Upscale Hotels in Northwest Arkansas

[Mith242]

There was an interesting article in Arkansas Business mentioning some of the upscale hotels in the area. We actually have one here that checks out at $600 a night. Which is pretty pricey even in large cities. Here's the entire article.

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/news/artic...id=20&aid=41382

[arkansas_buff]

There was an interesting article in Arkansas Business mentioning some of the upscale hotels in the area.  We actually have one here that checks out at $600 a night.  Which is pretty pricey even in large cities.  Here's the entire article.

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/news/artic...id=20&aid=41382

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Think about all the CEO's, corporate buyers, and entrepreneurs who travel to NWA. I would think there would be a larger than normal demand considering the industry there... especially with WalMart. They've always had a mentality that you have to go to them... doesn't matter who you are or where you're from. You want to do business with WM? Go to Bentonville!

[Mith242]

Think about all the CEO's, corporate buyers, and entrepreneurs who travel to NWA.  I would think there would be a larger than normal demand considering the industry there... especially with WalMart.  They've always had a mentality that you have to go to them... doesn't matter who you are or where you're from.  You want to do business with WM?  Go to Bentonville!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah but Walmart is also known for being cheap. I guess I was just a bit surprised because I hadn't heard anything about this till I read the article.

[Arkansawyer]

Yeah but Walmart is also known for being cheap.  I guess I was just a bit surprised because I hadn't heard anything about this till I read the article.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What does being cheap have to do with Wal-Mart dealing with people who come to them? It's not the one who pays for these people to come. It's for these satellite companies' own good that they come to Wal-Mart. They have to keep Wal-Mart happy, since they rely on it for their livelihood.

[Mith242]

What does being cheap have to do with Wal-Mart dealing with people who come to them? It's not the one who pays for these people to come. It's for these satellite companies' own good that they come to Wal-Mart. They have to keep Wal-Mart happy, since they rely on it for their livelihood.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is true, and some of these other companies are probably used to letting some cash flow. Especially if they think it would help at all in getting Walmart on their side.

[Aporkalypse]

NWA (excepting Eureka) really has a dearth of upscale hotels. This article is talking about the Holiday Inn (not Select) and Embassy Suites which are really mid-grade hotels, particularly the former. The Fayetteville Hilton was downgraded to a Radisson because it didn't meet standards to stay a Hilton (while in LR one Hilton was renovated to keep its status, the other upgraded to a Wyndham). There isn't a Capital Hotel or Peabody in NWA yet and I really feel there should be. There was some talk about making that old hotel on the square a Crowne Plaza but later I heard it might be apts or condos. What's going on with that right now?

The Basin Park and Crescent are a different matter, both are really quite nice.

[Mith242]

NWA (excepting Eureka) really has a dearth of upscale hotels.  This article is talking about the Holiday Inn (not Select) and Embassy Suites which are really mid-grade hotels, particularly the former.  The Fayetteville Hilton was downgraded to a Radisson because it didn't meet standards to stay a Hilton (while in LR one Hilton was renovated to keep its status, the other upgraded to a Wyndham).  There isn't a Capital Hotel or Peabody in NWA yet and I really feel there should be.  There was some talk about making that old hotel on the square a Crowne Plaza but later I heard it might be apts or condos.  What's going on with that right now?

The Basin Park and Crescent are a different matter, both are really quite nice.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Can't say I'm positive which building you're talking about. There was an old hotel that was a little off the square over on College Ave. The old Mountain Inn, if that's the one you're talking about I think they have just about finished demolishing it and most of that block. They are building a new hotel there, along with some condos, restaurants and so on. I don't thinki I ever saw just how tall or how many stories the building will be but I think it will end up being to tallest building in Fayetteville.

