One of my favorite times of year is quickly approaching. Cooler days and the beauty of the fall season bring such a refreshing change of pace. The break from the heat itself increases my energy level and makes me want to be outside enjoying the splendor that autumn brings.
Autumn in Hot Springs
To honor the season we’ve prepared a “Leaves, Lakes and Waterfalls Package”, to encourage you to take a break and come spend a few days with at Lookout Point. Enjoy the colorful foliage in the Ouachita Mountains and the serenity on Lake Hamilton. The ducks, geese and birds are plentiful during the season and fascinating to watch in the early morning or late afternoon as they prepare for their migration.
With the cooler breezes and the gorgeous leaves comes a sense of relaxation and slowing of pace to let your spirits soar and your mind slow down. The great hiking trails leading to some awe-inspiring waterfalls are picturesque during this time of year.
Our “Leaves, Lakes and Waterfalls” package includes (avail Oct 1-Nov 30):
3 nights at Lookout Point Lakeside Inn, recently named one of the top 10 B&B/Inns in the U.S. by Trip Advisor for 2012
Spectacular lake view from every room
Map to the best hikes, with waterfalls as the destination
Souvenir Picnic Backpack loaded with hearty lunch, wine, plates, and more
90-minute boat tour of Lake Hamilton with Lookout Point’s “Capt. Ray” (thru Nov 2)
Admission for 2, 21-story Mountain Tower
Private couples’ thermal mineral bath at the Quapaw Bathouse & Spa
Because this is such a popular time at the inn, make your reservations early @ 501.525.6155 and spend time looking forward to your fabulous fall escape.
If you’ve got people in your life full of hot air – the Legends Balloon Rally
Legends Balloon Rally
might be just the event to enjoy together, September 21-22, 2012. The Rally is a great place to work off some of that energy, to share a few laughs and to experience the beauty and splendor of the balloons. Hot Air Balloons always elicit a feeling of exhilaration and pure delight. In all sincerity, the rally is a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends.
The Legends Balloon Rally has been a part of the end of summer/beginning of fall happenings in Hot Springs since 2008. Every year the event brings visitors from outside the area and folks from Hot Springs. The Rally includes hot air balloon competitions, a car show, a free concert and plenty of time to gaze into the sky and enjoy the balloons with the array of bright colors.
One of my favorite parts of the Rally is the Balloon Glow Friday and Saturday night around dusk. At that time of evening the colorful and majestic balloons are tethered to the ground for the unforgettable balloon glow display. The evening light elicits a beautiful addition to the luminosity of 25 or more balloons. It truly is a sight to behold – the result is astonishing!
After spending the night at the inn and enjoying a gourmet breakfast and a cup of our special blend coffee, you’ll be ready for the Rally, which is held at Hot Springs Memorial Airport. For more information, contact or call our office at 501.525.6155 or visit the Legends Balloon Rally.
When Ray and I first talked about building Lookout Point Inn we discussed the possibility of incorporating a labyrinth
Lookout Point’s Labyrinth
into the landscape. Then, the more we planned the more it became a very necessary component of our design. The labyrinth is a beautiful part of our landscape sitting adjacent to the gardens and breathtaking yet calming view of Lake Hamilton.
The design is the Chartres 11 Circuit Labyrinth. It’s an old design that comes from the 13th century and the original can still be walked in the Chartres Cathedral in France. This design has been duplicated many times in many places all over the world. The experience of walking a labyrinth is meant for all faith traditions and is considered a form of walking prayer and meditation. For me, walking the labyrinth calms my mind and opens my heart.
We’ve had many guests walk our labyrinth during their stay at the inn. We’ve also had weddings, baptisms, Easter Sunrise, and other services held on the labyrinth. It is such an integral part of who we are, and it invites those who walk the labyrinth a quiet and reflective journey away from our busy lives. I’d love to have you walk the labyrinth on your next visit to the inn or use the labyrinth to celebrate a meaningful event in your life.
