It may not be the original Castle in the Sky that's sitting atop Rich Mountain but the lodge at Queen Wilhelmina State Park is still a delight above the clouds. Mena is certainly one of the best towns to visit in Arkansas and the lodge is the perfect place to retire after a day of exploring the area. Let's take a break and head up to this gorgeous mountaintop retreat.
Every aspect of a trip to Queen Wilhelmina State Park is a downright dream.
That includes just the drive up the mountain! The Talimena Scenic Drive was one of the first official National Forest Scenic Byways and earned that designation in 1989. The winding roads and stunning vistas will instantly remind you why the Natural State is so beautiful.
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Every season is wonderful but we especially love taking the drive and having a weekend on the mountain during the fall.
As soon as you've reached the top you'll see why the original lodge was called the Castle in the Sky.
Rich Mountain isn't quite as tall as Mount Magazine but it is the tallest peak in the Ouachitas. Many parts of the day will have so much cloud cover you'll feel like you're floating in the sky.
The current lodge is the third reincarnation the Kansas City, Pittsburg & Gulf Railroad Company's original creation.
The Castle in the Sky was first built by the railroad company in 1898. The lodge was completely rebuilt in 1963 and again after a fire in 1975. In 2015 the building was also refurbished to the stunning lodge we know and love today.
The original resort was named after Holland royalty because of the railroad company's dutch investors. The queen never visited the inn (though there had been hopes and even a suite built for her) but the modern lodge will have you feeling quite pampered. The lodge has 40 rooms with ample amenities and some suites even come with gas fireplaces and spa-like tubs!
While you're staying at the lodge be sure to carry on your adventure with Queen Wilhelmina's one-of-a-kind trails, views, and attractions.
In addition to the standard state park recreations, Queen Wilhelmina also has an adorable train to take around the mountain. You can learn more about it by reading the full article right here.
No matter if you spend a week or just one night at the lodge, you'll never want to leave this castle in the clouds. Rates for the lodge start at about $175 and can be booked on their website.
We would love to see your outdoor adventures at Queen Wilhelmina in our Facebook group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.
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
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
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
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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.
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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.