[Mith242]

This info isn't just for upscale hotels but I wanted a more generic hotel topic to put this info in and not a topic that focuses on just one hotel and might get overlooked by some. There was an article over the weekend in the Arkansas Democrat Gazaette about hotel space and whether there's going to be enough demand for all the future hotels that have plans on going up in the near future. One thing I found interesting is that Fayetteville has the most hotel rooms but brings in less tax money than the other major NWA cities. Just in case anyone was wondering; Fayetteville has 1,601 rooms, Bentonville is second with 1,523 rooms, Springdale with 1,460 rooms and Rogers with 1,221 rooms. Rogers has 1048 rooms being planned with 325 of them at the Westin. Fayetteville has 680 planned with 200 at the Renaissance Marriot. Bentonville has 506 planned and Springdale wasn't even listed. One other thing I thought I'd point out. I've heard about this before but there was more reference to it in the article over the weekend. Fayetteville is working more towards having city officials (I don't remember which city group it is now) being able to set up big blocks of hotel rooms to make it easier for bigger conventions and such. Having the future Renaissance and current Radisson under the same management would help Fayetteville be able to accomplish that more easily.

[Aporkalypse]

This info isn't just for upscale hotels but I wanted a more generic hotel topic to put this info in and not a topic that focuses on just one hotel and might get overlooked by some. There was an article over the weekend in the Arkansas Democrat Gazaette about hotel space and whether there's going to be enough demand for all the future hotels that have plans on going up in the near future. One thing I found interesting is that Fayetteville has the most hotel rooms but brings in less tax money than the other major NWA cities. Just in case anyone was wondering; Fayetteville has 1,601 rooms, Bentonville is second with 1,523 rooms, Springdale with 1,460 rooms and Rogers with 1,221 rooms. Rogers has 1048 rooms being planned with 325 of them at the Westin. Fayetteville has 680 planned with 200 at the Renaissance Marriot. Bentonville has 506 planned and Springdale wasn't even listed. One other thing I thought I'd point out. I've heard about this before but there was more reference to it in the article over the weekend. Fayetteville is working more towards having city officials (I don't remember which city group it is now) being able to set up big blocks of hotel rooms to make it easier for bigger conventions and such. Having the future Renaissance and current Radisson under the same management would help Fayetteville be able to accomplish that more easily.

I read that as well. I think there's no doubt they're overbuilding, overcompensating for a current shortage in Benton Co. If demand was really high, though, we wouldn't see the kind of average occupancy rates we're seeing in Washington Co where there would be spillover. I'm surprised we're not seeing more small business-oriented hotels being built between Bentonville and XNA. Thats' a niche a lot of business travelers would appreciate.

[Mith242]

I read that as well. I think there's no doubt they're overbuilding, overcompensating for a current shortage in Benton Co. If demand was really high, though, we wouldn't see the kind of average occupancy rates we're seeing in Washington Co where there would be spillover. I'm surprised we're not seeing more small business-oriented hotels being built between Bentonville and XNA. Thats' a niche a lot of business travelers would appreciate.

Just like the possibility of not all the condo projects actually going forward I wonder if there's a chance some of these hotel plans could fall through. It's either that or there could be some closings of older hotels as they have a harder time competing with these newer hotels.

[jdevers]

Just like the possibility of not all the condo projects actually going forward I wonder if there's a chance some of these hotel plans could fall through. It's either that or there could be some closings of older hotels as they have a harder time competing with these newer hotels.

I think the later is a definite possibility, especially in Fayetteville. There are some hotels here that really aren't all that great (I won't mention any, but I'm hinting at downtown and I-540 at 6th street...).

[Mith242]

I think the later is a definite possibility, especially in Fayetteville. There are some hotels here that really aren't all that great (I won't mention any, but I'm hinting at downtown and I-540 at 6th street...).

I can think of some around the College Ave area as well. While I really wouldn't mind seeing some of those older crappy hotels leave. That mean there's just more possible areas of College to become more rundown.

[Aporkalypse]

I can think of some around the College Ave area as well. While I really wouldn't mind seeing some of those older crappy hotels leave. That mean there's just more possible areas of College to become more rundown.

I agree. I am really hoping that will happen. The problem is that those hotels aren't competing with the Renaissances and Westins of the world for occupants.

The more hotels the better as far as I'm concerned. Paying $250 a night for a Motel 6 in Bentonville on UA game weekends is no fun at all and I'm about a year or two away from season tickets.

