Review: Dallas/Fort Worth Marriott Solana

The Dallas/Fort Worth Marriott Solana is located in the Town of Westlake, approximately 20 minutes outside of DFW Airport. The hotel does provide complimentary shuttle service to the airport on the half hour, though you need to call for pickup so the driver knows which terminal to get you from.

This just so happens to be one of Randy Petersen’s favorite hotels, in a recent comment on a picture I shared with him of the property:

Yes it is. I’d recognize the Solana anywhere. I’ve always loved the architect because he was the same one that designed the Westin in Cabo, Mexico. And I just love all those painted little houses on the wall off the lobby. It’s more about the architect. Thanks for the memories and the picture.

Once you complete the drive to Westlake, you’ll enter an office and shopping complex where the Marriott is located. Next to the hotel is a Wells Fargo office building, a liquor store, deli, day care, some government offices and a pizza shop – it’s not a ton of action, so you know. The hotel is also located a short walk away from the Boy Scouts of America’s ScoutingU (formerly known as the Center for Professional Development) where professional staff go to get trained. The hotel is also the contract facility for trainings there, so you’re bound to see many BSA employees in the area if you visit.

Inside the hotel, you’re greeted with a small lobby to the left, as well as the Cielo restaurant to your right, which features both table and buffet service.

The front desk is straight ahead, and I found the staff there to be incredibly attentive. You’ll also find a hotel bar across the way, though the drinks are pricey, and I found many people walking to the nearby liquor store to pickup drinks to bring back to their room instead of using the bar.

You’ll walk past a set of conference rooms and banquet halls on your way to the elevator. I was staying on the third floor, assigned to a 2 Double Room.

The room was comfortable, though a bit dated in some areas. Interestingly, I found the headboards by the bed to have not been cleaned, since there was a visible layer of dust there when I looked.

Otherwise, the room was standard, featuring a flat screen tv, comfortable arm chair, and an open closet.

Downstairs, there was a fitness center as well as an outside pool with jacuzzi. There is also a bar by the pool, though it was closed during my visit.

Overall, the hotel is in a quiet location, closer to activities on the west side of the airport near Westlake. While it wouldn’t be my first choice of an airport hotel due to the distance, it’s convenient to the offices and other work-locations nearby, and makes for a good choice for events.