Hotel ZaZa Review- Dallas, TX

Without a doubt, Hotel ZaZa was on my list of top 5 hotels to stay at in Dallas.  Top 3 actually.  I found a good deal on their web site and we went for my birthday a few years ago. 
Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the stay.  Probably because I had held it in such a high standard for so long. This hotel was built at some point during my design education.  When I was an intern I worked for a hospitality design firm and I became more interested in hotel design.  For years I studied the design of this hotel in the photos, longed to see it all in person, used the hotels concept as an example with my friends, coworkers and students.  The interior design was done by one of the top design firms in the W.O.R.L.D.  Duncan Miller.  It was the firm you longed to work for as a young and innocent interior design student. 

I don’t think the outside is especially creative.  It’s pretty, but not amazing.

Here’s a picture of the lobby.  The design is eclectic, bohemian, elaborate and really cool.  The lobby is pretty and the desk staff were friendly.

Here’s where my disappointment began.  This is the standard room.  It’s a very pretty room, large for a hotel, clean and modern.  I do like it.  However as you will see later, there are some very cool rooms we did not get to see.  I had told them that it was my birthday when I made the reservation and I was very seriously hoping that they would upgrade us to a suite.  You will see why in a minute.
Everything about this hotel is geared for romance.  And I don’t mean classy romance necessarily.  Um, I don’t know how to say this so you will just have to imagine.  The art hanging outside our bathroom in our room was of a naked woman.  I don’t have a problem with the painting but it wasn’t really what I was hoping for in our hotel room.  It’s hard to describe the feeling, it wasn’t trashy at all, it was like upscale sexuality everywhere, but not sleazy.  I just wouldn’t recommend it as a family place unless you want to talk to your kids about naked paintings and sex toys in the mini bar.  That’s all.

This is the relaxation room at the spa.  I looked at the spa menu and picked the least expensive option.  It was a reflexology foot massage and it was wonderful.  The spa was beautifully decorated, quiet and they gave me free water when I left- fancy Voss water.  I like when they give free water.  I also like that they treated me as a special guest even though I wasn’t spending a lot.

Here’s the pool.  It looks beautiful… and it was.  So were all the people around it.  Beautiful in tiny swimsuits with perfectly chiseled bodies.  I would have felt so incredibly uncomfortable out there.  It was like a hot spot for all the beautiful people in Dallas.  I’m not even sure they would have let us out there.  I felt like it was part of the image they were trying to display.  Something about this whole hotel intimidated me a little.  Like it was only for super cool people.
  
Here is a picture of the restaurant.  I have actually eaten there twice- once for restaurant week and another time when we stayed here.  It was called the Dragonfly.  The food is great!  They were very nice to us here and they actually have some good specials during the week if you check their web site.  I think our food was 1/2 off or something because of the night we were there.  At the end they brought out a little dessert with 3 mini cupcakes and happy birthday written on the plate.  An extra step they didn’t have to do.

So here’s the reason I always wanted to stay here.  The concept suites.  Their suites are decorated with different themes and every detail is to fit that theme.  You can make a reservation for a particular room based on the decor you want to stay in.  I think the name of the above suite is called Bohemia. 

This is the Rock Star suite.  It has a kitchen and a bedroom.  How fun!  Love the carpet.
 
And here’s the Shadadelic Suite.  Awesomeness.
I love the idea of any hotel with this concept- to create rooms with different themes for guests to select.  How cool would you feel if you got to pick your room and be surrounded by a theme that fit your personality… or the opposite of your personality for something different!  If you can stay in a concept suite here- DO IT.  There are not many hotel rooms out there that are this cool.