Julianna Chen is a Dallas-based writer whose work appears in Texas Monthly, D Magazine, the Dallas Observer, PaperCity Dallas, and Covey Rise. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, she is an alumna of Emory University in Atlanta and has resided in Texas since 2023. When she’s not writing, you can find her browsing a local bookstore or walking Dallas’ Katy Trail.

Julianna Chen

Julianna Chen

Freelance Writer

Articles (2)

The best hotels in Dallas, Texas—chosen by a local expert

The best hotels in Dallas, Texas—chosen by a local expert

In a city like Dallas, it’s easy to get your fix for the finer things in life. Known for its high-end shopping and globally-inspired restaurants, the city hosts an equally impressive assortment of bougie hotels. But, Dallas is also proud to welcome anyone and everyone (25.7 million visitors yearly, thank you very much). Though us Dallasites love our five-star retreats, the city is home to a growing collection of world-class hotels, offering unbeatable locations, phenomenal spas, brag-worthy restaurants and, of course, Lone Star State warmth.  We’ve rounded up 25 of the best hotels in Big D to make your search for the perfect night’s sleep a little easier. Whether you’re looking for a hotel in the middle of the action with easy access to the city’s renowned nightlife and bars, or you’d prefer the peace and quiet of an onsite spa, you’ll find what you’re looking for below.  RECOMMENDED: The best Airbnbs in DallasThe best things to do in Dallas This guide was written by Texas-based writer James Wong. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and
The 14 best treehouse Airbnbs in Dallas

The 14 best treehouse Airbnbs in Dallas

There’s no shortage of hotels in Dallas. From the extravagant to the economical, a good night’s stay is never far off in Big D. But if you’re tired of the hustle and bustle, a treehouse rental is a great way to disconnect. Whether you’re looking for a huge property to host a group of friends, or you need a secluded spot for a romantic couples’ getaway, there’s something for everyone. And we mean everyone: this list includes two “Hobbit”-themed treehouses and one ship-themed property complete with sails and a steering wheel. We’ve searched high and low to find the best treehouse Airbnbs both far-flung (up to an hour and a half from Dallas) and conveniently close to the city’s best new attractions and nightlife (ten minutes from downtown, anyone?). Read on to discover Airbnbs where you can sleep in a shipping container, sit by the fire or just stargaze. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. Recommended: 🏨 Check-in to one of the best hotels in Dallas👪 These are the top family-friendly hotels in Dallas🎸 Head to the best attractions in Dallas🌵 Sleep in the best Airbnbs in Dallas Who makes the cut? While we might not stay i

News (1)

I spent $85 to visit the country’s largest mineral springs resort—here’s why it was totally worth it

I spent $85 to visit the country’s largest mineral springs resort—here’s why it was totally worth it

Some might have to spend thousands of dollars to fly eight-plus hours to Iceland or Italy just to visit a natural spring, but a 20-minute drive north of Dallas in Plano, Texas gets you to WorldSprings, a sprawling wellness resort that boasts 46 mineral-infused soaking pools alongside saunas, cold plunges and a spa. Here, you’ll find “the world’s greatest mineral waters, all in one place”—every pool is inspired by natural springs from around the globe, so you can take a dip without ever leaving Texas. And at $85 per person to access the 46 pools, it’s far cheaper than the price you’d pay to travel to all eight represented countries. You’d be hard-pressed to find anything similar in the city. In fact, the closest natural springs are the ever-popular Barton Springs in Austin. Besides that, you’re looking at a nearly five-hour drive to the aptly-named city of Hot Springs, Arkansas, or a 600-mile journey to Big Bend National Park from Dallas. Given the scarcity of nearby springs experiences, WorldSprings is well worth the trip—so much so that I regretted complaining about the traffic to Plano.  How my WorldSprings experience went My day at WorldSprings began in the sleek lobby, where I received an electronic wristband that allowed me to access my locker with one tap, as well as a color-coded wristband for staff to identify the 10am time slot I’d reserved. A typical reservation is for three hours, unless you’re coming for one of the five reduced-price slots before closing time (11p