The season for screamin' is upon us, and the foreboding attractions at Mansfield's Terrorplex promises four times the fright for fear fans.
Midnight Manor
When the clock strikes 12, will it be the dawn of a new day or dawn of the dead for those who dare to enter the lair of Dr. Morbid? A Victorian era vision by day, once the sun's light is extinguished the domain's demented denizens pass through the veil that separate living souls from the spirit world to give their guests a gruesome greeting.
Van Helsing's Haunted House of Wax
The globe's most ghastly fiends have been frozen in the form of wax figures inside Van Helsing's museum, but now the resin-encased relics have awakened. See if you can escape such classic creeps as Count Dracula, Frankenstein's monster and Leatherface.
Heavy Metal Madness
Guitar riffs drive the sane into a rabid rage within this dark den, where smoke snakes around its victim as tunes of terror make even the ears of the brave bleed.
Count Orlock's Castle of Torture
It's been said that a vampire has no soul, but some vestige of a nosferatu still seems to cling to the array of artifacts that have made their way to Mansfield, Texas. Recent sightings of the blood sucker call for an exploration of into the unexplained.....
Terrorplex Midway
Enjoy a festival atmosphere which features a DJ spinning sinister sounds, a psychic that might predict peace or peril in your future, souvenir shopping at the Gore Store, a concession area and fog machines to add to the menacing mood.
When: Open each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from September 18 - November 1, 2009.
As the saying goes, everything is bigger in Texas, and Lone Star soirees are no exception to the rule. On August 20, 2009 more than 1,000 guests gathered to celebrate the grand opening of NYLO Dallas/Las Colinas, The Big D's newest chic retreat.
The party for the popular property was held at The Loft-- the hotel's restaurant/bar-- spilling out into the adjoining ballroom and patio, where attendees sampled ambulatory appetizers , so to speak, with servers styled in hoop skirts which transformed into buffet tables brimming with such culinary creations of mini lobster sliders, sushi and sesame-seared tuna. Inside The Loft, guests rank up the upscale atmosphere as they ordered such creative cocktails as a Lexus Lemonade with VOX Vodka before taking a stroll into the library, where they enjoyed a tasty teaming of tried and true Texas fare and contemporary cuisine as Johnny Lloyd Rollins and a deejay provided the soundtrack for the evening.
A happening with heart, an art auction was conducted to benefit the Make a Wish Foundation. Party-goers also had the opportunity to admire the works of art by local artists which adorn the hotel guestrooms, including "Longhorn Love" by Jennifer Moreman.
Mark your social calendar for upcoming events at NYLO Dallas/Las Colinas, which include a Halloween party and a symphony orchestra gala.
Having made its debut in July, the NYLO Dallas/Las Colinas is the latest luxury boutique retreat in the Big D area.
Offering a touch of elegance from the moment patrons enter the lobby, staff stylishly suited in uniforms designed by Project Runway competitor Daniel Vosovic greet guests who have booked a stay in one of the hotel's 200 rooms or five suites, which feature beds draped in down comforters, custom duvets, and cotton-rich linens; 32" flat-screen TVs and in-room safes.
Six meeting rooms and 7,000 sq. ft. of event space are available for business travelers, who can make use of the hotel's wired and wireless internet, cordless speakerphones and voice mail, as well as faxing, scanning and copying services.
Business travelers and tourists alike can rejuvenate in the 24-hour fitness center or unwind with a Nintendo Wii game or a round of billiards in The Library, then take a dip in one of two heated pools before ordering a drink from the outdoor bar and slipping inside a cabana for a little R&R in The Courtyard.
Patrons can please their palates at the restaurant and sushi bar located at The Loft, the social sanctuary which also encompasses the library, business center and game lounge.
The eco-friendly hotel has made steps to "go green" for its guests by using low wattage light bulbs throughout the hotel, carrying exclusive NYLO bath and body products packaged in recycled bottles, offering recycled paper in meeting rooms and guest rooms, and opting for energy efficient brick and concrete construction.
NYLO Dallas/Las Colinas is conveniently located nine miles from the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport in Irving.
Hotel Palomar Dallas Offers Summer Playground Package
Going on through Labor Day, you can hula hoop your way to a reduced rate stay at Kimpton's Hotel Palomar Dallas. As part of their Summer Playground package, guests who can keep the childhood toy in motion for one minute will receive a 50% discount on a room, while just 20 seconds worth of hula hoop rotation is good for a free room upgrade (at check-in, based on availability.)
The Summer Playground Package at Kimpton's Hotel Palomar Dallas offers:
overnight accommodations
$25 credit for food and drinks
A free in-room movie and popcorn
Patrons booking the special Summer Playground package can also tap their feet to the beat of summertime tunes while sampling complimentary sangria and Blythe Bites created by Blythe Beck, Executive Chef of Central 214. Held during the hotel's wine hour, the daily get together of guests also includes Wii competitions in tennis, golf and baseball.
Summer Playground package rates start at $199 per night. The offer is available through September 7, 2009.
Hotel Palomar Dallas Offers Special Summer Rate for Teachers
School's out for summer, and for those who spent the past months educating eager students, Kimpton's Hotel Palomar Dallas is offering a lesson in luxury with a "Time Out for Teachers" special summer rate.
