Hotel ZaZa

Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino, April-May, 2005

There are plenty of exclusive get-away hotels out them ... and then there is the Hotel Zaza. Cleverly located in the heart of the Dallas Art district, this quaint, exotic hotel is not only a sight to see, but a whole new experience for those seeking a romantic adventure.

Looking at it from the outside, you would logically expect the inside to match the classic French feel of the hotel's design, and that's the first of the many surprises in store for you. Once you enter the lobby, you are immediately transported to a Mediterranean Haven of the likes of Casablanca. The lobby itself makes you feel like you am in an exclusive Moroccan hotel, complete with its typical warm and exotic atmosphere. But the surprises don't stop there, for this is a hotel where fantasy mixes in with everyday reality through each of its many themed rooms. That's right. The Hotel Zaza's trump card is not so much its elegant exclusivity, but rather its uniqueness in offering guests the opportunity to experience a fantastic stay in themed suites, such as the Art Suite, the Medusa Suite, the ever popular Erotica Suite and even the wildly fun Shag-a-delic Suite, modeled after the famous Austin Powers movie series.

In our most recent visit, we had the pleasure to experience the East Indies Suite, complete with furniture and decorations so authentic that they made us feel like we were staying right in the heart of India. The suite was very comfortable and spacious, with a subtle air of sexiness that made it a perfect spot for a romantic getaway.

The Hotel also sports a restaurant/night dub, the Dragonfly. This seems to be one of the hottest spots in town, and it brings along with it the buzz and loudness of the "in", young crowd that can usually be spotted there. Still, the food is excellent. Their Bone-in Rib Eye steak, served with crisp onion rings and oven roasted vegetables was simply out of this world; their Margaritas were just as scrumptious. Although this isn't exactly the spot of choice for a quiet, romantic dinner, it is definitely worth a try.

The hotel also has its own Spa, the Za Spa, where you can treat yourself to a full line of pampering services, such as steam baths, massage services, skin care, nail treatments, etc.

Like most upscale, exclusive hotels, the ZaZa is not for every budget. Expect to pay around $12.00 for a Margarita, and around $25.00 for a main entree at the Dragonfly; and the rooms ... well, they am also rather expensive. But then again, Hollywood celebrities have not made the ZaZa their hotel of choice when visiting Dallas by virtue of it being cheap.

* Regular room prices start at $295.00 USD per room per night; themed suites start at $450.00 USD per room per night