Hotel Lumen, A Kimpton Hotel

Everything about this hotel was excellent and I can’t believe I didn’t have to pay two or three times more! The staff were friendly, professional, and incredibly helpful. They took care of everything I asked for and consistently impressed me with what they offered. Even the housekeeping went beyond my expectations — the room was very thoroughly cleaned, with my possessions organized but minimally disturbed.
There are many little perks and details that make it a «boutique» hotel: robes in the room, lux toiletries (they smell AMAZING), a nice shower with body jets, and a wine hour every day with free wine and appetizers. This is all on top of what you want in a hotel: clean facilities, a comfortable bed, and a good desk for getting work done. The WiFi works well throughout the hotel and I was able to easily work on my laptop in my room, the lobby, by the pool, or in the restaurant. Note that you need to join their rewards program to have free WiFi, but that is just an e-​mail signup.
The restaurant/​bar is amazing. It isn’t cheap, but the cost matches the quality of food and drink that is offered (even if it wasn’t in a hotel). Many people come to the restaurant/​bar who aren’t staying at the hotel, but I never saw it too busy to be seated immediately.
Yes, it is dog friendly! While I wasn’t traveling with a dog, it was nice to see the different pets in the lobby. At no point did I hear barking or see dog hair on things, so don’t worry if you think that allowing dogs would be bad.
Yes, it really is as close to SMU as it looks! I had a meeting there all week, and it was a nice short walk. It was pouring rain one morning, and the hotel drove me over to my meeting site. Even if you don’t need to be at SMU, there are many restaurants in the area. It was pleasant to walk around and do a little shopping.

This will probably be one of my favorite hotels. From the moment of check in to departure, the staff could not have been more accommodating.
Checked in for a much needed getaway and since it is dog friendly — I brought along my «foster» cocker spaniel. This is a totally dog friendly hotel and they even put dishes and a bed in the room for the fur friend. (I had brought all of that as well — but he was very pleased with theirs). The room was clean. A few issues were there was open product on the honors bar and the phones needed to be wiped down. The mini bar fridge was barely cold, and if it wasn’t to put the dogs food in it, we wouldn’t have noticed.
The bedding was comfortable, clean and very relaxing. Our room had robes which were plush and comfortable as well. If you forget a toiletry — no worries– they have a list of items available for you. The room was extremely quiet as well.
The lobby is warm and inviting with many sitting areas and a wine happy hour nightly — thank you very much! Also coffee service in the morning.
The pool has cabañas on one side and lounge chairs on the other. It’s a smaller pool but perfect for size of hotel. Note: the deck is black and extremely hot! (Wear shoes). There is a terrace on the fourth floor with some views and a great spot to enjoy a peaceful morning.
The room was never cleaned between nights we were there but it was probably more of a timing issue than a staff. Seemed they weren’t available when we were out of the room for the morning. And then of course I would expect them to enter when we had left the dog for a couple hours (with do not disturb sign on door).
We had breakfast only in the restaurant and it was not remarkable except for the price (but it is a hotel). There is also a nightly happy hour with a nice selection of discounted wines, drinks, appetizers.
We enjoyed the car service that will take you within a few miles of property. And the recommendations of the driver/​bellhop we spot on for shopping and dining!
Overall the staff made us extremely welcome and I felt extremely thankful to their attention to details. If it wasn’t for the few issues I restaurant and with room this would be 5 star for sure.
I cannot wait to come back and write a 5 star review — hopefully soon!

Fantastic hotel. The location is perfect. Very walkable. Lots of restaurants, coffee shops, drug stores, etc. right up the road. Beautiful neighborhood just behind the hotel. And, SMU campus right across the street. Rooms are very nice. Front desk staff was outstanding.

