Dallas, TX

GSA Per Diem

Lodging = $117.00
M&IE = $71.00

Lodging

Hyatt Regency Dallas
300 Reunion Blvd
Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 651-1234
http://dallasregency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

This is one of my favorite hotels. It has a lovely interior, comfortable beds, and satisfactory dining options on site. I actually ate several meals at two of the Hyatt’s restaurants, Parrinos and Centennial Café. Room service provided a well-rounded menu and was of high quality. This is important because downtown Dallas tends to die after 5:00 pm and I didn’t feel all that safe wandering around after dark.

For internet they have two different bandwidths available for a 24 hour period: Economy and Business. Economy is $9.95 and Business is $12.95 with a faster bandwidth.

Parking is relatively inexpensive for a large metro area like Dallas. I used the valet and had no problems with the service. According to the Hyatt website:

Valet Parking:
Available at hotel entrance. In and out privileges for hotel guests only.
Overnight Valet: : $19.00 plus tax
Daily: 0-3 Hours $10.00, 3-6 Hours $14.00, 6-24 Hours $18.00 plus tax, operated by Ace Parking.

Self parking:
Self parking in the outdoor Radish Lot is conveniently located on the north end of the hotel at the intersection of Hotel Street and Reunion Boulevard West. No in and out privileges. Operated by Ace Parking.
Maximum $10.00 per day (including tax)*

Dining

Pappdeaux Seafood Kitchen
3520 Oak Lawn
Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 521-4700
http://www.pappadeaux.com/location/?id=18

Pappadeaux is a famous restaurant chain in the South. I have been to Pappadeaux in several different cities in Texas and Georgia and the quality has been excellent across the board. I had the Citrus Crusted Tilapia and it was amazing and that is saying something as I don't care much for seafood. The building itself has a lot of character, which always seems to make my experience infinitely more enjoyable. Expect to spend around $37.00 per person.

For alcoholic drinks, they are famous for the “Swamp Thing.”

El Fenix – Downtown
1601 McKinney Ave
Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 747-1121
http://www.elfenix.com/

El Fenix was recommended to me by some members of the Dallas PD. It is everything a Mexican food restaurant should be (according to a Mexican food snob from California): murals on the walls, lots of chips, more food than you can eat, and a family atmosphere.

I would happily go to El Fenix again, especially since I left absolutely stuffed for about $23.00.