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Capital Hotel, Little Rock.

April 4, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

Capital Hotel, Little Rock. Perfection.

If you have an opportunity to stay overnight at the Capital Hotel in Little Rock, thank your lucky stars and do not hesitate for even a half second. This is a no dilly-dallying around decision. The Capital Hotel, called Little Rock’s front porch, oozes classic southern charm from your first step onto the sidewalk out front until the moment your head melts into the Chaz Stevens pillowcase that will surely carry you to dreamland.

No detail is left unattended.

Built in 1872, the hotel has seen all sorts of greatness. You can bet political careers were made inside the oak paneled bar. And many a bride and groom have walked beneath the soaring stained glass ceiling of the lobby. Throughout history, the Capital Hotel has hosted an assortment of VIPs, including President Ulysses S. Grant.

John and I are just regular folk, yet during the weekend of my Little Rock book signing, we sure experienced the luxury VIP treatment. What a special place. 

A few pics…

  • View from the second floor stairs. Breathtakingly stunning.

Capital Hotel, Little Rock

  • I love love love an old tile floor. Can you imagine all the footprints left behind?

Capital Hotel - lobby floor

  • Cocktails at the Capital Hotel Bar & Grill. They say rules are made at the Statehouse, but laws are made at the Capital Hotel Bar & Grill. I believe it. I ordered the Crop Duster (left) made with house made blackberry preserves and Hayman’s Old Tom Gin. John ordered a Don Draper (right). Not sure what was in his drink, but he enjoyed it.

drinks at the Capital Hotel Bar & Grill

  • The enormous elevator has its own stories to tell. According to legend, the unusually large elevator was built to allow Grant to take his horse, Cincinnati, to his hotel room. Also, “Mr. Witt” (Witt Stephens, founder of Stephens, Inc.) was known to hold the Arkansas state legislature on board. It was certainly large enough for John, me, and a few dozen of our closest friends. “H-e-l-l-l-oooo over there…” A chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

Capital Hotel - big enough for a few horses.

  • Seriously. Best turndown service. Last night at my own home, I missed this Lambrecht Southern Pecan Toffee… (insert pouty lip)

Capital Hotel - best turndown service ever

  • Why, yes, I ordered grits. Breakfast at One Eleven included every southern favorite including buttermilk biscuits and gravy, house made sausage, homestyle potatoes, and stone ground grits from War Eagle Mill.

Capital Hotel - grits!

  • Coffee. Can you smell it? There’s something about white china and black coffee.

Capital Hotel coffee.

  • White tulips filled the window boxes along the sidewalk. And you know I love tulips.

Capital Hotel - perfect white tulips

  • Until next time.

Capital Hotel - until next time!

I hope there’s a next time.

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]The Capital Hotel in #LittleRock—where everyone is a VIP. @capitalhotel @DowntownLR #freshflowers #southerncharm[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:
Etta James, At Last

Filed Under: Arkansas, Travel Tagged With: Arkansas, Capital Hotel, Little Rock

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Comments

  1. Colene says

    April 4, 2016 at 8:22 am

    I’m glad you had such an exciting,fun and successful book signing! Pretty pictures!

  2. mark price says

    April 4, 2016 at 8:55 am

    I never new there was a drink called the cropduster. I need to mention this to the Wilson Café. The Capital Hotel is beautiful.

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      April 4, 2016 at 1:08 pm

      Yes, it’s based on a cocktail called Aviation. Wilson Cafe definitely needs a version of it!

  3. Staci says

    April 4, 2016 at 9:51 am

    Beautiful place

  4. Barbara Tate says

    April 4, 2016 at 11:04 am

    Oh, the hotel is beautiful. Loved your pictures. What a great adventure for you and John. I am so glad the book signing was such a success. So proud of you. You go, girl.

  5. Dorothy Johnson says

    April 4, 2016 at 12:48 pm

    It is, indeed, a beautiful place. We’ve been to several event there and I’ve stayed there once back when I worked and had to be downtown super early to help with a conference. I’m glad you had a pampered stay.

  6. Fay Guinn says

    April 5, 2016 at 9:25 pm

    Don and I celebrated an anniversary there. Did they give you roses because you were an honored guest?

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      April 5, 2016 at 10:35 pm

      Oh, no, the roses were in the lobby for everyone to enjoy. I thought they were so gorgeous I had to take a picture.


Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (2022)

THE THIRD ACT OF THEO GRUENE (coming 2025)

Recent Ramblings:

  • Sunday Letter: May 4, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Rainy Day Edition
  • Spiderwort: my love-hate relationship
  • Sunday Letter: March 23, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: March 16, 2025

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