The Guesthouse on Allen Street

My husband and I chose the Guesthouse on Allen Street after reading online reviews. We live in Dallas but wanted a fun little getaway for our anniversary. We sure got what we wanted and more. What a wonderful, secluded spot right in the city. We both use to work in the McKinney Ave., uptown area, but it has grown and changed so much with so much to offer. The Guesthouse was beautifully decorated, and we fell in love with the garden, the fountains and all the decor. It was a very comfortable bed and pillows, and breakfast was outstanding. I couldn't recommend it enough. We happened to go on a rainy night in the winter, so we will definitely go back in the spring when all the flowers are blooming on the Italian/New Orleans style patio garden. Lovely!

My wife and I stayed here on our 40th anniversary August 12th. We're 59 and both love getting out and leading a vibrant lifestyle. I looked at several other well regarded BnBs in the area and just kept coming back to this one. The reviews alone said it was something different. When we arrived we arrived to a three story Tuscan style structure about 4 blocks off of McKinney, the main drag of Uptown. When we entered the structure we knew we were in for a great stay. One enters the room through an electric gate, walks down a portico to the guest room. Technically only one room with vanity room than toilet and shower attached. Really the room is about the size of an Embassy Suite suite. A kingsize bed, a fireplace, one whole side of the room is loaded with books on bookshelves. The attention to detail is what sets this place apart. You feel like you're staying at on upscale hotel like the Ritz, W, or any other fine hotel. The difference though is you don't have to share facilities. Kay only has one suite and she has invested everything in it. I'm told Kay is an interior decorator, and if so, it clearly shows. The adjoining courtyard has an almost New Oreleans meets Tuscany feel to it. Small but not too small. Intimate would be the right world. An umbrellaed table with a small fountain net to it. A great view of the downtown buildings and lights. Your are right in the middle of all the action in the best part of Dallas, Uptown, but feel somewhat removed and above it all. There is a neat little tapas bar right next door and easy walking distance to restaurants, lounges, and the trolley that runs through uptown. Also very close to the Dallas arts district. Kay finished the stay with a great eggs benedict breakfast with fresh orange juice. Just a perfect overnight and stay. We'll be back and telling our friends about this Dallas jewel.

My husband and I have lived in the DFW area for over 25 years, and wanted a nearby retreat that would offer a different experience. The Guesthouse on Allen more than met that desire. The lovely walled garden, with city views, was a little oasis in a congested area. Breakfast was outstanding. The room was spacious, inviting, and comfortable. The online photos suggest there are multiple rooms, but it is one large, attractive, comfy room with a dressing area and small bath. The private garden patio exceeds its description. Excellent hospitality, without any hovering. The tapas restaurant next door was fun.

My wife & I stayed over a weekend for an SMU event. The location is great. Easy walking distance to restaurants, bars and easy access to major roads. Private, off-street parking. The attention to detail in both amenities & cleanliness was outstanding. Breakfast both mornings - served on a private patio complete with roses, singing birds & koi pond - were superb and plentiful. The accommodations are quiet, spacious, & very tasteful; we lacked for nothing during our stay. Highly recommend!

This was an outstanding place to stay with fabulous surroundings and superb hospitality. The photos of the Guesthouse are stunning and still somehow manage to not nearly do justice to the breathtaking room, stunning high ceilings, very warm selection of great reading materials, and the working fireplace that makes even a dreadful winter day into a great opportunity to snuggle up. An entire wall of floor-to-ceiling windows nestled next to the private (yours only!) courtyard and entire first floor of the house gives an inside feel of modern Georgian styling and outside one of old Tuscany. Fantastic. The only minor letdown was a lack of bathtub (beautiful, naturally-lit shower was a very fair consolation) since we love baths, but all else was lovely. Vegetarian accommodation was much appreciated as well and did not deter from a very hearty breakfast! We stay at B&Bs as often as possible, and for others who also do, it might be helpful to clarify that while other B&Bs tend to also house their proprietors (or the proprietors can be seen roaming about), the Guesthouse is wholly private. It is gated and very secure so this is not a bad thing if you pause at B&Bs because of a lesser sense of privacy. Kay seemed entirely at our disposal if we needed her (which we didn't since everything was so beautifully arranged), but the property is designed specifically for complete privacy; you might as well be in your own apt. right there in central Dallas. Also, it was 1/2 mile from downtown Dallas arts district which made it an easy walk to many beautiful stops. We can't wait to have a reason to come again! Loved every minute. We wish we

Kay has a spectacular property and service. The evening my wife and I spent at The Guesthouse exceeded both of our expectations!!! The pictures on it's website don't come close to doing it justice. The location and ambiance cannot be matched. Thank you!

