Looking for a way to make your visit to Arkansas, whether it's the first or the tenth, different? Why not try some of the unusual lodging opportunities available in The Natural State? Then every second of the trip will be unforgettable, even where you place your head at night.
It is only fitting that most of the unique lodging is found in Eureka Springs, where quirky and different reign supreme. But two of perhaps the most unusual of the unusual are located to the east in the central Arkansas Ozarks hamlets of Parthenon and Prim.
All Aboard
Livingston Junction Cabooses & Depot: Spending the night on a train used to be commonplace but today it's more of a novelty than a main mode of transportation. But neither train travel in its heyday nor today's modern AMTRAK have ever allowed sleeping in a caboose. But at Livingston Junction in Eureka Springs, visitors have their choice of three historic cabooses that have been completely restored and converted to lodging properties.
Owners Bruce and Lynn Wright attempted to keep as much of the original cars that was salvageable. Caboose 101 is a 1967 Burlington Northern metal structure welded together. According to Wright, the original cupola on this gem is what makes it special along with the original oak floors. Number 102 is a 1929 Chicago Burlington and Quincy which was one of the first metal cabooses.
Unlike #101, the car was "hot" or "pop" riveted together instead of welded, and boasts all original pine wood paneling and maple flooring. A very rare 1926 wooden caboose from the Saint Louis-San Francisco line is #103. The original seats in the cupola still covert to day beds just like they did when they were used by the crew on overnight trips.
The cabooses are geared toward couples and have private driveways fashioned to look like railroad beds, large decks with outdoor hot tub, furniture, a grill and hammock. Nature trails lead to a picnic area. The newly constructed Junction Depot can hold a small family. For directions to these secluded jewels go to www.livingstonjunctioncabooses.com. Call (888) 87T-RAIN (toll-free) or 479- 253-7143 for answers to any questions.
'Rocky' Rooms
Longbow Resort Luxury Cabins: A 1,400 acre private estate near Prim which Southern Living magazine labeled "the most beautiful spot this side of Eden" is home to three distinct luxury cabins.
The three -- Bushmaster, Bois d'Arc and Longbow - are all perfect for a romantic and secluded getaway The name Longbow honors the legacy of the original owner, Arkansas native Ben Pearson, who revolutionized bowhunting by founding the Ben Pearson Archery Company in 1927. Pearson Archery Company is synonymous with the sport. The estate is now owned by his family.
Bushmaster is built over a small creek and features view of large boulders and cliff line. Just upstream is one of many waterfalls on the property which cascades into Diana's Pool. A natural rock formation serves as one wall of the Jacuzzi room.
Bois d'Arc (pronounced Bo Dark) is perched on the edge of a bluff with views that extend for miles and miles and miles. The large bedroom features a Jacuzzi tub with huge windows taking in the Ozark mountain scenery. Longbow is described as "a cabin in a cave." A 16-foot rock wall encloses one side of the cabin and stone steps lead to a natural patio next to a pool and waterfall.
The cabins are located at 4349 Prim Road in Prim, deep in the Ozark Mountains. For directions, prices and to make reservations, call 870- 948-2362 or e-mail longbowben@mvtel.net. Photos showcasing the rooms and the beautiful surroundings can be found on www.longbowresorts.com.
Sky-High Luxury
Oak Crest Treehouses & Cottages: Three tree houses plus a "barn" and historic rock cottages are offered here. Jacuzzis for two and fireplaces are found in all the tree houses as is cable television, high-speed Internet access, refrigerators and coffee makers with coffee. Located one and one-half miles from the historic downtown shopping district with the Great Passion Play and other attractions close by. Room availability can be check via www.oakcrestcottages.com. Call toll-free (888) 608-5998, 479- 253-9493 or e-mail info@oakcrestcottages.com for more details.
The Woods Resort & Treehouse: One and two bedroom Craftsman-style tree-top cottages offer birds-eye views from 23 feet in the air. A footbridge leads to the TreeHouse hot tub which is 15 feet above ground. Amenities include complimentary juice and coffee; private decks; fireplaces; Jacuzzis; televisions with VCRs. The TreeTop bungalows have full kitchens and queen beds while the TreeHouse Cottages have wet bars, vaulted ceilings, queen or king beds and kitchenettes. Photographs and other information can be found on www.eureka-usa.com/woods. To make reservations call 479- 253-8281 or e-mail thewoods@ipa.net.
Call of the Wild Bed & Breakfast: No other lodging in the state has a view quite like this one. Located on the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge on the outskirts of Eureka Springs, overnight guests have a breathtaking view of the 450-acre refuge grounds and the resident "big cats." The Tree House is modeled after the concept of properties in Africa which allow people to safely view exotic animals up close. To obtain more information on Turpentine Creek and its lodging availability go to www.turpentinecreek.org or call 479- 253-5841.
Fill 'Er Up!
Texaco Bungalow & Bungalette: The days of the full service gas station are pretty much long-gone but some of the architecturally unique buildings still dot the landscape. One such structure occupies the prominent corner of Mountain and White Streets in downtown Eureka Springs and has been converted into a place to stay. The vintage 1930s art deco style station features a sunny living area in what was the drive-through fill-up portion. The rest of the building is combined with an 1880s log cabin to comprise the bed, bath and sitting area of the bungalow.
