by Hilton Dallas
Mid-century boutique with maximalist SMU collegiate theming. Think red-and-blue color palettes, horse-print wallpaper in the bathrooms, a hand-carved reception desk featuring galloping mustangs, and saddle-style bar stools at Los Charros. Warm, textured, and specific to place.
Book a pool-view room or King Balcony room — worth the upgrade for the outdoor terrace views
Why It Matters
Dallas's first Graduate by Hilton and the brand's first hotel in Texas, opened in 2025. Built from the bones of the storied Hotel Lumen and positioned directly across from Southern Methodist University in Highland Park. The design team preserved the original mid-century motel geometry while layering in Texas ranch-style interiors and hyper-local SMU references throughout.
Graduate by Hilton Dallas is a thoughtful restoration of the former Hotel Lumen, a mid-century motel that sat quietly across from SMU for decades. Graduate saw potential in those bones and rebuilt around them — the original geometric architecture is preserved, now dressed up with grass-cloth wallcoverings, cowhide ottomans, navy-striped beds, and custom bolo-tie light fixtures. It's the brand's first Texas outpost, and its collegiate playbook translates surprisingly well to Highland Park's old-money, Mustang-red neighborhood.
Where You'll Stay
7 room types available
Family Suite
Kid-friendly suite configuration in the Graduate lineup, designed to accommodate families visiting campus or exploring the Park Cities area. Specific layout details not published; contact the hotel directly for configuration and capacity.
MultipleGraduate King
Entry-level king rooms featuring the full Graduate design treatment: grass-cloth wallcoverings, navy-striped upholstered headboards, custom pillows embroidered with SMU nods, locally inspired artwork, and original mid-century tilework in the bathroom with bold blue accents and custom horse-print wallpaper. Flat-screen TV, refrigerator, and Malin + Goetz bath products included.
KingGraduate King Balcony
King room with the addition of a private balcony — a worthwhile upgrade for the outdoor space. Same SMU-themed mid-century design throughout, with navy-striped bed and Malin + Goetz amenities. Balcony rooms offer sun-drenched exterior views.
KingGraduate Queen Queen Pool View
Two-bed room looking out over the outdoor pool — a strong choice for families or those traveling with a companion. Carries the same mid-century collegiate design DNA as the rest of the property, with SMU-embroidered custom pillows and bluebonnet lounge chairs.
Two Queens
King Suite — SMU View
A step up in space with views toward the SMU campus. Separate living area and bedroom configuration, with the property's signature design details cranked up: ceramic bedside lamps, bluebonnet-upholstered lounge chairs, and fuller artwork program. Good for longer stays or anyone who wants a dedicated lounge area.
KingPop Culture Suite
Graduate's brand-wide 'Pop Culture Suite' concept — an immersive, whimsical room tied to local cultural references. Specific theming for the Dallas property not yet published in detail, but Graduate's pop culture suites at other properties are heavily art-directed rooms unlike anything else in the building.
KingPresidential Suite
The top of the house. Runs 550–650 sq ft and sleeps four, making it the largest accommodation at the property. Comes with a dedicated desk, lounge chair, mini fridge, 55-inch HDTV, in-room safe, and coffeemaker. Premium design details throughout.
KingThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
On-site gym available around the clock for hotel guests. No details published on specific equipment.
Over 6,300 sq ft of total indoor and outdoor event space, anchored by the Pony Express Pavilion. Flexible configurations support graduation parties, game-day events, cocktail receptions, and weddings. A/V equipment provided; dedicated catering and events team on-site.
The outdoor heated pool is a genuine draw — private cabanas are available with poolside service, making it a full-day affair when the weather cooperates. Pool is open daily 8am–10pm. Cabanas are a seasonal/weather-dependent amenity.
The hotel sits directly across from Southern Methodist University. Meadows Museum of Art is 0.5 miles away, the Gerald J. Ford Stadium is 0.5 miles, Moody Coliseum is 0.4 miles, and the George W. Bush Presidential Library is 1.2 miles. No car needed for campus visits.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Five meeting rooms totaling over 6,300 sq ft of indoor and outdoor event space. Conference space runs approximately 2,632 sq ft indoors. Flexible configurations; A/V equipment available.
Complimentary high-speed WiFi throughout the property — in-room and in public spaces. Hilton Honors members who book direct get this automatically.
In-room streaming capability on flat-screen TVs.
Valet parking at $45/night with in/out privileges. No self-parking available. Note: EV charging is listed as on-site on the hotel info page, though another Hilton page shows 'not available' — verify directly with the hotel.
EV charging listed as on-site on the hotel amenities/info page. Note that a secondary Hilton location page shows 'not available' — contact the hotel to confirm current status.
Dogs and cats welcome. $75 non-refundable fee per stay ($125 for stays of five nights or more). Maximum two pets per room, maximum 75 lbs each.
Connecting rooms available subject to availability. Request at time of booking or by calling the property.
On-site boutique — typical of Graduate Hotels properties, likely stocking branded merchandise and local goods.
Hilton Honors app-based room key — guests can check in, choose their room, and unlock the door from their smartphone.
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