Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa

Rising majestically above Central Avenue in Hot Springs, Arkansas, The Arlington Hotel stands as a testament to America's Golden Age of luxury resorts, where for nearly a century and a half, the rich, famous, and infamous have walked its halls—some of whom, it seems, have never left.

WRITTEN BY

James Sutton

Built in 1875 and rebuilt in its current form in 1924 after a devastating fire, The Arlington Hotel has served as the crown jewel of Hot Springs National Park, drawing visitors seeking the healing properties of the natural thermal springs that flow beneath its foundation. This massive Spanish Revival-style structure, with its distinctive twin towers and sprawling verandas, has hosted everyone from presidents to gangsters, creating a rich tapestry of history that seems to fuel its supernatural activity.

Al Capone, the notorious Chicago gangster, maintained a permanent suite on the fourth floor, room 442. Today, guests and staff report strange occurrences in and around his former quarters:

The smell of cigar smoke wafting through the hallway
The sound of big band music playing from empty rooms
Men’s voices engaged in hushed conversations about “business”
Unexplained cold spots in the suite
The sensation of being watched by unseen eyes

Room 824 has gained particular notoriety among paranormal enthusiasts. Known as “The Crying Room,” guests report:

The sounds of a woman weeping late at night
Objects moving without explanation
Lights turning on and off by themselves
Mysterious knocks on the door when no one is there
The feeling of someone sitting on the bed
Personal items being rearranged while guests sleep

The hotel’s grand lobby, with its magnificent Arkansas marble floor and ornate columns, serves as a hub for supernatural activity. Staff and visitors regularly report:

The appearance of elegant women in 1920s attire who vanish when approached
The sound of a phantom orchestra playing period music
Mysterious dancing lights that float through the space
The sensation of being touched by invisible hands
Unexplained cold spots that move through the room

The Arlington’s famous thermal baths, once the height of luxury medical treatments, remain active with paranormal energy. The original basement-level bath houses are particularly active:

Sounds of splashing water in empty pools
Voices echoing off the tiled walls
Apparitions in vintage bathing attire
Steam appearing in cold, dry rooms
The phantom scent of therapeutic minerals

One of the most frequently encountered spirits is that of a hotel maid from the 1930s. Dressed in a black uniform with a white apron, she is seen throughout the hotel:

Turning down beds in empty rooms
Walking through walls where doors once existed
Straightening pictures in hallways
Appearing in mirrors behind guests
Responding to guest calls for service, only to vanish upon arrival

The hotel’s connection to organized crime during the 1930s seems to have left its mark. Security guards report:

The sound of running footsteps during nighttime patrols
Phantom gunshots echoing through empty corridors
Shadowy figures in pinstripe suits disappearing around corners
Mysterious meetings taking place in abandoned rooms
The smell of gunpowder in certain areas

The Crystal Ballroom, scene of countless elegant soirées, remains supernaturally active:

The sound of orchestras playing when the room is empty
Ghostly couples dancing across the floor
Chandeliers swaying without breeze
The scent of vintage perfumes and cologne
Temperature fluctuations during events

Modern paranormal investigations have yielded compelling evidence:

EVP recordings capturing conversations from different eras
Unexplained electromagnetic field spikes
Thermal imaging showing human-shaped cold spots
Motion sensors triggering in empty rooms
Photographic anomalies showing figures in period dress

The hotel’s architectural features seem to contribute to its haunted reputation:

The original marble floors allegedly retain psychic impressions
The thermal waters running beneath the building are said to amplify spiritual energy
Secret passages used during Prohibition remain active with supernatural energy
The hotel’s massive size creates numerous “dead spaces” where energy accumulates
Original fixtures and furnishings appear to act as conductors for paranormal activity

What makes The Arlington unique among haunted hotels is its connection to the natural thermal springs. Paranormal researchers theorize that the mineral-rich waters flowing beneath the hotel serve as a natural conductor for supernatural energy, explaining the high level of ghostly activity throughout the building.

The hotel has hosted numerous notable guests throughout its history:

Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Bill Clinton
Gangsters like Al Capone, Frank Costello, and Lucky Luciano
Entertainers including Babe Ruth, Tony Bennett, and Yoko Ono Some say the energy of these larger-than-life personalities has left an indelible mark on the hotel.

Today, The Arlington Hotel embraces both its historic significance and supernatural reputation. The hotel offers:

Ghost tours highlighting paranormal hotspots
Historic walking tours detailing the hotel’s colorful past
Access to the famous thermal baths
Period-themed events in the Crystal Ballroom
Opportunities to stay in allegedly haunted rooms

The hotel maintains detailed records of paranormal encounters, with front desk staff keeping a log of unusual occurrences reported by guests. These accounts show remarkable consistency over the decades, suggesting that whatever supernatural forces reside within The Arlington have established a permanent residence.

Particularly active times for paranormal activity include:

The anniversary of the 1923 fire
During major renovations or changes to the building
During full moons
On significant dates from the hotel’s past
During traditional gambling holidays, hearkening back to its days as a mob hangout

For visitors to Hot Springs, The Arlington Hotel offers a unique blend of luxury, history, and supernatural intrigue. Whether seeking the therapeutic benefits of the thermal waters, exploring the hotel’s rich history, or hoping for a ghostly encounter, guests find themselves immersed in an environment where the past is very much present and the supernatural seems just around every corner.