Bikinis and martinis

Book a summer vacation at these 10 Dallas hotels with fabulous pools

For Houstonians looking to get away, Dallas has some of the coolest hotel pools in the country — from rooftop infinity pools that surround you with city views to sparkling pools set in the swankiest courtyards you've ever visited. A fabulous pool is as good a reason as any to book a vacation. In fact, this summer, some of Dallas’ best are opening their sun-soaked, bartended decks to the public, so an overnight reservation may not even be required.

Here are 10 top Dallas hotel pools for a summer swim. Some are brand new, and some are favorites for good reasons. Most are available for a daily fee or by RSVP to special events, but, yes, some do require you to be a hotel guest to swim. They're worth it.

The Adolphus
The recently renovated Adolphus hotel also is opening its pool to the public all summer — for free. It’s open to non-hotel guests every Friday night for Sundown on Seven from 8pm-midnight. Take a night swim and have cocktails by the fire pit, all while listening to DJ Souljah. The pool itself is 4 feet deep and has a refreshing limestone waterfall.

Hotel Crescent Court
The pool is exclusively for guests, and the Crescent is worth the overnight stay. After its recent multimillion-dollar renovation, the iconic Uptown hotel has modernized and spruced up its lobby, guest rooms, and spa and fitness center. It is also possible to become a member of the Crescent Club and gain access to pool on the second-floor urban oasis.

The Joule
For breathtaking skyline views, reserve a spot at The Joule any Sunday through September 2. For $50, gain one day of access to the plexiglass-fronted rooftop pool, even if you're not a guest of the hotel. A day pass includes valet, one snack, and one drink from the pool menu. Test your courage by swimming to the edge that hangs off the building by 8 feet or kick back and relax on a chaise lounge.

Le Meredien Stoneleigh
The historic Stoneleigh's pool is open to the public on weekends — for free. You can tread water at one of the pool parties, wade around on floats, and listen to a live DJ. While you're there, you can try the hotel's new French restaurant, Perle on Maple Restaurant & Bar, which serves "bistro classics with a Texas twist."

NYLO Dallas South Side
Located on the rooftop patio of the NYLO, this beautiful pool allows swimming for guests only. The bar is for everyone, and the view of the Dallas skyline from The Cedars is worth the trip. Stop in for a drink before a show at South Side Ballroom or dinner at the Terrace Bistro.

Omni Frisco
Omni Frisco opened last summer at The Star, the popular new entertainment district in Frisco. The Edge pool deck and bar is for guests only, but worth paying for a night after checking out the Dallas Cowboys headquarters or going to a FC Dallas soccer game at Toyota Stadium. The pool overlooks events on the Ford Center next door and includes a bar and grill, cabanas, and fire pits.

Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West
Although you have to be a guest for this one, the new Legacy West hotel in Plano is worth the cost to stay. Take a little staycation 30 minutes outside of Dallas and enjoy the scenic rooftop pool, but stay to dine at OMA (an Asian fusion restaurant) and explore all of the “West of Zen”-themed art displayed throughout the building.

The Statler
Renovated in February and open for business, The Statler is hosting Secret Sundays for non-hotel guests at the hotel pool bar, Waterproof. You must RSVP on Facebook or Prekindle to attend the party, but make sure to get there early as entry is first come-first served. The rooftop pool is immersed between skyscrapers and downtown views; a free ticket includes access to the pool and an opportunity to jam out with DJ Blake Ward.

The W Wet Deck
On Sundays, or "Sundaze," The W hotel opens the Wet Deck on the 16th floor to everyone. Just go to Eventbrite.com and buy a Sundaze pass for $20. Spend Sunday Funday at the downtown hotel, floating across the panoramic rooftop infinity pool and taking in some city views with a drink in hand.

Hotel ZaZa
At Hotel ZaZa, you must be a guest to swim, but the bar is open to all. Grab a drink at the Dragonfly next door, while still enjoying the ambiance of the lap-style pool in the swanky backyard setting. Or, if you absolutely cannot resist the charming little pool, pay for a room and join the cool kids in the water.

Hotel ZaZa's pool is set in an urban oasis.

Photo courtesy of Hotel ZaZa

Hotel ZaZa's pool is set in an urban oasis.

families hotels

TX to TN

FlixBus revives affordable route from Houston to Memphis via New Orleans

Photo courtesy of FlixBus

FlixBus is now cruising from Texas to Tennessee.

Traveling from Texas to Tennessee is about to get a lot easier, more affordable, and more scenic. Budget-friendly bus service FlixBus will relaunch its Houston-Memphis route later this month, with service starting Thursday, August 27.

FlixBus is the largest intercity bus network that offers passengers affordable and comfortable travel across 1,800 destinations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The signature lime green buses come with free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and comfortable seating with extra legroom. Passengers can bring one carry-on and one stowed luggage for their trips.

The Houston-to-Memphis route will depart from 605 Gray St. in Midtown, and arrive at Memphis Bus Station at 3033 Airways Blvd. Travel times might vary depending on the number of stops, traffic, and other circumstances, but will generally be 14.5 hours long.

The seven stops along the Houston-Memphis route are:

Lake Charles (Lakepoint): 750 Enterprise Blvd., Lake Charles, LA 70601
Lafayette (Louisiana): 1701 N University Ave., Lafayette, LA 70507
Baton Rouge Bus Station: 1253 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70802
New Orleans Bus Station: 1001 Loyola Ave., New Orleans, LA 70113
Hattiesburg: 6635 US-49 S, Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Meridian Bus Stop: 1901 Front St., Meridian, MI 39301
Batesville (Terza One Stop Shop): 22023 MS-6, Batesville, MI 38606

The route will operate five days a week with an extended daily service in November to accommodate Thanksgiving holiday demand. Fares for the route start at $88.98 per passenger per way.

Another travel route from Texas to Tennessee
In addition to the return of the Houston-Memphis route, FlixBus just launched its first-ever direct route connecting Dallas to Nashville, with departures running five days a week.

Departures will be from the Dallas Bus Station at 9755 Harry Hines Blvd., and arrive at Nashville Bus Station at 709 Rep John Lewis Way South. Travel times will generally be between 11.5-14.5 hours.

The Dallas-Nashville route will also offer direct access to other travel hubs, including:

Sulphur Springs (travel center): 1600 W. Shannon Rd., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
Texarkana (travel stop): 4020 S. Lake Dr., Texarkana, TX 75501
Memphis Bus Station: 3033 Airways Blvd., Memphis, TN 38131

The new Texas-Tennessee routes expand FlixBus' network across the South while offering travelers cost-effective and comfortable transportation to "major business, entertainment, and cultural destinations while providing access to smaller communities along the way."

"The South continues to see increasing demand for affordable, convenient ways to travel between major cities," Flix North America head of communications Karina Frayter said in a statement. "As more travelers look for alternatives to driving or flying, we're expanding our network to make it easier to reach the destinations that matter most, whether you’re traveling for school or work, visiting friends and family, or taking a vacation."

Passengers can book tickets for all destinations via FlixBus.com and the FlixBus app.

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