We’ve talked about hobbit caves and cave lodges and a village you should definitely check out, but today we’re talking about good old fashioned hotels. The Natural State has some truly unique hotels, and below you’ll find a dozen of the coolest hotels, inns, and bed and breakfasts in Arkansas. From a museum you can sleep in to a shabby chic cottage you’ll love, you won’t want to miss these twelve places.
21C is part of a small chain of hotels, but it’s a chain unlike any other. No two locations are the same, because each 21C is a modern art museum full of original work. You can find a museum you can sleep in at 200 Northeast A Street in Bentonville.
This beautiful old inn has been around since 1904, and it’s the perfect place to step back in time. The nine cozy rooms there make for a luxurious getaway, and the common rooms are gorgeous spaces where you can kick back and relax. You’ll find the Edwardian Inn at 317 Biscoe Street in Helena.
The Arlington Hotel is a staple of downtown Hot Springs, and for good reason. This stately old hotel has been offering comfy rooms in a great location near the bathhouses of the famous thermal springs since 1924. You can stay there if you go to 239 Central Avenue in Hot Springs National Park.
This historic Little Rock hotel has been featured in Southern Living and named one of the best hotels in America by U.S. News & World Report. Their rooms and suites are absolutely wonderful, even the lobby is fantastic. You can spend some time in luxury at 111 West Markham Street in Little Rock.
The Crescent Hotel has been around since 1886, and rumors of its haunting are even older than the hotel. That's why it's called "The Most Haunted Hotel In America." Regardless if you’re a believer in the paranormal or not, this charming hotel will make your stay a delight. The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa is located at 75 Prospect Avenue in Eureka Springs.
This old mill has become a fantastic hotel where you can stay in style. The rooms are all themed and put together with great attention to detail. There’s also an exceptional restaurant there called James at the Mill. The Inn at the Mill is located at 3906 Johnson Mill Boulevard in Springdale.
Located on the top of the highest mountain in Arkansas, the Lodge on Mount Magazine has fantastic rooms with some of the best views in the whole of the Natural State. You can rent a cabin there too, but the lodge is truly something that must be experienced. Simply drive to 577 Lodge Drive in Paris to stay on top of the world.
This upscale modern hotel has all the amenities you could possibly want, and tons of style to boot. The rates here are surprisingly reasonable. The Chancellor is located at 70 North East Avenue in Fayetteville.
If anything dominates the façade of downtown Eureka Springs, it’s the Basin Park Hotel. This old beauty has been around since 1905, and you’ll get both history and comfort when you stay there. Basin Park Hotel is located within walking distance to the best quirky shopping in Arkansas. You’ll find it at 12 Spring Street in Eureka Springs.
With only four rooms, this little bed and breakfast is small, which is part of what makes it so incredibly adorable. This home was built in 1900 and has been restored and decked out in shabby chic décor, giving it a cottage feel that you won't find just anywhere. This lovely little inn is located on Main Street in Monticello.
11. Mountain Thyme Bed & Breakfast Inn (Jessieville)
This eight room inn will charm you instantly. It is situated on nine acres of wooded land right near the Ouachita National Forest, just a short drive from Hot Springs. That wraparound porch is the perfect place to unwind, no matter the season, and every single room is adorably decorated. The inn is located at 10860 North Highway 7 in Jessieville.
The Inn at Mountain View has exactly ten guest rooms, and every one is more charming than the last. Located in the Folk Music Capital of the World, this inn is the perfect place to rest between all the adventures you can have in charming little Mountain View. The inn is located on the northwest corner of the square in Mountain View.
From the Ozarks to the Lower Delta, you could spend your entire life exploring Arkansas’ many beautiful destinations, but where should you start? Picking a hotel is always tricky, no one wants to be locked into a place that doesn’t fit their needs. Whether you prefer a hotel with an on-site restaurant, one within walking distance of the nightlife scene, or a hotel with an outdoor swimming pool with a hot tub, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the top resorts and best hotels in Arkansas that are perfect home bases for you to return to after exploring The Land of Opportunity.
