Conde Nast readers name Watermark’s spa one of country’s best

The Watermark Hotel & Spa has been voted one of the top spas in North America by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler.

The Watermark earned an overall score of 92.4, ranking it among the Top Ten hotel spas in the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and Canada. The complete list is featured in the publication’s April 2009 issue. The Watermark is the only spa in San Antonio to earn a ranking in this year’s Readers Choice Spa Poll.

“We are delighted to have received yet another top accreditation by Condé Nast Traveler and are pleased to have the support of our loyal customers,” says Rusty Wallace, general manager of The Watermark Hotel & Spa. It’s a testament to our outstanding spa staff that our beautiful facility and expert services have earned consistent praise from both San Antonio locals and hotel guests.”

Readers evaluated 79 hotel spas throughout North America on food and dining, location, treatments, spa facilities and spa staff.

“This is an important ranking for us as spas are playing a critical role in providing an escape from the stresses of daily life,” says Liz Hutto, spa director at The Watermark Spa. “Our spa bookings have held strong within the past six months showcasing a real desire by consumers to relax and re-charge.”

The Watermark Hotel & Spa is owned by Irving, Texas-based Omni Hotels. The hotel and spa is located along San Antonio’s River Walk and is a companion property to Omni La Mansion del Rio Hotel.

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With the economy slumping and fuel prices soaring, facials and massages may not be a top priority for consumers on a budget.

“You can still go and have a spa experience without spending a ton of money,” says Veronica Cole of the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa in Ojai, Calif. “Many spas, like ours, offer use of our facilities with one treatment, so you can come spend hours relaxing.”

In other words, if you can’t afford a weekend or overnight stay, consider booking one massage or scrub at a destination spa, which usually entitles you to use the pool, steam room and other facilities for the day.

The Ojai Valley Inn, located not far from Los Angeles, is a destination spa known for its blooming lavender gardens and an approach that draws on Native American traditions. Cole said carving out an hour or two and hanging out at the spa can be relaxing enough to make you feel like you’re on a mini-vacation.

Jaime Huffman of the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, N.C., said more 50-minute massages have been made available recently instead of more expensive 80-minute massages.

 

The Cliff House Resort & Spa in Ogunquit, Maine, offers a $99 spa sampler on Sundays.

Booking midweek is usually cheaper than weekend trips, and spa owners suggest asking about specials like a mother-daughter discount or a family discount. Most spas have them but don’t necessarily talk them up.

Cole also suggested asking the therapist or aesthetician for tips on how to continue the regimen at home.

“It’s not that we don’t want you to come and stay with us for days – we do,” she said. “But if it’s a choice between thinking it’s too expensive and skipping it altogether, we’d rather you just come for something small.”

Spas are still growing despite the economy: 138 million people visited spas around the country in 2007, according to the most recent industry figures from the International Spa Association. And spa revenue in 2007 was $10 billion, the organization said, up from just over $9 billion the year before. Data for 2008 shows that spas continue to grow, the association said.

Spa operators also suggest considering a spa vacation as an alternative to going to Europe or taking some other big trip. There’s rarely a need to drive once you’re at a destination spa, so you won’t be spending money on gas. And an all-inclusive booking means that lodging, food, pools, the locker room and other amenities and facilities like hot tubs and steam rooms are included in the cost.

“You can really retreat to a spa, and there are no unaccounted costs because you pay upfront,” said Lola Roeh, general manager of the Osthoff Resort, which is home to the Aspira Spa in Elkhart Lake, Wis. “You can chose to add on costs, like additional treatments, but that’s up to you.”

Destination spas can be pricey – $500 for a weekend or more – but it’s possible to cut other costs if you decide to vacation at one. The Lodge at Woodloch, located about two hours outside of New York in Hawley, Pa., is far enough away from the city that visitors can feel like they’re on a real vacation, but close enough to take a bus or train from Manhattan and save on gas. And you don’t have to stay a week or five days – many spas offer two-night stays that can still be relaxing.

