14 Top-Rated Resorts in Arkansas

Backdropped by wooded settings and natural hot springs, resorts in Arkansas vary from lakeside locations to secluded outdoor getaways. And all provide a memorable place to spend the night.

Many of the best resorts in Arkansas surrounds the cities of Hot Springs and Eureka Springs in the west and northwest part of the state. But other areas, like Greers Ferry Lake and the rest of the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains, also provide comfortable places to get away.

Whether you are looking for an active family vacation, a romantic retreat, or just a reason to explore a beautiful location, resorts in Arkansas deliver their own unique blend of hospitality and culture.

Find out more about the best places to stay with our list of the top resorts in Arkansas.

1. Capital Hotel

Accommodation: Capital Hotel

As one of the only five-star hotels in Arkansas, and one of the top spots in Little Rock for romance, any visit to this first-class establishment goes well beyond an ordinary hotel stay. The decadently furnished lobby offers live jazz on weekend evenings, and guests are immediately greeted with Southern hospitality the moment they walk through the door.

The class and service extend throughout an entire visit, and extra-special amenities like spiced pecans, turndown service, and restored antique furnishings are just a few of the little touches that add extra appeal. The on-site One Eleven bistro, headed by the world-famous chef Joël Antunes, also attracts plenty of attention.

Rooms at The Capital Hotel vary from deluxe and capital king rooms to spacious suites. All rooms come with luxury linens and a stately charm. Accommodations like the grand capital suites feature plentiful space and a full dining room table.

The hotel is exceptionally well located, and many of Little Rock’s attractions are within walking distance including the River Market, the Old Capitol Building, the restaurants along Main Street, and Julius Breckling Waterfront Park.

Address: 111 W Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas

2. Lookout Point Lakeside Inn

Accommodation: Lookout Point Lakeside Inn

This small boutique hotel in Hot Springs is a popular choice for honeymoon vacations and romantic weekend retreats and pampers every guest who walks through the door. The 13 suites available at Lookout Point all have private views of nearby Lake Hamilton backdropped by the Ouachita Mountains. Each room is also uniquely decorated with fine linens and comfortable furnishings.

Some rooms come with electric fireplaces and patio space. All rooms lend to the many scenic amenities enjoyed at Lookout Point, including the shores of Lake Hamilton. One of the most popular activities is a seasonal boat cruise that takes to the water throughout the day between April and October.

A gourmet breakfast is served in the dining room or outdoor patio each morning, and an afternoon innkeeper’s reception features artisan cheeses, iced tea, and chocolate truffles. For fine dining in the evening, this lakefront resort in Hot Springs is within short driving distance of the area’s many great restaurants.

Address: 104 Lookout Circle, Hot Springs, Arkansas

3. 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville

Accommodation: 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville

The 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville is part of a family-owned boutique hotel chain that focuses on combining modern art, good food, and comfortable sleeping spaces in one package. The Bentonville property is just a block from the historic Bentonville Square and 1.5 miles from the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. You’ll know you’ve found it by the antique car covered with nickles, dimes, and quarters parked out front.

The property is home to its own art museum with a collection of 21st-century art that rotates between the 10 hotels owned by the brand—so if you visit at different times, you’ll experience different pieces. You’ll find artwork in dedicated museum space inside the property, as well as in the rooms.

The rooms also feature high ceilings, quality linens on comfy beds, and Nespresso machines. The hotel is family-friendly, and the kids stay free. It also welcomes dogs for an additional fee. Amenities include a gourmet restaurant called The Hive, a fitness center, and free parking.

21C is bike-friendly as is the entire city of Bentonville. A popular undertaking is to valet park your car and use your bike to tour the various art installations in the city.

Address: 200 NE A Street, Bentonville, Arkansas

4. The Wharf Resort

Accommodation: The Wharf Resort

With easy access to Lake Hamilton and the historic Hot Springs National Park, this luxury resort caters to active and relaxing vacations alike. All 11 condos at The Wharf Resort are ideal for a weekend retreat or extended stay and feature two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The condos also come complete with a full kitchen, whirlpool tub, and plenty of additional living space.

Guests often find themselves spending the day exploring the nearby Lake Hamilton and Hot Springs National Park. Guests also tend to take advantage of the swimming pool and tennis courts on the property. Other on-site activities include fishing, barbecuing, and enjoying the Ouachita views from each room’s private balcony.