Through September 7, 2009, teachers who mentor young minds in reading, writing and 'rithmetic can learn about the fourth R-- relaxation, during a stay at the boutique retreat for only $75 a night. A part of the Summer Playground campaign, teachers can sip complimentary sangrias and participate in games at wine hour and indulge in an ice cream beak in the hotel lobby-- just a few of the freebies offered to guests.
Available for stays booked for Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday night (three nights maximum), patrons must provide valid teacher, coach or administration application upon check-in to be eligible for the special rate. The "Time Out for Teachers" special rate cannot be combined with other offers or used for a group reservation. Additional restrictions, fees, black out dates or taxes may apply.
To book a room with the special summer "Time Out For Teachers" offer, enter TOT in the rate code box on the hotel's website.
Warwick Melose Hotel in Dallas Unveils Renovations
Looking forward to the future while paying homage to it past, the Warwick Melrose Hotel in Dallas is celebrating its 86th year by unveiling their multi-million dollar renovation project.
A year in the making, the undertaking embraces the era in which the luxurious landmark made its debut, 1924. Patrons checking in can check out furnishings fit for a Flapper upon entering a lobby illuminated by Art Deco-inspired light fixtures.
The Roaring 20's trend continues in the boutique retreat's 184 rooms and suites, where crystal chandeliers dangle over silver lamps draped with black shades, silver night tables accented with antique mirrored glass tops and black and white photos of the hotel's atmospheric exterior architecture, including stone griffins and elegant arches.
In a harmonious marriage between classic beauty and contemporary comforts, rooms are also equipped with flatscreen Samsung TVs ranging from 37" - 42," which guests can watch as they rests their heads on down-filled pillows.
Union Station in Dallas Offers Wolfgang Puck Catering for Events
While travelers once gathered at Union Station to board trains which took passengers on a journey to the destinations they desired, today couples converge at the historic Dallas venue as they embark on the journey of a lifetime-- traveling down life's road together as husband and wife.
Its $23 million renovation recently completed, the 1916 Beaux Arts beauty located at 400 South Houston Street has been restored to its former glory, complete with 48 foot tall ceilings, arched windows, ornate original chandeliers and views of a bustling downtown.
Available for engagement parties, rehearsal dinners and wedding ceremonies with a guest list of 10 or 1,500, the landmark venue also boasts culinary creations from the award-winning chefs of Wolfgang Puck Catering, in partnership with Hyatt Regency Dallas.
For more information regarding weddings at Union Station Dallas:
American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum Celebrates Black History Month
In recognition of Black History Month, the American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum is presenting a photographic exhibit that focuses on African-American cockpit and cabin crews who worked for American Airlines, as well as celebrities who flew as passengers. The exhibit will be on display throughout February.
The exhibit showcases pioneers such as Dave Harris, the first black pilot to fly for a major airline, and Joan Dorsey, the first black flight attendant to be hired by a major airline, as well as photos of Sammy Davis, Jackie Robinson and Eartha Kitt stepping off American's planes.
Double-Header Movie Saturdays: The American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum is also launching Double-Header Movie Saturdays. On Feb. 21 and 28, two videos about the Tuskegee Airmen will be shown in the museum's main theater. At 1:30 p.m. the HBO Pictures and Price Entertainment Production of The Tuskegee Airmen, starring Laurence Fishburne, Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Malcolm Jamal Warner, will play (PG-13, 106 minutes). At 4 p.m., Nightfighters, the True Story of the 332nd Fighter Group will be shown.
Admission: Non-member and non-employee admission fees are $4 for adults and $2 for seniors, students, and children. Museum members and employees of AMR Corporation are admitted to the museum for free. The photographic exhibit and presentations shown during Double-Header Movie Saturdays are included at no additional cost with admission.
Hours: The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
80508: Hacky-Sack Promotion at Kimpton's Hotel Palomar Dallas
We see a lot of hotel promotions but this just might be the most unique. Kimpton's Hotel Palomar Dallas is offering 50 percent off their best available room rate to anyone who can Hacky Sack for one minute. It's time to relive those junior high days and brush up on those “around the world kicks."
According to Tracie Houston, Area Director of Sales and Marketing for Hotel Palomar Dallas, “The entire hotel is eager to witness the Hacky Sack skills of our guests. The world record holder for consecutive kicks is eight hours, fifty minutes and forty two seconds, and who knows, maybe we’ll reach a new world record in Dallas.”
How It Works: Upon arrival, you will be allowed one practice round. Anyone who achieves this formidable “feat” will score half-off every night of their stay!
Dates: The Hacky Sack rate will be available through December 31, 2008, and reservations must be secured by September 30, 2008. There is a seven-night maximum stay and black-out dates do apply. The rate is not applicable for existing reservations and cannot be combined with a group or other offers.
About the Hotel: Hotel Palomar Dallas is located in the heart of Dallas’ thriving Park Cities neighborhood, at 5300 East Mockingbird Lane. A member of the San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Palomar Dallas originally opening in 1967 as a Hilton Inn and was completely transformed by award-winning designer Cheryl Rowley, reopening as the Hotel Palomar Dallas in 2006. This eco and pet-friendly hotel has been named to the coveted 2007 Conde Nast Traveler’s ‘Hot List.’ The hotel has also been awarded the Four Diamond rating by AAA Travel and has been named the Best Boutique Hotel in Dallas by CitySearch.