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Best Unique Hotels to Stay in Arkansas
With so many lodging options in Arkansas, you really have to go above and beyond to stand out from the pack. These unique hotels in Arkansas will be hard to leave after spending a few nights here. From the locations to the designs, these unique hotels are like nowhere else.
It’s not every day that you get a hotel, a museum, and a cultural center all rolled into one, but that’s exactly what’s waiting for you when you book a stay at the 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville. The hotel is ideally located near Bentonville Town Square, putting you within walking distance of the town’s major attractions, including the Crystal Bridges Museum of Art. Speaking of museums, this hotel is also a contemporary art museum, a 12,000-square-foot exhibition space with larger-than-life sculptures that will inspire you to dream big.
Amenities: UTV tour, you'll have the entire place to yourself
Ratings: 4.5 stars
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If you thought a museum-hotel hybrid was unique, how about a cave? The Beckham Creek Cave Lodge is one of the most unique places to stay in Arkansas, and although it’s not a traditional hotel, it definitely earned itself a spot on this list. You can only book the entire space, a four-bedroom, four-bathroom lodge built into a cave near Jasper. This place is an outdoor lover’s paradise, and there’s plenty of outdoor adventure to enjoy during your stay here, including several hiking trails, fishing, canoeing, and more.
Best Hotel Pools in Arkansas
Sometimes, a hotel’s pool situation can make or break your stay, especially if you’re traveling with youngsters that enjoy cannonballing the day away. Luckily, these hotels have some of the best pools in the state, so grab your swimsuit and make a splash.
Amenities: Outdoor swimming pool, on-site-restaurant
Ratings: 4.5 stars
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Hot Springs is one of the most popular cities to visit in Arkansas, and a stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Hot Springs will quickly win you over, just look at that beautiful pool! The pool overlooks Lake Hamilton with direct water access and boat docks, so feel free to bring your boat!
Address: 3303 S Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758
Price: $194/night
Amenities: Indoor swimming pool, free breakfast, fitness center
Ratings: 4.5 stars
This spiffy hotel in Northwest Arkansas has one of the most beautiful indoor swimming pools in the state, and we wouldn’t blame you if you never left this aquatic oasis. But just in case you do want to venture outside, you’ll be within a five-minute walk to the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion, the Pinnacle Hills Promenade Mall, and the Rogers Convention Center. Before you get your laps in for the day, fuel up on the complimentary, made-to-order breakfast in the morning!
Best Luxury Hotels in Arkansas
Are you ready to step into the life of luxury that you deserve? Even if just for a few days, these luxury hotels offer the opportunity to give yourself the give of pampering yourself and treating yourself to a vacation fit for royalty. From check-in to check-out, you’ll be dazzled by the details at these luxury hotels.
Located near the Arkansas River in downtown Little Rock, Capital Hotel has been providing a luxurious stay for folks passing through Little Rock for over 140 years. All of the 94 guest rooms feature custom-designed mattresses, 14-foot ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows so you can soak in that beautiful view of downtown Little Rock.
Give yourself the give of a weekend getaway at Lookout Point Lakeside Inn, and you’ll set the standard for yourself for all future hotels you’ll ever stay at. This luxury lodging option blurs the line between hotel and bed and breakfast with spacious rooms featuring patios and balconies, fireplaces, and beautiful lake views. This elegant inn is known as the most romantic hotel in America, and it’s easy to see why!
Known as the "symbol of hospitality," the Crescent Hotel and Spa sits high above Eureka Springs, giving you a fantastic view of the historic Victorian village and surrounding areas. The hotel boasts a spa and a salon for all your pampering needs as well as 15 acres of perfectly manicured gardens complete with ample hiking, biking, and walking trails to enjoy. Perhaps the most unique attribute to this hotel is that it’s known as America’s most haunted hotel, and they wear the ghostly badge with pride. Take an evening ghost tour of the hotel and do a little paranormal investigating for an otherworldly experience.
