They always refer to it as man’s best friend and seem to leave out the statistical fact that it’s just as often girl’s best friend. Taking a trip with your girlfriends is almost always a guaranteed good time (depending on the kind of friends you have of course), but sometimes taking a break just 261 miles north of home with your oversized Chihuahua is just what the proverbial doctor ordered.

Over the last year, Dallas has proven to be a great escape for me. It’s a solid 4.5-hour drive from my home in Houston, TX, but it has so much to offer, which says a lot since I drive a gas-guzzling Tahoe to get there.

A few weeks ago, I was sent to the DFW area to write an article on hot dogs at Rangers Ballpark and decided to bring my bestest furriest friend along with me for the trip. Neither of us had any idea what was in store for us when we arrived at the pet-friendly NYLO Hotel in Dallas/Las Colinas, but upon stepping inside the super fabulously decorated lobby with oversized swinging chairs and a creative mix of upbeat/calming music overhead, Denali (pictured) was happier than I’d seem him in ages. And for good reason – the staff was just as attentive to my canine creature as they were to me, the one paying the bill! Clearly NYLO understands this girl’s best friend concept.

While the luxurious ambiance and décor of the property was something you’d most certainly see in a fashion or architect magazine, the functionality of the hotel was still extremely conventional, which is a pretty tall order in this industry. Business travelers seemed to take up most of the rooms during my stay and The Loft (the onsite restaurant and lounge) and The Courtyard were full of local businessmen and women grabbing a tasty lunch poolside or taking advantage of the happy hour specials afterwards with live music and a relaxing environment. If you happen to head to The Loft for lunch anytime, definitely get The Loft House Salad with grilled shrimp (or chicken) – it may sound boring, but it’s by far the best salad I’ve ever chomped down on.

Though the pet-friendly aspect and genuine and attentive staff was by far my favorite part of my stay at NYLO, there were a few other amenities I particularly enjoyed including the mini Keurig coffeemaker in my room (since I’m 30 and don’t know how to brew a normal cup of coffee, this was a literal breath of fresh morning air), the Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, free bottled water (which for some reason is so rare in hotels these days), and the Courtyard which came complete with free wifi and cabanas up for the taking. Talk about a home away from home – I’m not sure who’s more excited to return – me or Denali?

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all the champagne at the Loft was amazing each day, but thanks to a recommendation from the front desk for something a little different, I was pointed to Dragonfly, inside Hotel ZaZa for an exquisite dining experience to catch up with a good friend. Right in the heart of Uptown Dallas, this is surely the place to see and be seen, not to mention eat some of the best food you’ve ever had. Suggestions include (but are not limited to): Ahi Tuna Tacos (appetizer), Bay of Fundy Salmon or Ginger Glazed Beef Tenderloin (entrees), Truffled Manchego Tater Tots (side dish), and finish it off with the Crème Brulee Trio (featuring Lemon Basil, Strawberry-Banana and Mocha for dessert). If you’re in the mood for just appetizers and drinks, you can’t go wrong with Noah’s Arc, which is a 2×2 portion of small bites selected by the Chef.

Oh, and the other super major fabulous plus about this particular property? It was within WALKING DISTANCE to In-n-Out Burger!

Another positive note, NYLO is only about 15 minutes from Rangers Ballpark – a ridiculously huge plus in my sports book.

And by “oversized Chihuahua,” I mean exactly that – a 23lb teacup Chihuahua, which clearly does exist.

NYLO Dallas / Las Colinas | 1001 W. Royal Lane, Irving, TX 75039 | 972.373.8900

Jayme Lamm is a freelance writer and marketing consultant based in Houston focusing on travel writing and is in a full-court press writing her hugely opinionated sport’s column, The Blonde Side.