Also: The Adolphus hotel in Dallas gets a contemporary upgrade, and find out where you should eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in Nashville,

There is no shortage of luxury hotels in and around the booming city of Dallas, but none fuse Old World charm, a storied history and modern luxuries the way the newly renovated Adolphus does. The hotel, with its ornate Beaux-Arts-style facade, was built by beer baron Adolphus Busch in 1912 at the behest of the city’s elite, who wanted a firstclass hotel to match their soaring aspirations for the small city on the prairie. Dark floral carpets, frescoes with cherubim and an excess of gilt are gone, but you’ll still find the hulking brass chandelier — with hops berries, eagles and crowns — that Busch commissioned for the 1904 World’s Fair.

Location

The property is in the heart of Dallas’ central business district, down the street from the original Neiman Marcus, which opened in 1908 and new boutiques like Forty Five Ten that sell cuttingedge couture.

Just a courtesy car ride away the Arts District features a symphony center, two performance halls and several museums, including the world-class Nasher Sculpture Center. Nearby, bustling Klyde Warren Park sits atop a freeway and links the business district to a vibrant night life scene in Uptown.

The room

Standard rooms in the 22-story hotel have king-size beds, 500 square feet of space, 10-foot ceilings and leather headboards.

The bathroom

There is a lot to like in the sizable bathroom, including a deep porcelain sink and a frameless, barn-door shower. But the marble tiled shower had a particularly smart feature: The faucets were affixed to the wall near the door and the shower head was on the opposite wall, allowing guests to set the perfect water temperature without getting wet.

Amenities

A new rooftop pool and bar on a corner of the seventh floor are surrounded by neighboring stone buildings. It is a relaxing place to sip inventive cocktails.

An airy spa has six treatment rooms, including one for couples with a private terrace. A standout is the lobby-based barber shop that specializes in straightrazor shaves and traditional cuts.

Dining

Once the poshest restaurant in the city — and the gaudiest — the French Room’s décor has undergone a refined makeover, as has its food offerings. It serves two tasting menus, one with wine pairings, and a three-course prix fixe meal, which costs $95.

More casual dining is available at City Hall Bistro.

Bottom line

The Adolphus’ renovation has achieved the feat of preserving what was the best of its past while successfully incorporating up-todate luxuries.

STEVEN VISNEAU VIA THE NEW YORK TIMES The Adolphus hotel in Dallas still has its distinctive chandelier and fireplaces, but after a makeover, menus are more refined and the rooftop is home to a relaxing pool and bar.