Little Rock Marriott with its picturesque Arkansas River views turned out to be the ideal location for appreciating the city’s rich history and must-see cultural landmarks in “The Natural State.”
Overview: Little Rock “Rocks!”
Why is this city called “Little Rock?” Little Rock, Arkansas, founded in 1821, was actually named after a small rock formation on the Arkansas River. But we learned so much more about Little Rock during our 4-day visit.
Little Rock, state capital of Arkansas, is also known for playing an important role in the Civil Rights Movement. It was the site of the 1957 Little Rock Nine incident, where nine African American students attempted to integrate the Little Rock Central High School.
Little Rock is home to the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum. Riverfront Park along the Arkansas River features many parks and recreational areas. The city is also home to the Arkansas Arts Center, one of the largest art museums in the area. The River Market District is a popular destination offering food vendors, farmers markets, and unique food shops. It’s also the home of craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries, along with the University of Arkansas.
Arkansas is known as “The Natural State” because its recognized for its immense natural beauty through rivers, mountains, forests, and lakes. So, we knew that wherever we stayed, we would be surrounded by a lovely landscape and stunning views.
Selecting Little Rock Marriott Hotel
Nestled right in the heart of vibrant Little Rock, the Little Rock Marriott hotel made for a comfortable place to sleep at night and explore the city by day. The hotel is about 4 miles from the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport and there is a hotel shuttle if you don’t rent a car.
The exterior of the hotel is exquisite, a real eye-catching 14-story downtown hotel overlooking the Arkansas River. The central location, river views, and direct access to the Statehouse Convention Center made it the perfect hotel for our group of 9 travelers mixing business with pleasure. While the five men would be doing business at the Convention Center, myself and the other three women were left to enjoy the beautiful sunny weather filled with Little Rock sightseeing.
During check-in, it was an immediate welcoming experience and we were thrilled to be given a river-facing room on a higher floor. The indoors reflected the beautiful exterior with modern glass elevators, a freshly renovated lobby, and lovely views.
Marriott Amenities
I don’t think there were any amenities that you wouldn’t have found in any other standard hotel, but I must say that this Marriott felt fancier and more modern than other Marriott properties. The hotel had a few shops, some fancy, others ideal for buying souvenirs capturing our visit to Little Rock.
There was a restaurant, Heritage Grille Steak and Fin, along with a much-appreciated Starbuck’s. At night, all nine of us travelers met up at the hotel’s bar, where we relaxed and enjoyed cocktails and beer. Then, we either ate dinner at the hotel’s steakhouse restaurant, or we ventured down the street to other restaurants that I’ll tell you about later.
In addition to a 24-hour fitness center that we did visit multiple mornings during our stay, the sauna and steam room were definitely favorites among us women. The spacious fitness center featured cardio and free weights, elliptical machines, exercise bikes, stair climbers, and treadmills. Something for every one of us that chose to work out.
Note about parking: If you’re driving, there is only valet parking available that costs $32 per day. Also, be sure to add an additional 20 or so minutes each time you need your car as the valet team was consistently slow.
Our Guest Room – Comfortable Despite Being So Far Up
There are 418 rooms in the Little Rock Mariott. While our guest room on the 12th floor had a view of the Arkansas River, others in our travel group had views of the downtown Little Rock skyline. I must tell you that the 12th floor of a 14th floor hotel felt to me to be way up in the sky. Was the view worth it? Yes, but I was still a bit uneasy of the height at times.
I liked the modernly decorated room, special Marriott brand furnishings looked and felt plush, area with King size bed was spacious and included a comfortable workspace. In addition to complimentary Wi-Fi, there was also a radio and iPod dock, as well as a flat-screen TV, mini fridge, and coffee maker. A nice discovery was that the bathroom was equally modern with lots of attractive marble throughout.
Note: Guests can upgrade to the luxury hotel’s Club Level to enjoy M Lounge access during your stay but we chose not to.
Food, Dining, and Trivia
I can hear you moaning now … “wah-wah” … there is no free breakfast buffet at the Little Rock Marriott. But you can pay to get your breakfast at the onsite Starbucks or at the Heritage Grille Steak and Fin, that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Heritage Grille Steak and Fin Restaurant offers American cuisine like juicy steaks and seafood. We ordered meals including the Black Angus Ribeye and Lobster-Crab Mac & Cheese along with some tasty appetizers like Bacon Jam Deviled Eggs and Warm Kale & Artichoke Dip.
We only ate dinner at the hotel’s restaurant on the first night. There were plenty of restaurants nearby including Iriana’s Pizza for amazing, thick-crust pizza and delicious salads. At Big Whiskey’s Restaurant, we enjoyed burgers, wings, and soups while the women played trivia and the men watched sports from 30 flat screen TV’s. Cregeen’s Irish Pub was highly recommended for the fish and chips and it did not disappoint.
Note: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite members and above, Club Marriott access is provided, so breakfast is included for those guests.
Nearby Things To Do Downtown Little Rock
One of the biggest advantages of the Little Rock Marriott is its location. Situated in downtown, the hotel puts you within walking distance of several popular attractions, shops, and restaurants.
Nearby attractions that we visited included the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Library, Arkansas Arts Center, and the River Market Entertainment District where we browsed unique shops, art galleries, and museums.
At the suggestion of the hotel’s front desk staff, we went to see the “Old Mill.” But it’s not just any old mill. It was featured in the 1939 film, “Gone With the Wind.” It’s even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We also paid a visit to the Museum of Discovery and the Arkansas Old State House Museum, that is the oldest capitol building west of the Mississippi River.
While there were many highlights of our Little Rock sightseeing, my favorite time spent with friends was the leisurely (but very long) walks around Riverfront Park while sipping an iced chai tea. The conversations were priceless as we don’t get to spend much free time with each other. We all agreed that Little Rock was a fun place to spend time together.
Final Verdict: Should You Stay Here?
The hotel is a convenient choice for both business and pleasure. Plus, children aged 1 to 17 stay free (but there is no pool or game room for kids).
However, the hotel is packed with work-friendly amenities like lots of meeting space and complimentary high-speed Internet. In fact, the Little Rock Marriott offers 40,000+ square feet of event space with 16 breakout rooms, a large ballroom, and multiple salons. Business services like printing, copying, faxing, and overnight delivery/pickup helped make this week’s convention a success for the folks traveling in our group.
Takeaways: Some Pros and Cons
- Ideal central location with easy access to local attractions and restaurants
- Valet is NOT cheap and a bit slow at times
- Rooms are modernly decorated, comfortable, and clean
- Impressive river or downtown skyline guest room views
- Convenient Starbucks onsite
- Fitness center, sauna, and steam room was an added perk
- Great for Little Rock business travel or a fun vacation
- Hotel is NOT pet friendly so your furry friends will not be able to accompany you.
Author Bio: Originally from Long Island, New York, Donna Wright now calls Deland, Florida her home. An avid traveler, she has journeyed by air, land, and sea, to many cities in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean to exciting destinations like California, Arizona, Las Vegas, San Diego, Myrtle Beach, Lake Tahoe, Reno, and more.
This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered travel or consumer advice. Inn amenities, prices, policies, and availability may change. Readers should verify all details independently and use their own judgment when planning travel.