In the classic English novel Return of the Native, a nobleman returns to his former kingdom to reembrace its forgotten glory. Much like that, the former Four Seasons resort in Irving known informally as Las Colinas has returned as the Ritz Carlton, restoring the luxury outpost.
After 35 years as a Four Seasons resort under a variety of owners, and hosting the PGA Tour’s Byron Nelson Championship for almost that long, it officially switched corporate flags in early 2024 to Ritz Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas. That led to a month’s long multi-dollar renovation to the rooms and lobby with restaurant and new pool areas.
While you can change the name and rooms, you can never change the memories of one of North Texas’ luxury leaders for decades. Over the years, everyone from Tiger Woods to Princess Sarah Ferguson to the Sultan of Burai and a variety of NFL owners have all stayed here.
Its pool became legendary for the best watery parties including the time golfer Sergio Garcia bought a round for the entire pool inhabitants after his Byron Nelson win.
So, the goal for the new Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas (there is a Ritz Carlton in downtown Dallas), is not to change much, but to refine what is there and add additional luxury touches.
One of the first steps is to add cabanas to the resort pool for guests to enjoy on the edge of the large pool and even offer outdoor massages. The signature bridge over the waters is still there plus a new grill and bar is being installed for a new generation of pool parties Ritz Carlton style.
The villas which line the pool along with the 18th hole green has been renovated as well for the best views, the largest rooms and the most luxury.
The rooms within the main tower are updated as well, but only the most discerning eye could tell of any major changes.
The two golf courses, the more member-played Cottonwood Valley and the championship TPC-Las Colinas, now known as the Nelson Golf & Sports Club as a tribute to the former tournament namesake, has always been a focus of the resort.
The courses are still in excellent shape, especially the TPC-Las Colinas which one hosted the best players in the world and now have hundreds of rounds open for member and hotel guests.
The original Jay Morrish design with a later renovation assist by D.A. Webring forces the golfer to use a variety of shots to have success. There is water on at least half of the holes there, more elevation change that you would expect for North Texas, and with only two par 5s on the par 70 layout, really puts a premium on driving accuracy.
Two final two holes, the par 3 17th hole and the par 4 18th bring maximum drama to the end of the round. The 17th features an elevated tee box with a tee shot directly on top of a large rock-strew lake to a large green. There is plenty of watery risk reward here with a chance to be a hero or zero or even bounce your tee shot off the rocks as more than one golfer did during the Nelson tournament.
The 18th is long par 4 with water all the way down the left side and trees along the right. A straight tee shot allows you an approach to an large uphill green encircled by bunkers.
One large and very positive change is coming to the practice area is the addition of an enclosed practice area with video playback capabilities. It’s part of the Chris Como Golf School named for the one-time Tiger Woods coach who taught at nearby Gleneagles Country Club and Dallas National before moving to Florida.
“We will have a chance to teach players in climate-controlled conditions with instant sensor and video feedback,” said Jack Daneshmand, who is overseeing the school with occasional appearances from Como. “It was something we lacked in the past and will really help us.”
A third improvement will come from feeding golfers and hotel guests' souls. The brand-new Knife Italian will serve the flagship dining experience at the resort with locally sourced food, celebrity chefs and creative dishes.
The Outlaw Tap Room is a more casual indoor/outdoor place for drinks and burgers with TVs, pool and shuffleboard tables and music memorabilia lining the walls.
Of course the lobby bar, where decades of Texas business deals have taken place, is still in place to meet with the large flowers vase as the familiar centerpiece.
The North Texas luxury native has certainly returned as the new Ritz Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas. Lord Byron Nelson’s massive bronze statue still stands guard near the first tee at the TPC course ready to welcome a new generation of visitors and members.
Enjoy the rebirth of a familiar North Texas luxury legend.
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