- Preservation and Modernization: Maintaining a historic hotel involves a delicate balance between preservation and modernization. Before the renovation the hotel spent a year working to restabilize the properties structure before it could move into the renovation stage. The team’s ongoing efforts include significant structural work to preserve the integrity of its historic walls and windows, ensuring the building remains safe and beautiful for years to come.Following this first year, every original brick that had to be removed was replaced, keeping the true authentic structure of the initial building. As the property moved into its second stage, rather than undergoing a complete renovation, The Capital Hotel’s newest revitalization has focused on refreshing the hotel’s features while keeping its original charm. This includes updating the color palette to reflect the building’s original stained glass windows as well as revamping its amenities to keep up with today’s most wanted designs. The updated rooms now feature new furniture to accommodate larger flat-screen TVs, marble-topped credenzas with mini bars/refrigerators, custom-designed Nespresso machines and much more. These modernizations work in tandem with the property’s notable past to highlight the historical essence of the space as it hits 150!
- Unique Experiences and Services: The Capital Hotel offers experiences you won’t find elsewhere. Beyond being one of the only hotels in Arkansas who offers a minibar, its guest rooms boast 14-foot ceilings with dangling chandeliers and tall windows that flood the rooms with natural light. Avoiding traditional clunky housekeeping carts the team uses a discreet basket system, ensuring a seamless and unobtrusive service. Additionally, due to the structure of the property, guests who partake in the hotel’s wine cellar tours must enter the back of the property to access the hotel’s wine collections, ultimately accessing the kitchen where guests can see the hotel’s culinary team at work.
- Staff That’s Like Family: It’s no surprise that the hotel, cherished by locals, has long term staff members who have been around for decades, like Miss Pauline, who has been with the hotel for 20 years and plays a vital role in maintaining its traditions like the Christmas celebrations. Last year’s celebrations included the tallest indoor Christmas tree in the state, standing 28-foot tall and adorned with 20,000 lights. Having had this tradition for decades, this hotel has seen multiple generations of the same family that meet and greet Santa in its lobby.
- Keeping Up With Sustainability: Along with its interiors Concord Hospitality has worked with the hotel to implement further sustainability efforts including LED lighting and keeping up its existing comprehensive recycling program. The hotel and management team are additionally working together to sanitize and donate unused toiletries through a soap recycling program.
Managing a historic hotel is about honoring the past while embracing the future. Through careful preservation, modern upgrades, and exceptional service, Concord Hospitality helps its property provide a unique and luxurious experience that keeps its guests returning, year after year.
Tags: The Capital Hotel
