The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas, offers the classic luxury you’d expect from one of Marriott’s highest-end brands, but it still feels laid-back and approachable. It’s also possible to snag a great deal with Marriott Bonvoy points, making it a great weekend getaway for those who don’t want to deal with city traffic.
It’s a 20- to 30-minute drive from downtown Dallas, so it’s not an ideal location if your main goal is to spend time in the city center. But the location comes with its own perks.
I was impressed at the size of the property, which sits on a sprawling piece of land just outside of Dallas. Once a family ranch, it now comprises the hotel, an athletic club, a golf course and multiple swimming pools. Keep in mind there’s another Ritz-Carlton in Dallas proper, which could be a better option for exploring the city.
I happened to be in town for a Dallas BBQ crawl in May 2026 (which I’d highly recommend!), and the property invited me to stay for three nights. While the hotel covered my accommodation, meals and on-property activities, all the opinions in this review are my own.
Inside the property’s $65 million renovation
If you’re a long-time Metroplex resident, you might associate the property with a different name. That’s because it used to be a Four Seasons property. However, the resort — which underwent a $65 million renovation — was rebranded as the Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas, in 2024.
While the somewhat-drab yellow-brick outer facade didn’t change much, the interiors were upgraded and now feature a more modern aesthetic. I never visited the property when it was a Four Seasons, but after perusing some old photos, I feel like I can confidently say it was a much-needed update, especially to the rooms.
When you step into the massive lobby, you’ll see Bar Juniper, the lobby bar that was added as part of the renovations. It’s impossible to miss the striking cotton flower chandelier that hangs above the space.
Throughout the lobby, you’ll find little alcoves and nooks where you can enjoy the air conditioning and hide out from the Texas heat. You’ll find the same outdoors, but it won’t be as cool.
Instead, you can cool off in the massive outdoor pool, probably the hotel’s most popular amenity. Based on how crowded the pool was, it was clear during my visit that this hotel is a hit among local families.
The best way to book: Marriott points
One of the best ways to score a great deal at the Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas, is booking your stay using Marriott Bonvoy points.
Marriott uses dynamic pricing, which means rates can fluctuate based on demand and seasonality. A July 2026 search found nightly rates ranging from 52,000 points to 89,000 points. You’ll also need to pay the property’s $47 daily resort fee.
Interestingly, some of the property’s priciest nights are for mid-week stays. That’s likely due to its proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, making it a popular choice for business travelers.
Spacious rooms with plenty of seating
I stayed in a poolside villa with a king bed, but I did get a chance to tour the property’s standard room, located in the main tower.
The room was well-appointed and even came with a separate couch. There was a decent amount of space, as well as a small balcony you could step out onto.
The bathroom was stocked with products from Diptyque, the popular brand best known for its luxury scented candles. Like every accommodation at the hotel, the bathroom came with a tub — something you don’t always see.
If you are looking to splurge, the villas are indeed bigger and better in every way. You’ll find them by the pool or along the golf course.
I appreciated having the extra space, including additional seating areas like the small round table in the room.
My favorite part was the lounger on my outside patio, which also featured a fireplace. (Sadly, Texas evenings in May meant it was a little too buggy to fully enjoy that amenity.)
I was also impressed with the housekeeping staff, who were attentive in subtle ways. They replaced my toothpaste with a new tube when they saw I was running low, and they even organized my suitcase (which I had left open on the floor) on top of a luggage rack.
Several on-property dining options
The property has three main dining options: the poolside Aire Libre restaurant, Bar Juniper in the lobby and the upscale Knife Italian Steak. There’s also Campo Coffee & Provisions, where you can grab coffee and a pastry.
I mostly ate at the property’s club (more on that next), but I did enjoy my first-ever dry-aged steak at Knife Italian Steak, which has a luxe and moody vibe. Flavorwise, I had never experienced anything like it before, and the waiter offered great recommendations for drinks as well.
The restaurant also doubles as Knife Italian Cafe in the morning, the on-property breakfast venue.
The hotel offers a variety of seasonal activities. For my summer stay, there was a garden botanical summer tea at Bar Juniper, and it was fun to try all the bite-sized sandwiches and desserts. It’s a great afternoon activity if you’re looking for something relaxed yet refined.
The Ritz-Carlton Club is a worthy paid upgrade
If you’re doing a staycation, I’d recommend splurging on the Ritz-Carlton Club. The add-on is pricey: It’s charged per day at $275 for two people on weekdays and $325 on weekends when you pre-book online. However, it can be cheaper if you book a room rate that comes with club access. It’s also worth asking at check-in to see if the property is willing to offer a discounted rate.
I normally would not recommend doing something like this, but I think the math makes sense if you’re spending most of your time on property. Club access comes with all-day lounge privileges, including food throughout the day and a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Plus, the food options were genuinely tasty — they even served poke bowls one night — and the staff was friendly and proactive.
The most extensive health and wellness facilities I’ve seen at a hotel
It’s impossible to talk about the Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas, without talking about The Nelson, the full-service fitness club right next to the hotel.
Hotel guests have access to the club’s amenities, which include indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and pickleball courts, a golf course, an indoor track, weight and cardio machines, group fitness classes and more.
All of that is in addition to the property’s own massive pool situated between the hotel itself and the golf course. It’s not quite a lazy river, but the design certainly feels like one.
The main pool is definitely one of the property’s highlights, so go early to avoid the crowds.
If you’re looking for some pampering, there’s also the Ritz-Carlton Spa. I enjoyed a relaxing 50-minute massage, which also gave me access to the spa facilities, including a sauna, steam room, hot tub and cold plunge.
Guests without a same-day spa booking need to pay a fee to access the facilities.
A great staycation, far from the city
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas, and found plenty to do at the hotel to keep me busy for a weekend.
If you live in the area, I’d certainly recommend checking it out. However, if you’re visiting as a tourist, be prepared for commuting into the city; for most, it might be a better option to find something more centrally located.
While a stay can get pricey — especially if you include club access with your booking — there are ways to help alleviate the cost, such as using Marriott Bonvoy points to book.
How to maximize your rewards
About the author
Benjamin Din is a lead travel writer at NerdWallet. He previously was a technology reporter at Politico, where he authored a daily newsletter covering tech and telecom policy.
Benjamin loves to travel — both for work and for fun. He’s reported from three continents and visited more than 55 countries. He has written for The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle and The (Johannesburg) Star, as well as covered two Olympics with NBC Sports.
His goal is to visit a new country and a new state each year.
