Discover Art, Elegance, and Unparalleled Comfort at Frisco's Newest Hotel
By Natalie Embry
Chances are, if it’s new, luxurious, art-driven, and stunning, it’s in Frisco. Our lively, innovative, and booming city has now become home to so many incredible organizations, buildings, homes, and projects, and, as of October 2024, we can officially add HALL Park Hotel to the list of places that call Frisco home. Now – regardless of whether you’re tired of Christmas shopping, need a break from the house and daily mundane, or truly want to explore somewhere new right in your own backyard…staycations are always a good idea… especially when they’re so close to home.
During such a busy time of year, there’s nothing wrong with getting away, even for a night, to take a break, have a fantastic dinner overlooking Frisco’s newest and most innovative park, or just to sleep in a bit. The HALL Park Hotel allows all of those things and more. It features intimate experiences with world-class art, elevated dining, and premium accommodations, all while connecting guests to all that HALL Park has to offer.
Settled just across the street from and overlooking Frisco’s newest gem, Kaleidoscope Park, HALL Park Hotel presents guests and visitors with a seamless blend of modern luxury and cultural sophistication. As the first Marriott Autograph Collection property in Frisco, the hotel is part of the first phase of HALL Park’s $7 billion new master plan set to transform the development away from just a singular office focus to a vibrant and dynamic live-work-play community. HALL Park Hotel is HALL Group’s second art-focused hotel in North Texas; HALL Arts Hotel opened in the Dallas Arts District in late 2019.
When I heard about HALL Park Hotel coming to Frisco, I knew I had to put it on my staycation list. After a hectic fall season full of photo shoots, Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving events, and countless long workdays – it was time for a night away. With HALL Park Hotel at the top of my staycation list, having just officially opened this past October, I knew exactly where my next overnight stay would be!
Standing majestically on the corner of Warren Parkway and Internet Boulevard just south of The Star District, HALL Park Hotel’s sleek design immediately captures attention. This is especially true given that it is adjacent to The Tower at HALL Park, a 16-story trophy office tower. The hotel and office tower’s combined contemporary and modern architecture reflects the cutting-edge developments surrounding the hotel, making the entire structure uniquely stand out yet blend beautifully with the area’s aesthetic.
Chic, Comfortable, and Oh So Classy
Speaking of aesthetics…upon arriving at HALL Park Hotel, I was truly taken aback by the lobby’s natural and neutral color pallet with gorgeous pops of effervescent color throughout. The attention to detail is incredibly apparent as each area in the lobby was carefully curated to meld perfectly within the entire space. The aesthetic is chic and welcoming with polished wood accents, modern art installations, and a calming color palette. My favorite piece of art in the lobby/front desk area was the large, boldly colorful, and impactful mural behind the stunning marble front desk desk (the name of this piece of art is Scaffold 2 by Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann).
Check-in was a breeze, and I couldn’t wait to explore (fun fact: Upon check-in, guests are offered an AperHALL Spritz cocktail). From the start, the staff was wonderfully friendly, helpful, and welcoming, so their sincerity in hospitality was a great bonus.
I was lucky enough to be able to call a Deluxe Corner King home for the night and was in awe from the moment I entered the room and saw the floor-to-ceiling windows that all but bathed the room in natural light and offered me a stunning view of The Monarch (a beautiful new apartment building across the way), Kaleidoscope Park, and The Star District. While the room’s design was incredibly modern, it still had a fantastically “homey” feel, and y’all…the bed…I’ve stayed in many hotels, and not many can rival the plush comfort level of the bed in this room! The bathroom was well-appointed, and the cozy seating area was perfect for both taking in the gorgeous views and doing a bit of work (I did both!).
A unique aspect of HALL Park Hotel is its offering for guests seeking extended stays. The Reserve Suites offer a premium stay experience, full kitchenettes, and spacious living—a true apartment-style accommodation with upscale amenities tailored for business travelers or those wanting a home-away-from-home vibe. Even the photos of these suites on the hotel’s website are stunning, and each suite has a huge balcony overlooking Kaleidoscope Park.
Wine, Dine, and Enjoy Your Time
With as much attention to detail, aesthetics, and comfort as HALL Park Hotel puts into its rooms and suites, it was no surprise that dining at Palato Kitchen and Lounge ended up being one of the absolute highlights of my staycation. These spaces, both the bar/lounge and the restaurant, are seriously stunning and have an upscale, uptown, sophisticated vibe unto themselves.
