Quick FactsOverview
About Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa
Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, Arkansas is a historic full-service resort hotel at 239 Central Avenue on Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs National Park, offering access to the natural thermal springs that have made Hot Springs one of America's most storied spa destinations. The hotel features a third-floor Thermal Bathhouse where natural hot springs water arrives at 143 degrees Fahrenheit and is cooled for guests, and Mineral Water Rooms with private bathtubs fed directly by the springs. Entry to the bathhouse is paid and by appointment. Open year-round.
The current building opened on New Year's Eve 1924 in the Spanish-Colonial Revival style, replacing an earlier structure destroyed by fire in 1923. The original Arlington Hotel opened on this site in 1875, making it one of the longest continuously operating hot spring resort locations in the United States. The hotel is the largest in Arkansas with nearly 500 rooms and suites, and the most prominent active bathhouse hotel remaining on Bathhouse Row.
The hotel hosted an extraordinary roster of guests over its century of operation, including Al Capone, Babe Ruth, Marilyn Monroe, and multiple US Presidents. Hot Springs was a center of American thoroughbred horse racing and, during Prohibition, a wide-open resort city that drew celebrities and organized crime figures alike.
Location & Access
Getting to Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa
Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa is located at 239 Central Avenue in the heart of Hot Springs National Park, directly on Bathhouse Row, making it one of the most accessible hot springs resorts in the United States. From Little Rock, drive west on I-30 and then southwest on US-70 W for approximately 55 miles total, following signs for Hot Springs and Central Avenue. From Dallas, take I-30 west then US-70 W, approximately a four-hour drive. The hotel is at the north end of Bathhouse Row, the historic strip of eight early twentieth century bathhouses that runs along Central Avenue. Valet parking is available for a nightly fee, and a three-level garage is attached to the property.
The hotel is walkable from most of downtown Hot Springs and the national park facilities. Hot Springs National Park sits entirely within an urban area, making it accessible by car without any hiking or rough roads. The park's forty-seven naturally flowing thermal springs are visible at the Hot Water Cascade and at display springs along the promenade. For visitors looking for a hot spring resort in Hot Springs, the Arlington offers the only active on-site thermal bathhouse hotel on Bathhouse Row and year-round access to natural mineral water from the Hot Springs formation.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa Suits
Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa suits visitors of all ages seeking a historically significant hot spring resort experience in a fully accessible, full-service hotel setting. The third-floor Thermal Bathhouse is open by appointment to guests and charges separately per service, with a $5 hot springs mineral water fee added to all mineral water treatments. Children aged 10 and older may use the mineral baths; massages are restricted to guests 18 and over. The Mineral Water Rooms with private spring-fed bathtubs offer the most private soaking experience available at the hotel.
For those seeking a hot spring resort in Arkansas that combines genuine geothermal mineral water with a grand historic hotel experience, the Arlington is the flagship option on Bathhouse Row. The hotel's central location makes it an ideal base for exploring the national park's thermal spring displays, Garvan Woodland Gardens, and Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. The hotel hosts live music on weekends and a Sunday brunch in the Venetian Dining Room.
The hotel has elevator access and is wheelchair accessible to the standard of a large historic property. Some rooms are more recently renovated than others as part of an ongoing restoration project. Visitors who prefer a fully updated environment may wish to confirm room condition when booking. Pets are not permitted.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety and Etiquette at Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa
Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa is generally safe, and the thermal bathhouse operates to standard spa and hospitality safety norms. The mineral water arrives at 143 degrees Fahrenheit at the source and is cooled before delivery to tubs and guest rooms. Guests should test bathwater temperature before entering, particularly for children aged 10 and older who are permitted to use the baths. Adjusting the water mix is done through controls in the bathhouse and Mineral Water Rooms.
The bathhouse requires an appointment and operates on a separate fee schedule. A mandatory $5 hot springs mineral water fee applies to all mineral water services. Massages are restricted to guests 18 and older. Booking ahead is strongly recommended, particularly on weekends and during peak spring and fall seasons. The spa can be reached at 501-609-2514.
The hotel is currently undergoing renovation and restoration work that began in 2023. Some areas of the property may be under construction or in varying states of update. Guests should confirm current room and facility availability when booking. The hotel's historic character means that original fixtures and infrastructure remain in place, contributing to its atmosphere but meaning some rooms may show their age.
Not all bathhouses on Bathhouse Row are currently operational as bathing facilities. Fordyce Bathhouse serves as the national park visitor center. Active nearby bathing options include Quapaw Baths and Buckstaff Bathhouse. Alcohol is available in the hotel's dining and bar areas and is not permitted in the bathhouse or spa.
