#306 - New Orleans Hotel... in Arkansas

NOLA in Eureka Springs

In September, Don and I got to enjoy the flavor of New Orleans, in the Arkansas Ozarks.

The winding streets of Eureka Springs are a lot hillier than Nola's French Quarter. But the old buildings with iron balconies, have always reminded us of New Orleans.

Eureka Springs is a mountain town with no stoplights. Nola is a bustling city of nearly 400,00. But both attract lively tourists.

Quiet on September 6

However, the streets in Eureka Springs were surprisingly quiet when we arrived on the Wednesday after Labor Day Weekend.

That's pretty much what Don and I needed. A comfy quiet hotel, without parades of crowds. 

I was coming down with a cold and the ice cream shop on the first floor, looked inviting! In fact it seemed like it could be downright medicinal!  

Heading In

We headed towards the hotel's entrance and I noticed the sign for The Voodoo Lounge. 

There might be something helpful for my throat there, as well!

Looking Down

Before we stepped inside, Don and I noticed the grid of glass on the sidewalk.

We've recently gotten interested in the history of these curious sidewalk features, found in some older cities. 

Since 1892

​Breanne greeted us at the desk when we entered. She seemed somewhat surprised that we mentioned the glass sidewalks.  

She said the basement restaurant would be open the next the morning if we wanted to see the light coming through. 

Since 1892

​The lobby looked clean and inviting, for a 131 year old hotel. I wondered how much was original, from when the hotel opened as the Wadsworth Hotel, in 1892.

There were 50 rooms, then. Each offered steam heat and electric lights. 50 cents a night...  or a dollar, if you wanted a bath.

Looking Around the Lobby

While checking in I peeked around at some of the lobby antiques. I love old treasures, but I don't love spaces that are jam packed with antiques. This was just about right.

We've stayed at 3 other iconic Eureka Springs hotels. All have been curious and fun... but all were uncomfortably busy (and dusty) with doodads and decor.

Maybe it was the lack of people, that made the lobby space seem large and welcoming.

Usually I love a little people-watching in a lobby. But my cold made me more excited about hanging out in our room.

Upstairs

First things first. I was a bit worn out and cranky, but I had to check out the staircase.

 I love old staircases! I took a hike to the second floor and looked down. Then up to the 4th... or was that the 6th? Confusing?

I took in the view of the lobby. I could see the ice cream parlor was open. Yay! Later...

I peeked down some halls on the second floor and felt relieved that we'd booked a first floor room. 

Maybe it was my mood. Maybe it was seeing a couple of men wandering around with their unlit cigarettes, that made the floor less appealing. 

None of them seemed interested in the lonely pool table.

Balconies

I knew the balconies on the second and third floors, were available to all guests. 

So I checked both out. I'm always in search of a nice place to relax with a view. 

The views from both levels were nice and I did spot a rocker or two. But there were ashtrays and lingering smells of smoke. 

Wondering

As I took in the view of Spring Street below, I wondered what it looked like when The Wadsworth opened over a century ago. Horses? Dirt instead of pavement?

What was the hotel like in 1915, when it became Hotel Allred. Who sat out on the balconies back then? I also began to wonder why they called this a 6-story hotel, when only 4 floors were in view from the front.

Presidential Suite

After my exploring, I was ready to relax in our Presidential Suite. Yep. Don and I booked the most expensive room in the hotel. We never do that. But most "Presidential Suites" can't be experienced for $229.99.

I had a cold and Don had an aching back, so we went for it. We didn't even have to climb stairs, since the entrance was lobby level, across from the Voodoo Lounge.  

Entrance to Our Suite

​The door to our suite looked nice. The transom had been decorated. It looked like some kid of sand art, or something made with finger-paints.

For just over 200 dollars, we had a suite that had its own hall! How very dramatic!

Bathroom Suite

I'm not sure about square footage, but it was a huge space, with lots of room dividers. At the end of the hall, we turned left to see the bathroom... which led to a sunroom porch.

I was totally amused but the very intriguing bathroom layout. The curtain, leading to the sunroom reminded me of something Carol Burnett wore in one of her hysterical TV skits. The photo was taken after I adjusted the curtain a bit. It looked funnier before.

The toilet was black and had its own little closet.

The black theme continued, with the hexagonal sink.

The tub-for-two, was to the right of the curtains. I'm not sure if this was all part of the big renovation in the 1980's. I know there was one in 1984.

Sleeping Quarters

Website photos let us know to not expect Victorian furniture. We love our old and authentic, but Don was ready for the comfy couch he'd seen in photos. Victorian does not work for a tall men who have back issues.

