Meet David Lemmond, the new General Manager of The Highland hotel. Lemmond hails from some of the most highly regarded boutique hotels in the nation, such as three locations of The Standard in New York City, Los Angeles and Miami Beach, and most recently, Hotel Vitale in San Francisco.
The Highland Hotel Dallas
Tell us about any exciting additions to the hotel since the transformation from Hotel Palomar to The Highland:
The name change to The Highland Dallas was a big change, and we are the first Hotel in Curio - A Collection by Hilton. The relationship with Hilton brings the Hotel full circle from its original opening as the Hilton Inn in the '60s. We will be making improvements to the property over the coming months including a five million dollar planned upgrade to our guest rooms and meeting/event spaces. I think the property will truly gain a sense of place at the crossroads of style and comfort, culture and sophistication, historic ties and modern touches.
Favorite lunch spot in University Crossing:
It sounds a little much, but I have eaten many a lunch at Knife since my arrival. We just started serving lunch about a month ago and have been building up momentum! My favorites are a toss up between The Ozersky Burger (cue mouth watering) and the Grilled Reuben!
Most frequented shop in University Crossing:
I love Atama at Mockingbird Station. The collection of unique and colorful pieces make art and the creative process accessible to just about anyone. It's a fun store to explore even though it is small in scale. Mockingbird Station is right across the street from the hotel so it is easy to sneak over there for some retail inspiration.
Favorite way to spend your free time in Dallas:
As a new resident of Dallas, exploring has been my favorite pastime. I've enjoyed getting in my car and going off in different directions, finding new neighborhoods or landmarks to explore. Dallas is a big place and finding all the hidden treasures is fun. Walking through Highland Park Village or Bishop Arts District are great experiences. A visit to the Dallas Art Museum with dinner at Trinity Groves feels like you have gone to different worlds yet are just a short drive apart.