The 24-Hour Escape

by MADELYN MILLER

Can two high-powered type A personalities find a place to rest, relax, and refresh, when they only have 24 hours?

Last weekend I found out they can.

Imagine laying around a lushly landscaped free-form pool, listening to calypso music, and sipping pina coladas and strawberry margaritas. Sound like a tropical paradise vacation? Actually, you're close, I mean really close. I enjoyed all this in Dallas on a recent Saturday night.

The Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas is the perfect getaway weekend because you don't have any of the hassles of traveling. No airplanes, no schedules, no delays. As a travel writer, I get invited to lots of exotic destinations. Many times I will spend 10-12 hours traveling for a 3 or 4 day trip. Since my husband can't get away that often, this was a perfect way for us to relax and escape from our everyday world. And yet we were in our own "backyard."

From the moment we walked into our spacious cream colored stucco villa, we felt pampered. The luxurious marble bathrooms and louvered wooden slat doors that opened onto our private patio made us want to just stay in our room. But we took the footbridge over the pool, walked past bubbling fountains and slipped into the whirlpool. We stared up at the birch trees (which I'd never before seen in the Dallas area, theoretically they don't grow here) and felt like we were at an exotic destination.

While the biggest draw to the Four Seasons at Las Colinas is their nationally renowned Tournament Players Course golf course, we are not golfers. But we enjoyed the spectacular sports club facilities and pampering services at the world-class spa. After a wonderful massage by Leah, I felt like a wet noodle. And then the ministrations of my facialist Kim, gave my skin a radiant glow. The spa offers Swedish, Shiatsu and aromatherapy massages, all performed by highly-skilled professional therapists.

The spa is remarkable not only for the skill and personal service of the staff--but for the attention given to every little detail. Each dark wooden locker has a thick fluffy robe and plastic bag for wet suits. On the bench outside each shower, there was a disposable razor. Piles of exercise clothes are stocked on the shelves, and baskets of socks are available. Every possible need has been anticipated.

Spa Director Kathryn Waldman believes, "Our primary objective at the Spa is for guests to be treated like kings and queens, and leave the resort with an invigorating and memorable experience."

The Sports Club boasts state-of-the-art exercise equipment, weight room, fitness classes, indoor lap pool, two outdoor pools, racquetball and squash courts, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, an outdoor stadium court, and indoor and outdoor jogging tracks. Complete conditioning programs include aerobics, water exercises in the Resorts' lap pool, sports stretch, weight training, karate and Tai Kwon Do. Besides three restaurants, the Resort houses a display of historical memorabilia from golf legend Byron Nelson's personal collection.

The palate is also pampered at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Las Colinas. Their gourmet Cafe on the Green offers Four Seasons alternative cuisine--items that are nutritionally balanced, and lower in calories, cholesterol, sodium and fat. At dinner the "Buffet Menu" offered by Executive Chef Bernhard Muller is an exceptional value at $28.50. You begin your meal with a selection of shellfish, seafood, imported cheese, soup of the day and more from an elaborate appetizer buffet (the buffet alone at $17.50 would make a spectacular dinner). Entrees on this menu typically include a grilled fresh fish, seared filet of Angus Beef, and spinach ricotta stuffed chicken breast.

From the regular menu I tried Veal and Asparagus "Saltimbocca" with Forest Mushrooms, new potatoes and Sage ($21.50). The hearty sauce complimented the attractively presented dish. My husband enjoyed perfectly prepared Roast Rack of Lamb with Rosemary Vegetable Risotto and Grain Mustard sauce ($24.50).

But save room for pastry chef Randy Gehman's award winning desserts including cheese cakes, tortes, fresh fruit tart pies and mousse. My personal favorite was the German Chocolate cheesecake with coconut walnut crust. I'm not the only one who thinks Four Seasons Resort and Club is great. It's "resume" of awards includes Conde Nast Traveler ranking it as one of the Top 10 Best Hotels in the country, Golf Magazine named it one of the Top 50 great American Golf Resorts, Tennis Magazine named the Resort among its Top 50 great American Tennis Resorts. And each year since its opening , it has received the Mobil Four Star Award and AAAA Four Diamond Award.

The best value is to book one of the golf, spa or tennis packages depending on your interests. There are also special romance packages.

Only seven miles from the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the Four Seasons Resort and Club makes for a very convenient get-away for those who crave pampered peace.

800-332-3442 or (214-717-0700).

How to Plan a Backyard Vacation

1. Call around to all the most deluxe hotels within 25 miles. Since you'll only be staying one night -- SPLURGE! Often super deluxe business hotels have wonderful weekend packages. And think of how much money you'll save on airfare.

2. Try the hotel dining rooms and room service. Upscale hotels usually have good food.

3. Look at your city through a tourist's eyes. Enjoy one of two local "sights" that you usually just drive by.

4. Buy a T-shirt with the hotel name or your city.

Remember how much fun you had at home!

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