Many other spas are located outside of major metropolitan areas, like Kohler’s newest day spa in Burr Ridge, Ill., outside Chicago. The company, known for its faucets, paired a showroom with the spa so clients can sit in whirlpools or fancy tubs and do shopping for remodeling, too.

Along with tips for spa-goers on a budget, other themes emerged at the Aug. 21 spa meeting. Here are five trends shaping today’s spa experience.

 

BUSY BEES: Many spas are catering to the stresses on busy workers. The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Va., is offering a Wi-Fi massage geared toward the muscles you use when you’re at the computer. Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, N.Y. offers meditation to help calm nerves.

 

THE FIRST TIME:

Ginn Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast, Fla., offers a clothed massage – for people who are afraid of going in the buff to a treatment. A survey of spa-goers last year found 70 percent who hadn’t tried a massage were uncomfortable with being naked or partially naked. This massage eases people into the treatment – and hopefully allows them to feel more comfortable to go full Monty later on.

COUPLES TOO:

Ginny Lopis of The Lodge at Woodloch says she’s seeing more and more couples booking spa getaways. At least half the guests these days are male, she says. “It’s really not just for ladies anymore,” she said. “We get husbands and boyfriends here who really enjoy it.” Other spas say they are seeing more couples, also.

GO GREEN:

Spas are getting greener, from homeopathic treatments at the JW Marriott Spa Collection to an eco-friendly spa at Mohonk Mountain House that uses organic products made from locally grown ingredients. The Kohler spas are big on water conservation, and use eco-friendly shower heads and toilets.

DISTINGUISH FROM THE MASSES:

With more than 18,000 spas around the country, establishments are distinguishing themselves by offering unique treatments and products. The Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts spas offer a lava shell neck treatment, which uses shells, applied in the same way that heated stones are sometimes used in massage.

 

The Lake Austin Spa Resort located outside Austin, Texas, offers yoga and spa treatments for those with asthma and allergies.

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Spas create deals and discounts for slumping economy

With the economy slumping, facials and massages might not be a top priority for consumers on a budget.

But America’s top spas, gathered in New York recently for the annual meeting of the International Spa Association, are trying to make it as easy as possible for visitors to indulge without breaking into the piggy bank.

Heated black basalt stones and cool white marble stones are used in massage therapy at the Miraval Life in Balance Spa in Catalina, Arizona.

“You can still go and have a spa experience without spending a ton of money,” says Veronica Cole of the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa in Ojai, California. “Many spas, like ours, offer use of our facilities with one treatment, so you can come spend hours relaxing.”

In other words, if you can’t afford a weekend or overnight stay, consider booking one massage or scrub at a destination spa, which usually entitles you to use the pool, steam room and other facilities for the day.

The Ojai Valley Inn, located not far from Los Angeles, is a destination spa known for its blooming lavender gardens and an approach that draws on Native American spa traditions.

Cole said carving out an hour or two and hanging out at the spa can be relaxing enough to make you feel like you’re on a mini-vacation.

Jaime Huffman of the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, NC, said more 50-minute massages have been made available recently instead of more expensive 80-minute massages. The Cliff House Resort & Spa in Ogunquit, Maine, offers a $99 spa sampler on Sundays.

Booking midweek is usually cheaper than weekend trips, and spa owners suggest asking about specials like a mother-daughter discount or a family discount. Many spas have them but don’t necessarily talk them up.

Spas are still growing despite the economy: 138 million people visited spas around the country last year, according to the most recent industry figures from the International Spa Association. And spa revenue in 2007 was $10 billion, the organization said, up from just over $9 billion the year before. Data for 2008 show that spas continue to grow, the association said.

Spa operators also suggest considering a spa vacation as an alternative to going to Europe or taking some other big trip. There’s rarely a need to drive once you’re at a destination spa, so you won’t be spending money on gas. And an all-inclusive booking means that lodging, food, pools, the locker room and other amenities and facilities like hot tubs and steam rooms are included in the cost.