Best Boutique Hotels in Arkansas
Boutique hotels are always some of the most memorable places to stay. Often located in historic buildings, these charming hotels offer a unique stay where you can relax and recharge in a smaller space without compromising on the amenities or location. Here are two of our favorite boutique hotels in Arkansas that would be perfect for a spontaneous escape.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Reserve at Hot Springs will offer you an unforgettable stay. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens peppered with historic buildings from the property’s history, this Hot Springs boutique hotel put you smack dab in the middle of the action while still feeling like you’re in your own little world. The Reserve is conveniently located to both Oak Lawn Racetrack and Hot Springs National Park, ensuring there’s a nearby adventure for everyone.
Amenities: On-site restaurant and lounge, on-campus location, ADA accessibility
Ratings: 4.5 stars
This boutique hotel is just overflowing with history. The hotel sits in a building that dates back to 1905 and was once the women’s dormitory for the University of Arkansas. All of the rooms feature a flat-screen tv free Wi-Fi, and coffeemakers, and if you want to splurge on an upgrade, the suites have sitting areas and mini-fridges, which are great for longer stays. Since it’s located on the campus, it’s the perfect spot for cheering on the Razorbacks either from the comfort of your room or the lounge. Of course, you’re just steps away from all of the action, which is one of the reasons why this boutique hotel is so popular.
Best Resorts in Arkansas
When you pick a resort, you can rest assured that practically everything you need will be on-site, and you’ll never have to leave the resort. These are great options for large groups and especially families with youngsters since these resorts are often kid-friendly and offer tons of attractions for everyone to enjoy. These are some of the best resorts in Arkansas for an unforgettable vacation.
Nestled in the beautiful Ozark Mountains in Northwest Arkansas, Cedar Lodge’s 7,600-square-foot estate is the perfect little slice of paradise for nature lovers. This 5-star hotel transforms every season, providing year-round outdoor adventure from kayaking to snowshoeing. After a day of exploring, sit back and soak in the hot tub or the sauna for the ultimate getaway.
Address: 1216 County Rd 113, Eureka Springs, AR 72631
Price: $250/night
Amenities: Private cabins, waterfront views, fire pits, hot tub
Ratings: 4.5 stars
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Perched above the beautiful Beaver Lake, Sugar Ridge Resort is a dreamy luxury resort in Eureka Springs that’s ideal for both a romantic getaway or a reunion. Each cabin boasts a mesmerizing mountain view, with what might just be the best place to watch a sunset in Arkansas. This resort is only a few minutes from downtown Eureka Springs, and once you’ve explored the historic Victorian town take off to enjoy Dam Site Park or the White River.
Address: 239 Central Ave, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71901
Price: $122/night
Amenities: Spa services, thermal baths, car charging stations
Ratings: 4.5 stars
For nearly a century, folks have enjoyed a luxurious stay at the Arlington Resort, and you should too! The year-round hot tub is a welcome sight after a day of exploring Hot Springs, but you could always opt to do some laps in one of the two outdoor pools, or take a quick 10-minute walk down to historic Bathhouse Row! With a top-tier on-site restaurant and live entertainment on the weekends, you could spend your entire holiday within these walls and never have to leave.
Once you've settled into one of the amazing hotels, you're bound to be itching to explore the Natural State in all its glory. Here are some of our favorite adventures in Arkansas that'll have you asking yourself, "should I move here?"
Of all the great getaways in Arkansas, none quite compare to Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa! Living up to its reputation as the "best resort in Arkansas," it boasts peaceful solitude, luxury lodging, and lots of amenities. One visit to this Arkansas resort in the middle of nowhere, and we can just about guarantee that you’ll forget all of your worries. It might just be one of the best Lake Ouachita resorts.
Since opening in 1955, it’s grown into Arkansas’ premier lake resort. Not to mention, it’s been repeatedly voted the best resort in Arkansas – and rightfully so!
So, what do you think? Are you ready to escape to this lakefront resort? We're ready to pack our bags! For more info, call Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa at (870) 867-2191. You can also visit the Mountain Harbor website. And make sure to like the Mountain Harbor Facebook page.
