August 1, 2025 • 18 mins
Experience the newest jewel of Northwest Arkansas hospitality at the AC Hotel Bentonville. This European-inspired hotel is conveniently located at the entrance to Walmart's new Home Office campus, making it a must-visit for travelers and locals alike. The hotel uniquely blends modern design with local heritage, paying homage to Sam Walton on the rooftop at the Falfurrias lounge. This space showcases authentic artifacts like Mr. Sam's hunting vest and offers stunning sunset views with handcrafted cocktails and chef-inspired dishes.
The European influence extends beyond the aesthetics to the culinary experience. The hotel's breakfast features imported croissants and prosciutto freshly carved on a traditional slicer. At the AC Lounge, you can enjoy exclusive cocktails, including a smoked old-fashioned prepared tableside. The hotel fosters a vibrant community atmosphere with regular events like live jazz and trivia nights, creating a lively space where connections happen naturally.
Whether you're visiting for business, art exploration, or mountain biking, the AC Hotel Bentonville is perfectly equipped for today's sophisticated traveler. The property offers amenities like indoor bike storage, direct trail access, EV charging stations, and a transfer lounge for early arrivals. Steps from the Momentary and a short walk to the downtown Square, it's ideally situated to experience everything that makes Bentonville special.
Follow @achotelbentonville on social media to stay updated on events and offerings, or simply stop by Falfurrias to experience this exciting addition to the Bentonville scene.
A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Welcome back to a new American town where we explore
the stories, spaces and peoplein Bentonville and this
world-class destination.
I'm your host, natalie, andtoday we're taking you to the
heart of the new BentonvilleHotel on the new Walmart Home
Office campus, not just for work, but for an elevated stay that
changes the game for visitorsand locals alike.
We're talking about the brandnew AC Hotel Bentonville, a
(00:35):
sleek, modern hotel that has athoughtful design, trail access
and a rooftop bar that's alreadybecome one of the best spots in
town to catch a sunset.
Thank you, guys for joining me.
We have Celine and Christy fromthe AC Hotel right here in
Bentonville Hello.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Thanks for having us.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
I'm so excited to talk to you guys about this new
space.
It's super amazing the rooftopoh my gosh, we're going to get
into it.
But first off, what makes thishotel so special to you guys?
Speaker 2 (01:01):
this hotel so special to you guys.
Oh well, one it's location.
You know we are the one of thefirst buildings right as you get
onto the Walmart campus.
We're on the corner of 8th andJ.
It's such a beautiful designedhotel that just really inspires
a lot of just collaboration inthe lobby.
(01:25):
We also have a lot of greatartwork from OzArt that's
scattered throughout theproperty.
So of course it brings in alittle bit of that culture.
But also it has talking points.
We've got an amazing art pieceright behind the front desk that
took hours and hours to dobehind the front desk.
(01:48):
That took hours and hours to do.
But it's those little thingsthat really bring a little bit
more of that attention to detailwhen it comes to our guests.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
We don't want them, just to be our guest in our
hotel.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
We want the guests that are staying here, that are
living here, to be a part ofthat experience as well.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
It really feels like that.
It does feel like a veryBentonville focused space.
It feels like it fits perfectlyinto this town, perfectly on
the Walmart campus, and theattention to detail is very,
very apparent.
I love it.
Anything to add, christy?
Speaker 3 (02:13):
um, I I think just that it, when you walk in, it
immediately feels different thanany other hotel in the area
yeah um, I think it's warm andinviting, but it's also really
open.
Yeah, um to your point there'sa lot of workspace, a lot of
space for people to get out oftheir rooms and gather right and
spend time together in a, in apublic space.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
Yeah, it's that networking.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Yeah, perfect yeah, if anyone is curious it is a
Marriott property, so for thosethat collect points or are loyal
, customers and if you don't, wewant to help you.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
Right, that is always a perk and it's really close to
downtown.
Like I don't think people knowthat, maybe when they book
online, but AC hotel is just astone's throw from the downtown
square, from all of our trails.
You can pretty much bike orwalk anywhere from the hotel,
which is really, really a hugeperk.
I'd love to talk to you guysabout the rooftop lounge.
(03:11):
Yeah, fall.