“You can really retreat to a spa, and there are no unaccounted costs because you pay upfront,” said Lola Roeh, general manager of the Osthoff Resort, which is home to the Aspira Spa spas in Elkhart Lake, WI. “You can chose to add on costs, like additional treatments, but that’s up to you.”

Destination spas can be pricey — $500 for a weekend or more — but it’s possible to cut other costs if you decide to vacation at one. The Lodge at Woodloch, about two hours outside of New York in Hawley, Pa., is far enough away from the city that visitors can feel like they’re on a real vacation, but close enough to take a bus or train from Manhattan and save on gas. And you don’t have to stay a week or five days; many spas offer two-night stays that can still be relaxing.

Many other spas are outside of major metropolitan areas, like Kohler’s newest day spa in southwest suburban Burr Ridge. The company, known for its faucets, paired a showroom with the spa so clients can sit in whirlpools or fancy tubs and do shopping for remodeling, too.

Along with tips for spagoers on a budget, other themes emerged at the spa meeting. Here are five trends shaping today’s spa experience.

BUSY BEES: Many spas are catering to the stresses on busy workers. The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg spas in Williamsburg, Va., is offering a Wi-Fi massage geared toward the muscles you use when you’re at the computer. Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, N.Y., offers meditation to help calm nerves.

THE FIRST TIME: Ginn Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast, Fla., offers a clothed massage — for people who are afraid of going in the buff to a treatment. A survey of spagoers last year found 70 percent who hadn’t tried a massage were uncomfortable with being naked or partially naked. This massage eases people into the treatment — and hopefully allows them to feel more comfortable to go full Monty later on.

COUPLES TOO: Ginny Lopis of the Lodge at Woodloch says she’s seeing more and more couples booking spa getaways. At least half the guests these days are male, she says. “It’s really not just for ladies anymore,” she said. “We get husbands and boyfriends here who really enjoy it.” Other spas say they are seeing more couples, also.

GO GREEN: Spas are getting greener, from homeopathic treatments at the JW Marriott Spa Collection to an eco-friendly spa at Mohonk Mountain House that uses organic products made from locally grown ingredients. The Kohler spas are big on water conservation and use eco-friendly shower heads and toilets.

DISTINGUISH FROM THE MASSES: With more than 18,000 spas around the country, establishments are distinguishing themselves by offering unique treatments and products. The Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts spas offer a lava shell neck treatment, which uses shells, applied in the same way that heated stones are sometimes used in massage. The Lake Austin Spa Resort outside Austin, Texas, offers yoga and spa treatments for those with asthma and allergies.

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Barton Creek Resort & Spa: Still the Queen of Austin

Sometimes the best of experiences are the ones you take for granted or don’t have to make a huge effort to enjoy; oftentimes the most pleasing golf courses and resorts are right around the corner from your home, so close and accessible that they can be underestimated because of their familiarity.
Such – as I found out this summer – is the case with the much-ballyhooed Barton Creek Resort and Spa, a jewel of a getaway and four fabulous golf courses that I (since I live in a suburb of Austin and work in the capital city of Texas) see about 200 days of the year. Read more…

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Stoneleigh Hotel offers a jet-set getaway in Dallas

As the weather cools off, head down south for a retreat for the senses. A host of haute hotels have risen the heart of Dallas. Of all the new options, the most impressive is surely the Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa.

The grande dame, located in the bustling but still bucolic Uptown area of Dallas, opened as a residential hotel in 1923 and was, in the 1930s, embellished with a penthouse and interior styling by the lauded Dorothy Draper firm in New York. The Stoneleigh stood as a center of glamour and the arts for decades, becoming a residence for people like theater maven Margo Jones and a favorite stop for a wideranging guest list including Jack Benny, Katharine Hepburn, Oliver Stone, Andy Warhol, and Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee.

Because the Stoneleigh occupies a most desirable patch of real estate, her gradual fade from glory seemed both sad and scandalous. A yearlong, $36 million redo, however, has transformed the worn old gal into a stunner that’s both sophisticated and sexy. And while you can find other classy models right in the neighborhood – the Crescent Court and the Ritz-Carlton come to mind – the Stoneleigh stands apart as a place whose legacy has long involved fashion and grace.