For more information: • call (214) 520-7969 • visit www.hotelpalomar-dallas.com Photo courtesy Hotel Palomar Dallas
If you're like us, you're definitely looking for ways to make your travel dollars stretch a little this summer. Here's a new offer we just received from Dallas's Hotel Lumen, located in the affluent Highland Park area, just steps away from Southern Methodist University. The hotel will pay the taxes for your stay...which can mean a nice savings for every night.
“With the growing price of fuel and other daily expenses, people need a break from daily life more than ever before,” said Duncan Clements, general manager of Hotel Lumen. “Now guests can experience a premium getaway right in their hometown at Dallas’s most unique boutique hotel. Our inclusive rate includes all amenities, but we’ll take care of the taxes for the duration of the stay.”
Price: Rates at Hotel Lumen begin at $136 per night. All rates are based on availability.
What It Includes: With the tax-free offer, all Hotel Lumen amenities apply, including complimentary wine hour, complimentary wireless networking, morning tea and coffee and valet parking.
Dates: The Hotel Lumen Tax-Free Summer Rate offer ends September 1, 2008.
How to Book: To take advantage of this Hotel Lumen package, visit www.hotellumen.com or call 214.219.2400 and use the rate code PTAX.
Just 10 minutes from the DFW Airport, work is now underway on a new NYLO Hotel at Las Colinas in Irving. The 200-room hotel will open in May, 2009.
The five-story NYLO Las Colinas will sit on more than five acres at the northwest corner of Royal Lane and Sierra Drive.
It sounds like the hotel will be a prime meeting spot with a 3,000-square-foot ballroom and over 6,000 square feet of meeting space. The ballroom will open onto an outdoor courtyard and connect to The Loft, the hotel's signature restaurant and bar.
NYLO's first hotel, NYLO Plano at Legacy, opened in Dec. 2007, in North Dallas, at the northwest corner of Headquarters Drive and Preston Road in Plano.
If you or a family member have a wedding coming in your future in the Dallas area, check out the upcoming event at the W Dallas-Victory. This upscale hotel is hosting a wedding event on April 17 from 7-9 p.m. Some of the highlights include a Carolina Herrera fashion show, Bliss treatments, decorations by Bella Flora, and a wedding giveaway. Also at the event, you'll learn more about the hotel's WOW VOWS program .
Where: W Dallas - Victory 2440 Victory Park Lane Dallas, TX 75219
For More Information: • learn more about the wedding program by calling 214-397-4121
If you or a family member have a wedding coming in your future in the Dallas area, check out the upcoming event at the W Dallas-Victory. This upscale hotel is hosting a wedding event on April 17 from 7-9 p.m. Some of the highlights include a Carolina Herrera fashion show, Bliss treatments, decorations by Bella Flora, and a wedding giveaway. Also at the event, you'll learn more about the hotel's WOW VOWS program.
Where:
W Dallas - Victory 2440 Victory Park Lane Dallas, TX 75219
For More Information: • learn more about the wedding program by calling 214-397-4121
The film festival at Austin's SXSW just wrapped up but already eyes are turning to AFI Dallas International Film Festival, scheduled for March 27-April 6. Last year marked the festival's debut with over 30,000 attendees with over 40,000 expected for this year's event.
This year, the AFI DALLAS Star Award will be given to Helen Hunt, Jack Lemmon, Mickey Rooney, Todd Wagner and Charlize Theron.
Eight feature films will be making their world premieres at AFI DALLAS 2008. Those films include:
• Bowling for Soup--Live and Very Attractive • Fat Man Walking • Fissure • Frag • The Last Lullaby • Split: A Divided America • Stop the Presses: The American Newspaper in Peril • Tracing Cowboys
332008: NYLO Plano at Legacy Offers Grand Opening Package
March 6 will mark the grand opening of NYLO Plano at Legacy, a stylish property located in Legacy, a master-planned community with upscale shopping, dining and entertainment. It is also convenient to airports and downtown Dallas.
NYLO’s hotel in North Dallas is the first property of a brand committed to having 50 hotels nationwide within the next few years. NYLO is intended to appeal especially to Gen-X and Gen-Y guests with high style and high energy. At this new north Dallas property, glass chandeliers are shaped like antlers, and staffers are decked out in uniforms by a favorite Project Runway finalist.
At this new Plano hotel, look for:
• Dallas-meets-Soho-meets-South-Beach décor by Stephane Dupoux (designer of Nikki Beach, South Beach; Buddha Bar, Cielo, New York) • Uniforms by Daniel Vosovic, Project Runway alum now assisting the NBC-TV hit “Lipstick Jungle” • Chic meeting space • Allergy-friendly guestrooms • 24/7 restaurant and bar , business center and high-tech gym • Free WiFi and other free tech toys/tools
Grand Opening Package: For the grand opening, NYLO Plano at Legacy has a Buy One Get One offer for weekends valid until April 30. You can arrive Friday or Saturday and stay two nights for a total of $119. (Guests pay $119 for the first night and get the second night free.) To book this offer, be sure to use Promo Code: WEBOGO.
Spring flowers and Easter go hand in hand and there's no better place for flowers than Dallas Blooms, the Dallas Arboretum event featuring over 400,000 blooming bulbs plus 100,000 pansies, 3,000 azaleas and lots more.
This year, Dallas Blooms has planned some special Easter events. On March 22, part of Easter weekend, the Parachute Express Children’s Concert is planned for noon. The day will also include visits with the Easter Bunny and pictures with a live bunny with James French Children’s Photography.
