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The Hornibrook Mansion, now The Empress of Little Rock, was
completed in 1888 from materials exclusively Arkansas. Today,
The Empress of Little Rock is a Three
Diamond AAA-rated Bed and Breakfast Inn and
provides a charming hotel alternative. 
Designed by Max Orlopp and Casper Kusener, it has been
described in the National Register of Historic Places as the
best example of ornate Victorian architecture in Arkansas and
as the most important existing example of Gothic Queen Anne
style in the region.
The mansion's significance lies in the unique architectural
features such as divided stairway, 3-1/2 story corner tower,
stained glass skylight, six original Eastlake fireplaces, and
octagonal-shaped rooms which create a massive structure
representing late nineteenth-century architecture in its most
flamboyant style. The authentic period restoration of the home
makes this one of the most elegant and romantic accommodations
west of the Mississippi.
Imagine an evening in the family parlor, the warmth of the
fire draining away the tension of a busy corporate day:
surrounded by luxurious antiques, stretched out in your
smoking jacket or Victorian dressing gown, and reading that
special book you've been postponing for the "right time".
Each room at The Empress of Little Rock conveys just such a
feeling in your own private sitting area. Or imagine
luxuriating in the "bath of the century" (nineteenth
century, that is) provided by a clawfoot tub and the soft glow
of long-ago lighting. Such are the lodging accommodations
offered to you at the Empress.
Breakfast aromas beckon you to leisurely dining served on
the verandah or the formal dining room, resplendent with
silver service and unrushed conversation, where true Southern
hospitality is served. A full two-course gourmet feast awaits
you. Queen Victoria would have nodded her head in approval.
Visit The Empress of Little Rock, rated Three Diamonds
by AAA, and discover "the forgotten experience."
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Guests of The Empress become engrossed in the drawing room
with its patterned carpet and rich wood wainscotting, serving
as a backdrop for a game table with a partially put-together
puzzle that draws you to pull up a cozy chair and add the next
piece. Perhaps the lure of the "secret" card room
intrigues you. Or imagine yourself as Scarlett, descending the
magnificent double staircase made of walnut and cypress,
lighted by the rainbow hues of the stained glass skylight.
Activities that abound near the Empress include fishing,
tennis, golf, and shopping. Little Rock also offers theatres
and State Fair grounds, with a market and Riverfront park
within walking distance. If you are planning a wedding, your
hosts have just prepared a Secret Wedding Garden with
moonlight garden and Gothic Gazebo that will accommodate up to
100 guests for garden weddings and includes a restored
original quartz cove fountain. |
1st
Traveler's Choice