This hotel screwed up and didn’t apologize or seem to care. When I booked at first, I booked for only Saturday night… Called back two weeks later, spoke to the same woman (contact given to the wedding guests) to book Friday night as well. Got two confirmation emails only to discover (upon check-​in) they were both for Saturday. Well, they gave me a room with no windows for Friday and although I had to prepare for the 1pm wedding– I also now had to repack and move to my Saturday room. Not only did they not care about the inconvenience to me, it almost seemed that they looked at it like it was my fault. The same way they did when I checked out and they surprised me with a $ 22/​night parking fee. Not disclosed at check-​in, not at the valet, not in the confirmation email. I wouldn’t have rented a car if I knew this. Two stars because the room was nice and the restaurant had very good food. Although they were very nice and accommodating to the older «richer» looking guests– my 36 year old self seemed to be more a nuisance to them which isn’t a nice way to feel when you’re a paying guest in a new city and they don’t have your reservation correct in the first place. Most staff were nice– some not so much.

Nothing not to like about this place. Excellent service, excellent everything. Worth every nickel.
We love it and will return, for sure. The most awesome pet friendly hotel you’ll ever encounter.

Love this hotel it has such a cool vibe. The hotel is very modern. Stayed here for one night when I was having some remodeling done. I booked a standard room but when I checked in the only room left was a suite so I received the upgrade! The staff was wonderful and I forgot my phone charger but luckily they had a loaner at the front desk!

This hotel is amazing! We just sorrento a night here for my birthday abs they treated me like royalty. They rolled out the red carpet for me. The view from our room was beautiful and it over looked SMU. The staff was helpful and super nice. We had food delivered and they brought it up to us so we didn’t have to go downstairs to meet the delivery person. My husband called a head to let them know it was a special occasion and wanted to do something extra spacial for me so they brought up champagne and chocolate. How amazing is that?! We’re definitely going to be coming back.

If your going to visit Dallas stay at this place super clean fast service and a beautiful hotel. The best part is the shower it has multiple jets similar to a car wash lol it’s a great way to stand and get a high pressure water message. Overall great place rooms are super clean with all amenities of a five star resort. Cheers

We stayed at The Lumen on a Saturday night.
The hotel had a very modern look.
Room and bed were very comfy. Multi-​jet shower was outstanding.
The hotel is pet friendly and they had a complementary beer/​wine hour.
I would certainly recommend this hotel.

First visited this hotel on Friday night, bar was closed so were about to leave when suddenly, the manager approached us and asked if we wanted beers on the house, «of course» we said. Little did we know, he brought us more than we can handle. This hotel is so freaking nice and the people are too. Definitely comin back and I’m from highland park right down the street. Very impressive !!! Worth every dollar

This a great hotel. They only been open for 4 years, but they stay true to the Kimpton brand with beautiful rooms and impeccable service. My wife and I stayed here for our first anniversary and were very pleased. We were surprised to find the staff had also dropped of a bottle of prosecco in our room while we were at dinner with a nice handwritten note by the management.
We would absolutely stay here again.

We are big Kimpton fans, and had stayed at the Palomar several times before it was taken over by Hilton. So naturally on our next trip, we chose to stay at the Lumen.
I really liked the hotel. The lobby was spacious, comfortable, and colorful, with lots of seating and a view of the pool. The fact that we arrived right at wine hour might have colored my favorable first impression, however. What’s that? Oh, you didn’t know Kimptons serve complimentary wine from 5−6pm every — that’s every — evening? Well, now you do! Another plus is that there is plenty of parking as you pull up to the hotel — it’s very easy to find a spot and wait for the valet if it’s busy. (Yes, like all big city upscale hotels, valet is mandatory. Just come to expect that and your life will be easier. Or search for packages, as there are often special rates with paid parking)
The room itself was spacious, and the bathroom was very modern and beautiful. In fact, we are in desperate need of a bathroom refresh, and I think we are going to copy the sink and faucet from the bathroom! The water pressure in the shower was good — as much as I like green initiatives (low flow shower heads) in hotels, I like being able to rinse conditioner out of my hair better.
The neighborhood around the hotel was great (although there is some major road construction going on as of ⁷⁄₂₀₁₅). It could be that it was summer, so most SMU classes weren’t in session, but the neighborhood was super quiet. There is a 7 Eleven a block away from the hotel, which is nice for grabbing beverages. We ate at Digg’s Tacos also nearby, and it was yummy. Having walking distance amenities is always nice. The neighborhood is super affluent, as you’d expect being across from SMU. On the way to dinner, we saw a house that was so big and with so much stained glass that I thought it had to be a church!
The Lumen pool is small, but also quiet. I am so not a fan of hotels that try to turn their pools into a scene… I just want to read and sip a cocktail poolside, not share it with a DJ and a hundred Jersey Shore wannabees (in other news, you damn kids get off my lawn!!!). The Lumen pool is perfect for that. The have poolside drink service, along with loungers, umbrellas, and cabanas. It was no problem staking out a spot on a Saturday afternoon. It was a perfect pool experience for an old person such as myself.
All and all, we had a great Dallas mini-​break at the Lumen. I look forward to going back, and staying longer!