Book a weekend stay and see for yourself.

LUXE, AND THEN SOME: The Stoneleigh is a showplace that would be at home in Beverly Hills or New York’s Upper East Side. Acclaimed design firm Forrest Perkins played up elements of the original art deco styling, reviving its energy with new color and the occasional modern tweak that enhances rather than clashes: witness, for example, bold teal, cinnamon, aqua and ivory patterns to complement dark chocolate mahogany furnishings and platinum detail, all highlighting original crown and door moldings and enormous windows, along with fantastic tiny tiles in the bathrooms.

You’ll find pampering touches, including free Wi-Fi connection, 24-hour concierge service and room service, and free fitness studio use; in your room, an iPod docking station, Baronessa Cali olive luxury bath products, a high-def flat-screen TV, a laptop safe, a giant closet and a lighted make-up mirror.

INDEED, IT’S HARD TO THINK OF WHY YOU’D LEAVE YOUR ROOM: Of the 170 units, 57 are huge studio suites that offer a king bed at one end of the room and a sitting area with sofa at the other, separated by a large double-sided dresser topped with a TV console that swivels for viewing on either side. Penthouse suites, which open onto a sprawling rooftop terrace, were given a new polish by the illustrious designer Carlton Varney. If you don’t book one, ask if they’re open for a peek; a glimpse of the 500-year-old English oak paneling once belonging to William Randolph Hearst is a jaw-dropping sight.

SPOILED IN THE SPA: One terrific reason to wander from your room is to spend a morning or afternoon in the chic new spa, which offers everything from skin and body treatments to hair and nail services and steam/sauna rooms.

Dozens of a la carte choices exist, but it’s difficult to pick just one. If you have a lot on your schedule, opt for the Day Dreamer, which includes a cucumber body treatment and a 25-minute massage of back, neck, scalp or shoulders. Those on a more leisurely schedule can choose the “Urban Detox” deep-cleaning facial, a three-hour affair ($290). For men, this includes a skincare treatment, deep-tissue massage and manicure ($255). But the ultimate is the Dorothy Draper Sweet Escape, a six-hour event that gives you a Jet-Setter Recovery Rx aromatherapy massage, geared toward anyone familiar with travel fatigue; a body sugar scrub and body butter wrap; 80-minute facial; and an aroma therapeutic, hot-paraffin mani-pedi combo ($625).

Overkill? Perhaps, but we’d love to book it.

WHEN EVENING FALLS: Wander downstairs and take a seat where the sleek, color-dappled lobby unfolds to the magnificent bar. Big, artful light fixtures and streamlined furniture give this spot a heady feel. Libations include a Bollatini, a blend of Ketel One vodka, vermouth and a jalapeno-stuffed olive; or a Bolla lemonade, made with Patron silver and lemonade, garnished with fresh jalapeno and cucumber, both perfect alongside nibbles like tuna carpaccio and bruschetta topped with prosciutto and Parmesan. Save room for dinner from chef David Bull, whose star rose at the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas, where he was designated a best new chef by Food & Wine and where he won a James Beard Award nomination. At Bolla, his departure into urbane Italian cuisine, Bull’s wide-ranging menu includes first-course options such as heirloom tomato salad or beef tartare; second-course diversions such as roasted sea scallop with spinach and brown butter or risotto primavera; entree selections include veal cheek piccata with preserved lemons or charred beef tenderloin.

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: If you’ve set aside a long weekend, you can wander nearby for all manner of distraction. Listen to a great jukebox, shoot a game of pool and nosh on a killer burger (do get the chipotle mayonnaise) right across the street at the Stoneleigh P, a legendary watering hole; walk a few doors down the street for a sensational bone-in rib-eye with truffled mac and cheese at Nick & Sam’s (ask for a table in Willie’s section); or shop for antiques at Uncommon Market, an easy walk around the corner.

