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Looking for a perfect close getaway weekend! There is no better place than Eureka Springs and the perfect place to stay is the Palace Hotel and Bathhouse
If you want to enjoy a combination of the history of Eureka Springs along with the relaxation the area is known for, plan to stay at The Palace Hotel. Located just a short walk from the shopping district, The Palace includes a full spa facility called The Bathhouse, which operates on the lower level of the hotel. With a friendly staff there to cater to your every need, this is the Eureka Springs experience you'll remember.
The Palace Hotel
The tag line of the hotel says "plan to indulge yourself in Palace pampering" and that very well it sums up!The first thing we noticed when arriving was the building itself, which shows its history from the outside stone design through the elegant entryway and lobby. The European-style hotel is a National Historic Register property, and they've been able to maintain the richness of history while providing modern refurbishments.
The Palace has eight rooms, all complete with king size beds that have the most relaxing mattressing for one's comfort. When we entered our room, the word "exquisite" came to mind. The furniture consists of restored Victorian antiques that flow with the hotel's design; the overly-large windows allowed for viewing as far as the eye could see; and for modern convenience, a wide screen television with cable that could be viewed from the loveseat couch or bed.
When you walk into the bath/shower area you're greeted with a double size water-jet Jacuzzi spa tub that easily fits two. By design, it's located right in the center of the bath area, which allows for a very open feel that leads to the relaxed mood the hotel has created. A private sink and toilet area are off to the side. Even the soaps and shampoos provided are elegant—just the right combination of aroma and purpose. And when you finish with your bath or shower, you'll find yourself using the softest large towels ever to dry off.
The rooms also include a full wet bar, bar refrigerator and free wireless Internet.
The staff pampering is noticeable from entering the room and seeing the chocolates on each nightstand through the nighttime bed turn-down. Although the hotel staff is relatively small (which works perfectly to keep up the intimate feel of the experience), they let us know right away that anything we needed was just to be asked for (extra towels, chocolates, toiletries, etc.).
In the morning, guests receive a continental breakfast, which for us included fresh fruit, muffins, coffee and juice. The best part was all we had to do was call down and ask for it to be delivered to our room. Breakfast worked around our schedule, not theirs. Another nice, welcoming touch.
In some ways, The Palace feels like a very high quality bed and breakfast. Small, quaint, intimate.
The Bath House
The Palace Bath House opened in 1901, serving as a place for travelers to experience the original bath house traditions of the Victorian Era. Much of what you see at The Bath House is as it was when it originated—allowing for a minimum of modern updates as modern times required. As you go through the spa experience, one can hear the creaking of the floor as staff and guests walk around, which actually adds to the relaxation as you feel transported back to a more peaceful time.A full array of services are available, including mineral bath, eucalyptus steam treatment, mask-clay treatment and massage. You can arrange for these services in any combination you wish, or they offer a complete set called "The Works". Packages for couples are also available. From the greeting of the receptionist through the completion of your treatments, this will leave one feeling pampered and soothed.
The head and face rejuvenation treatment begins with a facial and head massage and includes an all-natural clay facial mask. A professional assessment of your face begins this process as you spend time discussing what products you use currently, and then at the end of the treatment you are counseled on tips that might better your skin treatment.
The process, which takes around one hour, is so relaxing you'll find yourself drifting off to sleep…and that's fine. You're there to relax. A variety of lotions are used to cleanse and treat your face based on your needs. You leave this treatment feeling "ah".
The mineral bath is something that dates back centuries. Its purpose is to provide a mineral mix that you soak in to release toxins and relax your skin. The Bath House has wonderful original claw food tabs for this experience and when the attendant comes to ask if you're ready to move onto your next step in pampering, you leave feeling "ahh."
The eucalyptus steam treatment has you sitting in a wood barrel steam cabinet as the steam works your entire body from the torso to the feet. Although the steam can feel a bit warm at certain moments, that quickly passes as the calming eucalyptus gets stronger. You only stay in the steam for a short time, wrapping up in your sheet as you leave feeling "ahhh."
No spa experience is complete with a massage. The Bath House offers both half hour and hour treatments. With a combination of techniques from skilled masseurs, you can actually feel the tension leave your body. It's important to tell your masseur of any trouble areas prior to the massage so he or she can know how to handle that part of your body. Then, let them do all of the work and you'll be surprised—and a bit saddened—when you realize how fast the time has gone by. If the feelings as you have gone through The Bath House have been versions of "ahh" til now, you'll leave the table so soothed you'll be thinking "aw, is it over?"
A short walk away
The Palace Hotel and Bath House is just a brief walk away from the historic downtown district of Eureka Springs. Anything and everything you could possibly want are there—restaurants, shops, galleries---and you'll encounter the friendliest folks who will engage in easy conversation with you. Tell any of them you're staying at The Palace and you always get a variation of the same response, which is "it's a wonderful place."And that it is.
Click here for more information on The Palace Hotel and Bath House.
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