Hotel Paisano

207 N Highland Ave., (432) 729-3669. Pool (heated seasonally); fitness center; restaurant. Pets ok. No smoking.

exterior of Hotel Paisano in Marfa, Texas

Warner Brothers filmed parts of “Giant” in the Hotel Paisano and used it as headquarters while filming the movie. Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean stayed here for the first few weeks, then moved to larger accommodations, but they and the other 150 cast members and crew continued gathering here to dine in the restaurant, socialize in the lobby, and to watch dailies from a projector that director George Stevens set up in the ballroom. Giant photos of the filming hang on the walls, and there is a special room off the restaurant that is devoted to film-related memorabilia. Built in 1930 by Trost & Trost, who also built the Gage hotel in Marathon, this hotel’s facilities include a lovely, though small indoor pool area. At the entrance, a bank of gift shops invite browsing. Coffee and fresh lemonade are always available in the expansive lobby furnished with solid couches and stairs, and once I settled into one I did not want to get up again. If you want to go for broke, reserve the Rock Hudson Suite. It is the hotel’s largest, with a large living and dining area, small kitchen, two bathrooms, a bedroom, and a large front room. It also features a large rooftop terrace with patio furniture and is the perfect place to hold a small dinner party.

lobby of Hotel Paisano in Marfa, Texas

images from "Giant" set at Hotel Paisano in Marfa, Texas

indoor pool at Hotel Paisano in Marfa, Texas

Jett’s Grill

serves everything from a homemade burrito at breakfast to a pistachio-crusted sirloin steak and Black Angus GIANT burger for dinner. The chicken-fried steak is also very good, and the margaritas rock. Snacks and cocktails are served on the patio.

Jett's Grill at Hotel Paisano in Marfa, Texas

outdoor patio at Jett's Grill at Hotel Paisano in Marfa, Texas

Stripes

Another star visited town not too long ago and stopped in at the Stripes convenience store. Located inside a gas station with the same name, this is where Anthony Bordain ate when he was in town. Here to film what turned out to be his last episode of “Parts Unknown,” he apparently visited on a holiday and everything else was closed. He ate a fried burrito, which reputedly did not impress him.