Turn Back Time With a Stay at a Charming Retro Motel & a Meal at this Vintage Diner in Arkansas

Hot Springs, Arkansas is a tourist destination that has a little bit of everything. You’ll love checking out Hot Springs National Park - one of the longest-protected natural areas in the United States - and you’re sure to enjoy exploring the surrounding forests and trails, too. When you’re done with that for the day, the town of Hot Springs has so much to offer, from interesting shops to historical sites to inviting restaurants of all kinds. It’s easy to spend a day, a weekend, or even longer in Hot Springs, enjoying all the sites and immersing yourself in the region through participation in things like tours from Viator. You’ll never run out of things to do in this unique and interesting town.

If you’re looking to really immerse yourself in the historical aspect of this region of Arkansas, then you might want to dine at a vintage diner and then spend the night at a retro motel. There are several places in this town that can meet both desires, but some are better than others. If you’re a 1950s enthusiast, we suggest that you have a meal at Patty’s in Royal, a vintage-style diner with excellent food. After your meal, you can relax and retire at Dame Fortune’s Cottage Court in Hot Springs, a pleasant and comfortable retro motel that has been serving area guests under its current name since 2017, although the owners believe it was first built sometime in the 1950s.

You’ll love both of these welcoming and inviting spots and you’ll be impressed with their vibe and quality of service.

Patty's is a family-owned and operated, all-American diner that you'll love! This spot is about 20 minutes outside of Hot Springs proper, but it's worth the trip. You'll be enamored with this spot as soon as you step inside; it's decorated with concert memorabilia and coastal decor, and truly captures the love that the owners have for both of these things. There's so much to look at here that you may get wrapped up in all of it before you even get a chance to peruse the menu!

Have a seat at a table and get ready for a meal to remember. Patty's is open Wednesday through Sunday currently. Breakfast and lunch are served daily, and dinner is available on Wednesday through Saturday, too. Service is welcoming and enthusiastic, and you'll feel like you're part of the family even if it's your very first visit.

Everything on Patty's menu is made with great care and you'll be impressed by whatever you choose to order. This is comfort food at its very best. You'll also find that everything on the menu is quite affordable and that the portion sizes are perfect - every dish is filling, without being too much. Breakfast dishes include eggs, omelets, waffles, wraps, french toast, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and more.

The lunch menu is vast; you can get away with ordering just appetizers, but you'll likely want to try one of Patty's mouthwatering burgers or sandwiches, too! Looking for something healthy? There are plenty of salads, quesadillas, and soups to choose from as well.

Patty's is a fantastic place to enjoy dinner as well. All of the lunch options are also available at dinnertime, plus dinner specials like New York strip steak, fried fish filets, pork chops, chicken breast, beef liver & onions, and more. All dinner specials are served with two sides, a dinner salad, and a roll. There's also a great kids menu! You can feed a family of four at Patty's easily for less than $50.

Don't forget to save room for dessert! Patty's is famous for its pies, and you're going to want at least a slice - if not an entire pie. Pies are made fresh daily and you're going to want to try them all.

After you're done dining at Patty's, you can head back to Hot Springs proper to settle in for the night at Dame Fortune's Cottage Court. This small motel has only eight rooms - but each has been decorated differently and with great care. This property gives visitors a chance to feel like they've stepped into the past while enjoying the many comforts of the present.

Every room at Dame Fortune's Cottage Court comes with a microwave, WiFi, a television with Netflix and Hulu, a private bathroom, and a Keurig coffee maker. The owners love welcoming their guests personally, but at the same time, they are not at all invasive. They're more than happy to offer recommendations about the area as needed, or to leave you alone if you prefer.

This flamingo-themed room is just one of the rooms at Dame Fortune's Cottage Court. Not only does it include pink flamingo decor in the room itself, but the bathroom is pink-tiled as well. It's bright and fun and you're sure to sleep well in this cozy bed.

The "Holiday Road" room, pictured above, features two beds and lots of travel-themed decor. This room is another pleasant place to stay when sleeping at Dame Fortune's Cottage Court.

A meal at Patty's followed by a good night's sleep at Dame Fortune's Cottage Court are exactly what you need when visiting the Hot Springs, Arkansas area. These two small, family-owned and operated small businesses will help to make your stay memorable and enjoyable from beginning to end. Have a great trip!