Address: 408 Long Island Drive, Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

5. Beaver Lakefront Cabins

Accommodation: Beaver Lakefront Cabins

Beaver Lakefront Cabins offers cabins and private suites built for two, perfect for a romantic retreat in Eureka Springs. With a crisp, clean, and modern design to match the aesthetics of the secluded property, each cabin and suite features a front glass wall and a two-person jacuzzi that faces Beaver Lake.

The unique Bluff Cabin is the highest overnight space on the property, and alongside great views, it comes with a private outdoor shower. Full kitchens and luxury linens are available at each cabin and lake-view suite.

In-room private dining and massage services can be added to any stay. Popular lake activities at the resort include an indoor, heated fishing area, guided fishing services, and a floating sundeck to catch a tan. Motorized boat rentals and complimentary non-motorized water vessels are also available to guests.

Address: 1234 Co Road 120, Eureka Springs, Arkansas

6. Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa

Accommodation: Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa

This family-owned resort is centrally located within Ouachita National Forest, overlooking the sprawling waters of Lake Ouachita. It has hosted visitors for more than 50 years. Water activities, island excursions, wildlife watching, and relaxing moments lost in the landscape are commonly enjoyed at Mountain Harbor. Mountain bike trails also surround the entire property.

The Lake Vista Trail system is easily accessed from Mountain Harbor Resort and has more than 40 miles of multi-use trails. The resort offers boat rentals, guided fishing tour recommendations, horseback riding, and scuba-diving certification through its dive shop. Days, however, are easily spent within the comfortable confines of the resort as well.

A wide variety of lakeside spa services are available at the on-site Turtle Cove Spa at Mountain Harbor. And the Mountain Harbor Lodge Restaurant is open for every meal of the day.

Overnight accommodations include motel rooms, kitchenettes, condos, and lakeside cabins. Other popular amenities include three swimming pools, tennis courts with equipment, and special events throughout the year.

Address: 994 Mountain Harbor Road, Mt Ida, Arkansas

7. The Waters Hot Springs, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Accommodation: The Water Hot Springs, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

The Waters is a luxury hotel in Hot Springs right on Bathhouse Row. It’s a historic property imbued with modern renovations and tasteful art on the walls. All 60-plus rooms at this boutique hotel share a similar sense of style, and some have a fantastic view across Central Avenue and Bathhouse Row.

Guests at The Waters enjoy several first-class amenities, including the rooftop lounge with light fare. Valet parking is also available for those driving into town. And, plan for some extra pampering at the on-site Quapaw Bath and Spa, including a stunning collection of thermal mineral pools. The rooftop lounge and spa are also open to the public.

Address: 340 Central Ave, Hot Springs, Arkansas

8. 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa

Accommodation: 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa

Overlooking the city of Eureka Springs, this century-old mountaintop resort is a landmark hotel known for its hospitality and history. This full-service hotel features 72 rooms and an additional collection of suites and cottages. The property is surrounded by 15 acres of Ozark Mountain landscape and includes a three-acre garden and a wooded park lined with hiking trails.

Much of the old-world charm and décor remains the same within the hotel. With amenities like the full-service New Moon Spa & Salon and a wonderful outdoor pool, you’ll have no trouble entertaining yourself or the kids. The rooftop Gourmet Pizza bistro is a good place to grab dinner with a view.

Parlor suites, penthouses, and standard double rooms are available at the Crescent, as well as Cottages in Crescent Park, with plenty of room for the whole family. Larger accommodations like the Governor’s Suite feature stately decorations alongside balcony views, a spacious parlor, and Jacuzzi tubs.

The Crescent is especially known for being haunted. At one time an infamous quack doctor performed suspect treatments in the hotel that did little to cure the gullible patients. That, combined with an historical actual morgue in the basement (tours available) has led to tales of ghosts creating mischief around the hotel. If you are up for a ghoulish experience, ask for room 218, said to be the most haunted in the hotel.

Address: 75 Prospect Avenue, Eureka Springs, Arkansas

9. Club Wyndham Resort at Fairfield Bay

Accommodation: Club Wyndham Resort at Fairfield Bay

This family-friendly resort encompasses 14,000 acres near Greers Ferry Lake in northern Arkansas and caters to all sorts of outdoor pursuits. Hiking trails, water sports, lake fishing, and cave exploring are just a few of the activities around the resort. The facility is near two different 18-hole golf courses.

For even more to do at Fairfield Bay, tennis courts are on the complex, and the indoor and seasonal outdoor swimming pools are fun places to relax. The nearby Fairfield Bay Marina has a variety of water vessels available to rent.

