Highlights: Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas

•The Four Seasons Dallas at Los Colinas is outside Dallas, but near enough to combine business with leisure

•A fitness enthusiast’s dream, with four pools, 12 tennis courts, top-notch golf course, and the leading health club in Dallas area, Club Dallas

•Beautiful suburban country setting located in middle of corporate district, near Dallas-Fort Worth airport

•31 multipurpose rooms and business concierges who can help plan any corporate gathering

•Programs designed to keep spouses busy while business travelers participate in their on-site event

•Fine-tuned Four Seasons style and service

Amenities: Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas

• 397 rooms, 9 story. Pets accepted, some restrictions. Check-in 3 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access. Three restaurants, bar. Children's activity center. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Indoor pool, three outdoor pools, children's pool, whirlpool. Golf, 36 holes. Tennis. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas

The Four Seasons Dallas at Las Colinas is not in Dallas, but in Irving, one of the city’s many suburbs. Las Colinas is a business area, so this sprawling, stunning property is ideal for business meetings, as long as you don’t need to be in downtown Dallas, which is about 20 minutes away.

Golf is the main feature here; many of the rooms overlook the golf course. The hotel is a nice romantic getaway if you plan on using the facilities and want a low-key vacation, but obviously couples who like to golf will find it the most suitable. Again, because of its golf and corporate focus, the Four Seasons Dallas at Los Colinas is not the best spot for families; however, the hotel offers every possible amenity for kids, including special welcome treats at check in.

For the adventurer off on his or her own, there are several attractions in this part of Texas -- there’s even a large outlet mall -- that make going into Dallas proper unnecessary.

(+) Stunning property created to combine business and pleasure
(-) Suburban location may not be best suited for some travelers

Guest Services: Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas

Service during my stay at Four Seasons Dallas at Los Colinas was superb. Communications with the hotel were exemplary, and staff anticipated my every need during my stay. My first contact with staff -- the reservations agent -- was extremely thorough and thoughtful. When I hesitated about booking a spa appointment, she offered to e-mail me the spa menu, which she did within a matter of hours. The agent confirmed all details of my reservation and was helpful way beyond the norm.

Once I arrived on the property, I was offered directions to the spa as part of my welcome. The front desk staff was excellent, and I was escorted halfway thorough the lobby with a graciousness rarely seen. The hotel seemed to know me and care about my personal welcome -a wonderful Four Seasons touch. Within the first 20 minutes of my stay, the staff made such a positive impression on me that I settled into the resort in a cocoon of pampering. Staff was friendly and communicative while maintaining a pleasant formality.

When I called for a toothbrush, housekeeping delivered it to my room in less than three minutes. However, I was surprised that there was no turndown service. When I called the concierge late night for information, she was helpful and then asked if I wanted a wake-up call. When I requested written directions to the airport, I was provided with a printed sheet on Four Seasons Dallas at Los Colinas letterhead. At all times, my name was directly used. When it was time to leave, the porter came for my baggage within three minutes. As I left, the valet offered me a bottle of cold water and asked if I was all set with directions.

(+) Staff is personal yet formal, incredibly well-trained, and welcoming

Guest Rooms: Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas

Aside from the rooms in the Four Seasons Dallas at Los Colinas’ main building, there are villas along the golf course that provide more space and privacy. The hotel has 397 rooms, 20 of which are suites. There are approximately eight categories of rooms here, often the difference between superior and superior premium is simply the size of the bed or the view. The deluxe category rooms are much more elaborately decorated and are more in keeping with Four Seasons’ plush style of furnishings and contemporary designs. While superior rooms are quite lovely, they aren’t quite as sublime as premium offerings.

My room was absolutely luxurious. There was no closet, just an armoire for clothes and belongings, but it was larger than some closets I have seen. My room was configured to provide an office nook for the desk, if needed. There was also room for two large armchairs and an ottoman. The bed was beautiful, featuring the most luscious Frette sheets complete with embroidered, double piping. Texas air conditioning being what it is, I found the plush chenille throw at the end of the bed cozy as well as practical.

My bathroom was spacious, and I loved the L’Occitane amenities, which came in a medium size-, not as small as in many hotels. Bathrooms were a marvel of marble from floor to sink, although there was only one sink.

Overall, I was extremely comfortable in my room. The room was so well-organized that I never wanted to leave. The view of the golf course was lovely, and I enjoyed sitting outside on my veranda, taking in the inspiring views and expanse of nature.