DETAILS

WHAT: The Stoneleigh

WHERE: 2927 Maple Ave., Dallas, Texas

RATES: Nights at the Stoneleigh begin at $240, but good summer packages include the Summer Suite deal with a night in a studio suite with a bottle of bubbly for $265, and the Honeymoon Extravagance deal includes the studio suite stay, champagne and strawberries, brunch for two and spa treatments for two, from $519.

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Magazine names top spas

In its July/August issue, Health magazine ranks America’s Healthiest Spas, and Lake Austin Spa Resort lands on its list. The magazine gave the spa high marks because a clinical psychologist heads the mind-body programs, many of the programs are chosen based on academic research, and it has extensive fitness options, like kayaking, sculling and dance classes. A week at the spa runs $4,355.

The mag also named Dallas’ Reneé Rouleau Skincare one of five “standout day spas.” The magazine recommends the hot spot’s $600, two-hour Synergy 7 anti-aging facial. Learn more about the Lake Austin Spa Resort and more about Reneé Rouleau Skincare

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World-class pampering and wellness are today getting creative: customized treatments, elaborate hydrotherapy circuits, locally inspired rituals, and lots of four-hand massage. Our correspondents tested the latest facilities around the globe to yield a list of 76 winners as wide-ranging as the planet itself.

Conde Nast Traveler Names 76 Hot List Spas for 2008

Condé Nast Traveler’s May issue features a “Hot List” of 76 new spas that opened around the world in 2007. The list in the U.S. includes four in California — Spa Solage in Calistoga, Voda Spa in Los Angeles, Spa Desert Springs in Palm Desert, and Spa at Grand Del Mar in San Diego — and two in Texas — Spa at Four Seasons in Austin and Ritz-Carlton Dallas. Other US winners include The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Va., Drift Spa in Las Vegas, Nev., and Solitude Spa, Jackson Hole, Wyo. Mexico has three winners, including Spa Aqua in Cancún, Paz Body & Mind Spa in Los Cabos, and Spa at the Mandarin Oriental, Riviera Maya, while the Caribbean had a whole slew of hot new spas, including three in Antigua — Spa at Curtain Bluff, Hermitage Bay Spa and Spa Tranquility in Antigua — and two in Jamaica — Fern Tree at Half Moon in Montego Bay and Rockhouse Spa.

World-class pampering and wellness are today getting creative: customized treatments, elaborate hydrotherapy circuits, locally inspired rituals, and lots of four-handed massage. Our correspondents tested the latest facilities around the globe to yield 76 winners as wide-ranging as the planet itself.

Spas in the U.S. making the Hot Top Spas List include:

- Spa Solage, Calistoga, CA

- Voda Spa, Los Angeles, CA

- Spa Desert Springs, Palm Desert, CA

- Spa at Grand Del Mar, San Diego, CA

- Drift Spa, Las Vegas, NV

- Spa at Four Seasons, Austin, TX

- Ritz-Carlton Spa, Dallas, TX

- Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA

- Solitude Spa, Jackson Hole, WY

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Located in the vibrant arts and entertainment center of Uptown Dallas, Texas, the glamorous Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa debuts this spring after significant interior restorations. Principally led by luxury interior architecture and design firm ForrestPerkins, the renovation of The Stoneleigh preserves the hotel’s original Art Deco elegance while incorporating modern elements, making it once again an impressive landmark that continues to attract sophisticated travelers and discerning Dallas denizens. An award-winning venture, The Stoneleigh also recently received Dallas Business Journal’s 2007 Award for Best Rehabilitation and Reuse Project.

 

Originally built for $1.5 million, The Stoneleigh was the tallest luxury hotel west of the Mississippi when it opened in 1923. The building’s Art Deco-splendor led it to be the hotel of choice for visiting dignitaries, performing artists and leading celebrities from the 1930s through the 1980s, such as Judy Garland, Frank Lloyd Wright, Andy Warhol, Elvis Presley and stars of The Metropolitan Opera. Listed as one of the “Historic Hotels of America” with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, The Stoneleigh Hotel is an icon of Dallas society.

