In the heart of downtown lies The Joule Hotel, a visual masterpiece which unites old-world luxury, contemporary design and a remarkable collection of original artwork from the likes of Andy Warhol, Tony Cragg and Richard Phillips. The vibrant property is more of a social hotspot than a hotel, boasting some of the best places in town to eat, drink and shop. The rooftop pool, exquisite spa and world-class service are just the cherries on top.
See our best credit card bonuses here.
In this review, we’ll cover our stay here at one of Dallas’s most luxurious, five-star hotels.
The Joule is a member of American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR). If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll enjoy value-added benefits with your hotel stay when you book through the FHR site. You’ll also get 5x Membership Rewards points on your prepaid stay, which you can later redeem for award travel.
THE PLATINUM CARD® FROM AMERICAN EXPRESS
The Platinum Card® from American Express has a special offer for 75,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $5,000 in purchases within your first 6 months.
Membership Rewards® points are some of the most valuable in the market. Redeeming these points by booking travel through American Express or by redeeming for gift cards will give you a standard 1 cent per point value. The 75k bonus points are worth $750 going this route.
You can potentially get more value by transferring your points to Membership Rewards travel partners. Using this strategy can get you up to an average value of 2 cents per point. Get around $1,200 in value with 60,000 points this way. Read more on this here.
With this card, earn 10X Membership Rewards Points for eligible purchases up to $15,000 combined at U.S. Gas Stations and U.S. Supermarkets, during your first 6 months.
5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel. Starting January 1, 2021, earn 5X points on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
The biggest drawback to this card is the $550 annual fee, which puts it in the premium class of credit cards. The card has a market because it offers premium travel benefits, such as 5X points for flights (up to $500,000 on these purchases) and eligible hotels, access to 1,300+ airport lounges, $200 in Uber credits yearly, and a $200 airline fee credit annually.
For frequent travelers, the added benefits make sense in terms of value and added luxury.
Style
The Joule was comprised of three separate historical buildings – a neo-Gothic bank, a 1913 Classical Revival structure and a 1911 Salvation Army – combined to create a strikingly contemporary property with nods to its past. Designed by Adam D. Tihany, the public spaces featured original marble floors and glass elevators paired with vibrantly-colored mohair and leather chairs.
Staying at The Joule felt a lot like staying at an art gallery, with works from nationally and internationally-recognized artists dramatically displayed throughout the hotel. All-in-all, The Joule exuded a sophisticated and luxurious vibe with a playful allure that was hard to resist.
Room
Each of The Joule’s 160 rooms and suites are thoughtfully designed in a calming neutral palette with splashes of deep, jewel-tone colors and dark woods. All guestrooms feature contemporary furniture, hand-picked art, photographs and books, Sferra linens, Frette robes, Bose bluetooth radios and HDTVs with Apple TV.
Our 600-square-foot Premier King Room had oversized windows that let in plenty of natural light. The spacious bathroom was furnished with an expansive, rainfall shower, dual vanity, lighted mirrors and spa amenities.
Our room rate included complimentary high-speed WiFi, weekday newspapers and area car service.
Facilities
The 8,000-square-foot subterranean spa took us away from the hustle and bustle of the city and into a relaxing world of European geothermal heat experiences, complete with a stunning vitality pool, glass-walled sauna, crystal steam room and ice fountain. The 24-hour fitness center, also located beneath the hotel, featured state-of-the-art Excite Line and Precor aerobic equipment in a 3,600-square-foot space.
We also spent quite a bit of time lounging at the seventh-floor rooftop deck, where a daring, glass-fronted pool jutted eight feet beyond the hotel structure. The Joule also offered a personalized Taschen Library of art books and three retail boutiques.
Food & Drink
A farm-to-table concept, CBD Provisions showcased a menu that combined Texas culinary traditions with a contemporary flair and a commitment to local and sustainable sourcing. The top draw here was the Berkshire pig head carnitas. Other menu highlights included the pimiento cheese toast, raw bar and spring lamb. The bar at CBD offered an incredible selection of local craft beers, as well as updated cocktail classics and wines from small producers in Texas, California and France.
A casual and vibrant Italian eatery, Americano specialized in contemporary takes on comfort classics like housemade pasta and Neapolitan pizza. The outdoor patio space on a bustling sidewalk made for some great people watching.
Set above the Forty Five Ten boutique, Mirador offered modern American fare – like tomato soup, whipped ricotta toast, chicken paillard and farro bowl – along with creative wine and cocktail lists. The 11-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows and wraparound terrace gave incredible views of downtown.
The Midnight Rambler and The Lobby Bar were popular places for libations, while Weekend served up made-to-order java beverages and mouthwatering gourmet pastries. A decadent afternoon tea was also available at the Taschen Library.
Service
The service at The Joule was perfectly executed by highly-trained and personable staff. Not only were they welcoming, but they also anticipated our needs. The concierge was especially helpful, offering restaurant recommendations, securing event tickets and arranging house cars.
Location
The Joule has a prime location in the epicenter of downtown Dallas, next to the flagship Neiman Marcus store and the Arts District. The Majestic Theatre, American Airlines Arena, Reunion Tower, Convention Center and other attractions are all within a few blocks of the hotel.
Address: 1530 Main Street, Dallas.
Bottom Line
The Joule is a sleek and contemporary downtown hotel filled with eclectic art. The Dallas property is home to popular eateries, boutiques and an indulgent spa.
Looking for resort-style accommodations? Consider Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, set on a sprawling estate close to Uptown.
| OFFER LINK | OFFER | OUR REVIEW |
| Bank of America Checking | $100 Offer | Review |
| Chase Business Complete Banking℠ | $300 Cash | Review |
| BBVA Free Checking & Savings | Up To $250 | Review |
| TD Bank Beyond Checking | $300 Cash | Review |
| TD Bank Convenience Checking℠ | $150 Cash | Review |
| HSBC Premier Checking | $450 Cash | Review |
| HSBC Premier Checking | Up To $600 | Review |
| Aspiration Checking | $100 Cash | Review |
| Ally Invest | Up To $3,000 | Review |
| Betterment | Up To 1 Year Free | Review |
| Coinbase | $10 In BTC | Review |
| BlockFi | Up To $250 BTC | Review |
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Disclaimer: These responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. It is not the bank advertiser's or any other entity's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.