If you follow Somewhere in Arkansas on Instagram or Facebook, you know that we travel all over the state and stay in many different types of accommodations. Our home state may not have an abundance of traditional five-star hotels, but that does not mean you cannot find amazing luxury hotels in Arkansas.
The state’s best luxury accommodations range from grand historic hotels and full-service resorts to intimate boutique inns and romantic bed-and-breakfasts.
Some offer spas, pools and multiple restaurants, while others create a luxurious experience through personal service, beautiful surroundings and thoughtful details.
For this list, we focused primarily on hotels and hotel-like properties rather than private cabins and vacation rentals. We will save those for a separate guide to the best luxury cabins in Arkansas.
Whether you are planning an anniversary trip, a romantic weekend or simply a getaway that feels a little more special, these are some of the most luxurious places to stay in Arkansas.
We are Karen and Emily, a mother-and-daughter team based in Arkansas. We travel throughout our home state to share the best places to stay, eat and explore. This post is written by Karen, with recommendations and experiences from both of our Somewhere in Arkansas travels.
11 Best Luxury Hotels in Arkansas: Boutique Hotels, Inns and Resorts
| Property | Location | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Capital Hotel | Little Rock | Classic Southern luxury |
| The Compton | Bentonville | Modern downtown stay |
| 21c Museum Hotel | Bentonville | Art and contemporary design |
| Oaklawn Hotel | Hot Springs | Spa and resort amenities |
| Hotel Hale | Hot Springs | Private thermal soaking |
| Stonebreaker | Fayetteville | Quiet Ozark retreat |
| The Louis | Wilson | Small-town sophistication |
| The Star on Spring | Springdale | Intimate boutique stay |
| Arsenic and Old Lace | Eureka Springs | Romantic Victorian B&B |
| Lookout Point Lakeside Inn | Hot Springs | Lakeside romance |
| The Reserve | Hot Springs | Historic-estate elegance |
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Capital Hotel (Little Rock)
Best for classic Southern luxury
The Capital Hotel is probably the closest thing Arkansas has to a traditional grand luxury hotel. It is definitely Little Rock’s grande dame and has been nicknamed “The Front Porch of Little Rock.”
This historic downtown property combines an ornate lobby, stained-glass windows, marble columns and sparkling chandeliers with the service and comforts expected from a modern upscale hotel. The service is incredible from the moment you check in and are personally escorted to your room by a concierge.
The hotel has 94 rooms and suites, including spacious junior suites and 1,100-square-foot grand suites. Rooms feature Frette linens and robes, Molton Brown bath products, fully stocked minibars and custom mattresses made in Arkansas.
The Capital Bar & Grill is a warm and cozy restaurant that serves excellent cocktails and elevated Southern comfort food, while One Eleven offers breakfast and weekend brunch. In-room dining is also available.
This is the hotel I would choose for a special occasion in Little Rock, particularly for travelers who appreciate historic architecture, attentive service and understated old-school elegance.
My husband and I have stayed here for an anniversary even though we live in Little Rock. It is an excellent romantic getaway. It is wonderful at any time of year, but the Christmas season at the Capital Hotel is spectacular.
The Compton (Bentonville)
Best for modern luxury in downtown Bentonville
One of Arkansas’s newest luxury hotels, The Compton sits directly on the charming town square of Bentonville, which, in my opinion, is one of America’s most exciting small cities.
This is a stylish but warm hotel. Its design draws inspiration from the Ozarks, incorporating natural wood, leather finishes and artwork connected to the Arkansas landscape.
The rooms are fresh and contemporary without feeling cold or overly corporate. Even the standard rooms include walk-in showers and upscale bath products, while larger suites offer additional living space, wraparound windows and, in some cases, deep soaking tubs.
The hotel has a bike rental program, and yoga mats and foam rollers are provided for guests who want to stretch and recover after exploring Bentonville’s trail system.
Dining is a significant part of the experience at The Compton. The hotel includes Field Notes, an all-day café; Sestina, a Tuscan-inspired steakhouse; and The Eddy, a cocktail bar overlooking the square. In-room dining is available as well.
We have not stayed at The Compton yet, but it is one of the Arkansas hotels we are most excited to visit because it brings a true modern luxury option to downtown Bentonville.
I think it would be an excellent choice for travelers who want a stylish hotel within walking distance of Bentonville’s shops, restaurants, museums and trails.
21c Museum Hotel (Bentonville)
Best for art lovers
Part boutique hotel and part contemporary art museum, 21c Museum Hotel in Bentonville offers one of the most distinctive hotel experiences in Arkansas. Emily and her husband Daniel loved their stay here!
The hotel is located in downtown Bentonville, within walking distance of the square and close to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
The contemporary art museum inside the hotel is free. Art installations continue throughout the public spaces, making the hotel itself feel like part of Bentonville’s thriving arts scene.
Although some of the guest rooms are on the small side, they all have high ceilings, large windows, original artwork and MALIN+GOETZ bath amenities. Larger suites include separate living and dining areas, while the impressive 21c Suite has a private outdoor terrace.
