A 1924 postcard of the hotel.
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | There’s something about staying in a family-run hotel that just beats the chain-run stays. Older hotels have their own charm, such as the Monteleone in New Orleans, the DeSoto in Savannah, the Fairmont and the Sir Frances Drake in San Francisco, and even the Henry Grady in Atlanta. You probably have your own favorite.
But our favorite is in a once-thriving area, now on harder times: in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It’s The Arlington. It is situated across from Hot Springs National Park Bathhouse Row, the original hotel built in 1875 of yellow bricks. The present building opened in 1924, with its several wings and 560 rooms, and commands a majestic view of the downtown main thoroughfare. Add to it the charm of its seventh floor pool, plus being able to take the elevator in slippers and robe from the hotel room to its hot bath and massage area. It’s wonderful.
We have visited it several times when our children were growing up, them learning of the soda fountain in the basement, plus allowing our Beagle at the time to stay with us. The dog enjoyed riding the elevator.
Our most recent visit was as several others: to attend the Arkansas Derby during the middle of April, a race for three year olds and precursor to the Kentucky Derby. (Now at least we have a name of a horse in the Kentucky Derby for Saturday: Classic Empire, who won the 2017 Arkansas Derby. In 2015, American Pharoah won in Hot Springs, and went on to take the Triple Crown.)
Two incidents on our 2017 Arlington visit made the trip memorable.
The Arlington today.
First, when making airplane, car and hotel reservations, somehow I forgot to get Arkansas Derby grandstand tickets. Realizing it was about two weeks before the race, I learned that all grandstand tickets were sold. They told me: “We might have some returned to put on sale Saturday morning.” That was a downer, for at least I wanted for Barbara and me to be inside, out of the sun and possible rain.
Calling the hotel, I inquired if they possibly had some tickets. But no. Drat it.
About a week later, to my surprise, before the race, there was a call from the Arlington. They had two tickets that a hotel guest who had planned to go had made available. “Thanks,” I gushed, “How much do I owe you for them.”
“There’s no charge,” I was told. “The couple just wanted someone to have them.”
Wow! And whew! We would for sure be under cover. And they proved to be good seats! (We still don’t know who provided them. But thanks to that kind couple!)
Sunday morning when checking out, I realized that I had my Swiss Army knife with me. We had checked a bag on the way to Arkansas, but would not check a bag on the return, and the TSA agents would confiscate my knife, as they had done several times before when I forgot to leave the knife at home.
Then came an idea. Seeking a desk clerk, I asked would she address an envelope to me at home, put the knife inside, and mail it? I gave her a dollar for the postage. Once home, I thought little about it…..and after a week, wondered what happened.
I should not have worried. Some 10 days after checking out, a padded envelope arrived with 88 cents postage, knife and all! The Arlington had come through again!
Perhaps a chain hotel would have helped us just as well as these two incidents.
But, for sure, I felt the Arlington would treat its customer well.
They always do.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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