Location 

Right in downtown Dallas, the Statler is near many happening local spots. The Arts District bestows a plethora of opportunities to visit a museum or see a performance of any sort. Klyde Warren Park hosts a number of outdoor events, performances, and different food trucks to choose a bite from. The Dallas Farmers Market can be an amazing place to eat, shop, or catch some entertainment. You can even make a custom hat at stores like Flea Style! In addition to the places mentioned, there are many other options for dining or entertainment, all within a few miles. Whether it be Bishop Arts, Deep Ellum, or in-house, there are things to do, making your corporate peeps feel appreciated and special. Oh and meals to eat! Dallas isn’t deemed one of America’s 25th fattest cities because of small portions and salads. After all, eating better-than-deserved is part of a celebration.

 History Lesson

Ss mentioned in the intro, many famous people have stayed or performed at the Statler during its glorious run. For example, The Jackson 5 once put on a show in the main ballroom! Stars like Audrey Hepburn, Tina Turner, and CoCo Chanel have all laid their heads on a pillow at the Statler. Ms. Chanel may have been in town collaborating withStanley Marcus, the former chairman of Neiman Marcus and ‘King of Diamonds’ (speculation, of course. But read more about it). 

Speaking of Stanley, in 1969 (shoutout Misty), during the South American Fortnight event at Neiman Marcus’s Dallas location, he featured a llama in the fashion show named LLinda LLee. LLinda was not a locally-sourced llama, so she required a place to stay. Her team insisted only the best for Miss Llee, so she, too, stayed at the Statler Hotel, arriving by private jet! Miniature replicas of the famous llama can be found in some of the rooms today, as well as a statue out by the pool.

Unfortunately, things were not always sunshine and llamas. In 2001 the hotel closed, and by 2003 it was nearly demolished. Preservation Dallas, a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of Dallas’s historic buildings, added the Statler Hotel to its list of ‘Most Endangered Structures’ in both 2007 and 2008, while the National Trust for Historic Preservation chose it to be one of ‘America’s Most Endangered Places’. Several attempts were made to reopen the hotel during this time, but ultimately restoration occurred in 2013 when the building was purchased by Centurion American Development Group. Against all odds, the Statler Hotel has been thriving again since 2017! To learn more interesting facts about the history of the hotel, click here.