Furious named after FallFurious Texas.
Correct, that is correct.
Tell us the story behind that?
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Yeah, so it's Mr Sam's, where he used to have a
hunting acreage, sam Walton.
Sam Walton, yeah, we call himMr Sam Love that, but he used to
have a hunting lease down thereand he would always quail hunt.
So for him it was a matter offellowship with friends and
family, just going down there,getting to spend time away from
(03:41):
the office, obviously, but alsogetting to connect with his
peers and his family.
A big advocate on quail hunting, obviously, but his
accommodations weren't lavish orthis uppity lifestyle was very,
it was very, mr sam, yeah yeah,just to add to that, I think we
(04:05):
always knew that it would be.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
The rooftop would be.
It would be really cool,something special, and it is.
I think when you get off theelevator you automatically feel
that warm, that lean is talkingabout.
That ties it back to Felfuriousand the hunting lease where Sam
Walton took his friends andfamily and associates, and that
really is the goal there.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
And, like you said, time away from the office.
People can go there to connectwhether they're traveling in for
work or they live here, sothey're to connect whether
they're traveling in for work orthey live here.
And yeah, it's a perfect namefor a perfect, perfect location.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Well, that's a great step back in time too.
You've got a lot of greatartifacts from Mr Sam's
collection.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
We've got his hunting vest, even the fall furious map
of Texas.
You know that he used to havein his glove box.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Wow, that's the map that he had.
I didn't know that.
It's so amazing.
They've got pictures on oursouth wall in the restaurant of
all the different times thathe's been down there and the
pictures from Mr Sam and thenalso Miss Helen of their time
down there, but also friends andfamily with Bud.
It's really cute to see.
But just being able to make itspecial for everybody on campus
(05:25):
but then also locally, it'sreally been such a great job and
it's exciting to watch.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
Yeah, people can almost connect with the Walmart
story in a whole different, newway that they probably haven't
heard of before.
Yeah, the view is amazing.
You guys can see over themomentary and straight to
downtown.
That's one of my favorite partsthe sunsets, all the things I'd
love to talk to you guys aboutthe menu and the offerings, what
(05:51):
people can expect when theycome and spend an evening at the
Fall Furious.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Absolutely so.
Our menu itself is achef-inspired menu creation.
So we've got a lot of thatSouth Texas.
Is that Tex-Mex?
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
The flair, like you said we've got tacos and we've
got brisket and we also havequeso and a few different other
options on there, but we alsohave some really nice refined
pieces such as a tuna.
It just melts in your mouth.
So it's really amazing thedifferent things that our chef
has been able to come up with.
(06:26):
We are currently working onlike a fall menu, so we're
having R&D.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
I already sound so good I'm like I need to go to
the summer menu now and thenI'll go get the fall menu.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
But we do want to rotate that because obviously we
work with local purveyors whenit comes to our food and
beverage offerings.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Our two tortillas and our beverages.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Exactly so, that's.
But what about the cocktails?
Speaker 3 (06:53):
Yeah, I'm like I need to hear about the drinks, of
course.
Yeah, I would say my favoriteis sunshine in the, in a bottle,
which could go away, I wouldguess, for the fall, but so you
need to get over and try thatone what is that one?
Like it's the.
It's really light and citrusy.
I think it's a gin and andmaybe a little vodka, but it's
(07:14):
um comes in a little like amessage in a bottle.
Yeah, it's so cute.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
The presentation is is really cute my favorite's the
bob white, which is a littlenod to a type of quail.
Um, it's just.
It's just got such a great andeverybody says that I like a
sweet drink, which I don't thinkit's sweet, but it's just got
such a great flavor to it.
Our bartenders and managers arejust so awesome at coming up
(07:41):
with specialty cocktails andjust thinking outside of the box
, which is nice.
You know, it's not a rum andCoke, it's something that's
really it's curated.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Well, I feel like it's just a place where you can
go for a casual weeknight or youcan go for a celebration Like
I'm like this is going to be mynext birthday dinner why
wouldn't I do that?
And I just feel like it's theperfect backdrop to any season
of life that you're in 100%.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
I think you can come over from work for happy hour.
You can hop off your bike anddrop in.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
Right, no dress code.