So after spending a few days here at the Hotel Lumen, I must say that I was blown away by the service and hospitality. When you’re traveling, either for work or pleasure, it’s always nice to find a place where you can feel more like a resident/​guest and not simply a patron whose paid for their services.
Upon arrival I was immediately greeted from the valet and asked if I needed service. It also didn’t help as I was pulling a total guy move and trying to carry all my luggage at once. Upon defeat I told them yes and they gladly took my luggage in. I had arrived a few hours earlier than expected and had mentioned to them that I was aware of their standard check-​in time. Well behold the first sign of amazing customer service… they actually let me grab my room within an hour upon arrival! They stated that they would do their best to let me get into my room and offered me to utilize the pool and they would hold onto my luggage.
Of course like a true foodie, I opted for their restaurant which was quite amazing for breakfast and now I’m obsessed with their amazing French Toast they serve. That is a review on it’s own though which I will soon upload.
Once I arrived inside my room I was very pleased with the modern art and aesthetic. Plus that headboard was something else. My room was on the fourth floor and had a patio overlooking the SMU/​Highland area.
I personally loved how modern and clean this hotel was. Whenever I’m back in town I will definitely be coming back!

Before moving to Dallas, I flew out and stayed here 1 night. Check-​in was fast, and I was put in a handicap room, with plenty of room. My stay was very enjoyable, my only complaint was with the food I ordered in room. Way too salty! I could barely eat the fries that came with my burger. such a waste for a 23 dollar meal. On the plus side, service was fast.

Nice place but didn’t care to serve us. Got my own drink after waiting 20 min. At least they took good care of my Tesla.

If you are willing to pay a decent penny for a great place to lay your head at night while visiting Dallas, this might be your spot. Friendly and helpful staff, this very modern and clean hotel offers a great location for anyone visiting SMU for a weekend.
My biggest complaint would be the restaurant on site is just average, but that’s not too big of a deal considering the numerous eating options within easy walking distance.
Only a few blocks away you can get a great workout on the Katy Trail, where you can run, walk, bike, or roller blade while you people watch.

What is wrong with this place?
My husband and I are currently staying at the lumen and a few strange and unfortunate things have happened. The front desk people are nice enough but that’s the extent of it.
Our room doesn’t have a window. At $ 250/​night I feel like this should be a choice or a cheaper option.
The host at the restaurant/​bar (the only place to hang out besides the lobby) is incredibly rude. I feel as though I’m not even a guest here. It was 3pm and I went down to have a cup of tea while my husband was resting. There were all of 5 people in the restaurant and no host in sight so I walked in and sat at a table. Shortly after doing so, a very rude man walked up and, accusing, said what are you doing? Are you by yourself? You can’t sit here. I calming (mostly in shock) said oh I’m sorry I didn’t see anyone there. He was so flummoxed by the situation you would have though I walked into a packed restaurant at 8pm not an empty bar in a half empty hotel at 3pm. He tired to tell me I had to move to the bar and then, seeing my face of utter shock, just said fine you can sit here and walked away.
If there were a coffee shop close by and it weren’t snowing, I would leave. Instead I guess I’ll just sit here uncomfortably, feeling pretty damn unwelcome at this so-​called «luxury hotel.»