For less than the cost of a three star hotel, Kay provided a six star experience in every aspect of hospitality. The quality of the room is exceptional, and I honestly can't figure out how they provide everything that they do for the price. The quality of the linens alone is far greater than anything that I've experienced at any luxury hotel, with the possible exception of the Hotel Amalfi in Chicago. The Amalfi might be at the same level, but I wouldn't sweart to it. And I did pay nearly three time the amount to stay at the Amalfi. If you're staying in Dallas and want the best experience and the best value, this is the only place that you need to look. Really, it's just that good.

Kay met us at the Guesthouse and gave us the tour. The Guesthouse has every amenity you could ask for. Beautiful room with wonderful ambience. Room looks out onto a private garden with a water fountain feature and lots of pretty plants. Room is stocked with a mini fridge loaded with pop, juice and water and also has a full-blown icemaker. Kay provided us with a bottle of wine and also a basket of goodies. When we returned from our night out, Kay had performed a turndown service and also left us a plate of wonderful chocolates. Breakfast was served right on time and was excellent. The Guesthouse is very quiet and secluded. We stay at a lot of B&Bs, and this one is the most comfortable , quite and private one we've stayed at. Highly recommend it. We will most definitely stay there next time we're in Dallas.

I stayed at the Guesthouse for 5 days. I cannot recommend it enough. The only problem is that if the word gets out, then I won't be able to book next time I come through Dallas. Not only is the architecture exquisite, but the proprietor makes you feel like you are royalty. A true gem of an experience.

On a recent business trip to Dallas, I decided to venture away from the big downtown hotels. After searching the internet, I found this single room bed and breakfast in "Uptown". What a pleasant surprise – a hidden gem! The room is about 4 short blocks from the Uptown Trolley giving your easy access to the arts district, downtown, and the DART rail system. The room was beautifully decorated - like a picture out of Architectural Digest (the owner is an interior decorator). Equipped with a small desk with internet access, a small “kitchen-like” area with a coffee maker & refrigerator, the room is also functional. The owner who lives upstairs is well versed in "Southern Hopspitality." Shi is a foodie and provided "insiders advice" regarding local restaurants. While the courtyard breakfast was rumored to be great – I was too stuffed from sampling the Dallas culinary scene the previous evening to partake. I highly recommend this place for either romantic weekend away or a weekday business trip. You will not be disappointed. Tom from Cincinnati, OH

We have stayed here twice in 2009 & absolutely look forward to staying here again at our next visit. Great food, comfortable king bed, great accommodations with a Tuscany setting with private courtyard.

Thank you so very much for our wonderful stay. We absolutely loved the room and breakfast was outstanding. We look forward to coming back.

We really enjoyed our stay here. The rooms were lovey, the location convenient and the staff pleasant. A great value.

My husband and I stayed at the Guesthouse in mid-October, 2008. We wanted to be near the art and museum district, King Tut's exhibit, up scale dining, and downtown Dallas area. The Guesthouse met our criteria and more. We have stayed in Bed and Breakfasts in other parts of the US, The Guesthouse rates five star in comparison. We look forward to staying there everytime we visit Dallas.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. It was so convenient for exploring the new "uptown" area of Dallas. We would have been content to stay forever, sitting outside on the patio or curled up inside in a comfortable chair, reading our way through the wall of books in the room.

Having stayed at the Guesthouse on Allen Street one or more weekends each month for over a year, I am quite tardy in submitting a review. The accommodations are lovely beyond any description I could compose. The location on the ground-level of the charming hosts' (Kay and Jack Irwin) home, and it is secured with an electronically controlled decorative iron gate. The hors d'oeurves and breakfasts are simply delicious and tastefully presented.