Still stuck for Valentine's ideas? Got an extra $10,000 to spend? Then get ready to celebrate Valentine's in Dallas...Rock Star Style.
The Dallas/Fort Worth Marriott Solana is offering the Romantic Getaway--Rock Star Style package for $10,000 to help a lucky couple escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life...whether they're celebrities or not.
And just what does the package buy? For $10,000, the two of you can hop in the helicopter and enjoy a scenic trip around downtown Dallas; sip on a complimentary bottle of chilled champagne en route to the hotel; relax in a suite for two, based on availability, with late check-out and a rose petal bath; enjoy a gift certificate for dinner for two at Kirby’s Steakhouse in neighboring Southlake with complimentary transportation to and from the restaurant; luxuriate with a couples massage at the Corinthian Spa with Bentley transportation to and from the spa; and splurge with a $5,000 gift card to a Southlake jewelry store of your preference for your special someone to pick out exactly what their heart desires. The package price excludes tax and gratuities, natch.
With the thermometer outside hovering just above freezing here at the TexasTripper offices, it seems like a long way until spring in Texas. Not so. Up in North Texas, bulbs patiently wait in the soil and in less than two months they will create one of the biggest floral events in the country in Dallas.
Now in its 24th year, Dallas Blooms, the Southwest's largest outdoor floral festival, always takes on an annual theme. This year the theme of the event running March 8 - April 13 is "The Star of Texas."
Look for plenty of Texas heritage at the well-attended event...plus plenty of red, white and blue blooms.
Arts & Crafts Fair: Opening weekend will include the first Southern Artisans Market, an arts and crafts fair featuring artisans from around the South. The Southern Artisans Market is a two-day only event on March 8 and 9.
Special Texas Themed Events: Other special events are planned throughout the festival including:
• Golden Cowboy living statues • Trick Roping • Armadillo Racing • Little Britches Rodeo • Texas Hero look-a-likes (including Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and Sam Houston) • Country Western Dancing (including square dancing, line dancing and clog dancing) • Hoe Downs • Chili Cook Offs • Texas Cuisine Tasting
At the start of the new year, TexasTripper takes a look back at some of the stars who celebrated part of the holiday season in the Lone Star state, and looks forward to the celebrities that Texas travelers may be lucky enough to see in the near future.
Austin
Fans of the NBC hit "Friday Night Lights" will have the chance to see their favorite stars go from the football field to the fairway when Kyle Chandler and his Lubbock-born co-star Brad Leland perform hosting duties at the first annual Beyond the Lights Celebrity Golf Classic on March 7, 2007. Held in support of the Spinal Cord Injury Foundation Gridiron Heroes and The Buonicondi Fund, friendly competition will be par for the course as cast members Zach Gilford, Taylor Kitsch, Connie Britton, Gaius Charles, Jesse Plemons and Dana Wheeler-Nicholson tee off at the Wolfdancer Golf Club at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, located on the outskirts of Austin near Bastrop.
"Miss Congeniality" in real life as well as on screen, the Austin American-Statesman reported that actress Sandra Bullock provided Christmas cheer for the crew of Bess, her Austin eatery, at another capital city dining staple, the Belmont. The West Sixth Street establishment offers a number of areas for holiday parties, ranging from the intimate confines of The Carlyle room, where up to 30 guests can sample the restaurant's American cuisine beneath the glitter of crystal chandeliers, to the impressive outdoor patio, where oversized umbrellas and swaying palm trees shelter hundreds of patrons from the Lone Star sun as they enjoy their meal.
Dallas
The entertainment world's latest dynamic duo, Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson, dined on delectable delicacies from several of The Big D's leading restaurants in December. According to The Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys quarterback and America's sweetheart sampled fajitas during a recent repast at Cantina Laredo, a dining establishment deemed one of the 12 best restaurants in the city. The famished football star and the blonde beauty also satisfied their cravings with French-influenced fare at La Madeleine, where they mulled over a menu featuring such provencal pastries as chocolate-almond croissants and strawberry Napoleon, which offer a sweet treat for patrons after dining on such main course items as chicken crepe riviera and Mediterranean pasta.
Before belting out his biggest hits at the American Airlines Center, Grammy winner Billy Joel checked himself into the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, a five-star sanctuary ranked the top hotel in the country by Zagat. As is the case in each of the hotel's 143 guest rooms, fresh flowers decorated the Terrace Suite, where The Piano Man unpacked his luggage during his stay, the Dallas Morning News reports.
Star sightings are frequent at The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. Just days after Billy Joel checked out of the regal retreat, the members of Duran Duran dropped by. According to The Dallas Morning News, the perennial pop group gathered at the Mansion Bar, where patrons sip on spirits as they lounge on leather chairs by a stone hearth and soak up the smooth sounds performed by jazz musicians each Wednesday through Saturday night.
A few weeks before celebrating her first Christmas as Mrs. Mike Modano, singer and former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant Willa Ford helped to ring in the holiday season at a fashion forward charity event held at Forty Five Ten's T Room, the Dallas Morning News reports. The latest collections by Stella McCartney, Givenchy, Alexander McQueen and other doyens of the designing world hang on racks at the McKinney Avenue boutique, which also offers an eclectic array of home decor and apothecary items for the discerning denizens of Dallas.
