Ray and I are so grateful for the opportunities we’ve received in owning and managing Lookout Point Inn for 9+ years. We’re constantly busy in our day-to-day operations, but we both agree that part of our gratitude involves giving back to the industry in leadership positions.

In January, I was elected to chair the Board of the Professional Assoc. of Innkeepers International. I gave up my position as a director on the Select Registry Board of directors, an association of 400 of the top inns in North America, to serve more in-depth with PAII.  Ray is an alternate director of the Select Registry Board.

Ray & I are both former presidents of the Bed & Breakfast Association of Arkansas. Ray serves again this year as vice president of the association, starting a 2nd term on the board.

One of the most fun volunteer opportuniteis we’ve had recently is leading workshops at the annual Innkeeping Show. I also had the pleasure of conducting two online webinars on innkeeper.

A true privilege for Ray and me is to mentor new innkeepers. We learned so much from our mentors when our inn was new, and we love to give back that interaction and share any know-how to those new in the industry.

We encourage all our guests and friends to look for volunteer opportunities and share their knowledge, experience and encouragement with others!

Get in the spirit of the season starting Friday at 4:30 with the  Gingerbread House celebration in the historic downtown – a free event featuring caroling, tree lighting and refreshments.  Later Friday evening, stroll through the famous art galleries during the monthly Gallery Walk with the vibrant downtown Christmas display lighting your way.  Chances are you’ll find the perfect gift for the everyone on your list!

The fun continues Saturday afternoon at 2:00 when the Santa Train arrives in Hot Springs bearing gifts for all the children.  Other holiday events this weekend include the Pocket Theatre’s musical production OLIVER! and Garvan Gardens‘ Lights on the Landscape.  Come home to a luxury room at our Hot Springs B & B each night, and relax in the spirit of this most joyful time of year!

The 15th Annual Hot Springs Blues Festival

Hot Springs Blues Festival

returns September 1-3 with a kick-off concert and celebration at the Ohio Club. The Blues Festival is sponsored by the Spa City Blues Society.

On Saturday, the fun begins at 3pm with music workshops for the slide guitar and harmonica. Concerts begin at 6pm, continuing through the night. Admission costs only $5!

Our Hot Springs b&b has just a few rooms remaining for the Labor Day weekend, and we’d love for you to stay. It’s a fun way to wind down the summer!

Of course everyone knows of Hot Springs, Arkansas as the “The Spa City”. Hot Springs is ripe with day spas and massage parlors. Bathhouse row, located in the historic district downtown, is one of the town’s biggest draws with the historical significance in and of itself. But what about the lakes? Here in Hot Springs, we know how to spend the summer!

First, a little history lesson…

Hot Springs is home to one of Arkansas’s aptly named “Diamond Lakes”.

And oh how they sparkle! Look!

In addition to being truly beautiful, the diamond lakes are also useful! Who knew?! Lake Hamilton, for example, was created by Arkansas Power & Light in 1932 with the vision of harnessing the natural power of running water to generate hydro-electricity. This would ensure the town could continue to support growth. With the installment of Carpenter dam a success, Lake Hamilton was born!
Lake Hamilton is over 7,000 acres of fun and not to mention some of the best fishing in the state. Residents and tourist alike get out on the water to cool off during the summer. At any given time, one would see jet skis, inner tubes, pontoon boats and skiers taking advantage of the spacious lake. Off of the main channel, you can find residents floating along in their canoes, paddle boats, and even simple inflatable rafts. Much of the lake is lined with condos, houses, and restaurants.
Visit Hot Springs!  Relax! Experience the beauty of Lake Hamilton for yourself!

It is March already! Surely most of you have heard about Lookout Point’s One Night Gap Special! It is a constant special that runs on those ‘holes’ between two reservations. Just a one night stay, perfect for that quick day trip you’ve been wanting to take but just cannot find a good enough deal on it. Well, we’ve got one here just for you! Fill one of these gaps for us and we will make it worth your while.

First, we will take $10 off the rate for your room. How about having a half-dozen sweet and succulent chocolate covered strawberries waiting for you in your room upon check-in? After those goodies and when you’ve had a chance to unwind, we will send you right down the road with a $10 gift certificate to the fabulous J & S Italian Villa! Scrumptious entrée’s, fine wines with a romantic atmosphere…; all of this along with a stunning view of Lake Hamilton! Come back from dinner and retire into a beautiful room with a comphy bed and fine linens. You will not want to get out of it! However, you will not want to miss a Lookout Point Breakfast or the view from you room.

All of this will be included with your stay for that one small favor of filling a gap. This special is subject to availability. To book your special night at the inn, simply give us a call at 866-525-6155 Sweet surprises and fine dining—Lookout Point knows how to say “Thank You” to our very special guests!

The 107th Annual Live Racing Season opens this month at Oaklawn! The season starts January 14th with live races Wednesday though Sunday at 1:30 pm and on Saturdays at 1pm. Join with thousands of people from all over the world that travel here for the ultimate Spa City thrill, the horse races. Derby Day is April 16th!

 Come stay in Hot Springs at our bed & breakfast and we promise to get your race day off to a good start with a freshly prepared hearty breakfast!

~LeAnne

8 Broads & Jay

As Innkeeper of Lookout Point Lakeside Inn, I was delighted to  join 8 Broads in the Kitchen.   Representing innkeepers from coast to coast, these 8 foodies share cooking tips, stories, and recipes at www.bedandbreakfastfoodie.com.  Today we are gathering in Philadelphia for a fun photo shoot.  Each of us selected a recipe from the blog for our individual shots (mine was a photos pouring Lookout Point’s famous strawberry soup).

In this photo, Jay Karen, CEO of the Professional Association of Innkeepers International  (PAII), stopped by for the photo shoot. 

I have learned so much from so much from these incredible innkeepers, and not just about food.  These wise women are passionate about innkeeping:  taking take of guests and providing hospitality above and beyond the call of duty.

Come experience one of the largest multicultural and intergenerational attractions in Hot Springs, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival.  Stay with us at Lookout Point for this event. 

 The upcoming festival, held October 16th-25 at the historic Malco Theatre in downtown Hot Springs., remains the only film institute in the United States dedicated solely to the documentary film genre.   The festival was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1992. 

 The Festival shapes the identity of Arkansas nationally and internationally.  The Festival committee views nearly 1,000 films submitted from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, and selects 100 to be viewed each year. 

For more information on this festival and a calendar of the films and the times visit the Festival’s website http://www.hsdfi.org. 

The inn is located about 7 miles from the downtown area, which makes us a perfect locations to stay and enjoy this wonderful event.

-Kyrie

It’s back to school season, and perhaps you’d like to sneak away for a couple of days before life gets too hectic.   We’re offering an August Special:  stay two nights anytime through the end of August.  You’ll receive one-half dozen chocolate covered strawberries in your room awaiting  your arrival, plus a chilled bottle of French Sparkling Wine (Risque by Toad Hollow) or a chilled bottle of sparkling juice. 

As an added bonus, the gardens are still lush and green.   From our Texas friends and guests, especially around the Austin area, we hear how dry and brown the earth is from the continuing drought.   That certainly isn’t the situation here on Lake Hamilton!  We’d love to see you, and hope you can get away for an end of summer trip.

Be sure to ask for the August Special.

Lookout Point has made the news in Taiwan.  An article about the inn was published in the August edition of the Organic Lifestyle Magazine in Taiwan.  Lookout Point received an email from the magazine letting us know about this article.  It is really great that the environmental efforts of Lookout Point are being recognized around the world. We really appreciate this article and will continue our environmental efforts!!

-Kyrie