyuls vinaigrette combined for an astounding dish. The flavors punched with freshness and an appropriate level of tart to give each bite a flavorful kick.
Of the chef’s specialties, I ordered the Pasta Mafaldine, ribbon-shaped pasta in tomato confit with a caper gremolata and pecorino. I selected salmon as the protein. With a block of salmon steak atop the pasta, the presentation lacked a distinct finesse.
Really, the plate was a simple pasta in red sauce with a medium-cooked steak. It was all cooked to perfection, but it felt a tad simple for such a famed restaurant.
Also, I was, unfortunately, in front of a television airing a superhero movie. I like superhero movies, but having a television in the space lacked a certain elegance I had expected from such an otherwise swanky space.
The Pyramid Bar in the lobby, though, was certainly a necessary stop for guests. The bar space was impressive with a variety of seating as well as its bar seating.
I was introduced to one of the craft cocktails the hotel is offering this month for Pride. The Oak Lawn Margarita was a galaxial purple drink with a candied rim and flower garnish for a festive appearance. The purple messed with my mind as I kept expecting a different flavor, but the margarita was solid, and the sweetness was a nice, subtle balance to the drink’s tartness. The rich purple glitter transformed the cocktail into a spacey, colorful drink event.
Somehow, I missed the memo on the 18th-floor lounge despite it being in my initial invitation and even pointed it out in the elevator. Alas, the next morning, I partook in the breakfast buffet back in the Pyramid, but I would not recommend it.
On my way back up, my eyes opened to the lounge, although I had missed the breakfast served there — doh!
The space was wonderfully intimate, and I decided to take advantage of the next couple of hours to kick back in the living room lounge as the dining room was being readied for the rest of the day.
The lounge offers coffee, beverages and snacks throughout the day for Fairmont Gold guests, along with an honor bar. The space was quite lovely, and I caught it at an empty time, which made it even more enjoyable to sit in the quiet and read.
The Fairmont was a tricky experience. If Pride events were happening nearby, I’d have to debate leaving the comfort of the hotel.
But whether it’s during Pride or on some random weekend, The Fairmont Dallas delivers on quality service and comfort. With its mix of old school panache and trendy design and its nod to the LGBTQ community, it’s easy to be down with this splendorous space in downtown.
For reservations or more information, visit Fairmont.com/en/Fairmont-Gold.