El Paso
When the upcoming drama The Burning Plain his theaters in 2009, Southwestern General Hospital will share screen time with actress Charlize Theron. According to El Paso Inc., the Academy Award winner shot scenes at The Sun City's health care facility from December 10 - 13, 2007.
During its three decades in business, actor Tommy Lee Jones, The Eagles' frontman Don Henley and President George W. Bush have been among the famous faces who have traveled far and wide for a taste of The Little Diner's tortillas. In December, the down home dining establishment in Canutillo became a celebrity in its own right, as The Little Diner's south of the border fare was featured as a category in the daytime game show, Jeopardy!, the El Paso Times reported.
Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio Named Among Top 25 US Cities
Travel + Leisure magazine and CNN Headline News have released the 2007 survey of “America’s Favorite Cities.” Travelers voted for their favorites online, where they were also able to submit their own pictures and video through CNN.com’s I-Report.
Survey results are announced in the November issue of Travel + Leisure, which hits newsstands this week. You can read results online at Travel + Leisure or www.cnn.com.
The surveys rate the cities in the categories of After Dark, Characteristics, Cityscape, Culture, Food/Dining, People, Shopping and Type of Trip. Each category is further broken down to include "micro-categories" like clubbing, environmental awareness, vintage shopping and more.
Austin comes in first for Singles Scene (After Dark) and Barbecue (Food/Dining); second for People (overall), Characteristics (overall), Live Music (After Dark), Safety (Characteristics), Cheap Eats (Food/Dining), Fun (People); and third for Food/Dining (overall) and Underground Arts Scene (Culture).
San Antonio came in #1 for affordability and #2 for barbecue while Dallas came in #4 for barbecue and #7 for sports fan vacation.
Austin's own Benjamin McKenzie recently grooved at Gruv nightclub to tunes spun by DJ Boombai, the Austin American-Statesman reports. Back in the Live music Capital of the World in mid-October, the star of the cancelled FOX favorite "The O.C." will soon step in front of the cameras for his role in "The Stanford Prison Experiment."
Actor Scott Porter said so long to September at an event held at the capital city's Shoreline Grill, according to the Austin American-Statesman. Like other patrons at the elegant Austin eatery, perhaps the "Friday Night Lights" star was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the city's local celebrities, the Mexican Free-Tail bats, as they left their roost under the Congress Avenue bridge and embarked on their evening escapades-- a sight that can be savored nightly from the restaurant's terrace, which overlooks the recently redubbed Lady Bird Lake.
Lone Star siblings Luke and Owen Wilson were spotted in the capital city in mid-October. According to the Austin American-Statesman, the Dallas-born duo booked suites at the Four Seasons Hotel.
"Spider-man" villain Willem Defoe, who was recently in the Bastrop area filming "Fireflies in the Garden," was spotted by the Austin Chronicle in mid-October at Whole Foods Market, checking out the store's organic gastronomical treats.
In town to promote his latest silver screen venture, "The Darjeeling Limited," The Austin American-Statesman conducted an interview with actor Jason Schwartzman at Austin's hippest hideaway, the Hotel San Jose on South Congress Avenue. The reformed 40's era motor court, which offers its patrons the use of an extended CD library filled with blues and jazz standards and a weekly showing of a cinematic cult classic along with entertainment by a local band, is a magnet for A-listers, with visits by Drew Barrymore and Luke Wilson in September.
Dallas
Several stars dined out in The Big D this October. The Dallas Morning News reports that actor John Cusack, who will soon be seen on the big screen in "Martian Child," and lady friend Jodi Lyn O'Keefe (Prison Break) were among the first to sample the culinary creations offered at The Club, a swank supper sanctuary in The Centrum Building which opened its doors in September 2007.....From lobster pasta to a 16 oz. New York sirloin, "One Tree Hill" star Sophia Bush had a wide variety of culinary delights from which to choose when she mulled over the menu at N9NE Steakhouse recently with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.....Globe-trotting songstress Annie Lennox recently enjoyed the Japanese cuisine served at Nobu, one of six epicurean establishments located at Hotel Crecsent Court.
San Antonio
Congratulations to Ricardo Chavira, better known to TV viewers as Carlos Solis on the ABC hit "Desperate Housewives," who said "I do" to longtime love Marcea Dietzl in the Alamo City on September 22, 2007. The television star, while born in Austin, was raised in San Antonio.
Dallas has many excellent hotel from which to choose and starting this fall, there will be one more: The Stoneleigh Hotel and Spa Dallas. This is presently one of the largest historical renovations underway in Texas, a project designed to bring the property back to its 1930s-era art deco splendor.
About the Building: First opened in October 1923, The Stoneleigh is listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's "Historic Hotels of America." Today $30 million worth of restoration is being undertaken in consultation with The Texas Historical Society and the National Register of Historic Places. First built for $1.5 million, The Stoneleigh was once the tallest hotel west of the Mississippi, hosting stars from Judy Garland to Tom Cruise as well as noted playwrights.
The Stoneleigh's revival is taking place under the talented eye of hotelier Jeff Trigger, whose talent has transformed such notable hotels as downtown Austin's The Driskill Hotel and Dallas‚ The Mansion on Turtle Creek and The Adolphus Hotel. The Renovation
The renovation includes extensive exterior work as well as the construction of an adjacent lavish 21-floor luxury high rise with one-, two- and three-bedroom custom homes and penthouse suites surrounded by elegantly landscaped gardens, a courtyard and pool.
