Staying Near the Dallas Convention Center: Apartment vs. Hotel Block

The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center sits on the southwest edge of downtown Dallas and hosts some of the largest trade shows in the country. When a big one comes to town, the official hotel blocks fill fast and rates climb. If you're staying three nights or longer — or traveling with colleagues — a furnished apartment downtown is worth a serious look.

What the hotel block gets right

Proximity and simplicity. A connected hotel lets you drop your bag between sessions, and booking runs through the conference portal. For a one-night trip, that's hard to beat.

Where an apartment wins

Space to actually work. A separate living area and a real desk mean you can take a 7 a.m. call without sitting on the edge of a bed. Several of our downtown units have laptop-friendly workspaces and wired ethernet for video calls that can't drop.

A real kitchen. Breakfast before the 8 a.m. keynote, coffee you actually like, somewhere to put the leftovers from the client dinner. Over a four- or five-night stay, skipping one restaurant meal a day adds up.

Parking that's included. Downtown hotel parking can easily add $40 or more a night. Our building includes garage parking — useful if you're driving in from elsewhere in Texas.

Room for the team. A 2-bedroom, 2-bath apartment gives colleagues separate rooms and a shared living space to prep in — often for less than two hotel rooms at peak convention rates.

Laundry. In-unit laundry means a week-long show doesn't require packing for a week.

Getting to the convention center

From central downtown, the convention center is a short DART light-rail ride — Convention Center station is right at the building — or a quick rideshare. On a mild day, it's a walk. In Dallas summer heat, downtown's network of underground pedestrian tunnels and skybridges can keep you out of the sun for part of the way during business hours.

Staying a month or more?

Consultants, relocating employees, and traveling medical staff often need more than a week. Several of our Dallas homes accept long-term stays, with full kitchens, workspaces, and the building's pool and gym — the comforts of home without signing a lease. Get in touch about stays of 30 nights or more.

Our picks for business travelers

A 1-bedroom with a workspace, projector, and skyline view for solo travelers; a 1-bedroom with indoor garage parking if you're driving in; and a 1-bedroom that sleeps five when two colleagues want to split.

Book early for the major shows — downtown fills up on the same dates the hotels do. When the sessions end, our downtown Dallas dining guide has dinner covered within walking distance. See all our Dallas homes.