 

ForrestPerkins’ expertise in making luxurious spaces that resonate with guests and locals alike is impeccably demonstrated once again with The Stoneleigh. The firm was commissioned to refurbish the hotel’s lobby and lobby lounge, ground floor ballroom, 170 guest rooms and suites, as well as to create a new full-service spa and a glamorous new roof-top ballroom, The Grand Salon. “From the moment you enter The Stoneleigh’s luminous modern interior,” says John Langston, Managing Director of The Stoneleigh, “you are captivated by Deborah Forrest’s eye for luxe detail. Forrest Perkins has recreated and ignited the glamour of The Stoneleigh once again.”

 

With extensive experience in the restoration and renovation of luxury, historic hotels—such as The Hermitage Hotel and Union Station Hotel in Nashville, TN; and the Palmer House in Chicago, IL—ForrestPerkins’ sophisticated approach is evident throughout this elegant Dallas gem. Many of the hotel’s original details were retained, staying true to renowned designer Dorothy Draper’s original Art Deco touches such as the brushed steel and brass stair rail, the marble columns and polished mahogany and ebony millwork in the lobby.

 

According to the firm’s principal, Deborah Lloyd Forrest, FASID, “for the Lobby and Lobby Lounge, we took our cues for color, materials and detail from the existing rosso levanto marble columns and stair railing, creating an unexpected scheme of emerald green, platinum and amethyst.” The stylish art deco inspired custom furniture and rugs, dramatic green silk draperies trimmed with rhinestones tied back with huge cut glass “diamonds”and crystal chandeliers dripping with emerald green beading lend an air of glamour in which everyone feels special. “Sitting in the lobby lounge, champagne glass in hand, you can imagine Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers wafting through on their way to the Grand Salon” says Forrest.

 

When The Stoneleigh opened its doors eighty five years ago, it was destined to become the premier hotel for distinguished travelers, design aficionados and high-society elites. The recent renovation infuses The Stoneleigh with modern attributes, rekindling its iconic status and escalating this landmark hotel into a new chapter of its storied history. Deborah Lloyd Forrest remarks, “We are proud to have been instrumental in ushering The Stoneleigh into a new era of glamour and style as the premier luxury boutique hotel in Dallas.”

 

About ForrestPerkins

Founded in 1998 by Deborah Lloyd Forrest, FASID, and Stephen Perkins, AIA, ForrestPerkins is an 80-person interior architecture and design firm dedicated to providing the highest quality interior design and architectural services to the owners and operators of luxury and landmark hotels and prestigious multi-family projects worldwide. With offices in Dallas, Texas, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, California, ForrestPerkins lends its creative vision and design expertise to the most prestigious hotel groups in the world. The firm lists among its clients: Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Inter-Continental Hotels, Viking Range Corporation, Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Westin Hotels and Four Seasons

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Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa In Dallas Debuts After $36 Million Dollar Renovation

In one of the largest renovations underway in Texas, The Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa – Dallas’ first residential high-rise and a society scene hotspot for Hollywood stars – will return to its lofty position as the epitome of glamour and sophistication when it reopens this spring.

The Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa is expected to open its doors in March, with enhanced comfort and amenities, including a full-service spa, restaurant and penthouses. The Stoneleigh’s sumptuous new interiors, designed by esteemed hospitality design firm, ForrestPerkins, will maintain the building’s 1930’s era Art Deco-splendor while introducing a new level of modern sophistication and service. The dramatic Penthouse suites will be designed by Carleton Varney of Dorothy Draper Inc.

First opened in October 1923, The Stoneleigh is listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Historic Hotels of America.” Originally built for a mere $1.5 million, The Stoneleigh was once the tallest hotel west of the Mississippi, and has played host to stars including Judy Garland, Frank Lloyd Wright, Andy Warhol and Elvis Presley. The Stoneleigh’s revival is taking place under the talented watch of Managing Director John Langston and world-class hotelier Jeff Trigger. The team has been heavily involved with the transformation of such notable hotels as downtown Austin’s The Driskill Hotel and Dallas’ The Mansion on Turtle Creek and The Adolphus Hotel.

