Dallas is hot in the summer, and if you need to cool off and don’t have your own pool, you’d better hope you are staying at the new Starwood owned Joule hotel. In addition to its swanky guestrooms and spa, this luxury hotel also has a stunning, outdoor rooftop pool. The Joule is all about big, Texas-sized style. Adam Tihany has done the interiors, and the in-house restaurant is by Charlie Palmer. Best of all, Nieman Marcus is just a block away. Rates start at $270. The Joule, 1530 Main Street, Dallas, Texas 75201. Phone: (214) 748-1300.

One of the hottest places to eat in Dallas right now is Fearing's, located inside the new Ritz-Carlton. The restaurant is helmed by celebrity chef Dean Fearing, who made his name at the swanky Mansion at Turtle Creek. His new restaurant has already been named “Best New Restaurant of the Year” by Esquire magazine, and the décor is sleek and contemporary. There are five dining rooms and two bars, plus the open-plan Dean's Kitchen. The menu is Southern with a twist; expect dishes like Chilled Sweet Corn Vichyssoise with Smoked Texas Tomatoes, and summer Maine Lobster; and Maple Black Peppercorn Buffalo Tenderloin on Jalapeno Course-Ground Grits with Crispy Butternut Squash Taco. Other standouts include Dean's Barbecued Shrimp Taco. More than 30 rare premium tequilas as well as Dean's Margaritas can be found in the Rattlesnake Bar. Fearing's,  2121 McKinney Ave., Dallas, Texas, Phone: (214) 922-4848.

The coolest place to be in Dallas might just be Victory Park. Located downtown, this $3 billion project is home to the W Dallas Victory Hotel and Residences, Craft restaurant as well as the whopping 30,000 square foot concept store LFT. LFT stands for Lifestyle Fashion Terminal and it's the brainchild of Ort Varona and Glenn Singer, the people behind Dallas' Premium 93 and Octane fame. The huge boutique is stocked with designers likeP aul Smith, Z Zegna, James Perse, Chip & Pepper, J. Lindeberg, and Diane von Furstenbergma and it also houses a cafe, salon, and kids' area. Upstairs, there's also a lounge which is a perfect place for parking your husband and plying him with cocktails while you shop. LFT, 2350 Victory Park Lane, Victory Park, Dallas, Phone: (214) 635-2150.

Nothing in Texas is small- including the passion for shopping. The Hotel Adolphus is offering the "Neiman Marcus Downtown Shopping Excursion." The package starts with a complimentary makeover at the makeup counter at Neiman Marcus.  Then, a Neiman Marcus personal shopper will guide you through the store and assist you with your purchases. When you credit card is maxed out, return to The Adolphus for a spot of tea in your room and recount the day's fashion finds. The package includes one night in a deluxe room, a Neiman Marcus welcome gift bag, an afternoon tea amenity, and complimentary transportation to and from the store.  The package is only available Friday and Saturday. And whatever you do, do not leave the hotel without doing your hair and makeup. For more information, visit www.hoteladolphus.com