[Mith242]

I agree. I am really hoping that will happen. The problem is that those hotels aren't competing with the Renaissances and Westins of the world for occupants.

The more hotels the better as far as I'm concerned. Paying $250 a night for a Motel 6 in Bentonville on UA game weekends is no fun at all and I'm about a year or two away from season tickets.

True those hotels won't be comepeting with the nicer hotels. But there are a number of smaller less 'extravagant' hotels going up as well. These could end up being the ones that hurt some of these other older hotels.

[dimebag1980]

There was an interesting article in Arkansas Business mentioning some of the upscale hotels in the area. We actually have one here that checks out at $600 a night. Which is pretty pricey even in large cities. Here's the entire article.

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/news/artic...0&aid=41382

That's unreal. Even our Horseshoe, which is by far the nicest hotel in this area, isn't THAT high. The ultra suites would cost many thousands per night, but those are reserved for serious high rollers. Nothing else in this market comes close to touching the casino hotels' ultra suites.

$600/night in NWA is amazing.

[mzweig]

I read that as well. I think there's no doubt they're overbuilding, overcompensating for a current shortage in Benton Co. If demand was really high, though, we wouldn't see the kind of average occupancy rates we're seeing in Washington Co where there would be spillover. I'm surprised we're not seeing more small business-oriented hotels being built between Bentonville and XNA. Thats' a niche a lot of business travelers would appreciate.

Fayetteville is still a different market from Bentonville or Rogers. We don't have decent hotels here whatsoever--not one. There is a market for more upscale product here--that I am certain. It's not driven by Wal-Mart but is more driven by the University. When I have successful CEO friends visiting the only place I put them is Carnall Hall. It's not great but looks damn good from the outside and in the halls. We really need a nice hotel.

The Renaissance is supposed to be 18 stories, last I heard. It will be nice. The Radisson is a dump. I have stayed in the best suite they have and it was a one star out of five. Very ratty.

M

[dimebag1980]

Fayetteville is still a different market from Bentonville or Rogers. We don't have decent hotels here whatsoever--not one. There is a market for more upscale product here--that I am certain. It's not driven by Wal-Mart but is more driven by the University. When I have successful CEO friends visiting the only place I put them is Carnall Hall. It's not great but looks damn good from the outside and in the halls. We really need a nice hotel.

The Renaissance is supposed to be 18 stories, last I heard. It will be nice. The Radisson is a dump. I have stayed in the best suite they have and it was a one star out of five. Very ratty.

M

A Radisson that's a dump? Granted Radisson is one brand of hotel I've never stayed in, but I thought that name was supposed to represent quality.

Anyway, the Renaissance is one exceptional-looking property.

[strmchsr77]

Fayetteville is still a different market from Bentonville or Rogers. We don't have decent hotels here whatsoever--not one. There is a market for more upscale product here--that I am certain. It's not driven by Wal-Mart but is more driven by the University. When I have successful CEO friends visiting the only place I put them is Carnall Hall. It's not great but looks damn good from the outside and in the halls. We really need a nice hotel.

The Renaissance is supposed to be 18 stories, last I heard. It will be nice. The Radisson is a dump. I have stayed in the best suite they have and it was a one star out of five. Very ratty.

M

I stayed in a suite at the Radisson once and I did not have too much of a problem with it. It was dated some, but I loved the view of Fayetteville. Maybe overlooking Dickson and the University was clouding my judgement. Anyway, since the Nock group is buying the Radisson they are supposed to update the entire building inside and out. That should help quite a bit.

[masons_dad1]

That's unreal. Even our Horseshoe, which is by far the nicest hotel in this area, isn't THAT high. The ultra suites would cost many thousands per night, but those are reserved for serious high rollers. Nothing else in this market comes close to touching the casino hotels' ultra suites.

$600/night in NWA is amazing.

They only charge $600/night because they can. NWA is a huge opportunity for people to get rich by milking the booming growth for all it's worth.

