This City in Oklahoma Belongs on Your 2024 Travel List — With a New Hotel in a Gorgeous Building From the 1930s

Why Oklahoma City is one professional traveler's favorite destination — and how Marriott's new Autograph Collection, The National, elevates the Southwestern city.

When people ask me about my favorite places to travel, I start with Antarctica. Everyone nods — that makes sense. And then I tell them Oklahoma City, and their bewilderment at the juxtaposition will never cease to amuse me.

A few years back, my husband and I took a five-month road trip across the country when we moved from New York to L.A. Since the journey coincided with storm-chasing season, I thought I might up my chance of seeing some severe weather by spending a month in the heart of Tornado Alley: Oklahoma City. Of course, during the entire month we spent there, the state of Oklahoma only experienced two tornadoes — neither of which I witnessed. So instead of chasing storms, I spent the month getting to know Oklahoma City, falling head over heels in love with its midcentury and art deco architecture, top-notch museums, and ample parking (New Yorkers and Los Angelenos, take note). But I did feel as if Oklahoma City needed one more wow factor to give it a touch more oomph. And in April 2022, it got it: a new hotel.

The 33-story First National Bank Building, now the First National Center, opened to great fanfare in 1931. Its Great Hall was a marvel, taking on a grand neoclassical style that contrasts with the tower's art deco exterior, featuring marble surfaces throughout, custom murals depicting Oklahoma's history, and a painted ceiling. After the oil crisis of the '70s and '80s, the bank closed, and the tower simply became an office building. But in 2016, it began its $275 million redevelopment journey, which included the addition of a swish hotel.

The National, Autograph Collection

— The Great Hall has been exquisitely restored and is a marvel to behold (and photograph).

— The lively restaurants and bars are gathering places for locals just as much as they are for visitors.

— It's located right in the center of downtown Oklahoma City, so major attractions like Bricktown, the Myriad Botanical Gardens, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum are within walking distance.

— The rooms are spacious and feature chic art deco–inspired decor.

— The hotel is pet-friendly (including cats!).

The National, part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, comprises 146 rooms on eight floors of the tower and includes five major food and beverage outlets in the public areas. On our return journey from California to New York, my husband I — and our new cat — popped in for a brief stay. Now if you've ever traveled with a cat, you'll know how difficult it is to find cat-friendly properties (pet-friendly often means dogs only), so it was beyond refreshing to stay in a shiny new boutique property after days of middle-of-nowhere motels.

After dropping our car off with the valet, we ascended the lobby elevators into the Great Hall and were blown away not only by the architecture, but also the Christmas decorations, which certainly rivaled anything we'd seen in New York City. We were also struck by how absolutely lively it was inside, from locals coming to take photos in front of the giant bauble Christmas tree to office holiday parties streaming in. Up in our room, however, things were delightfully peaceful. The navy blue walls, recessed ceiling, and art deco–inspired furnishings lent a luxe vibe to the room, while the marble bath was extra spacious and featured Beekman 1802 toiletries. But the highlight of our stay was undoubtedly the dining experiences, from a decadent steak dinner at Stock & Bond to after-dinner drinks at the Library of Distilled Spirits, located in the old bank vault. Without a doubt, The National has taken Oklahoma City to the next level, and I can't wait to return for another stay.

The Rooms

There are 146 rooms at The National, many featuring unique layouts given the historic nature of the building. Entry-level rooms are called Executive Kings and Executive Double Queens, and they range in size from 291 to 478 square feet. Superior Kings are slightly larger, around 500 square feet, while King Suites have a separate living room and half bath. The top suite is the Presidential Suite, with a king-size bed, living-dining room, and one-and-a-half baths, coming in at 883 square feet. Each room has navy blue walls, art deco furnishings, and marble baths.

Food and Drink

This is where The National really shines. There are five main restaurants and bars: the lobby bar, Tellers, Stock & Bond, the Gilded Acorn, and the Library of Distilled Spirits. The lobby bar sits square in the center of the main hall, and it's a very lively scene between after-work gatherings and hotel guests, while Italian restaurant Tellers sits just to the side — yes, where the bank tellers were once located. Stock & Bond is a steakhouse with an extensive whiskey menu that celebrates the culinary legacy of the High Plains (there's also a bar here if you're just looking to sample a few drinks). The Gilded Acorn is a coffee shop and patisserie, while the Library of Distilled Spirits is a cocktail bar in the former bank vault.

Activities and Experiences

The hotel doesn't have a pool or a spa, but it does have a 24-hour fitness center. It also has a retail concourse where you'll find a Drybar, barber shop, and nail salon, plus the stores Lucchese, King Ranch Saddle Shop, and Plenty Mercantile, a certified B-Corp business that sells curated gifts and local goods.

Accessibility and Sustainability

As part of the multiyear, nearly $300 million renovation, the hotel's public spaces and some guest rooms are now ADA-compliant. Accessible room features include 32-inch-wide doors, roll-in showers, lowered amenities, visual alarms, and hearing kits, among others. There aren't any particular sustainability features to note, although the renovation did require the remediation of asbestos and lead-based paint.

Location

The National is located right in the middle of downtown, within walking distance of most major attractions and the Oklahoma City Streetcar, which connects many of the major neighborhoods in town. Nearby you'll find the Myriad Botanical Gardens, the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (home of the Triple-A affiliate of the L.A. Dodgers), the Amtrak station, the Underground, and all the bars and restaurants of Bricktown. It should be noted that if you do decide to bring a car, parking is valet-only and costs $32 per night.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

The National is an Autograph Collection property, placing it in the Marriott Bonvoy program — you can earn and spend your points here, as well as redeem any elite status perks like free breakfast and late checkout. You'll also be able to take advantage of Marriott's many packages and deals, like free nights on stays of a certain length.

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