Obviously, wear shoes and ashirt.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
This is Bentonville.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Or dress it up for a girl's night out or a special
occasion, of course yeah, andand how seasonal it is, like
there's a whole inside, it's notjust all outdoors and open, so
you'll be able to serve thecommunity in the winter time and
people can still get goodpictures outside.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
We even have a private dining room up there too
so if people want to book thatfor a special event.
We can always do something upthere too.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
And it still has the same views of, but it's more on
the South side, so you get tosee more of Rogers and you know,
whereas the North side, you getto see North Bentonville and
yeah, well, what kind of eventsare you guys having there to
kind of tie in the community,bring people upstairs?
Speaker 3 (08:58):
Well, just to back up a little bit, not only can you
do the private dining space, butyou can rent the whole rooftop
for a private event as well.
So just something to keep inmind.
But otherwise, yeah, we'vebuilt a pretty good cadence of
activations throughout the hotel.
A pretty good cadence ofactivations throughout the hotel
(09:20):
.
We have some weekly things thatare kind of regular that our
guests can look forward tocoming back to.
Locals can make plans weekly ormonthly or whatever, and they
can know that on Wednesdayswe'll have live jazz downstairs
in the AC lounge and then onMondays we alternate trivia and
bingo nights upstairs in FoulFurious, and then on Fridays we
do live music.
Occasionally we've done DJs andlive music on Saturdays, so
(09:44):
that's, that changes a littlebit, but you can follow our
social media and it's alwaysposted there.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
Is it a different social media for Fall Furies or
all AC Bentonville?
Speaker 3 (09:54):
It's all AC Bentonville right now, right.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Cool, yeah, everyone needs to go and follow that
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
But then we'll also tie in holidays and special
community events.
Maybe a signature cocktail listthat ties back to the
Bentonville Film Festival orSquare to Square.
I'm sure we'll do something,but we've been talking about
that already.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
That's true, yeah, you know.
But we've been thinking aboutthe future.
You know what do we come upwith?
And, like Christy had said,that, there's those areas of
opportunities such as the bikefest and the square to square
they will literally drive rightby the hotel, you know.
So why not have a little bit ofan active activation, either on
the lawn, in the parking lot orinside, or bring it like just
(10:40):
invite them in?
We had a big Fourth of Julyparty.
That was party like at 1776.
So we did a great buffet, butthen we also had a live DJ.
Of course, the magical views ofNorth Bentonville and Orchard
Park and having the fireworks gooff right there and having
complete, unobstructed views offireworks, like it was
(11:02):
absolutely magical, like you cansee the entire skyline, just
absolutely light up, it was soamazing.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Next, year, that is exactly where I will be.
That sounds great.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
It was great it was a ticketed event, but I think
something to keep in mind isthat most of our like our weekly
activations.
There's no charge for those.
Anybody's welcome to come tothose, but we will have ticketed
offerings also throughout theyear.
I think you know curatingexperiences is at the heart of
what we do as Marriott and asHorry Hospitality, which is who
(11:34):
we are, who we manage as thehotel.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
Yeah, so other than Fall Furious you talked about
the lounge downstairs Is thereany other food and bev offerings
on site coffee?
What can people expect if theycome and stay absolutely?
Speaker 2 (11:50):
so our breakfast area is called the ac kitchen.
Um, it is a european spread.
So you've got um, importedcroissants from france.
But then we have this amazingum and all the acs will have.
It's called the burkle slicer,the beautiful um prosciutto
slicer that we get to actuallyactivate that during breakfast,
(12:11):
so you'll see our chefs actuallycarving and slicing up some
like fresh prosciutto right infront of you.
So it's a little different thanyour regular typical American
flair.
We focus a little bit more onthe protein than we do on the
carbs and you just that heartierbreakfast.
It's a very light but naturalflair.
(12:33):
So, um, and then we've got theac lounge well, I think you
gotta talk about the coffee.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
Oh, yes, and the nespresso.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
So we do have um, I guess, four different, four or
five different um ways to makecoffee.
So we've got nespresso, we'vegot um cappuccino, lattes, um
all of your coffee shopfavorites and is it self-server?
Speaker 1 (12:56):
is it at a coffee bar , or so it's actually in?