In-room dining is available from The Hive, the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant.
21c is less traditional than the Capital Hotel and more established than some of Bentonville’s newest properties. It is an especially good fit for travelers who prefer contemporary design, excellent food and an experience that feels connected to the destination.
Oaklawn Hotel (Hot Springs)
Best for a full-service resort and spa getaway
Oaklawn Hotel offers the most complete luxury resort experience in Arkansas. The hotel is part of the Oaklawn racing and casino complex, but you do not have to be interested in either racing or gaming to enjoy a stay here.
Rooms and suites are perhaps not as luxurious as some of the other hotels on this list. However, they are modern and comfortably furnished, with some overlooking the historic racetrack.
Guests also have access to multiple dining choices, a seasonal saltwater resort pool and full-service cabanas. The hotel received a recommendation from Forbes Travel Guide for 2026.
The biggest reason to choose Oaklawn for a luxury getaway is Astral Spa, currently Arkansas’s only Forbes Four-Star-rated spa.
Both Emily and I have had treatments here, and it is always an excellent spa experience! Facilities include vitality pools, heated loungers, infrared saunas, needle showers, full-service locker rooms and a menu of massages, facials and body treatments.
Oaklawn may not offer the intimate atmosphere of Arkansas’s smaller boutique inns, but it is the best option for travelers who want a spa, pool, restaurants, entertainment and accommodations all in one place.
Hotel Hale (Hot Springs)
Best for a uniquely Hot Springs experience
Hotel Hale offers an experience you cannot find anywhere else in Arkansas. The nine-suite hotel occupies the former Hale Bathhouse, the oldest surviving structure on Hot Springs’ historic Bathhouse Row.
Every suite has a private soaking tub supplied with the geothermal mineral water for which Hot Springs is famous. This means guests can enjoy a thermal-water bath without leaving their room! I especially loved that I could relax in the thermal mineral waters as long as I wanted.
The rooms also have a great ambiance. They are individually decorated in a way that combines historic architectural details such as exposed brick and hardwood floors with a colorful midcentury-modern style.
The hotel is also home to Eden, an intimate restaurant built beneath the bathhouse’s original skylight. A living wall filled with plants adds to the unusual setting.
Hotel Hale is not a large, full-service resort. Its luxury comes from its history, personal service, limited number of rooms and one-of-a-kind thermal soaking tubs. It is one of the best choices in Arkansas for a romantic weekend or special anniversary.
The Stonebreaker Hotel (Fayetteville)
Best for a design-forward Ozark retreat
Anyone who has stayed in the middle of Fayetteville knows that this college town can be a little busy. However, set on wooded Markham Hill, The Stonebreaker Hotel is tranquil. It feels removed from the hustle and bustle even though it is only a short drive from downtown and the University of Arkansas.
I would describe the decor of this hotel as refined rustic. Our room was spacious with warm tones, wood floors, handcrafted furnishings, and a very comfortable bed. Some suites include spacious patios or additional living areas. My room had a little balcony that looked out over the hills.
One of my favorite little extras was having coffee delivered to the room piping hot in a Stanley thermos. I thought that was a nice touch.
Although the main hotel building has a contemporary design, the property also includes a beautifully restored Victorian house that is open to guests and houses the restaurant, bar and gathering spaces.
Other amenities include a heated pool, hot tub, fitness center, hiking and biking trails, firepits and an onsite restaurant. The restaurant serves seasonal dishes made with ingredients sourced in Arkansas whenever possible and has several attractive dining spaces, including a screened porch.
It is a good choice for travelers drawn to contemporary design, beautiful grounds and the atmosphere of an upscale retreat.
The Louis Hotel (Wilson)
Best for small-town sophistication
The Louis Hotel brings an unexpected level of style and luxury to the tiny Delta town of Wilson. Located on the town square, the hotel blends contemporary design with details inspired by the agricultural history and culture of the Arkansas Delta.
This is truly one of my favorite luxury hotels in the state!
Guests are welcomed with a drink at check-in. The rooms feature Peacock Alley linens made with cotton grown in the surrounding region. Nightly turndown service and carefully designed public spaces add to the sense that this is far more than an ordinary small-town hotel.
The property also includes a warm and inviting cocktail lounge just off the lobby. It is such an inviting space. When the weather is nice you can enjoy drinks on the rooftop.
One of my favorite things about the Louis is the impeccable service. Everyone is so kind and accommodating and welcoming. This is the best of southern hospitality.
The Louis is a particularly appealing choice for travelers who enjoy discovering places that feel unexpected. A stay here can be combined with time exploring Wilson, the nearby Hampson Archeological Museum State Park and other destinations in the Arkansas Delta such as the boyhood home of Johnny Cash.
