Caroline Rose Hunt has created several of the best hotels in America, among them the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles. And the Mansion on Turtle Creek is one of her crowning achievements. Consistently ranked as one of the top hotels in the world by a wide range of travel authorities, the Mansion is an exquisite place. It is particularly appealing to romantics because of the fine attention to detail, exceptional restaurants, and superlative service.
There are 126 rooms in this Mansion, and fifteen of them are suites which happen to be simply stunning. Individually decorated with original art, the suites have living rooms, wet bars, and separate powder rooms. Some even feature two bedrooms and a full kitchen. Suites on the ninth floor have roof gardens with a view of the Dallas skyline. Baths feature marble shower stalls and vanities, custom brass fixtures, and large dressing areas. Room service offers a full menu, so you never have to leave your room.
Set on a low rise above meandering lawns, the Mansion is situated near the neighborhood of Highland Park. It has the feeling of a private residence, which isn't surprising, because that's what it initially was. And the pace at the Mansion is like you are the guest at a country home. There's plenty to do nearby, but no one will force you to do anything. Instead you are encouraged to take it easy, to simply enjoy the surroundings and amenities. At the Mansion, you are pampered with prompt, personal attention. But when you wish to be left alone, you are. This is a place to just "be": sleeping until noon if you feel like it, waking up only for breakfast in bed followed by lounging by the pool.
Then there's dinner to look forward to. The restaurant at the Mansion is one of the finest in the country. Chef Dean Fearing is recognized as the founding father of haute southwestern cuisine, combining the regional flavors of Native American, Spanish, Mexican, Southern, and American-cowboy cookery to produce a unique and unparalleled menu. Specialties include lobster taco, tortilla soup, salad with smoked salmon, and roasted quail.
According to a reader's poll in D Magazine, a local Dallas periodical, the Mansion is the best restaurant in Dallas. It was also judged the most romantic: "From the quick takeover of your car by beaming attendants to the ritual welcome at the maitre de station, right on through exquisite service of fine fare and wines in a setting of no-stone-unturned splendor, dinner à deux here is an evening to remember." The same survey said the Mansion served the best desserts. Chef Fearing is so confident that no one can make crème brûlée as well as he can that he even made his secret recipe public.
After dinner, relax in the lounge and get a handwritten weather report for the next day. But you don't need to decide right then whether you want to sleep in.
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