Speaker 2 (12:58):
the ac kitchen so our servers can do it for you yeah,
it's great.
And then we've got the aclounge.
Our ac lounge is our evening umfood and beverage option.
And then the AC is known forits very curated and crafted
cocktails.
We've got the ACGT.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
They have exclusive crafted cocktails that are
exclusive to the AC brand.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
We've got a smoked old-fashioned, which is
absolutely amazing.
So you're smoking a board rightin front of our guests and
really creating that activationin itself in the space.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
I think that one of the things to know that sets the
AC lounge apart from Felfurious.
It's a little more low key.
It's on the first level, justoff the lobby.
So if you, you know, don't wantto play bingo or you don't want
to hear a live band, then it'sa little more laid back and you
can, especially if you're need aquick business meeting but you
(13:57):
want to tie that into happy hour.
Speaker 2 (13:59):
Yeah, it's a little more going out to dinner.
You know it's a great place tograb a cocktail before you get
your uber um, they also have umsmall plates there as well.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
Just a little, yeah, um different than the ones
upstairs.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
Perfect, a little appetizer before dinner.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
Yeah, it's a different experience.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
One of my favorite things to do as a tourist
whenever I travel and I hopepeople do that when they come
here is to go to a hotel lounge,go to a hotel bar.
It's just so special and sounique everywhere in the world
and Bentonville's hotel loungescene has really picked up in
the recent years, so I love it.
I love what you guys arecontributing to our city and our
(14:38):
whole community does too.
You've had great communityresponse.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
It's been great.
It's definitely a popular spot.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
Well, for the visitors that are coming and
maybe they're not going to be onthe Walmart home office campus
that week and they're actuallygoing to explore Bentonville, do
you have any tips for gettingout on the trails or going
downtown?
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Oh gosh.
Well, we're right connected tothe trails, whether it's biking,
or you can bring your bikesbecause we've got bike storage
on property, actually right nextto our front desk, so it's
indoor storage, which is reallynice.
And then, of course, you've gotthe walking, like just the
walkability of the city itself.
You know, a street market isless than a quarter of a mile
(15:22):
from the hotel, it's literallyright across the street and the
momentary also.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
You can literally see it all.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
I know I love it.
You can see the buckyball.
Like the you can there's nightand the you belong here.
Sign you can see so many thingscrystal bridges, getting into
crystal bridges.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
You're talking less than a mile and a half, two
miles just to get there and it'ssuch a great walkable, walkable
space it is yeah, cool, um, forlast minute things.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Do people need reservations to go to any of
your spaces, I think?
Speaker 3 (15:52):
reservations are highly recommended for
Falfurious and for the hotel, ofcourse.
Parking's complimentary sothat's really nice.
It's self parking.
We also have EV chargers in theparking lot of EV chargers in
(16:13):
the parking lot and, as shementioned, the bike storage.
One other thing I thought toshare is the transfer lounge.
So, even if you're coming for along weekend and you want to
get an early start but yourroom's not ready, we have the
transfer lounge, which isthere's a male and a female
option, but they have lockers,almost like an airport is what
it makes me think of.
There is a bathroom, um, so youcan freshen up a little bit if
(16:37):
you need to, but there are umsecure lockers in that space so
you can throw your suitcase in,you know, go have lunch or
explore the area and come backlater and grab that and get
checked in.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
It's been great for our business travelers too that
you know if they've got ameeting, but they need to check
out of their hotel but don'treally want to carry their
luggage all throughout the area.
Store it in there, so you havethe opportunity to come back
before your flight and justfreshen up.
Speaker 1 (17:08):
Take your makeup off, put your makeup on?
Speaker 2 (17:09):
Yes, absolutely, there's nothing worse than
trying to get to the airportafter a full day.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Change your shoes, get out of your heels.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
Yeah, and just a private space, instead of having
to ask the receptionist to holdit behind the desk.
Absolutely.
We'll do that too if you needus to, yeah, of course.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
And then, of course, if you get a chance you've got
to come and see the fitnesscenter.
Like, our fitness center isright on the corner of 8th and J
, it's got amazing windows ithas amazing views.
Yes, Wow, so that's.
