The Ritz-Carlton is already known for its luxury and hospitality. But as they say, Texas does it big. Which sums up why the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, takes even the Ritz to a new level of luxury travel.
I visited this stunning Uptown Arts District hotel when I was traveling through Dallas on a business trip. I had heard talk about the property’s newly designed club floor and wanted to check it out firsthand.
The Ritz-Carlton did not disappoint. (It never does.)
From the multiple valets who rushed to whisk my luggage inside, to the sparkling glass of champagne I received upon check-in, I immediately saw why the Ritz-Carlton is considered one of the finest hotels in Dallas.
It was hard to pull myself away from the breathtaking lobby and friendly smiles at the front desk, but my curiosity to see the new club lounge pushed my feet forward. Plus, I didn’t want the mimosa awaiting me there to grow warm!
A special, key-only-entry club level is a wonderful delight for luxury lovers looking to make their experience even more personal and memorable. Imagine nirvana — within nirvana. The Dallas Ritz’s club floor features sweeping panoramas of the Texas skyline and landscapes, cocktails, afternoon tea and food throughout the day. For a local flair, the club floor lounge boasts a revolving assortment of Texan wine, beer and sodas, so you can get a literal taste for the town while gazing upon it from above. Afterwards, be sure to visit the outdoor pool for more views of the amazing Dallas skyline!
Exclusivity notwithstanding, the club level is far from stuffy or outdated, and neither are the rooms. In fact, my room at the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas was one of the most tech-savvy I’ve ever stayed in: a TV within the vanity mirror, adjustable blinds near the oversized soaking tub, an auto night light in the bathroom.
As an international expert on spas, I would be remiss to skip the 12,000-square-foot, 12-room Ritz-Carlton Dallas Spa — the No. 1 spa in Dallas. Here, I enjoyed a hydrotherapy circuit, unwound in the relaxation lounge and received a HydraFacial, a non-invasive face treatment that improves the appearance of wrinkles, acne, skin tone and more.
The treatment met its promises and left my face looking and feeling fantastic.
By night, I made sure to visit the unique daily appearance by the Ritz’s famous “Guacamologist”, an expert on guacamole, served up with margaritas — all made fresh to order.
With my appetite awakened, I indulged in “elevated American cuisine” at Fearing’s Restaurant, the creation of chef Dean Fearing, author of “The Texas Food Bible” himself. Rarely am I left speechless, but this meal was so innovative and so delicious that it left me staring at an empty plate wondering how and when to plan another trip back to Dallas.
Beyond the bold flavors at Fearing’s and the interior of the resort, which in and of itself is a vacation from the rest of the world, the Ritz-Carlton Dallas is ideally located in town and offers easy access to excellent shopping in a high-end store, Stanley Korshak, just one block away. Also within walking distance: a performing arts center and the Dallas Museum of Art.
As I walked through town, my to-do list for my next trip kept growing, and I found a new and unexpected place in my heart for Dallas. A big place in my heart. After all, everything in Texas is big — and my newfound love for this destination is no exception.
Ava Roxanne Stritt is an official Travelocity Gnational Gnomad offering tips and inspiration to fellow travel enthusiasts. To join the Travelocity Gnomads community visit www.travelocitygnomads.com