Revitalizing Dallas Heritage And Art

“We’re proud to be restoring this historic Texas jewel, especially at this exciting time for Dallas,” said Jud Pankey with Prescott Realty, co-owner of the hotel. “There is a new era of splendor for The Stoneleigh with the revitalization of Dallas with arts, parks, entertainment and sports now enlivening city lifestyles. Our historical work on The Stoneleigh will only further enhance the area.”

The renovation includes extensive exterior work as well as the construction of The Heritage at The Stoneleigh Hotel, 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.

The hotel will also feature a collection of original artwork, honoring Texas’ best artists. From Wiggins to Bates to Dozier to Rizzie to Nicosa, The Stoneleigh Hotel and residences will feature originals and reproductions of various genres of art in both public spaces and throughout the rooms.

Many of the hotel’s original details are being retained while also staying true to the 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.

Unusually Spacious Guest Rooms

By retaining the original layout of guest rooms and hallways, The Stoneleigh will once again treat visitors to unusually spacious guest rooms. As a nod to the hotel’s history, designer ForrestPerkins is ensuring that suites are being brought to modern standards including kitchenettes, restored porcelain fixtures and period furniture. Tribute Suites are also being created to memorialize some of the celebrities and luminaries who stayed there.

Enhancing Popular Bar, Top Chef’s Kitchen

The hotel’s new signature restaurant, Bolla, will feature Modern Italian cuisine prepared by Chef David Bull, an Iron Chef Challenger and 2007 James Beard nominee for “Best Chef in the Southwest.”

The legendary bar at The Stoneleigh, long known as the watering hole for some of Dallas’ most influential residents, is being expanded and will now welcome guests as Bolla Bar. The bar will offer visitors the choice of a relaxed indoor atmosphere or an outdoor terrace experience.

An Urban Spa Retreat

Also to be unveiled will be The Spa at The Stoneleigh Hotel, a serene 5,200-square foot sanctuary offering private and duet treatment rooms, wet treatment rooms, salon, and a fully equipped fitness center.

The Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and Historic Hotels.

Partners

Key players in the Restoration Project include Prescott Realty Group, Dallas and Apollo Real Estate Advisors, NY (development); ForrestPerkins (renovation design); The Texas Historical Society (historical consultation); Gromatzky Dupree & Associates (architect of record); Plan B (Restaurant and Bar design); Dorothy Draper Inc. (Penthouse Design); David Carter Graphic Design Associates (Collateral and Conceptual Branding).

About Prescott Realty Group

Prescott Realty Group is a Dallas-based, full-service commercial real estate investment, development and operating company. The company focuses its resources on neo-traditional, urban infill sites and transit developments providing people live/work/play pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods. Prescott is currently leading Dallas’ transit developments with Lake Highlands Town Center at University Crossing.

About La Corsha Hospitality Group

La Corsha Hospitality Group is an Austin, Texas-based hotel management and consulting company. The company was founded in July 2006 by 25-plus year hotel industry veteran Jeff Trigger. Trigger and his associates have an extensive background that specializes in repositioning and restoring historic hotel properties. His signature world-class work can be seen in the properties he’s previously overseen transformations of, including downtown Austin’s The Driskill Hotel, in Dallas hotels like The Mansion on Turtle Creek and The Adolphus Hotel. Trigger has been named to the list of “Best Hotel Managers in The World” by Leaders Magazine and listed as a “General Manager of The Year” by Business Traveler Magazine.

About Apollo Real Estate Advisors, L.P.

Apollo Real Estate Advisors is one of the most active and prominent opportunistic real estate investors in the U.S. and abroad. Apollo specializes in acquiring under-managed and distressed properties and developing or redeveloping properties in major urban areas throughout the U.S. and Europe. Since Apollo’s founding in 1993, the firm has overseen the investment of eight real estate funds totaling more than $5 billion in equity.

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