Vibrant Debut: Graduate by Hilton Opens 1st Texas Hotel in Dallas

Graduate by Hilton Launches First Texas Hotel in Dallas

Graduate by Hilton has opened its first hotel in Texas, located in Dallas’s Highland Park neighbourhood, directly across from Southern Methodist University (SMU). The 93-room property blends mid-century modern architecture with Texas ranch-inspired design, reflecting the brand’s collegiate aesthetic.

The hotel features a lobby lounge, outdoor pool and terrace, flexible event spaces, and a signature restaurant, Los Charros Tex-Mex Smokehouse.

“This opening is a key step in introducing the Graduate brand to Texas, a large and evolving hospitality market,” said Parker Henderson, brand leader for Graduate by Hilton.

“Highland Park is a fitting location, offering a strong connection to the brand’s focus on academic communities.”

The Dallas hotel is part of a broader Texas expansion, with another Graduate property expected to open in Austin. Developed by Nashville-based AJ Capital Partners, the project involved a renovation of the former Lumen Hotel, maintaining the building’s original mid-century geometry while incorporating local materials and textures—such as tanned leather, cowhide, velvet, and handwoven textiles.

The design includes public-facing spaces that aim to integrate the hotel into the surrounding community. Notable elements include a vintage postcard mural of Exall Lake, a carved reception desk with mustang imagery referencing SMU, star-shaped lighting, and native plants throughout the lobby.

Los Charros Smokehouse, the on-site restaurant, highlights a mix of Tex-Mex and barbecue flavours. The design includes reclaimed wood, steel panels, and textiles echoing the hotel’s broader interior themes. Central to the restaurant is a communal table, along with a bar outfitted with saddle-style stools and Western-style lighting.

Guest rooms feature red, white, and blue colour schemes, mid-century furnishings, and locally inspired accents such as pillows referencing SMU and ceramic lamps with Texas motifs. Original bathroom tiles were preserved and paired with blue highlights and custom wallpaper.

Graduate Dallas participates in the Hilton Honors loyalty program, giving members access to booking perks, point redemption options, and digital tools via the Hilton Honors mobile app.

Reservations for Graduate Dallas are now available through Hilton’s booking platforms.