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News • Arkansas • United States • 2014-05-13

Another Award for Little Rock’s Historic Capital Hotel

Little Rock’s Historic Capital Hotel has been added to the Southern Living Hotel Collection. The organization is a curated group of independent four-and five-star level hotels and inns that span 18 Southern states. Since its beginning less than one year ago, the Collection has doubled in size, growing from 15 premier hotels, resorts and inns to now include 30 carefully selected properties chosen by the editors at Southern Living.

Properties are vetted according to the same criteria that Southern Living editors use to determining editorial coverage. Each hotel in the Collection provides a memorable experience through impeccable service, outstanding cuisine, high-quality facilities and the finest amenities.

“This storied hotel is richly ingrained in Americana and Southern culture,” said Sid Evans, Editor in Chief of Southern Living. “Its colorful history makes it fascinating, but its luxurious amenities, unique services and truly gourmet cuisine led by Michelin Chef Joel Antunes turns this gem of a hotel into ‘a must stay’ on every sophisticated travelers bucket list, ” added Evans.

History of the Capital Hotel

One of the country\'s most historically significant hotels and a beacon to Southern culture over the decades, construction began on the Capital in 1870 and was completed in 1872. When the nearby Metropolitan Hotel burned to the ground, Little Rock Grand Dame, Mrs. Morehead-Wright, wrote, \"It\'s a capital enterprise located in a capital building (which)….I trust will prove a capital success….”. Thus the name Capital was chosen. President Ulysses S. Grant was one of the first guests to enjoy the hotel’s latest amenities including indoor plumbing, heating, and the country\'s first \"magnetic annunciator\" to call room service. In fact, legend has it that the elevator was designed large enough to accommodate President Grant’s horse, Cincinnati. Over the years, the Capital was regarded as the \"sweet spot\" for all political announcements and served as President Bill Clinton\'s local media headquarters during his tenure as President. Embedded with folklore, rumor has it that the ghost of a young girl walks the hallways, but guests need not worry as the Capital now supplies \"Monster Spray\" for all visiting youngsters, and nothing more has been heard of the ghosts since.

Today, the Capital is still known as “the front porch of Little Rock.” It has been continuously reinvented to characterize the very best of the South for each generation. This stately hotel boasts 94 guestrooms with four luxury suites and is the portal to a rich and rewarding experience of the authentic south and the new south. Keeping to its commitment to be at the pinnacle of service, the Capital is recreating its fine dining room with a multi-million dollar transformation that will include vastly expanded service capabilities such as its own butchery, a separate hot and cold pastry preparation area, as well as a stunning bar that will open into the lobby and become the new hotel entrance. And to create a truly memorable dining experience, the Capital has engaged award-winning Michelin Starred Chef, Joel Antunes to direct the gastronomy of what is sure to become a dining legend throughout the south

The Capital is uniquely positioned for both business travelers, who appreciate the hotel\'s proximity to important business locations, and leisure guests interested in the Clinton Presidential Library, The Arkansas Arts Center, The Museum of Discovery, the River Market District, as well as a myriad of historic buildings and Riverfront Park. Located at 111 West Markham, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201, it is easily accessible from Bill and Hillary Clinton Little Rock National Airport. For more information and reservations call 501-374-7474 or online at: www.capitalhotel.com.

More information on the Southern Living Hotel Collection can be found at www.SouthernLivingHotelCollection.com.

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