Hot Springs, Arkansas
Oaklawn Hot Springs
Trackside gaming clubhouse
Trackside gaming clubhouse
A grand chandelier and a silhouetted racehorse mural anchor the lobby of this high-energy gaming resort beside the historic track.
What it’s good at
Remarkable
A racetrack casino campus offering live thoroughbred racing, multi-venue dining, Topgolf swing suites, and outdoor cabana pool.
Notable
Comfortable trackside rooms featuring Frette linens, plush Matouk towels, quartz vanities, and morning workout views.
Notable
The Astral Spa features 1920s-bathhouse-inspired needle showers, vitality pools, infrared saunas, and a Himalayan salt wall.
What they say
Forbes Recommended
Forbes Travel Guide
2026
The resort seamlessly blends high-end finishes with historic touches that pay homage to its illustrious past.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Set along Central Avenue, the resort sits two miles south of historic Bathhouse Row and the surrounding national park trails.
The rooms
Navy and gray interiors feature custom bed frames mimicking horse stalls, with select rooms framing live morning workouts on the track.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The outdoor saltwater pool is lined with private cabanas and daybeds, with drinks served directly to your lounger.
The spa
Curtained chaises sit beside an illuminated Himalayan salt brick wall, alongside infrared saunas and needle showers.
The baths
Ergonomic heated loungers sit beside an indoor vitality pool surrounded by marble tile walls and steam rooms.
At the table
Patio tables at The Bugler look out over the racetrack, and casino-side bars serve tableside smoked cocktails.
How it began
Founded by the Cella family in 1904 as a racetrack grandstand, the grounds have evolved into a full-scale racing resort.
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.