The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, Hot Springs

The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa anchors Bathhouse Row at 239 Central Avenue in Hot Springs, one of the most storied addresses in Arkansas tourism. The current 12-story structure was completed in 1924, replacing earlier resort buildings on the same site, and served as a gathering place for politicians, celebrities, and organized crime figures during Hot Springs' wide-open gambling era. Al Capone and several sitting presidents are among documented guests from the mid-century decades.

The hotel's Italian Renaissance exterior faces Central Avenue and Bathhouse Row, a National Park Service corridor of historic bathhouses now part of Hot Springs National Park. Inside, the Arlington operates as a full-service resort where original architectural scale and some dated finishes coexist — the property has not undergone a comprehensive modern renovation, which is part of its appeal for history-oriented travelers. Room types run from Standard and Deluxe configurations to Junior and Presidential Suites.

The signature amenity is the thermal spa, which pumps natural Hot Springs thermal water — heated to 147°F at the source — through pools and bathhouse-style treatment facilities. An indoor pool and a seasonal outdoor pool add recreational options. Multiple dining venues cover breakfast through dinner; the Arlington Club Lounge operates as the primary bar. Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort is approximately 2 miles south.

Within walking distance: Gangster Museum of America, Mid-America Science Museum, Fordyce Bathhouse visitor center, and the national park historic district. The property suits travelers with an interest in American resort history and thermal bathing rather than those seeking a contemporary luxury experience.