Sprawled on a bluff overlooking Lake Grapevine, the newest addition to the Gaylord Hotels portfolio, a 150-acre oasis of Texas charm, hospitality, and amenities, held its grand opening May 7-9.

Dallas and Fort Worth are just 20 minutes away, but the folks at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center have made certain that you needn't go there if you don't want to. Consider these stats:

• 1,511 guest rooms, including suites and rooms with balconies

• 400,000 square feet of dedicated convention, meeting, exhibit, and pre-function space. This includes 70 breakout rooms, three ballrooms, a 180,000-square-foot exhibition hall, and a two-acre event lawn for outdoor functions.

• On-site AV department, decorating company, and technology staff

• A glass-enclosed, 4.5-acre atrium

• Six restaurants and seven lounges, including Texas Station, outfitted with 40 plasma screens

• A full-service spa, fitness center, and numerous shops

While these details are impressive, I found the most remarkable element to be the 2,000-member staff. From banquet events to customer service, the Wow! factor is standard practice. Even during the resort's grand opening weekend, when staff were working 15-hour days, they were full of smiles, graciousness, and energy.

It was a true Texas-style grand opening.