Stay Zaza
by Autumn Rhea Carpenter
How is luxury travel defined? Taking a seven-day exploration of Saudi
Arabia by helicopter and camel might be described as extravagant. For the
cold-weather loving set, a stay at the Ice Hotel, complete with dogsled
transportation could be considered indulgent. A month spent with extended
family in an Italian Chateau with a personal chef and glorious views could
also fall into the affluent category.
Hotels have always been included in the luxury travel concept. And many
of them have the stars to prove it. On a recent weekend stay at Hotel ZaZa,
my mother, Carolyn Rhea, and I, experienced our own memorable posh escape.
 Once inside the
four-story, French Mediterranean-inspired boutique hotel located in the
Uptown Dallas, we were transported from the busy street life to a
sophisticated wonderland filled with marble, rounded doorways, contemporary
artwork, dark wood furnishings and a mesmerizing crystal chandelier. The Art
Nouveau décor continued throughout the hotel, creating an insulated, dreamy
feeling.
The purpose of our mother/daughter weekend was pure relaxation. First
stop: the ZaSpa. (FYI, other fellow spa patrons include actors Jessica
Simpson and Kate Hudson.) Although the locker rooms (named Gods/Goddesses)
are miniscule, the ‘transition room’ also called the Big Chill is a haven
for cleansing breaths and calm. Mom and I completed the paperwork, and in
keeping with the hotel’s cool and edgy attitude, we noticed a few funny
questions inserted to see if we were paying attention. Such as: Are you
often fatigued? Are you tired of this questionnaire?
 Each treatment room had a
Moroccan and Asian theme, as well as modern music choices, instead of the
traditional tranquil garden sounds. Carolyn ordered a ‘Have No Mercy’ deep
tissue massage and I requested the ‘Starlight Deep Cleansing’ facial. Other
cleverly named services include the ‘Rock Star’ massage, ‘Billy Jealousy’
men’s custom facial, ‘ESPN’ men’s pedicure and the ‘Who’s Your Daddy’
pre-natal massage. The aesthetician, Jeana Delana, was professional, yet
approachable and shared a few amusing stories about the ‘manscaping’ trend.
(Everything was anonymous, of course.) Massage and facial thoroughly
enjoyed, our next stop was a tour of the Magnificent Seven Suites.
 These multi-roomed suites scream ultra chic. Each suite is unique, and
designed for ultimate privacy. We visited the ‘Leonardo,’ a
1,312-square-foot suite, inspired by da Vinci. The space is decorated with
the artist’s sketches as well as a wall adorned with The Vitruvian Man. (A
male figure standing in two superimposed positions.)
 We also visited the 1340-square-foot ‘Red Shoes’ room, which was designed
with couture footwear in mind. Red popped everywhere, as well as zebra
prints. Carrie Bradshaw would have never left the room.
Speaking of celebrity-types, Hotel ZaZa maintains a lengthy list of
famous clientele guests, including musicians, athletes, actors, politicians,
chefs and models. For name dropping’s sake: Vince Vaughn, Heidi Klum, Jane’s
Addiction, Billy Idol, Pink, the Reverend Al Green, Beck, Diane Keaton, Lily
Tomlin, Wolfgang Puck, Bobby Flay, Tony Romo and Alex Rodriguez.
 After a ride on the
darkened elevator with a ‘girls’ weekend’ bunch, we arrived at our concept
suite, number 449. Each of the 17 concept suites is themed, such as East
Indies, Moulin Rouge, Medusa and Erotica. Our nature-inspired room, called
Escape, was designed with neutrals and images of the outdoors throughout. We
were thrilled with our weekend home: two queen sized beds, two full
bathrooms, a full bathtub, walk-in closet and living room.
 Never one to pass up a
soak in a Jacuzzi tub, I filled it up with bubbles and found my definition
of luxury.
 Ready for dinner, we
walked the hallways to the hotel’s signature restaurant, Dragonfly. During
our stroll, we admired many framed Richard Avedon photographs hanging on the
walls. Once in the lobby we noticed the poolside scene. How did we miss it
earlier? The pool was literally filled with beautiful people, donning
sparkling cowboy hats and toasting their champagne flutes. I was amazed at
the sheer number of bodies filling the pool, but everyone appeared to be
enjoying the sunshine and cocktails as well as the view of the Dallas
skyline.
 Mom and I found our cozy
table, and celebrated our weekend together. The ceiling was draped in a
puffy fabric that created an Arabian harem atmosphere. The bar is alongside
the dining tables, made conversations challenging at times. We sampled the
pomerita cocktail, (a mix of Jose Cuervo plantino tequila, pomegranate
liquor and lemon and lime juice). Executive chef Grant Morgan’s
forest mushroom strudel (goat cheese and black truffle) and Hawaiian fish
of the day along with quinoa tabouleh and citrus ricotta were divine. We
shared dessert: a savory berry Crème Brûlée. Again, luxury revealed.
After dinner, we lounged poolside at the Urban Oasis Nightclub. While
watching the lights twinkle, we listened to the DJs mix and caught up on
each other’s lives. Surrounded by eclectic art, delicious cuisine and a
memorable bubble bath, operation pure relaxation was definitely achieved.
Hotel ZaZa Dallas
2332 Leonard Street
Dallas, TX 75201
(214)
468-8399
http://www.hotelzazadallas.com
Photography by: Hotel ZaZa
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