I was not an overnight guest, but simply a day guest and it made me want to be an overnight guest someday soon!
A friend, accompanying Manny the Frenchie, was visiting from SoCal and staying at Hotel Lumen, so we grabbed lunch and hung out in the lobby. During our three hour «hang out» the staff was over-​the-​top welcoming and kind.
I forgot to mention I had my 10.5 month old son with me and he was smitten with the staff. Robin and the manager (sorry I forgot his name) were spectacular! Both made us feel at home and Robin even gave my son a toy. He was more than happy to give her a hug and snuggles before we left.
From the valet staff, to the front desk staff, the manager, and even other guests, everyone was incredibly kind. Genuinely kind, not fake «I work here so I have to be nice» kind. I would highly recommend the Lumen to ANYONE!
The manager began setting up for their regular happy hour while we were there and because of the Oscars on TV he literally rolled out a red carpet, brewed up some warm apple cider (it was raining out), poured the Proseco, and had the Oscar pre-​show on TV in the lobby. Guests began coming down to hang out and watch. It was a great touch and impressive service.

First of all, this hotel is BEAUTIFULLY decorated. From the minute you pull up, it screams luxury.
The hotel is valet parking only because the surrounding neighborhood is permit parking only for the residents in that area. The valet staff is very friendly and FAST.
We were greeted with smiles by every employee we saw on our way to the front desk to get checked in. They keep «selfie sticks» at the front desk for you to use during your stay. The gal at the front desk even took a selfie with my group as we got checked in.
Every evening there is a happy hour with complimentary wine, beer, and cheese. Guests are encouraged to come downstairs and mingle/​relax.
There is also a complimentary shuttle service within a 5 mile radius of the hotel. Andrew, the concierge, is absolutely fantastic. He even took a couple minutes to show us some of the big beautiful houses around the hotel on our way home from dinner.
The BEST part of our stay is that they treated our dog like he was a little person! They were so accommodating and so helpful and gave my pup so much love!
I am now and forever Kimpton loyal!

So, let me start by saying that the concierge, Andrew, was a very nice guy and his counterpart, Jay, the wine guy, was as well. So, big ups on the people experience here.
However, one of the first things out Andrew’s mouth was an apology that we’d been awarded the last (read «worst») room in the hotel. He said, «one thing we tell our new guests is to remember to book the ‘King Deluxe’ so you get a window in your room.» I didn’t know that was an issue in any hotel I’ve ever been in EVER.
(Feel free to spend a minute at their website
and tell me where you see mention of that anywhere. Go ahead, I’ll wait. See?)
To Andrew’s credit, he did his best to make it better with the offer of some free hooch, getting the missus a nice glass of wine and showing up at our door minutes later with a tumbler of quality whiskey. Kudos.
However, the room was a real disappointment for the rate we paid. The shortcomings included:
— zero windows. (On checkout, the guy at the desk said «pilots really like those rooms.» Really? Who gives a sh#@t? It was like sleeping in a tomb.)
— bar/​restaurant closes at 11pm on a Saturday night.
— no coffee maker in the room. So let’s get completely dressed in the morning to go get a cup of coffee…
— no premium channels (HBO can’t possibly be THAT expensive. Again, the room rate leads one to believe otherwise.)
— pay-​for-​play wi-​fi. What is this, Soviet Russia? (h/​t Yakov Smirnov)
— no free parking /​mandatory valet.
So, I guess you could say we left disappointed and don’t plan to go back any time soon. In an era in which airlines charge to bring an actual suitcase onboard, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised at getting so little for our hard-​earned dollars.
Maybe we’re not the target market. Who knows.