I mean, it's just something sospecial to watch everybody work
out and you know like you've gotsuch amazing views when you're
working out, and it's kind oflike an AI thing.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
The windows on the ac are really beautiful from from
the 14th street across the road,I always see them.
I'm like I want those windowsin my house they're so beautiful
, so nice cool.
Well, thank you guys so much foryour time today.
I'm so excited to head over tothe fall furious, like right
after this.
If anyone is listening and youguys want to check it out, you
(18:10):
can make reservations.
Go check it out.
Open table yeah, open table.
Love that.
Um, if you guys are looking forany more information about
Bentonville, go tovisitbentonvillecom or follow us
on social at visit Bentonville.
Once again, I'm Natalie, andthanks so much for listening.
See you next time.
Welcome back to a new American town where we explore
the stories, spaces and peoplein Bentonville and this
world-class destination.
I'm your host, natalie, andtoday we're taking you to the
heart of the new BentonvilleHotel on the new Walmart Home
Office campus, not just for work, but for an elevated stay that
changes the game for visitorsand locals alike.
We're talking about the brandnew AC Hotel Bentonville, a
(00:35):
sleek, modern hotel that has athoughtful design, trail access
and a rooftop bar that's alreadybecome one of the best spots in
town to catch a sunset.
Thank you, guys for joining me.
We have Celine and Christy fromthe AC Hotel right here in
Bentonville Hello.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Thanks for having us.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
I'm so excited to talk to you guys about this new
space.
It's super amazing the rooftopoh my gosh, we're going to get
into it.
But first off, what makes thishotel so special to you guys?
Speaker 2 (01:01):
this hotel so special to you guys.
Oh well, one it's location.
You know we are the one of thefirst buildings right as you get
onto the Walmart campus.
We're on the corner of 8th andJ.
It's such a beautiful designedhotel that just really inspires
a lot of just collaboration inthe lobby.
(01:25):
We also have a lot of greatartwork from OzArt that's
scattered throughout theproperty.
So of course it brings in alittle bit of that culture.
But also it has talking points.
We've got an amazing art pieceright behind the front desk that
took hours and hours to dobehind the front desk.
(01:48):
That took hours and hours to do.
But it's those little thingsthat really bring a little bit
more of that attention to detailwhen it comes to our guests.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
We don't want them, just to be our guest in our
hotel.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
We want the guests that are staying here, that are
living here, to be a part ofthat experience as well.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
It really feels like that.
It does feel like a veryBentonville focused space.
It feels like it fits perfectlyinto this town, perfectly on
the Walmart campus, and theattention to detail is very,
very apparent.
I love it.
Anything to add, christy?
Speaker 3 (02:13):
um, I I think just that it, when you walk in, it
immediately feels different thanany other hotel in the area
yeah um, I think it's warm andinviting, but it's also really
open.
Yeah, um to your point there'sa lot of workspace, a lot of
space for people to get out oftheir rooms and gather right and
spend time together in a, in apublic space.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
Yeah, it's that networking.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Yeah, perfect yeah, if anyone is curious it is a
Marriott property, so for thosethat collect points or are loyal
, customers and if you don't, wewant to help you.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
Right, that is always a perk and it's really close to
downtown.
Like I don't think people knowthat, maybe when they book
online, but AC hotel is just astone's throw from the downtown
square, from all of our trails.
You can pretty much bike orwalk anywhere from the hotel,
which is really, really a hugeperk.
I'd love to talk to you guysabout the rooftop lounge.
(03:11):
Yeah, fall.
Furious named after FallFurious Texas.
Correct, that is correct.
Tell us the story behind that?
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Yeah, so it's Mr Sam's, where he used to have a
hunting acreage, sam Walton.
Sam Walton, yeah, we call himMr Sam Love that, but he used to
have a hunting lease down thereand he would always quail hunt.
So for him it was a matter offellowship with friends and
family, just going down there,getting to spend time away from
(03:41):
the office, obviously, but alsogetting to connect with his
peers and his family.
A big advocate on quail hunting, obviously, but his
accommodations weren't lavish orthis uppity lifestyle was very,
it was very, mr sam, yeah yeah,just to add to that, I think we
(04:05):
always knew that it would be.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
The rooftop would be.
