Drey Hotel Great Place To Squirrel Away
Since opening at The Village in May 2021, the Brazilian cuisine of Chef Junior Borges at Meridian has won almost every award the Dallas press can give and had foodies flocking through its doors. A year plus after its opening, it’s still almost impossible to get a reservation. What’s been a little quieter, is praise for Meridian’s next-door neighbor, the Drey Hotel, which opened in October 2021 and the two dining concepts located inside its walls, La Mina and Anise. Well, call me Christopher Columbus, because after a recent staycation I am here to reveal my happy discovery of this hidden gem to all of you.
Located in the heart of The Village’s dining, retail and hospitality district the 38-room boutique property is named for a squirrel’s nest paying homage to the squirrels that thrive in the magnificent old-growth live oak trees scattered throughout the 300-acre property of The Village. The five-story hotel features two 850-square-foot luxury terrace suites, a gracious, airy, art-filled lobby, light-filled interiors inspired by trees, roots and nature, relaxed communal spaces, two destination restaurants and a 3,500 square-foot event space that can accommodate 150 guests.
Rates start at $199 making it an ideal place to steal away for a weekend staycation or for guests looking for convenient access to NorthPark Center, SMU, and Downtown Dallas. Hotel guests enjoy complimentary access to the Village Country Club (featuring multiple pools, swim-up bar, and a poolside restaurant), Village Golf Club (putting green and covered, al fresco tropical bar), Village Fit (a 2-level, 32,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art fitness center) including yoga, boot camp and cycle classes, and lake-side walking trails — all without resort fees. Guests can also book services at Blythe salon or Squared Away, an old-fashioned barber shop.
Dallas is known for its dining scene and while there are literally hundreds of amazing restaurants and bars one could visit around town, the beauty of the Drey Hotel is that their in-house restaurant concepts are so fantastic, you won’t want to leave the property. As you enter the hotel, a dramatic, 14-foot-high, white-oak wine display guides you towards the entrance of Anise, a laid-back wine bar that spills seamlessly into the Drey lobby. The restaurant features mezze, tapas and large plates with flavors from all around the Mediterranean executed by Executive Chef Rene De Leon. Highlights include Crispy Octopus, Whipped Ricotta, the Rohan Duck Breast served in a pomegranate jus with charred eggplant purée, and fermented honey, and a Lamb Shank served with with Israeli couscous, marcona almonds, carrots, cippolinis. Anise is open for afternoon apertitifs, mezzes, and dinner Tuesday through Sunday, and brunch Saturday and Sunday.
Tucked underneath the back of the hotel is La Mina which features vibrant modern Mexican cuisine from Executive Chef Tony Ibarra, along with dazzling cocktails imagined by Bar Manager Leann Berry. Try their queso made with Melted Oaxaca and Chihuahua Cheese; enjoy a variety of Taco plates; the Market Fish Veracruz served with Capers, Olives, Tomato, Potato, Calabaza cooked in a Banana Leaf; or the Chochoyotes con Caldo de Hongos made with Heirloom Masa Dumplings, Hen of the Woods, and Squash Blossoms in a Mushroom Broth. Dinner is offered Tuesday through Sunday with brunch Saturday and Sunday.
PRO TIP: If you dine Friday or Saturday and want to enjoy a late night or after-dinner cocktail, ask your server to escort you through the kitchen to La Minna’s secret speakeasy, Apatito, which seats about 20 people and offers a super cool, moody vibe.
A landmark since 1968, The Village has long been one of Dallas’ most desirable residential communities in part because of its central Dallas location but mainly because of their dedication to creating community. This 7,300-apartment-unit facility, housed in 17 sets of apartment neighborhoods, provides a great transition for young adults from Greek or college life to adulthood which is why scores of hipsters, college students, and young urban professionals – and now families - have called The Village home over the decades. The property is a walkable, park-like setting graced with groves of old-growth live oak trees, a shimmering lake, miles of trails, sports fields, gardens and grassy meadows. The Village hosts regular events like lip-sync contests, frisbee golf games, yoga classes on the lawn, etc. for members to encourage a neighborhood feel and hotel guests are allowed (and encouraged) to join in.
“We wanted to create a hotel that would be the living room of The Village,” says John Horan, Chief Executive Officer of The Village. I would go one step further and muse that what they have unintentionally created is a beautiful hotel that serves as the living room to Dallas. Whether you visit for a weekend staycation, need a place to house family for a SMU graduation, or are coming in town for a business trip and are looking for a sophisticated place to stay with a great location – the Drey Hotel delivers in spades.
The Drey Hotel, 5630 Village Glen Drive, Dallas, Texas 75206, thevillagedallas.com/dreyhotel