[Aporkalypse]

Anybody that would pay $600 for a top tier room at an Embassy Suites has too much money. It's not exactly the Venetian or the Four Seasons.

[masons_dad1]

Anybody that would pay $600 for a top tier room at an Embassy Suites has too much money. It's not exactly the Venetian or the Four Seasons.

Well just who are these people staying in NWA hotels? This isn't Vegas so we don't have any casinos and this isn't New York so we don't have Broadway. So are they corporate executives and wealthy entrepeneurs who have money to blow or can write-off their expenses and let the shareholders pay the bill? In that case signing a multi-million dollar deal with Wal-Mart may be worth $600 a night.

[Mith242]

Well just who are these people staying in NWA hotels? This isn't Vegas so we don't have any casinos and this isn't New York so we don't have Broadway. So are they corporate executives and wealthy entrepeneurs who have money to blow or can write-off their expenses and let the shareholders pay the bill? In that case signing a multi-million dollar deal with Wal-Mart may be worth $600 a night.

That's my guess as to the $600 a night.

[nj829]

The main reason hotels charge so much for those suites is that they are intended for upgrades for VVIP's, and not just for the general public, so to avoid them being used for purposes other than the VVIP purpose, the rate is put on them to make sure that if someone rents the room, they can afford it and are not going to just trash the room like the regular rooms. Whenever celebrities are in town to visit Wal-Mart (which happens weekly), they usually are the ones put in the suites at the request of the vendor bringing them to the area. Maybe once a month do the suites actually get charged to be used, and usually, it is a lower rate than what the article lists for rates, but still substancial enough that John Smith isn't just going to call and book it for him and his 6 buddies to trash.

[mzweig]

The main reason hotels charge so much for those suites is that they are intended for upgrades for VVIP's, and not just for the general public, so to avoid them being used for purposes other than the VVIP purpose, the rate is put on them to make sure that if someone rents the room, they can afford it and are not going to just trash the room like the regular rooms. Whenever celebrities are in town to visit Wal-Mart (which happens weekly), they usually are the ones put in the suites at the request of the vendor bringing them to the area. Maybe once a month do the suites actually get charged to be used, and usually, it is a lower rate than what the article lists for rates, but still substancial enough that John Smith isn't just going to call and book it for him and his 6 buddies to trash.

There is plenty of room in the Fayetteville market (and I am not throwing Rogers and Bentonville into this market) for a nice hotel--or more than one nice hotel. One of the problems with this area is everything is aimed at the middle of the market. Hampton Inns and Days Inns are not nice hotels. That said, a Four Seasons may be over the top. By nice, I mean hotels that charge between $160-$300 a night for a really nice room, all-cotton sheets, maybe a pull-out in a small suite, good furniture, a restaurant with room service, valet parking, etc. It would not only be aimed at rich people, it would not be aimed at Wal-Martians, etc., but would serve the university clientele such as parents on college tours, executives who are coming the WCOB to guest lecture or contribute, people from out of town coming to games, business people looking at NWA as a new site, guests of more affluent families in and around Fayetteville, etc. There is a market for this level of a hotel. I used to travel constantly for business, and these are the kinds of places I stayed. I didn't pay $600 a night but I did not stay at Hamptons, Days Inns, Guest Quarters, Motel 6, tired-out Hiltons, or beat to crap Radissons that used to be Hiltons. When you are gone all the time and your clients are picking up the tab you want to be in a decent place with wireless internet, nice beds, good locks on the door, and a bar!

[Aporkalypse]

Well just who are these people staying in NWA hotels? This isn't Vegas so we don't have any casinos and this isn't New York so we don't have Broadway. So are they corporate executives and wealthy entrepeneurs who have money to blow or can write-off their expenses and let the shareholders pay the bill? In that case signing a multi-million dollar deal with Wal-Mart may be worth $600 a night.

Maybe but if you're doing business with Wal-Mart and they're squeezing you for every penny you might be better off staying in the $120 a night room downstairs. There's nothing wrong with Embassy Suites, I use them frequently. I just don't stay in $600 rooms.