Accommodations at this destination resort include one- and two-bedroom deluxe suites. All overnight accommodations come with ample kitchen space, private balconies, and whirlpool tubs. Each suite also comes with separate living and dining areas, and the two-bedroom suites feature a fireplace.

Address: 110 Village Lane, Fairfield Bay, Arkansas

10. Arlington Resort Hotel and Spa

Accommodation: Arlington Resort Hotel and Spa

The current Arlington Resort Hotel has stood tall in Hot Springs since 1925. Previous versions of this luxurious resort have served the community since 1875.

Through that time, Arlington has hosted numerous influencers of American history, including Franklin Roosevelt, Babe Ruth, and Al Capone. What has attracted so many iconic guests over the years can still be found throughout this 500-room resort today.

The historic Bathhouse Row of Hot Springs National Park is right outside the front doors of the Arlington Resort Hoel. The resort itself is home to the Arlington Thermal Bathhouse and Spa. Here, guests can enjoy pampering services like a deep tissue massage or thermal bath. Couples’ massages are available.

Dining options at the Arlington Resort Hotel include regular meal service in the historic Venetian dining room, as well as a Friday night seafood buffet and Sunday morning brunch. Guests to the resort also obtain full member privileges to the nearby Hot Springs Country Club, and tee times can be reserved ahead of time.

Rooms at the Arlington range from standard and historic rooms to parlor suites. Many rooms include mineral water with hot spring water pumped directly into a tub.

Address: 239 Central Ave, Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

11. Lindsey’s Resort

Accommodation: Lindsey’s Resort

This full-service trout-fishing lodge is located on the banks of the Little Red River near Greers Ferry Lake. Guided fishing trips, boat rentals, and a bait shop make this rustic resort one of the best fishing vacations you can find in the state.

A variety of fully furnished cabins are available at Lindsey’s Resort, including Jacuzzi cabins and riverfront family cabins. Tent campsites and full hookups for RVs are also available.

The on-site Pot O’ Gold restaurant is a great place to feed the whole family, and the kitchen can cater for large events, for which the 200-person River Retreat Conference Lodge also comes in handy.

Address: 350 Rainbow Loop, Heber Springs, Arkansas

12. Cabins at Sugar Mountain

Accommodation: Cabins at Sugar Mountain

For a cozy weekend getaway in a quiet, wooded environment, the Cabins at Sugar Mountain provide a secluded setting to really relax in. The resort features five boutique cabins, all with a modern design and furnishings, that are well suited for business travelers, extended vacations, or couples looking for romance.

Besides tiled floors and knotty pine walls, each “Sugar Suite” comes with a full patio space with seating and a grill. Close enough to town to make easy grocery runs or tourist stops, one of the biggest appeals of Sugar Mountain is the privacy it provides, including the seclusion from other guests staying at the resort.

Address: 78 Co Rd 116, Eureka Springs, Arkansas

13. Lake Lucerne Resort and Ranch

Accommodation: Lake Lucerne Resort and Ranch

For a rustic retreat with first-class amenities, Lake Lucerne Resort and Ranch offers 11 comfortable cottages and cabins. All overnight spaces at Lucerne Resort have unique names like Tom Sawyer, Kingfisher, and Sassafras.

Each cabin and cottage are also uniquely designed and decorated with features like fireplaces, large decks, two-person Jacuzzi tubs, and lakefront views.

Great for a relaxing weekend with the family or a romantic retreat, some cabins feature full kitchens and sleep six, while others are made for a cozy couple’s experience.

Surrounding the cottages and cabins, the 40 acres of woodlands encompass the six-acre scenic Lake Lucerne itself. Fishing is highly encouraged at Lucerne Resort, with three docks and a floating gazebo.

Address: 48 CR 317, Eureka Springs, Arkansas

14. Beckham Creek Cave Lodge

Accommodation: Beckham Creek Cave Lodge

Beckham Creek Cave Lodge offers arguably the most unique place to spend the night in Arkansas. This four-bedroom resort and vacation rental is nestled in a natural cavern high atop a bluff. But don’t mistake this stylish abode as a primitive cave-dwelling, as the interior resembles more a stylish lair belonging to a super-spy or someone like Bruce Wayne.

The modern furniture and standard conveniences really stand out against the natural rock that comprised much of the walls and ceiling. This one-of-a-kind experience doesn’t come cheap, with 2023 rates averaging around $1,600 a night, with two nights minimum.

Address: 1110 NC 8641, Parthenon, Arkansas