The Crown Joule of Dallas

Photo Credit: Nosh & Nurture

Walk into the lobby of The Joule | Dallas and you no longer feel like you're in the west. The stylish hotel, located on Main Street in downtown Dallas, transports visitors to a world that embraces high fashion, individuality and style like no other. 

I experienced the Joule this past weekend and was inspired by every unique detail. From breathtaking art installations to awe-inspiring lighting displays, it stimulates your every sense. Upon pulling up to the grand entrance on I was greeted by valet and escorted inside. An eye-catching steam punk era gear rotates as the lobby's centerpiece and is surrounded by plush retro furniture. Videos of underground subways hang nearby, adding to its metropolitan feel. It's an inviting space that mixes Dallas charm with a Manhattan-like buzz of electric energy.   

Photo Credit: Nosh & Nurture

As it was early when I arrived, and not quite time for check in, I headed to the hotels Weekend coffee shop. The small open space is airy and welcoming, like a big hug, if hugs smelled of fresh coffee and pastries. Although I was disappointed in the fact they didn't have any gluten-free selections, their coffee made up for it. I will usually splurge on a decaf latte when I'm traveling because I miss the warm drinks of my past and they offered vegan, non-soy lattes, so I was in coffee house heaven. I ordered a decaf almond milk vanilla latte (their vanilla syrup is extremely pure and is free of corn syrup!) and enjoyed writing and reading in the sitting room area adjacent to the cafe until it was time to check in. 

Photo by Nosh and Nurture

Once I finished making love to, er, enjoying my delicious latte, I headed back to the lobby to check in.

After checking in, I was led to my room, the King Suite, where I was greeted with a scrumptious bowl of fresh fruit & sparkling water. When I travel, I look for rooms with separate spaces. A place to sleep, a place to read (I have an obsession with chaise lounges, I must admit) and a place to write & focus. Since most of my travels include journalism or blogging, a good desk with a comfortable chair is a must, and The Joule's King Suite delivered all three.

From the bedroom/living area there is what I affectionately called "the beauty wing" - a large mirror greets you through an open doorway and to the right was a vanity. Though I preferred the lighting in the mirrors over the bathroom sinks, the vanity gave me a nice place to set up and organize my jewelry and accessories for the morning. 

The lighting throughout the suite was one of my favorite touches. Mr. Charming and I have a thing for good, stylish lighting and we were quite impressed. The expansive rain showers would satisfy any luxury seekers needs while also serving its functionality to those just seeking a place to rinse off or belt out a good tune (the acoustics are better than any vocal booth I've been in). The water system took a little while to learn (three handles - one to turn the water on, one for pressure and one for temperature), but once I got it down I enjoyed the rain forest like atmosphere as the warm water washed away the day and the ESPA spa body wash (from the hotels own in house spa) that smelled of bergamot, jasmine and warm cedarwood made me feel pampered.

For those looking to relax after the shower, the hotel does offer buttery soft bathrobes and silky soft slippers to slip into. A special extra touch that goes hand in hand with a mini bar. Which the hotel rooms also offer.

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Photo Credit: Nosh & Nurture

Photo Credit: Nosh & Nurture

Photo Credit: Nosh & Nurture

After luxuriating for a while, I got ready (best mirrors & lighting for makeup application by the way girls!) and headed downstairs to explore the hotel. With various towers its easy to get a little mixed up, so don't hesitate to ask a concierge for direction. The staff was amazingly attentive and helped me with museum tickets, finding my way around and dinner reservations. 

I ventured up to the pool first because I had heard about this hotels amazing infinity pool. I took some magazines with me and headed up to the hotels tenth floor to enjoy the view before my dinner meetings. As you enter the pool area you first come upon a bar and a scattering of comfy cabanas, tables and chaise loungers. 

The best part about the pool? The view! Swimming ten stories above Downtown Dallas you can swim to the pools edge and out over the street below. The view below also makes for taking beautiful photos, but be careful, you never know who or what is watching you. 

Photo by Nosh and Nurture

Photo Credit: Nosh & Nurture

After reading by the pool, I made my way to the spa. ESPA is a spa that nurtures mind, body & soul and aligns with their vision for whole body health & wellness. It partners with their fitness center VITAL fitness. Their state of the art wellness facilities are what caught my eye in the first place and I feel like touching on them briefly doesn't capture all the benefits they can offer those staying in or visiting the hotel. For my full review on the spa, ESPA click on the ESPA image below. For a menu of the classes and amenities offered at VITAL fitness, click on the studio image below. 

ESPA at the Joule

Vital Fitness

After checking out the spa and speaking with the kind staff on their menu of services I wasn't quite hungry enough for dinner yet and was in the mood to do a little shopping. Their on the pulse connection to what's trending makes this fashionista very happy and I spent thirty minutes chatting up the girls in their on site clothing store, Ten Over Six. Eclectic separates, colorful eye wear and on-trend accessories made up the shop of colorful selections. Their jewelry display was also quite impressive. Other shops include Traffic L.A. and DSquared2, which I have to be honest, I may have cried inside a little, because working in fashion for so long DSquared2 has been one of my favorite lines, season after season. I got butterflies being in the the presence of their beautiful F/W 2015 collection. 

Photo Credit: Nosh & Nurture

 As Carrie Bradshaw famously stated "shopping is my cardio" so after browsing a while I had worked up quite an appetite. The Joule's own CBD Provisions has an extensive gluten-free menu with many dairy-free options so I wanted to head there for a delicious hot meal and to meet up with some writing contacts in town. Americano is another eatery set to open on October 5th. To see my reviews, photos and favorite dishes choose the restaurant below. 

With such contrasting designs and menus, both are a must try. 

CBD Provisions

Americano

While the hotel does offer a lobby bar and the cool retro Midnight Rambler, I was sleepy from my busy day and after a delicious dinner I retired to our room to write for a while. At the touch of a button my window shades were drawn back to showcase the lights of the towering downtown buildings and the air was dropping to a cool and comfortable 70 degrees. While Dallas has many sights to offer, its easy to get lost in a dreamy day of enjoying The Joule. 

Photo Credit: Nosh and Nurture

Photo Credit: Nosh and Nurture

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ESPA At The Joule

CBD Provisions At The Joule