Walking the labyrinth does not demand a great amount of concentration in order to benefit from the experience. The sheer act of walking a complicated path …begins to focus the mind. A quiet mind does not happen automatically. But the labyrinth experience …helps us distinguish superficial extraneous thoughts from the ‘thought’ that comes from our soul level and that each of us longs to hear. —Dr. Lauren Artress,“Walking a Sacred Path”
One of the most beautiful lakes in Arkansas is literally in our back yard. Lake Hamilton
Beautiful Lake Hamilton
is gorgeous and offers so much fun year ‘round but especially during the summer months. Guests at our Hot Springs B&B all have awesome views inviting you to sit and spend some quiet time gazing on the beauty of the lake. It soothes your soul and slows a racing mind.
In addition to slowing down and getting in touch with the natural beauty, the lake has opportunities for all water lovers. From July 6-31, guests at Lookout Point can receive a free boat ride for two with Captain Ray when staying four nights at the inn. If you haven’t had a boat ride with Capt. Ray you’ve missed out on a wonderful experience on the lake–and most of his stories are true!
You may also use our canoe free of charge and, of course, take a swim in the refreshing water. Beach towels provided, of course. We’re happy to help in renting kayaks, delivered to the inn for you. If you’ve never been in a kayak or SUP, this summer might be the time to add this exciting adventure to your repertoire.
For those who love to fish, we have different options to offer. Guests may fish off our seawall as often as you like, catching crappie, bream and bass. (Try saying crappie, bream and bass fast three times!) If you want more fishing adventure, we can arrange a guide who will assist you on an area lake, promising you’ll make some great catches. Advance reservations required for the fishing guide.
Another option on the lake is renting a pontoon boat from a nearby marina. We’re always eager to help guests make arrangements and send you off for a fun day on the prettiest lake in the area.
When we say crystal clear Lake Hamilton, we are serious! The lake is clean and really clear to seven feet. The bottom is shale and, therefore, not muddy! What more can water enthusiasts ask for from a lake?
Our lovely city is famous for outstanding visual and performing arts. Visitors to Hot Springs June 3-16 are in for an awesome treat with “The Spice of Life”, presented by the Hot Springs Music Festival. <a href=
With 20 concerts and 250 rehearsals open to the public, music spices up a trip to Hot Springs during the festival. One really unique concert, on Saturday June 9, features a moving concert along Bathouse Row in the Hot Springs National Park.
Lookout Point is proud to be a sponsor of the 2012 Music Festival. We hope you’ll come stay at the inn, and enjoy great music!
in Bentonville, Arkansas, this summer. The highly-touted museum opened in November and has masterworks ranging from the Colonial period to current day and includes such well-known artists as Norman Rockwell, Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keeffe and has received significant funding from the Walton Family Foundation.
For those planning to visit the museum, why not add a couple of days onto your trip and boogie on down to Hot Springs – only 200 miles from Bentonville? We’d love to have you stay at our luxury inn on Lake Hamilton and play in our town at the many fun, interesting places in the area.
One of my favorites is the Garvan Woodland Gardens, a spectacular outdoor botanical nature area featuring gorgeous flora and fauna, 4 ½ miles of wooded shoreline on Lake Hamilton and the beautiful floor-to-ceiling glass Anthony Chapel situated inside the gardens. There is nothing quite like it!
Of course, there are other fun things to do in Hot Springs as well, including:
Pairing a visit to the world-renowned Crystal Bridges Museum with a trip to Hot Springs and a stay at Lookout Point Inn would certainly seem like the perfect vacation.
At Lookout Point, we provide comprehensive pampering and concierge services. Which means that we make dining suggestions every day. Fortunately, Hot Springs enjoys a multitude of really good restaurants!
Here’s our FAVORITE FIVE and WHY we love them:
1. Luna Bella. Fabulous food, artfully and freshly prepared by a top-notch chef, in a lovely setting. Added bonus: very convenient and close to Lookout Point. Type of food: Italian American Fusion. Try: pear endive salad or buttery scallops.
2. Bohemia. Described as continental cuisine, and located north of the historic downtown in a funky building. Chef/owner really cares about his food. Try: Petit Jean lamb (local).
3. Central Park Fusion. Located in the historic downtown, featuring world class dining. Type of food: fusion from around the globe. Try: one of their steaks. Note: nice decor but can get quite loud on busy nights.