Palato Lounge boasts warm, inviting neutral tones paired with grand vaulted ceilings, earthy wood tones, and a light and airy feel. In the mornings, It is a cozy café. During the day, it is a place for visitors and guests to work or meet. In the evenings, it transforms into a wine lounge featuring a large, curated selection of wines. In the lounge, guests can enjoy Venetian-inspired cicchetti (small plates) alongside expertly paired wines and cocktails from the bar.
During my stay, one of my close friends joined me for a girls’ evening so we could catch up and enjoy a new spot in town, and by the time she found me in the lounge, she was starry-eyed, saying how beautiful everything in the lobby/lounge was. In addition to many seating options, both at the bar and around the lounge, the space has a large garage-door-type window that opens to the outside patio, adding another element of uniqueness to Palato Lounge. We enjoyed a couple of cocktails in the lounge before heading over to Palato Kitchen for a Wine Tasting Experience (I was SO excited about this!) before dinner.
Our wine-tasting experience was at Palato Kitchen, and this space was probably one of my very favorites on the property, it’s an absolute vibe, y’all. This space has rich, elegant, and earthy elements with deep wood tones, gold accents, eclectic textures, and an atmosphere that feels inviting, romantic, and enchanting. We were seated at a table lined with wine glasses and a tasting menu when we were greeted by Juan, our incredibly wine-savvy server, with whom we spent the rest of the evening (He was wonderful!).
Our wine-tasting experience line-up included a selection from HALL Wines and was comprised of: WALT Chardonnay, which was rich and elegant with flavors of pear and apple; HALL Sauvignon Blanc, which was crisp and vibrant with lingering notes of citrus; WALT Bob’s Ranch Pinot Noir, a lush and complex wine with aromas of dark cherry and earthy undertones; and Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon, which was wonderfully bold and expressive with a long and opulent finish complete with hints of dark fruit and spices. Each of the wines was genuinely remarkable, and Juan’s guidance and knowledge through the tasting experience made it all that much more interesting and fun because we learned so much (guests and visitors alike can arrange wine-tasting experiences at the front desk).
Chef Erik Sakai, who has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants, is at the helm of Palato Kitchen. The restaurant’s open-air design, exhibition-style kitchen, and stone hearth oven create an authentic Italian dining experience in a lively yet intimate atmosphere. Following our tasting, we continued to enjoy the wines throughout dinner as Juan curated a menu of exceptional pairings that allowed the wines and food to co-star in the evening.
A few of our favorite dishes were the Calamari, Tagliatelle, Mezzi Rigatoni, Roasted Berkshire Pork Collar, and the Wagyu Beef Shank. During each course, Juan reminded us of the wine’s notes and undertones and explained both how and why they paired so well with the paired dishes, which we really appreciated.
Though we’re headed into the cooler months, I’d be remiss not to mention one more gorgeous spot in the hotel where guests can enjoy light bites and drinks - The Parkside Rooftop Pool and Bar. This gem, nestled high above the city streets, serves not only cocktails and bites but unbelievable panoramic city views that include The Star District, Kaleidoscope Park, much of Frisco, and an expansive cityscape view south of the hotel. In addition to the pool and bar, HALL Park Hotel offers a host of amenities, including a spacious and very well-appointed fitness center, numerous event spaces perfect for weddings, corporate meetings, or even social gatherings, and an outdoor lawn space near the pool.
While my staycation lasted only one night, I could have extended it into a days-long “trip,” given that the property offers guests and visitors so much space to stay, work, and play. I loved walking across the street to Kaleidoscope Park to take in the beauty of nature and the vibrancy of the large, suspended artwork Butterfly Rest Stop. I also loved working in Palato Lounge while enjoying the calm yet urban and vibey atmosphere.
The Hall family and HALL Group have long been staples in our community, as has HALL Park. Now, HALL Park Hotel continues that legacy, standing proudly in the Frisco skyline, boasting a deep connection to our community and culture. As The HALL Group’s second art-driven hotel, it proudly lives up to its namesake and predecessor, boasting a museum-quality art collection and world-class food and wine offerings.
The Hall family's passion for wine and hospitality is infused throughout the property, from the curated wine list at Palato to the thoughtful integration of art and culture in the hotel. Whether you're a Frisco resident looking for a quick getaway in one of Frisco’s most popular areas or a traveler seeking a unique experience with all the amenities needed, HALL Park Hotel offers something for everyone. It’s the perfect blend of comfort, culture, and community, making it a standout addition to Frisco's thriving hospitality scene.
Natalie Embry is a photographer at Frisco STYLE Magazine who is obsessed with her black Labrador furbaby Goose and traveling any time she can.