Many of the hotel's original materials are being retained with the goal of staying true to the hotel's original facade and interiors (including renowned designer Dorothy Draper's art deco touches; Draper was recruited from New York City in the 1930s and helped turn the hotel into a coveted showplace.)
As a nod to the 30s, two Historic Suites are being recreated and brought to modern standards including kitchenettes with leaded glass, restored porcelain fixtures and furnished with period electric lights, fans, and telephones. Tribute Suites are also being created to memorialize some of the celebrities and luminaries who stayed there.
The legendary Stoneleigh bar, known as the watering hole for some of Dallas's most influential people, is being expanded and repositioned along the Maple Avenue side of the hotel lobby. The bar will offer guests the choice of a relaxed indoor atmosphere or an outdoor terrace experience.
The hotel's new signature restaurant will feature the cuisine of Chef David Bull, an Iron Chef Challenger and 2007 James Beard nominee for "Best Chef in the Southwest."
Also to be unveiled in the fall will be plans for the lavishly revamped Stoneleigh Spa, a 5,200-square-foot sanctuary offering private and couple's treatment rooms, wet treatment rooms, salon, and a fully equipped fitness center.
Dallas's Hilton Anatole Hotel Offering Family Package
Looking for a family-friendly Texas getaway this summer? Dallas's Hilton Anatole Hotel has put together a summer Family Fun Getaway Package that includes not only good room rates but discounts at some of Dallas’ finest family friendly venues including the Dallas Zoo, the Dallas Arboretum, Six Flags Over Texas / Hurricane Harbor, the Texas Rangers, and more. The Family Fun Getaway Package includes great deals, fun for the whole family and rates as low as $154.00 per night.
The Package: The Family Fun Getaway Package is priced at $154.00 per night and includes:
• Deluxe guestroom accommodations
• Complimentary breakfast for two adults and two children under 12 at the Hilton Anatole’s Terrace restaurant
• Special discount on Dallas Zoo tickets (One free child admission with a full-price paid adult admission)
• Special discount to the Dallas Arboretum ($2 off tickets)
• Buy one ticket, get one free offer from Texas Rangers Baseball (Offer valid June 1, 2007 thru Sept. 9, 2007. Subject to availability.)
• Special discount to Six Flags/Hurricane Harbor ( $10.00 off all tickets (adult, senior and “guests 45 inches and under”) to Six Flags (valid through Dec. 30, 2007); $10.00 off all tickets to Hurricane Harbor (valid Mon. thru Fri., May 28 – Sept. 3, 2007) or $5.00 off all tickets to Hurricane Harbor (valid Sat. thru Sun. May 26 – Sept. 30, 2007)
• Fifteen percent discount to the Hilton Anatole shopping boutiques
• Self-guided tour of the Hilton Anatole’s art collection
The Fine Print: A few details for families to note: Children under 18 not permitted in health club. The package is available June 1 through September 9, 2007. The package and its elements are valid only during the applicable guest reservation date and are subject to availability, blackout dates and to change without notice. Gratuities, transportation, parking, other service fees and incidentals are not included. No refund on unused features. Not valid for groups or conventions. Cancellation fees may apply. Passes, vouchers and certificates are not redeemable for cash and are void if duplicated. Rate subject to change.
Fun for Families: Within the Hilton Anatole’s 45-acre campus, families can enjoy the hotel’s three pools, the recently renovated 80,000-square-foot health club, the private seven-acre Anatole Sculpture Park, On-Command movies and games in their guestroom and discounts to the hotel’s restaurants and boutiques, including the Children’s Corner boutique. Guests can begin their weekend with a free, self-guided tour of the Hilton Anatole’s own Art Collection . The collection features selected pieces from one of the largest and most intriguing private art assemblies in the world, including works by Pablo Picasso, J. Seward Johnson Jr. and Josiah Wedgwood, many of which once graced the royal palaces of kings, emperors and czars from Japan, China, India, Southeast Asia and Europe.
For More Information: • call (214) 748-1200 (Hotel Main Number), (800) 955-4281 or 1(800) HILTONS • visit the Hilton Anatole website
From March 8-11, Dallas and the Hilton Anatole will host the Savor Dallas Festival. Savor Dallas is a celebration of arts, premium wines and spirits, and cutting edge cuisine. Savor Dallas Seminars Attend one of the six fabulous seminars at Savor Dallas, hosted by well-known culinary enthusiasts such as Rocco DeSpirito. Proceeds from Savor Dallas benefit North Texas Food Bank, Greater Dallas Restaurant Association Education Fund, and Arts Magnet Building Campaign for Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.
For information or tickets: • call 1-888-392-7705 • visit www.savordallas.com.
The Package: The Savor Dallas Package includes: • One-night deluxe guestroom accommodations for two • Self-guided tour of the Art Collection at the Hilton Anatole • ability to to earn both HHonors points and airline miles for the same stay
The Price: The Savor Dallas Package is priced as low as $149 per night, with maximum occupancy of two adults per room. Package is not valid with any other offer, is not available for groups and does not include tax. Rates are as low as the price point stated above; however they’re subject to change.
Dates: The package is available March 8-11, 2007.
