Best list: Capital Hotel is No. 20

U.S. News picks no other in state

The Capital Hotel landed at 20th on U.S. News and World Report's list of best hotels in the U.S. for 2015. In its review, U.S. News lauded the hotel's on-site fine dining -- One Eleven, the Capital Bar and Grill and the Capital Cellar -- and said guests get much more than they pay for when staying there.

No other Arkansas hotel made the list of 172 hotels. The Capital Hotel, owned by billionaire financier Warren Stephens, is at the corner of West Markham and Louisiana streets.

"More than one Little Rock visitor describes the historic Capital Hotel as much nicer than its bargain room rates indicate," the review said. Visitors also found it family-friendly, "offering extras such as personalized cribs and pecan toffees with turn-down service." Rooms average in the $200-per-night range.

"I think the fact that we're on that list is a testament to what's going on all over Little Rock," said the hotel's general manager, Michael Chaffin. The city has been pigeonholed as being "under the radar" as a travel destination -- until now, he said.

"We're on that list because our owner is so dedicated and passionate about maintaining a high standard," Chaffin said. Attempts to reach Stephens on Wednesday were unsuccessful.

The hotel's 94 rooms, including 15 semi-suites and four full suites, are outfitted with Frette robes and slippers, Molton Brown-brand bath amenities and flat-screen TVs. In August, the former Ashley's at the Capital was reincarnated as One Eleven at the Capital and underwent a complete menu revision under the direction of Executive Chef Joel Antunes.

Changes at the restaurant were the biggest news out of the Capital Hotel since Stephens completed a multimillion-dollar overhaul of the place in 2007. The redo included replacing 236 windows, bringing five kitchens up to date with the latest technology, hiring restoration experts to work on the columns in the hotel and installing printed, custom fabrics throughout.

The top five hotels on U.S. News and World Report's list were Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.; The Lodge at Sea Island in Sea Island, Ga.; The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, a Montage Resort in Bluffton, S.C.; Allison Inn & Spa in Newberg, Ore.; and Four Seasons Hotel Seattle.

U.S. News only ranks luxury hotels -- those that consistently receive a "hotel class" rating of four, 4½ or five stars determined by comparing the published class ratings assigned by a number of sources. Hotels must have at least 20 rooms to be considered.

Hotels are ranked on the basis of, among other criteria, the opinions of published travel experts and the overall customer satisfaction expressed in online guest reviews provided under license by TripAdvisor. Awards and recognition also are a factor.

"We believe this unbiased approach makes our rankings more useful than simply providing our editors' personal opinions," U.S. News said. The Capital Hotel's recent accolades include a designation as AAA/CAA Four Diamond Lodgings for this year and the Conde Nast Readers' Choice List and the Forbes Travel Guide Four Star awards, both in 2014.

U.S. News and World Report also produced annual rankings of the best hotels in the Caribbean, the best hotels in Mexico and the best hotels in Canada.

Business on 01/29/2015

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