The Star on Spring (Springdale)
Best for a small, contemporary boutique stay
My husband and I have also stayed at the Star on Spring which is a small boutique hotel housed in a restored 1920s building in downtown Springdale. It sits across from Walter Turnbow Park, close to the Razorback Greenway, making it convenient for exploring both downtown and the Northwest Arkansas trail system.
The rooms have a polished, contemporary look, with king beds and upscale finishes. We enjoyed the decor and the quiet. The property’s common spaces include a lobby refreshment bar, a library nook beside the fireplace and several workstations.
Locally made bath products, digital room access and virtual concierge service add to the boutique experience.
The Star on Spring does not have the extensive amenities of Oaklawn or The Compton. Its appeal is more intimate: attractive rooms, thoughtful details, private check-in, and a small-scale setting that feels private and distinctive.
This is a perfect stay for travelers who want something more personal than a chain hotel while exploring Springdale and the rest of Northwest Arkansas.
Arsenic and Old Lace Bed & Breakfast (Eureka Springs)
Best for a romantic Eureka Springs getaway
Emily and her husband Daniel recently stayed for the first time at Arsenic and Old Lace. They thought it was a perfect romantic getaway. They especially loved the quiet and the excellent breakfast.
This is a five-suite bed-and-breakfast in a beautifully maintained Victorian home in the Eureka Springs Historic District. Although it is technically a B&B rather than a hotel, its combination of personal service, romantic rooms and high-end amenities earns it a place on this list.
Each suite has its own character. Depending on the room, features may include a private balcony or patio, seasonal fireplace, whirlpool tub, spa shower or expansive views through floor-to-ceiling windows.
The dramatic Tree Top Suite has a king-size four-poster bed and two-story windows overlooking the surrounding trees.
A signature breakfast is included, along with private off-street parking. The inn is also a member of Select Registry, a collection of independent inns and boutique properties that must pass quality inspections.
This is the kind of luxury that Eureka Springs does especially well: romantic, personal and full of character rather than sleek or resort-like.
Lookout Point Lakeside Inn (Hot Springs)
Best for a peaceful lakeside escape
Lookout Point Lakeside Inn sits among landscaped gardens overlooking Lake Hamilton. It combines the personal hospitality of a bed-and-breakfast with many of the amenities of a small luxury hotel.
Rooms have views of the lake and gardens, with many also offering private balconies or patios, fireplaces and large soaking or whirlpool tubs. The renovated Hamilton Presidential Suite includes separate sitting and dining areas, a spa-style bathroom and a private patio overlooking the water.
A delicious two-course breakfast is included each morning and is brought right to your room. Guests can also enjoy house-baked cookies, comfortable indoor and outdoor common areas, a firepit and complimentary use of the inn’s non-motorized watercraft. Appetizers, flatbreads, cocktails and wine are available for an additional charge.
Lookout Point is removed from downtown Hot Springs, but that is part of its appeal. It is an excellent choice for couples who want a quiet, romantic escape surrounded by water and gardens.
My husband and I visited here for a birthday getaway and really enjoyed our stay. We loved relaxing on our balcony with a drink in hand, watching the breeze ripple the water and blow the leaves around in the trees.
The Reserve at Hot Springs (Hot Springs)
Best for Gilded Age elegance
The Reserve at Hot Springs is an elegant four-acre estate located near Oaklawn. The property has 12 guest rooms divided among three buildings: the historic W.C. Brown House, the Enclave Suite Cottage and the Legacy House.
The rooms and common spaces are filled with graceful furnishings, rich architectural details and a refined Southern style.
Guests will receive an elevated three-course breakfast in the lovely dining area. They will also have access to a butler’s pantry with delicious cookies, inviting living areas, as well as gardens and outdoor spaces around the estate.
A winter or even a Christmas stay at this hotel would be especially nice as the hotel is decorated beautifully for the holidays and has fireplaces in the living area and some of the rooms.
The Reserve does not have the spa, pool or resort-style amenities found at some of the other hotels on this list. It offers a different kind of luxury. You are staying on a true historic estate, surrounded by elegant common rooms, beautiful grounds, fireplaces, quiet corners and the kind of personal service that feels far removed from a conventional hotel.
It is especially well suited to romantic getaways, milestone celebrations and travelers who appreciate traditional design and quiet surroundings.
Which of the Luxury Hotels in Arkansas Should You Choose?
The best choice depends on the type of getaway you are planning.
For classic hotel luxury, choose the Capital Hotel. For a spa weekend with full resort amenities, Oaklawn is the clear choice. The Compton and 21c are ideal for a stylish Bentonville trip, while Stonebreaker offers a more secluded Fayetteville retreat.
Hotel Hale provides the most uniquely Arkansas experience, while Lookout Point and The Reserve are excellent choices for romantic escapes in Hot Springs. In Eureka Springs, Arsenic and Old Lace offers an intimate alternative to the city’s larger historic hotels.
Whichever you choose, these properties prove that luxury in Arkansas comes in many forms, from chandeliers and concierge service to private thermal baths, lake views and breakfasts served in a historic mansion.
