The Venetian Room

The “gem” of the new hotel was the renowned Venetian Room, a recreation of the world famous show room of its sister hotel in San Francisco.  The opulent venue which boasted fourteen seven-foot wall chandeliers, gold moldings and specially commissioned murals painted in Italy, quickly became a legendary setting for intimate, cabaret-style entertainment by A-list performers and was considered by many as the premier venue between New York and Las Vegas.

 

The Venetian Room opened in April 1969 with singer Jack Jones and the list of high-caliber singers, comedians and Hollywood and television stars that followed him form a Who’s-Who of the entertainment world of the last forty years.  It would likely be easier to name the stars who DIDN’T appear at the Venetian Room, but a very short list who did include Carol Channing (who made a notable appearance in the lobby wearing only a fur coat), Eartha Kitt, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, Ike & Tina Turner, Jerry Lewis, Peggy Lee, Bernadette Peters, Lou Rawls, Johnny Mathis, Marlene Dietrich and Sonny and Cher.   Many of these stars returned for repeat appearances over the years and the Fairmont Dallas staff learned their likes and dislikes, and ensured that Ginger Rogers, who favored a mix of potato chips and ice cream and Jose Feliciano, who craved Godiva chocolate, each had a supply of their favorites on hand.