It would be really cool,something special, and it is.
I think when you get off theelevator you automatically feel
that warm, that lean is talkingabout.
That ties it back to Felfuriousand the hunting lease where Sam
Walton took his friends andfamily and associates, and that
really is the goal there.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
And, like you said, time away from the office.
People can go there to connectwhether they're traveling in for
work or they live here, sothey're to connect whether
they're traveling in for work orthey live here.
And yeah, it's a perfect namefor a perfect, perfect location.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Well, that's a great step back in time too.
You've got a lot of greatartifacts from Mr Sam's
collection.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
We've got his hunting vest, even the fall furious map
of Texas.
You know that he used to havein his glove box.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Wow, that's the map that he had.
I didn't know that.
It's so amazing.
They've got pictures on oursouth wall in the restaurant of
all the different times thathe's been down there and the
pictures from Mr Sam and thenalso Miss Helen of their time
down there, but also friends andfamily with Bud.
It's really cute to see.
But just being able to make itspecial for everybody on campus
(05:25):
but then also locally, it'sreally been such a great job and
it's exciting to watch.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
Yeah, people can almost connect with the Walmart
story in a whole different, newway that they probably haven't
heard of before.
Yeah, the view is amazing.
You guys can see over themomentary and straight to
downtown.
That's one of my favorite partsthe sunsets, all the things I'd
love to talk to you guys aboutthe menu and the offerings, what
(05:51):
people can expect when theycome and spend an evening at the
Fall Furious.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Absolutely so.
Our menu itself is achef-inspired menu creation.
So we've got a lot of thatSouth Texas.
Is that Tex-Mex?
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
The flair, like you said we've got tacos and we've
got brisket and we also havequeso and a few different other
options on there, but we alsohave some really nice refined
pieces such as a tuna.
It just melts in your mouth.
So it's really amazing thedifferent things that our chef
has been able to come up with.
(06:26):
We are currently working onlike a fall menu, so we're
having R&D.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
I already sound so good I'm like I need to go to
the summer menu now and thenI'll go get the fall menu.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
But we do want to rotate that because obviously we
work with local purveyors whenit comes to our food and
beverage offerings.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Our two tortillas and our beverages.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Exactly so, that's.
But what about the cocktails?
Speaker 3 (06:53):
Yeah, I'm like I need to hear about the drinks, of
course.
Yeah, I would say my favoriteis sunshine in the, in a bottle,
which could go away, I wouldguess, for the fall, but so you
need to get over and try thatone what is that one?
Like it's the.
It's really light and citrusy.
I think it's a gin and andmaybe a little vodka, but it's
(07:14):
um comes in a little like amessage in a bottle.
Yeah, it's so cute.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
The presentation is is really cute my favorite's the
bob white, which is a littlenod to a type of quail.
Um, it's just.
It's just got such a great andeverybody says that I like a
sweet drink, which I don't thinkit's sweet, but it's just got
such a great flavor to it.
Our bartenders and managers arejust so awesome at coming up
(07:41):
with specialty cocktails andjust thinking outside of the box
, which is nice.
You know, it's not a rum andCoke, it's something that's
really it's curated.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Well, I feel like it's just a place where you can
go for a casual weeknight or youcan go for a celebration Like
I'm like this is going to be mynext birthday dinner why
wouldn't I do that?
And I just feel like it's theperfect backdrop to any season
of life that you're in 100%.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
I think you can come over from work for happy hour.
You can hop off your bike anddrop in.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
Right, no dress code.
Obviously, wear shoes and ashirt.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
This is Bentonville.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Or dress it up for a girl's night out or a special
occasion, of course yeah, andand how seasonal it is, like
there's a whole inside, it's notjust all outdoors and open, so
you'll be able to serve thecommunity in the winter time and
people can still get goodpictures outside.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
We even have a private dining room up there too
so if people want to book thatfor a special event.
We can always do something upthere too.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
And it still has the same views of, but it's more on
the South side, so you get tosee more of Rogers and you know,
whereas the North side, you getto see North Bentonville and
yeah, well, what kind of eventsare you guys having there to
kind of tie in the community,bring people upstairs?
