The trend of “staycations” or vacationing within one’s own region/city is on the rise due to several factors, one of the biggies being gas prices (conveniently also on the rise). As many of us prepare to venture to a sandy retreat for the summer, some are seeking a more comopolitan route closer to home.

So forget the inflatable pool and lawn dart tournament (your neighbors will thank you) and make a break for an escape in your own backyard (almost).

Pandering to Dallas-ites and aspiring Dallas-ites alike, The Stoneleigh made a splash in Travel & Leisure’s Hot Deals section this week with their Dallas Does Decadence package. The Stoneleigh’s package features a luxury getaway (Chauffeured transportation, Dallas Museum of Art tickets, a personal shopper and Neiman’s goodie bag included) starting at $239. Package details and booking.

In direct answer to the relentless Dallas summer heat, The Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa unveiled their new happy hour this month in Bolla Bar. Posh lounging with a martini (or two)  in arctic air conditioning is always a welcome diversion from soaring Texas temperatures.

L’Ora Dell’Apertivo (Happy Hour for those of us not up on our Italian) is being held on   Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:00-7:30pm with special martini and cocktail pricing. Chef David Bull and Chef de Cuisine Curtis Cooke are also preparing   complimentary Bolla bites on these nights to allow guests to sample some  of Bolla’s fabulous menu offerings.

L’Ora Dell’Apertivo Details/Bolla Menus

Two parties, 1,000 mojitos, and over 1,200 guests later–The Stoneleigh team has finally recovered from two days of back to back celebration. The party pics have continued to roll in with fabulous shots of the hotel and guests alike. Check out the link below for a sampling of revelers and behind the scenes Stoneleigh shots from both evenings:

Decadence Debuts Album

Photos provided by Steve Cooley
Carpe Vita Photography
www.CarpeVitaPhotography.com