The room was spacious and the king bed was comfortable. I liked having 2 luggage stands for a change. There was a ceiling fan and lamps and bedside tables. That's the good stuff.

The Couch

​My photo does not reveal the closeup creepiness of that couch. The built in cupholders were dark and creepy. The sticky fake leather was creepy.

The plastic material was shredded from years of lounging. Where did this couch come from? Luckily the bath towels were large and Don rigged up "slipcovers". I told him, "Enjoy. I don't need to use the couch thank you."

Modern Homey

The place really does look pretty fine in my photos. We had a decent table with chairs, lots of books, coffee maker, ice maker and microwave! We could have played cards into the night. But the rips here and scratches there, looked weary.

The ice-maker was a nice thought, but it made a jolting crash, every time a few cubes dropped down. We thought of unplugging... then pictured things melting. 

Friends in the Room

I wonder how many "Presidential Suites" have gnome collections? In our suite, we must have had about 20 gnomes sitting on books and windowsills. 

I guess most would take gnomes over ghosts any day. I found myself just plain amused as I wandered the suite in search of little men with cone hats.

The Sunroom!

This was my favorite place!

My photo only shows half of the sunroom. I loved that we could open the windows and feel the fresh air.

I was happy to stay far away from that black couch and swivel back and forth and stare out at the spiral fire escape.

Don's back and my cold felt much better, after we had a glass of wine!  

Steps Away

We were so comfy, we could have stayed put in our little sunroom. But we knew the Voodoo Lounge was just outside our door. We had to check it out.

I had a cold and hardly wanted a drink, but the bartender had no other customers and he seemed quite eager to make me some kind of purple cocktail, that I didn't attempt to finish.

Don ordered a Sazerac and reminded himself later... "Save Sazeracs for the real New Orleans." But we had a nice chat, decorated our drinks with some Mardi Gras beads and then headed to the car in search of food.

Out Back

Don and I don't usually wimp out on our overnight adventures. But we'd been on the road returning from a family reunion. We were pooped and not hungry after a late lunch. We opted for a dinner of travel nibbles.

We headed out the front, then down the steps of the narrow passage between our hotel and another building.

As we headed to the small parking lot behind the hotel, I looked back and counted 6 stories. Oh yeah. That's Eureka Springs for you. 4 floors in front and 6 in back. Tricky job building hillside structures!

From the alley-street behind, we had a good view of our funny sunroom, built out over a balcony which held air-conditioner units. Curious!

Nighttime

After nibbling away on dinner of cheese and crackers, I headed out to see our hotel after dark. The front was festive with Mardi Gras colors.

The back was eerie and grand. The spiral staircases seemed to be daring me to give it a climb!

I headed back to the front and looked at the sign. The Quarter on Spring. We would have breakfast there in the morning! The glass sidewalk was glowing blue and green, when I stepped over it.

Breakfast in the Basement

​In the morning we were starved. The hotel had recently begun serving breakfast in their basement lounge. We traveled down the stairs, covered in Fleur-de-lis carpet.

Kind of like the VooDoo Lounge, we were the only guests. 

The gold sparkly walls and black linens could have seemed creepy, but it was actually a fun festive space.

Surprises up High

Instead of gnomes, we spotted other creatures, above the bar.

Two peacocks glowed on either side of the gator head.

Above the gator and peacocks, we could see the morning light coming down through the glass! What an ingenious idea, so many years ago! Basement lighting!

Eggs Benedict

We've had some memorable New Orleans' brunches. over the years. Our breakfast at New Orleans Hotel was memorable and tasty!

For $13. I had a fabulous feast... while wearing my Mardi Gras tee-shirt!

Don ordered the chef's special Pancake Pasta for $13.  Lemon Poppyseed Buttermilk pancakes, served in pasta-like strips... with fruit compote sauce! Yummy and fun!

I had to show Don how to properly eat his pasta breakfast! We were delighted when Chef JC came out of the kitchen and chatted for a bit. It was a nice way to end our stay at the curious New Orleans Hotel.

What's Notable?

​We stayed in a 131-year-old, stone and brick hotel, in probably the most picturesque town in Arkansas. I'll remember the iron balconies and spiral fire escape. I'll remember how unusually quiet the town and hotel seemed. I'll remember the surprise of the delicious breakfast in the festive basement.

I'll remember a comfy bed and a good night's sleep, in the center of our very odd Presidential Suite with gnomes and black accents... and peeling couch and the pleasant sunroom with swivel chairs and alley view. Oh my! It was an unusual stay for sure!