Speaker 3 (08:58):
Well, just to back up a little bit, not only can you
do the private dining space, butyou can rent the whole rooftop
for a private event as well.
So just something to keep inmind.
But otherwise, yeah, we'vebuilt a pretty good cadence of
activations throughout the hotel.
A pretty good cadence ofactivations throughout the hotel
(09:20):
.
We have some weekly things thatare kind of regular that our
guests can look forward tocoming back to.
Locals can make plans weekly ormonthly or whatever, and they
can know that on Wednesdayswe'll have live jazz downstairs
in the AC lounge and then onMondays we alternate trivia and
bingo nights upstairs in FoulFurious, and then on Fridays we
do live music.
Occasionally we've done DJs andlive music on Saturdays, so
(09:44):
that's, that changes a littlebit, but you can follow our
social media and it's alwaysposted there.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
Is it a different social media for Fall Furies or
all AC Bentonville?
Speaker 3 (09:54):
It's all AC Bentonville right now, right.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Cool, yeah, everyone needs to go and follow that
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
But then we'll also tie in holidays and special
community events.
Maybe a signature cocktail listthat ties back to the
Bentonville Film Festival orSquare to Square.
I'm sure we'll do something,but we've been talking about
that already.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
That's true, yeah, you know.
But we've been thinking aboutthe future.
You know what do we come upwith?
And, like Christy had said,that, there's those areas of
opportunities such as the bikefest and the square to square
they will literally drive rightby the hotel, you know.
So why not have a little bit ofan active activation, either on
the lawn, in the parking lot orinside, or bring it like just
(10:40):
invite them in?
We had a big Fourth of Julyparty.
That was party like at 1776.
So we did a great buffet, butthen we also had a live DJ.
Of course, the magical views ofNorth Bentonville and Orchard
Park and having the fireworks gooff right there and having
complete, unobstructed views offireworks, like it was
(11:02):
absolutely magical, like you cansee the entire skyline, just
absolutely light up, it was soamazing.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Next, year, that is exactly where I will be.
That sounds great.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
It was great it was a ticketed event, but I think
something to keep in mind isthat most of our like our weekly
activations.
There's no charge for those.
Anybody's welcome to come tothose, but we will have ticketed
offerings also throughout theyear.
I think you know curatingexperiences is at the heart of
what we do as Marriott and asHorry Hospitality, which is who
(11:34):
we are, who we manage as thehotel.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
Yeah, so other than Fall Furious you talked about
the lounge downstairs Is thereany other food and bev offerings
on site coffee?
What can people expect if theycome and stay absolutely?
Speaker 2 (11:50):
so our breakfast area is called the ac kitchen.
Um, it is a european spread.
So you've got um, importedcroissants from france.
But then we have this amazingum and all the acs will have.
It's called the burkle slicer,the beautiful um prosciutto
slicer that we get to actuallyactivate that during breakfast,
(12:11):
so you'll see our chefs actuallycarving and slicing up some
like fresh prosciutto right infront of you.
So it's a little different thanyour regular typical American
flair.
We focus a little bit more onthe protein than we do on the
carbs and you just that heartierbreakfast.
It's a very light but naturalflair.
(12:33):
So, um, and then we've got theac lounge well, I think you
gotta talk about the coffee.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
Oh, yes, and the nespresso.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
So we do have um, I guess, four different, four or
five different um ways to makecoffee.
So we've got nespresso, we'vegot um cappuccino, lattes, um
all of your coffee shopfavorites and is it self-server?
Speaker 1 (12:56):
is it at a coffee bar , or so it's actually in?
Speaker 2 (12:58):
the ac kitchen so our servers can do it for you yeah,
it's great.
And then we've got the aclounge.
Our ac lounge is our evening umfood and beverage option.
And then the AC is known forits very curated and crafted
cocktails.
We've got the ACGT.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
They have exclusive crafted cocktails that are
exclusive to the AC brand.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
We've got a smoked old-fashioned, which is
absolutely amazing.
So you're smoking a board rightin front of our guests and
really creating that activationin itself in the space.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
I think that one of the things to know that sets the
AC lounge apart from Felfurious.
It's a little more low key.
It's on the first level, justoff the lobby.
