Just east of downtown Dallas, the Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront hotel offers a beautiful place to stay by the water, with lake views and a nearby harbor full of shops and restaurants.
Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront
The Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront recently completed a 2.3 million-dollar makeover, which makes the five-story waterfront resort look—and smell—like a brand new property. I recently visited with three of my children and was delighted to discover a cozy, charming hotel all decked out for the holidays. The new decor compliments the water views, with blue and silver tones, and made our weekend stay feel like a bay getaway.
Entering the Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront lobby, I instantly relaxed. We could see Lake Ray Hubbard through the back windows and were eager to explore. After checking in, we headed straight down to the water.
Lake Ray Hubbard
Directly behind the hotel is Lake Ray Hubbard, a popular spot for boating and fishing. On the brisk December day we visited, the lake was calm and the shores uncrowded. We took a stroll down to the boardwalk, where we discovered The Harbor Rockwall, an outdoor shopping center with restaurants, ice cream shops, and a Cinemark movie theater. It was perfect timing because we were all hungry for lunch. Sideways BBQ looked like just the ticket. This lakefront restaurant served up smoked turkey and brisket that was delicious. My kids declared it to be their new favorite barbecue joint.
Harbor Lights Cruises
Next, we headed back towards the hotel to check out the sightseeing boat—Harbor Lights Cruises—that had just docked. We met the captain and learned that he offers family-friendly lake tours aboard his double-decker boat.
Harbor Lights Cruises offers a variety of sunset cruises and starlight cruises. If you’re traveling with kids, the captain says his family cruise is the way to go. It’s only $5 for kids, the ride is shorter, and he plays kid-friendly tunes to get young cruisers up and dancing.
Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront Hotel Rooms
While chatting with the boat captain, we received a text that our hotel rooms were ready. So, we headed back to the hotel to check them out.
The rooms, like the rest of the hotel, looked brand new. We loved the blue and silver decor. But, even more than the cool carpet and wallpaper, we couldn’t get enough of the view!
Hilton Rockwall Pool
Looking down at the pool from above, my kids begged to go swimming. The water wasn’t heated, so it was a bit too cold, but the hot tub temperature was just right for relaxing.
Sunset Over Lake Ray Hubbard
We left the hotel to grab some dinner at a nearby restaurant and returned just in time to catch this glorious sight.
The sunset over Lake Ray Hubbard was stunning. My kids ran down the grassy hills towards the lake and I walked slowly behind, watching birds fly down to rest on posts. It was the perfect way to end our day.
Heirloom Kitchen
The next morning, my kids were reluctant to turn off the television and head to the hotel’s Heirloom Kitchen to eat. Little did they know, they were in for a treat.
There were Dunkin Donuts! A wall of them. My boys were thrilled with the selection of donuts on sticks and declared it to be the best hotel breakfast they’d ever had.
Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront
If you’re looking for a peaceful weekend getaway in a lovely renovated hotel, Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront is a fantastic option. The decor is gorgeous, the food delectable, and there is plenty to do and see and eat near the hotel.
If you’ll be visiting the Dallas area over the holidays, check out these 16 holiday events in DFW!
Heidi was a guest of the hotel, but all opinions are her own.
