Hilton Anatole
| Company type | Hotel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Trammell Crow |
| Headquarters | Dallas , United States |
| Products | Guest accommodations, conference and meeting facilities, dining venues |
Number of employees | --- |
| Website | www |
The Hilton Anatole stands as a prominent hotel in Dallas, situated at 2201 Stemmons Freeway within the Market Center district, just north of downtown Dallas, Texas. Boasting 1,610 guest accommodations, it ranks among the largest lodging establishments in the Southern United States and functions as a vital location for conventions and meetings. The property is home to more than 1,000 artworks, including a replica of Riding Into the Sunset and fragments of the Berlin Wall. The upscale Nana Restaurant, which held a five-star rating, closed in 2012 due to a decline in demand for fine dining and was succeeded by SĒR, an energetic steakhouse venue.
Additionally, the hotel displays the propeller recovered from the RMS Lusitania.
History
Conceived during the late 1970s by developer Trammell Crow as an extension of his expansive Dallas Market Center complex, the hotel opened its doors in 1979 under the name Loews Anatole Hotel. Initially, it featured 1,000 rooms housed within two pyramid-capped structures. In 1981, a new 27-story tower containing 700 rooms was added along with enlarged meeting areas, retail outlets, a fitness center, and a seven-acre garden.
During the Republican National Convention of 1984, the hotel served as the headquarters for the Reagan-Bush campaign.
In 1995, management shifted to Wyndham Hotels—owned by the Crow family—which rebranded the property as Wyndham Anatole and further enhanced its conference facilities. It retained its status as the largest hotel in the South until 1998 when it was overtaken by the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.
Hilton Hotels Corporation assumed management responsibilities in 2005 and renamed it Hilton Anatole. Since then, Crow Holdings alongside Hilton has invested over $185 million toward renovations that include upgraded guest rooms and suites, expanded meeting venues, new dining options and bars, as well as the addition of a Grand Atrium. The establishment currently holds a Four Diamond rating from AAA.
The Anatole has been host to significant gatherings such as QuakeCon—the largest LAN party in North America—the annual Crystal Charity Ball, recognized as one of the biggest single-evening philanthropic events nationwide, and A-Kon, noted as the longest-running anime convention in the United States.
In 2014, Hilton collaborated with Le Theatre de Marionette to launch Geppetto's Marionette Theater inside the hotel.
July 2016 marked the opening of JadeWaters, a $20 million resort-style pool complex occupying three acres within its seven-acre park. JadeWaters features amenities such as a lazy river, two water slides each measuring 180 feet in length, designated children’s zones, art installations, a full-service restaurant, and an all-season leisure pool accessible exclusively to hotel guests.
The Hilton Anatole has appeared on television during Season 13 of The Bachelorette and was also a venue for auditions during American Idol Season 1 in 2002.
In 2021, it served as host for the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), which included notable conservative leaders like President Donald Trump.
A significant political moment took place on October 11, 1990, when Republican gubernatorial candidate Clayton Williams confronted Democratic contender Ann Richards at a luncheon held in the hotel's Chantilly Ballroom. This encounter adversely affected Williams’ campaign momentum despite his substantial financial advantage—approximately $21 million compared to Richards' $12 million—and contributed to his narrow defeat despite initial polling leads. Williams remains the most recent Republican nominee for Texas governor to lose an election.
Anatole General Managers
2003–2011: Marc Messina 2011–2016: Harold Rapoza 2016–2017: Mike McGilligan 2017–2023: Robert Watson 2023–present: Bruce Roy