For More Information on The Hilton Anatole Hotel: • call (214) 748-1200 (Hotel Main Number) or (800) 955-4281 or 1(800) HILTONS • visit www.anatole.hilton.com
Last year at the Society of American Travel Writers conference in Las Vegas, we discovered Cirque du Soleil. We'd seen them on TV but the live shows were amazing and we wound up trading in tickets to other shows to have the chance to see three Cirque shows during the week.
We're excited to say that Cirque du Soleil is bringing a traveling show to Texas and they've added nine additional performances because of high demand. From February 27 - March 4, 2007, the traveling show Coreo will run in Dallas under the blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau at Fair Park.
Tickets: Tickets available to the General Public starting Sunday, October 29 at 10 a.m.
Cirque Club members can purchase Corteo tickets in advance of the general public starting Wednesday, October 25 at 10 a.m. by connecting to cirquedusoleil.com. Membership is free and takes less than 60 seconds to sign-up! *Discover the benefits of becoming a Cirque Club member, such as advance access to the best seats under the Grand Chapiteau, ticket upgrades, partner promotions and insider information on the world of Cirque du Soleil. Tickets for the general public will go on sale Sunday, October 29 at 10 a.m. and may be purchased by calling Admission Network at 1 800 678-5440 or online at cirquedusoleil.com.
Prices: Tickets for Corteo range from $40.00 to $75.00 for adults and $28.00 to $52.50 for children (ages 2-12). For students age 13 plus (with a valid student I.D) and senior ctizens (65+) prices are $36.00 to $67.50 on weekdays only (Tuesday to Thursday, and Friday at 4:00 p.m.) Cirque du Soleil also offers the TAPIS ROUGE˙ VIP Experience ($195.00 for adults and $136.50 for children ages 2-12) featuring exclusive benefits. American Express Offer: Preferred seating and other special advantages for American Express® Cardmembers.
Schedule: Tuesdays to Thursdays at 8:00 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. No performances on Mondays.
Note: there will be no 4 p.m. performance on Saturday, February 10. The schedule is subject to change.
Today's the big day: Big Tex, the symbol of the State Fair of Texas, returns to Fair Park in anticipation of the upcoming fair.
Who is Big Tex? For starters, he's the world's best-known 52-foot-tall talking cowboy. His State Fair debut in 1952 was quiet – originally speechless, a little engineering helped him 'find' his voice in 1953 and he's been talking ever since. A friendly wave was added in '97; three years later, he began turning his head.
The History of Big Tex: Tex did have a 'life' before the State Fair of Texas. Once upon a time, he was Kris Kringle. The Kerens (Texas) Chamber of Commerce installed a giant Santa as a 1949 Christmas promotion, but the gimmick only lasted a couple of years. Ever the visionary, R. L. Thornton, State Fair president and former Dallas Mayor, knew a good thing when he saw it. After a $750 transaction, Tex was sent to 'Big D' where Dallas artist and stage designer Jack Bridges magically transformed St. Nick into a huge cowboy. By 1952, Big Tex was on board for good.
In 1997, an extreme makeover resulted in a buffed-up, more mature Tex, sporting a dash of gray in his sideburns. His earlier armature was tossed, and he was fitted with a new, cage-like skeleton consisting of 4,200 feet of steel rods weighing 3 tons.
Featured in local, regional, national and international news coverage, his resume includes film, too. In 1961, Big Tex 'co-starred' with Ann-Margret in the locally-shot remake of the movie, State Fair.
Big Tex's Clothing: Williamson-Dickie, his clothier of choice, is the creator of his fetching ensemble. The Fort Worth-based manufacturer prides itself on its workwear, altogether fitting for a Big Guy on the job for more than 24 days. His Dickie's jeans are crisp and clean, and his shirt is a classic cowboy design. Red, with a blue yoke and sleeves, it's piped in yellow, and features (faux) pearl snaps, half-moon breast pockets, red cuffs and a collar with Western tips. Two white stars on each sleeve give his shirt a decidedly modern look.
The State Fair of Texas begings Friday, Sept. 29 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006. For More Information: • visit www.bigtex.com
Plano will soon be home to a new lifestyle hotel brand from NYLO Hotels. Although aimed at business travelers, this hip new property (that will be withing walking distance of two major malls) will appeal to leisure travelers as well.
The 176-room Plano property will be located in Legacy, a 2,665-acre master-planned community and home to world-leading companies.
Allergy-Friendly Rooms
Here's a neat feature in the new Plano hotel: allergy-friendly guestrooms from Pure Solutions North America.
NYLO is committed to having at least one Pure Floor, with all guestrooms incorporating the comprehensive purification system, in each of its branded properties. The Plano hotel will have 44 Pure Rooms.
Designed specifically for hotels, the Pure System cuts down on contaminants, irritants, molds, dust and odors. Following a seven-step purification process, each NYLO Pure Room will use a Class 2 medical-grade air purifier, hypoallergenic linens and covers, and other techniques to keep the air fresh and make hotel stays more pleasant for travelers.
NYLO's stringent no-smoking policy aims to further improve indoor air quality. Smoking will be prohibited throughout the hotel, including all guestrooms, employee areas and public spaces. With smoking confined to comfortable, designated outdoor areas, the fee for smoking in a guestroom is set at a hefty $300.