(+) Wonderfully organized luxury rooms with verandas and views

Facilities & Activities: Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas

The Four Seasons Dallas at Los Colinas includes a golf course and a health club, so guests have many ways to be entertained or to relax. The pool has a resort-like feel,-as does most of the property’s exterior.

Hotel staff approached me when I arrived at the pool, escorted me directly to a lounge chair, and made certain that I was comfortable. Ample towels were provided, and the entire area was clean and neat. Sun protection products were available by the pool, as well as iced washcloths and water spritzing. The pool is serpentine in design so guests can pick and choose the most appealing locale for them. The environment was serene and relaxing; however, there are other pools (a total of four) for those who want to do laps. The indoor pool is the traditional, Olympic style for serious exercise. There’s also a spa pool and a family pool.

The golf course is an important part of the visual impact of the hotel, located just beyond the pool and the hotel’s main building lodge. The Byron Nelson Golf School is on the property; there is also billiards in The Game Bar.

The spa was welcoming and offered just the kind of pampering you want in a resort atmosphere like this. Aside from treatment rooms, the spa provided a comfortable sitting room to relax before or after treatments.

Since the spa menu had been sent to me, I was able to enjoy one of the signature treatments. Several treatments have been created with local ingredients and products, such as the Texas pecan scrub or the Red River mud mask. There are a variety of bathing events (harmonizing, rejuvenation, soothing, etc.), body treatments, and therapies geared especially toward tired golfers who might have a few aches and pains. There’s also a specialty Cowboy Soak just for men.

I loved the spa products used for my treatments, and appreciated the fact that spa staff politely guided to the area where I could test the products.

There are also tennis courts on-site as well as staff to help you organize sporting activities on or off the property. For those who want to leave the grounds, a car is essential either for getting to Dallas and enjoying the art scene there (30-plus art museums) or for going to the Grapevine Mills outlet mall.

(+) Gorgeous golf course and spa make this hotel a real joy

Dining & Lounge: Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas

The main restaurant at Four Seasons Dallas at Los Colinas is Café on the Green, where guests can enjoy breakfast, a lunch buffet, and a full dinner. Dinner is a little dressier than resort wear; gentlemen are encouraged to wear a jacket, although it is not required. There are wine tastings and events with the chef, as well as two private dining rooms and the possibility of eating al fresco.

Other dining options include Racquets for light meals in the Sports Club; the Terrace Lounge, just off the lobby; the Game Bar where you can eat near the billiard tables; and the Cabana, available May to September for casual dining around the resort pool.

For those watching calories, spa cuisine is available on all menus no matter where you choose to eat.

My dining adventures at the Four Seasons Dallas at Los Colinas began with breakfast at Café on the Green, where I was immediately greeted, seated, and offered a newspaper. When I requested USA Today, the hostess said she didn’t have one on hand but would get one. There was an interesting variety of food in the buffet, and the fare looked appetizing and was flavorful. I was inadvertently charged for breakfast when I checked out, even though it was included in my package. This was a small error that was quickly rectified. All in all, breakfast was a wonderful experience.

For dinner, I opted for room service. The menu was interesting and offered exceptional variety. My order taker was prepared to discuss details of the menu and guide me through to the best choices. Everything was as polished and perfect as could be.

(+) Excellent food and service at wide range of dining venues

Business Services: Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas

The Four Seasons Dallas at Los Colinas does its best to pamper the business travelers and their loved ones who may be accompanying them.

The 24-hour business center offers a wide range of assistance, including airline reservations, Japanese services, and audiovisual support in addition to secretarial services. If you can’t find what you need there, the multilingual concierge can help you with any request.

The hotel offers 31,675 square feet of versatile conference or function space, making this an ideal location for any size corporate gathering. You can choose from two ballrooms, 10 breakout rooms, a boardroom, an amphitheater, a pavilion, and a gallery. In each space, you will have access to the hotel’s plentiful state-of-the-art equipment, including projection booths, television-video conferences, and video monitors.

A conference planner can help you choose the right space for your event, and tend to any little detail, whether it’s reserving an audiovisual technician or a server to keep the goodies table filled and chilled. A music and entertainment concierge also can be called on to schedule a piano player, cellist or even background music.

For those business travelers with a spouse or loved one along for the trip, the hotel offers a spousal program in which they will plan activities to keep them busy while you tend to your business event. It can be a day at the spa, working with a personal fitness trainer, a shopping spree in downtown Dallas, or a tour of the city’s major attractions.

(+) Extensive facilities and business concierges to help you plan and executive every detail of your corporate gathering
(+) Programs geared to accommodate spouses of business travelers