North Oak Cliff, near Bishop Arts

Belmont Hotel

★★★★★

The Belmont is the most characterful affordable stay in Dallas and the best base for anyone who wants to spend evenings in Bishop Arts and Trinity Groves rather than downtown. It began life in 1946 as a motor court designed by the Dallas architect Charles Dilbeck on a bluff along Fort Worth Avenue in North Oak Cliff, and its low, rambling buildings, outdoor walkways and terraces have been restored into a boutique hotel of about sixty rooms with a relaxed, retro-modern feel. The setting is the selling point: from the bluff, the downtown skyline spreads out across the Trinity River, and the outdoor pool, many of the rooms and the lounge all look straight at it, so a sunset swim or a drink on the terrace comes with the city's best hotel view at a fraction of a downtown price. Rooms are described by the hotel as modern minimal — clean lines, good beds, and not much clutter. Standard rooms and studios are compact at roughly 260 square feet with one or two queens; Deluxe rooms add space and, in most cases, city views and side porches; junior suites come in bi-level or single-story layouts for two to four guests; and the larger suites have sitting areas, and in some cases soaking tubs or wet bars and balconies beside the pool. BarBelmont is a neighborhood lounge popular with locals, and SMOKE, the on-site restaurant, handles breakfast, dinner and room service. Valet parking is inexpensive by Dallas standards and self-parking is available, and pet-friendly rooms are offered. Drawbacks: this is a car-oriented location, the rooms are simple rather than luxurious, and the motor-court layout means outdoor walkways rather than interior corridors.

The Belmont sits at the meeting point of two of the most interesting parts of the city. Bishop Arts District, with its independent shops, galleries and restaurants, is about five minutes south by car, and Trinity Groves and the Ronald Kirk Pedestrian Bridge are about five minutes east, so the hotel is ideal for travelers who want walkable evenings without staying in a business district. Downtown and Dealey Plaza are roughly ten minutes away across the river.

Room craft: book a Deluxe room or a suite for the skyline view and a porch, ask for a room close to the pool if you plan to swim, and treat the standard rooms as a budget base rather than a place to linger. The Junior Suites are useful for small families, but ask in advance whether you will get a bi-level layout with stairs. Reserve dinner at SMOKE for at least one evening and make time for a sunset drink on the terrace.

Who it suits: couples and independent travelers who value character and views over polish, foodies planning to eat in Bishop Arts, and anyone on a budget who would rather stay somewhere memorable than in a chain tower. Those who want to walk everywhere downtown, or who need full-service amenities such as a gym and spa, should look at the downtown options instead.