Raising the Bar
NYLO hotels are designed by Stephane Dupoux, a prominent designer of restaurants and nightclubs around the globe. Dupoux' plans for the high-energy public space called The Loft just off the lobby. The Loft will welcome locals and guests with soaring ceilings and open, expansive layout. The Loft will offer thoughtful amenities, including the 24/7 restaurant, bar, library, sofas, business center, wireless Internet, game room, boutique shop, and lighting and music that will change to create different atmosphere from day to night.
In the boutique shop and on its Web site, the design-driven hotel will offer consumers the Daniel Vosovic Collection for NYLO. This summer, the star of Bravo Television's Emmy-nominated series "Project Runway, Season 2", signed an agreement to design apparel for the new lifestyle brand. Daniel's collection for NYLO will be for front-line staff, including bartenders, cashiers and front-desk personnel.
"We're creating a style that's hip and cool, with variations in accessories and color, that can mix and match to achieve different looks," Daniel explains. "This project provides a great opportunity to work with people who really understand design."
Prices: NYLO will offer nightly rates of $120 - $140.
Dallas's Bath House Cultural Center Celebrates 25th Anniversary
From Aug. 25-Sept. 16, the Bath House Cultural Center will present acts from the past as well as from its current roster including musicians Cindy Horstman, William Scobie, BL Lacerta, D Drum, White Rock Rhythms, and storytellers Elizabeth Ellis and Twice Upon A Time. Moonlady Night on Sept. 2 features performers from the popular eclectic list serve. The show will includes harp rock, singer-songwriters, performance poets, drummers, jazz trumpet, ukelele, vocalists, Mid-East dance, and more. The Dallas Puppets Guild will offer a puppet-making workshop for children. A retrospective exhibition of art will be in the galleries and Echo Theatre will present a world premiere of the play "Women and Horses And a Shot Straight From the Bottle." A picnic for the neighborhood with live music will be the closing event on Sept. 16. Call 214-670-8749 or visit www.bathhousecultural.com.
The Bath House is free and open to the public Tuesday-Saturday noon-6 p.m. and is located on the eastern shore of White Rock Lake at the end of Northcliff Drive off of Buckner Boulevard.
Overlooking White Rock Lake in East Dallas, the Bath House is home to many non-profit arts organizations and individuals that would have no home otherwise. Approximately 18 visual art exhibitions, 10 theater productions, 2 dance events, and 10-15 music concerts are presented at the BHCC yearly. City supported, with your tax dollars, the Bath House is home to the Festival Of Independent Theatres every summer as well as the Art and Craft Market every spring and fall and the famous Dia de los Muertos art exhibition every October. The History of the Bath House Cultural Center: Built in 1930 on what were then the rural shores of White Rock Lake, the "old bath house" was one of the first uses of Art Deco architecture in the Southwest. It provided lockers, changing rooms, rentable swimsuits and concessions for the thousands of people that drove from all over North Texas to swim in the lake.
The Bath House remained a social and recreational hot spot for over two decades, but was forced to close in 1953 when swimming in White Rock Lake was discontinued due to drought, polio and racial tensions. The majestic building sat vacant until 1978 when, urged and supported by a dedicated group of neighborhood arts activists, the City of Dallas announced plans to restore the building. In August of 1981, the citizens of East Dallas celebrated the birth of the City's first neighborhood cultural center.
Today, instead of lockers and showers, the Bath House Cultural Center houses a 120-seat theater, two gallery spaces, and multiple mixed-use spaces. Diversity flourishes as visual and performing artists from an array of backgrounds and disciplines find a welcoming venue for their work.
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Group, LLC has announced plans to open the Hotel Palomar Dallas, a nine-story hotel and 10-story condominium tower in the heart of Dallas’ Park Cities neighborhood. Slated for completion in August 2006, this $90 million transformation of the Hotel Palomar & Residences marks the first property in the Kimpton portfolio to be redeveloped as a mixed-use complex.
Formerly The Mockingbird Hilton, Hotel Palomar is undergoing a complete renovation including the remodeling of all 185 guest rooms, an addition of a full-service bi-level destination spa, exhale, and the launch of a Kimpton chef-driven restaurant. Development plans also include a new 10-story condominium tower south of the hotel with 70 high-end residential units, luxury penthouse condominiums atop the hotel tower, contemporary loft-style condominiums facing Mockingbird Lane, and over 25,000 square feet of ground retail space.
If you are one of the 16 million travelers headed through DFW International Airport this summer, you might notice the new Junior Flyer's Clubs. Sponsored by Pepsi, the play areas feature more than 1,200 square feet of aviation-themed play areas for kids.
We received a press release today for what they're calling "the best little 'pore' house in Texas"...bliss dallas. Opening in June at the stylish W Dallas-Victory hotel, bliss (yes, it's just bliss) promises some exciting new innovations on the Texas spa scene including movie-while-you-manicure nail stations and a legendary brownie buffet. Look for these special treatments at the new spa:
• the triple oxygen treatment: This complexion reviver includes intensive cleansing, exfoliating, a fruit acid wash, a pre-extraction oxygen wrap, a calming oxygen and milk mask, hydrating enzyme pack, and vitaminized oxygen spray.
• blissage™ 75: A 75-minute combination of Swedish and Shiatsu techniques, begins with a warm wax foot softening pack, and is designed to loosen you up and target your most trouble muscles.
• the hot milk and almond pedicure™: Following an intensive dry-buffing with a fierce diamond-sided flexible fiberglass callus fighter, feet are softened in steamed whole milk and almond oil.
