Social-ist: Hotel ZaZa Opening Party
June 6th, 2007 - Category: HotelEvery once in awhile we like to take you into the world of the social elite in a little feature we call Social-ist (we know, we are so clever with those -ists!). Last week we attended the preview party of the new Hotel ZaZa. We had been hearing a lot about this swank tank, and we were looking forward to checking it out. Seeing as the old Warwick’s transformation into a trendy, upscale boutique had many concerned that the old-world style would be lost, we wanted to make our own assessment. And we were pleasantly surprised at what we found.
Upon arrival under white tents erected especially for the party, we stepped out on the red carpet and gave our names to the guest list attendant. After confirmation that we were indeed “on the list” we followed the red carpet up to the grand entrance, flanked with a mermaid (yes, a mermaid) atop the revolving glass doors. We were drawn into the lavishly-decorated, yet unpretentious lobby, which seemed to be the hub for various portals that led to different areas of the party. A guided program was presented to us, that took us through all the spaces of the hotel, including the Phantom Ballroom, Monarch Lounge & Terrace, and themed suites on the 11th and 12th floors. We were a little overwhelmed. We needed a drink to help us think, so to the bar we headed.
Along the way elbows we rubbed included Former Houston Oiler and current “Clobber Line” operator Ray Childress, Houston Press Associate Publisher Todd Crenshaw, Azur Salon’s Greg Decker, Steve & Monique Kursar (002 Magazine), Kim Padgett of The Padgett Group, Phillip Marshall of Squad Car Media, the always pleasurable Heather Staible (The Chronicle’s Shop Girl), and our favorite girl about town Lisa Gochman of Houston Modern Luxury Magazine.
No surprise, we ran into THE social-ist of all, Carolyn Farb, who shared with us her own personal memories of the hotel. Apparently she was married to Houston real estate mogul Harold Farb in the old Warwick and her father had also lived in the property at one time.
read more about the fete after the jump…
060507_clobberline.jpgAfter drinks were secured, and the first floor fully explored, we made our way up the elevator to the two top floors of themed-suites. It was about then it hit us that we were truly experiencing a part of Houston history. The old becoming new, the mixed crowd of veteran Houston socialites met with the young, trendy Midtown-ish crowd. We paused only a bit to take in the moment, before we realized the veterans were beating us to the crowded elevator. Move it!
Arriving on the 11th floor, we stepped off the elevator on to the first of the 2 top floors of themed-suites. We really were in no way prepared for what we were about to see. What first struck us as odd on this floor, was the full bar sitting smack in the middle of the floor. On the 11th floor! Genius! Armed again with drinks, we continued our journey of the top 2 floors.
On very few occasions are we speechless. But as we wandered through the suites, or “Concept Rooms” as they were called, little words were spoken, short of an “Oh my God, look at this view.” With suites facing west and east, each and every balcony produced sweeping views of Midtown and Downtown to the north, and Hermann Park and the Medical Center to the south. It was truly one of the most spectacular sites we had ever seen in our little city.
060507_chair.jpgAmong the 11th floor concept rooms were the West Indies room with its massive teak-wood entangled king-sized bed; the shotgun, alley apartment-like SoHo Loft; the romantic Casa Blanca suite; the black- and red-clad (and sexy as hell) Moulin Rouge retreat; and our favorite, the Houston We have a Problem Suite, a room decorated with space age mid-century furniture, complete with space-pod chair.
Still in a bit of a decor daze, we made our way to the top floor. We had heard rumors of the outdoor balcony soaking tub, and it’s views of the city, so we continued on our mission to locate it. If at anytime we thought the 11th floor suites could not be out done, we should have slapped ourselves, or maybe just a little pinch. Because once we stepped into the first suite on the 12th floor, we needed a little air. These rooms, most of them multi-room dwellings fully equipped with kitchens, living rooms, sounds systems, and yes, the infamous balcony soaking tub, could easily make the most posh of hotel rooms a bit jealous.
The Black Label and Rock Star suites really tickled our fancy. The views alone had us literally on our knees (ok, maybe the champagne helped that), as we relished the skyline on the foggy Friday night. As corny as we know it sounds, it truly was a magical experience. Feeling as though we were a world away, then catching a glimpse of the expansive Hermann Park tree tops, made us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. (Ok, again, maybe due to the champagne.)
060507_suite.jpg
Among all the glamour and glitz, we did feel as if the class and tradition of the old hotel did remain intact. Kudos to Studio Communications, who organized the party. The event was truly first-class and, in our opinion, helped move Houston into the ranks of international cities, all the while securing our rich city history. Throughout the night, we kept commenting to each other that we didn’t feel like we were in Houston. But we kept reminding ourselves, this IS Houston. In all its grandeur and beauty, newness and old, past and future. And to that we say, “Rah Rah, ZaZa.”
information from : www.houstonist.com