4. Rolando’s. Downtown. Check out their outdoor dining option, tucked into the side of a mountain, with live music in the evenings. Type of food: nuevo Latino. Try: the cubano platter.
5. J & S Italian Villa. Great views of the lake from this friendly restaurant. Bonus: piano bar with live entertainment, plus it’s close to the inn. Type of food: Italian. Try: chicken verona.
Of course, we’ll be delighted to make reservations for you when you are enjoying a great stay at our Hot Springs B&B/ inn!
If you haven’t stayed in a bed and breakfast or an inn recently or ever, you’re missing pure pleasure in travel adventure.
Years ago bed & breakfasts conjured up visions of old Victorian houses that smelled funny and had white doilies (looks like a crocheted placemat that your grandmother made) on every table top. That just isn’t the case anymore. Take a look at the Death to Doilies video and make your next reservation at a bed and breakfast. We would especially love having you visit us at Lookout Point Inn in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Here you’ll have an escapade of pure pampering and luxury.
Lookout Point is the vision Ray and I had years ago to provide a beautiful, serene setting on Lake Hamilton that would serve as a sanctuary of peace and tranquility for our special guests who were looking for a place to relax and unplug.
If you have never had a bed and breakfast experience or it’s been a long time since you treated yourself, you’ll be amazed at the extraordinary opportunity that awaits you. —- by Kristie Rosset
As innkeepers, we see a great variety of people from all over the world. Meeting interesting, kind, funny, and curious persons is a great perk of this job! Guests who return to Lookout Point over and over again weave their way deep into our hearts.
Bill & Cheryl are two of those people woven onto the fabric of the inn, with their gentle spirit and zest for life! Married in Hot Springs years ago, they soon found our inn. Lookout Point became their spot to stay, and they even renewed their marriage vows in our gardens. Often coming with family, the inn rang with laughter and joy with every visit.
Three years ago in March, Bill died suddenly while on vacation with Cheryl and their teenage son. The shock and grief gripped their community in Missouri, and rippled to other states. Bill was a community leader, Boy Scout volunteer, physician, and so much more. In the midst of grief, even “his” innkeepers needed to do something, while feeling so helpless.
Bill's Tree
So we planted a tree. A dogwood.
The first summer, the tree struggled, telling us it was not happy where planted. Our gardener relocated the tree.
The second spring, the tree did not bloom but seemed content.
This month, in the 3rd spring, profuse blooms are covering this small tree. Bill’s tree is happy and thriving. I am grateful to have known Bill, and to be reminded of life’s beauty through Bill’s tree!
The editor of Better Homes & Gardens Country Gardens magazine,
BHG Country Gardens editor James Baggett
James Baggett recently included Hot Springs, Garvan Gardens, and our inn in the BHG blog. It was our honor to welcome James to the inn!He’s been a magazine editor for 30 years, and he is full of life, and great ideas. Rarely one to sit still, when he had a few extra minutes James could be found in our gardens, deadheading flowers.
When James asked if he could re-pot our house plants, I was speechless! Within a week of his departure, our houseplants had all been lovingly tended.
But the highlight of my too-short visit had to be my impeccable accommodations at Lookout Point Lakeside Inn. Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains overlooking a serene bay of Lake Hamilton, the inn—built in 2003 in the Arts and Crafts architectural style—is surrounded by pretty manicured gardens and pathways and waterfalls that lead to the lake itself, where turtles gently paddle near the water’s edge. Innkeepers Ray and Kristie Rosset have created a labyrinth for guests to explore, above. (Remember, you get lost in a maze and find yourself in a labyrinth.) While I slowly followed the twists and turns of the labyrinth, hummingbirds were busy sipping nectar from the many flowering shrubs and perennials that line the paths that crisscross this idyllic getaway. Like I said, it’s especially comforting to reflect on just such an escape at precisely this time of year.
Thank you, James! We would love to welcome YOU to enjoy Hot Springs, Garvan Gardens, our inn, and perhaps find yourself in our labyrinth.
Music Fills the Air in Hot Springs in June
Romantic Dinners to Remember in Hot Springs
Thrills and Thrilling Concerts at Magic Springs, Hot Springs!