The bays of the garage are now the "bungalette" complete with loft bed towering over the below-ground-level living area. The bungalow is designed for couples while the bungalette can sleep up to four. Be sure to notice the little touches such as the original gasoline pump handles which now serve as exterior door knobs. The Web site - www.texacobungalow.com/ - has pictures and additional information. Contact phone number is (888) 253-093 toll-free, 479- 253-8093; e-mail is mrsgreene@cox-internet.com.
Historic
Surroundings
The ingenuity of Arkansans is showcased in the various ways historically significant buildings have been adapted, renovated, restored or reused to provide some interesting lodging options.
Inn at the Mill: The old Johnson Mill in the small hamlet of Johnson in northwest Arkansas provides the historic core of the award-winning Inn at the Mill. The inn was designed by renowned architect James Lambeth and was his first project which utilized an existing structure. The mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and according to the inn's Web site, it was "first legally registered as a tax-paying business in 1835, [and] the mill has the distinction of being the longest running business in the state of Arkansas, and possibly the longest continually operated mill in the nation." Partially burned during the Civil War, the mill was rebuilt in 1867. When Lambeth decided to renovate the historic structure, the interior of the mill was converted into a three-level lobby.
Two, two-level suites are in the actual mill section and feature the structure's original hand-hewn beams. In addition to the unusual appeal of the mill, six additional suites are unique in their own way. American legends Frank Lloyd Wright and Walt Disney, French impressionist Claude Monet and American artist Frederick Remington, Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Lambeth provide themes for remaining suites. All suites feature Jacuzzi tubs and private balcony. The dcor of these set the "unusual" tone. Lambeth's features an eclectic collection of "Le Corbusier" 1920s leather and steel furniture; the Monet room has French Antiques; the Mackintosh Suite is based on his master bedroom (built in 1900 and on display at the University Museum in Glasgow, Scotland); and the Remington room celebrates the country's most famous western artist using his own studio in Ingleneuk, NY circa 1902 as its basis.
Phone 479- 443-1800 or check the Web site www.innatthemill.com/ for more information.
Tanyard Springs Resort: Theme-based rooms are also here atop Petit Jean Mountain just south of the Arkansas River Valley town of Morrilton. The resort sits on a historic site where spring water was bottled and hides were tanned, hence the name "Tanyard." Thirteen hand-crafted luxury log cabins constructed entirely of Arkansas materials all feature western-style dcor. The stone cottage where water was once bottled is now restored as the Springhouse. The Mountaineer has a spiral staircase constructed out of a 35-foot-long cedar tree trunk. A 1,100-pound cottonwood table and bed suspended from the ceiling by chains highlight the Plainsman. A fully set poker table with antique money and a derringer inlaid in the top established the tone for the Gambler. The chimney face features card symbols out of fool's gold, a clock made of cards, a roulette wheel decorating the bathroom door and fireplace utensils also with card symbols add to the atmosphere.
The resort's Web site, www.tanyardsprings.com, has more details along with photographs. To make reservations call 501- 727-5200 or (888) 826-9273 toll-free.
School Days
Arkansas's capital of unusual lodging - Eureka Springs - is where you'll find Home Suite Home. This historic schoolhouse with all its charm and character has been transformed into 2,000-square-feet of living space on three levels. The entire place can accommodate up to seven adults with the option of two suites -- the Sunlit Suite and the Woodhaven Suite -- for smaller groups. Amenities include a whirlpool tub for two, fireplace, fully equipped kitchens; massages and customized packages available. High-speed wireless DSL Internet access, complimentary freshly baked pastries, cable television in every room, DVD and VCR players plus telephones, answering and FAX machines are other niceties. The cottage is located off U.S. 62. Call toll-free: 888-933-4050, e-mail stay@home-suitehome.com or check the Web site www.home-suitehome.com for more information.
Two group lodging properties have taken the "adaptive reuse" concept to school - literally. Both the historic 1914 Washington School at Historic Washington State Park and The Schoolhouse Lodge at Bayou Meto near Stuttgart have been converted to lodging for groups. Both are excellent for retreats, school and church groups and small family reunions. The two-story red brick 1914 Washington School has bunk beds for 48, two rooms with 24 beds each, a restroom/shower facility and wall lockers for those spending the night. Two large conference rooms, an auditorium and two meeting rooms, along with a fully equipped kitchen are also housed here. A digital projector, VCR, DVD, laptop computer hookup and Internet access are amenities for groups. The nearby historic WPA Gymnasium provides extra meeting room if needed and the park's Williams Tavern restaurant offers home-cooked meals. For more information on the 1914 Washington School and other buildings which comprise Historic Washington State Park, check www.historicwashingtonstatepark.com.
The Schoolhouse Lodge near Stuttgart began as the Bayou Meto School in 1927 and was a working school for over 30 years. Listed on the Arkansas Register of Historic Places, it is now a popular destination for groups and hunters because of it location on the Mississippi River Flyway and Arkansas's Grand Prairie. Capable of sleeping up to 15, the lodge has six bedrooms with private baths, a full kitchen, a great room and spacious deck. Catering is available as is hosting for receptions and special events. Contact numbers are 870- 946-3383 or 870- 830-015; Web site is www.theschoolhouselodge.net.
For information on these and other types of lodging properties in Arkansas, go to www.Arkansas.com and select "Places to Stay."