So if you, you know, don't wantto play bingo or you don't want
to hear a live band, then it'sa little more laid back and you
can, especially if you're need aquick business meeting but you
(13:57):
want to tie that into happy hour.
Speaker 2 (13:59):
Yeah, it's a little more going out to dinner.
You know it's a great place tograb a cocktail before you get
your uber um, they also have umsmall plates there as well.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
Just a little, yeah, um different than the ones
upstairs.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
Perfect, a little appetizer before dinner.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
Yeah, it's a different experience.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
One of my favorite things to do as a tourist
whenever I travel and I hopepeople do that when they come
here is to go to a hotel lounge,go to a hotel bar.
It's just so special and sounique everywhere in the world
and Bentonville's hotel loungescene has really picked up in
the recent years, so I love it.
I love what you guys arecontributing to our city and our
(14:38):
whole community does too.
You've had great communityresponse.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
It's been great.
It's definitely a popular spot.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
Well, for the visitors that are coming and
maybe they're not going to be onthe Walmart home office campus
that week and they're actuallygoing to explore Bentonville, do
you have any tips for gettingout on the trails or going
downtown?
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Oh gosh.
Well, we're right connected tothe trails, whether it's biking,
or you can bring your bikesbecause we've got bike storage
on property, actually right nextto our front desk, so it's
indoor storage, which is reallynice.
And then, of course, you've gotthe walking, like just the
walkability of the city itself.
You know, a street market isless than a quarter of a mile
(15:22):
from the hotel, it's literallyright across the street and the
momentary also.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
You can literally see it all.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
I know I love it.
You can see the buckyball.
Like the you can there's nightand the you belong here.
Sign you can see so many thingscrystal bridges, getting into
crystal bridges.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
You're talking less than a mile and a half, two
miles just to get there and it'ssuch a great walkable, walkable
space it is yeah, cool, um, forlast minute things.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Do people need reservations to go to any of
your spaces, I think?
Speaker 3 (15:52):
reservations are highly recommended for
Falfurious and for the hotel, ofcourse.
Parking's complimentary sothat's really nice.
It's self parking.
We also have EV chargers in theparking lot of EV chargers in
(16:13):
the parking lot and, as shementioned, the bike storage.
One other thing I thought toshare is the transfer lounge.
So, even if you're coming for along weekend and you want to
get an early start but yourroom's not ready, we have the
transfer lounge, which isthere's a male and a female
option, but they have lockers,almost like an airport is what
it makes me think of.
There is a bathroom, um, so youcan freshen up a little bit if
(16:37):
you need to, but there are umsecure lockers in that space so
you can throw your suitcase in,you know, go have lunch or
explore the area and come backlater and grab that and get
checked in.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
It's been great for our business travelers too that
you know if they've got ameeting, but they need to check
out of their hotel but don'treally want to carry their
luggage all throughout the area.
Store it in there, so you havethe opportunity to come back
before your flight and justfreshen up.
Speaker 1 (17:08):
Take your makeup off, put your makeup on?
Speaker 2 (17:09):
Yes, absolutely, there's nothing worse than
trying to get to the airportafter a full day.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Change your shoes, get out of your heels.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
Yeah, and just a private space, instead of having
to ask the receptionist to holdit behind the desk.
Absolutely.
We'll do that too if you needus to, yeah, of course.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
And then, of course, if you get a chance you've got
to come and see the fitnesscenter.
Like, our fitness center isright on the corner of 8th and J
, it's got amazing windows ithas amazing views.
Yes, Wow, so that's.
I mean, it's just something sospecial to watch everybody work
out and you know like you've gotsuch amazing views when you're
working out, and it's kind oflike an AI thing.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
The windows on the ac are really beautiful from from
the 14th street across the road,I always see them.
I'm like I want those windowsin my house they're so beautiful
, so nice cool.
Well, thank you guys so much foryour time today.
I'm so excited to head over tothe fall furious, like right
after this.
If anyone is listening and youguys want to check it out, you
(18:10):
can make reservations.
Go check it out.
Open table yeah, open table.
Love that.
Um, if you guys are looking forany more information about
Bentonville, go tovisitbentonvillecom or follow us
on social at visit Bentonville.
Once again, I'm Natalie, andthanks so much for listening.
See you next time.
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