My initial reaction, like that of a lot of Arkansans, was relief when I heard Monday that the sale of the Arlington Hotel had been finalized.
The Arlington is the most iconic privately owned structure in our state. For decades, those of us who love this Southern grande dame watched with sadness as she became a shell of her former self.
We dreamed of a day when a new owner would step in and restore her.
We dreamed of a day when those in surrounding states once more would flock to the hotel, knowing that it was THE place to stay in Arkansas.
We dreamed of a day when those of us close enough to make day trips to Hot Springs would go to the Arlington just for the food.
We dreamed of a day when statewide associations again would make it the headquarters hotel for their conventions.
We dreamed of a day when its bathhouse would rival any spa in America.
We dreamed of a day when the place to see and be seen in Arkansas would be the lobby of the renovated Arlington Hotel.
We dreamed of a day when the Arlington veranda would be described as Arkansas’ front porch, a civilized place to sit in a comfortable chair under a spinning ceiling fan while having a well-made drink.
So we cheered when we heard that the last remaining hotel in the once formidable Southwest Hotels portfolio had been sold. Perhaps the day we had dreamed of wasn’t far away.
Soon, however, relief turned to anxiety.
We worried that so little is known about the new owner, Al Rajabi of San Antonio. He recently renovated what had been the Clarion (and the Hilton before that) into the Four Points by Sheraton on South University Avenue in Little Rock. But this isn’t a chain hotel catering to folks with relatives in nearby hospitals. This is the Arlington, a hotel that should be mentioned in the same breath as other old Southern resorts such as the Greenbrier in West Virginia and the Homestead in Virginia.
We worried when we were told that Rajabi had owned 30 hotels through the years. That’s because no list of those hotels was provided.
We worried that an announcement that had been in the works for weeks gave no details whatsoever about renovation plans.
We worried that Rajabi would not answer questions from the media, directing people instead to a news release that contained precious few details.
We worried that the company that bought the hotel, Sky Capital Group LP, was only formed in April.
We worried that the news release said Sky Capital was the owner and operator of the Four Points in Little Rock even though the owner of record is Windsor Capital LLP, of which Rajabi is a partner.
For all we know, these questions will be answered in the days to come.
Please forgive us for having doubts, Mr. Rajabi, but we’ve been fooled so many times through the years in Hot Springs.
Southwest allowed the Majestic Hotel to deteriorate as the Arlington has done. Two subsequent owners made promises but did nothing. That old gal finally burned.
Several developers promised to redevelop the Velda Rose. It still sits empty today.
South down Central Avenue, we were told that the Royale Vista Inn finally would be redeveloped. Scaffolding went up, but nothing was ever completed.
What has been the trademark of Hot Springs in recent decades? More than hot baths and thoroughbred racing, unfortunately, it has been landlords who have allowed their properties to deteriorate, milking every dime out of them and putting little back in.
You will excuse us, Mr. Rajabi, for being skeptical. You see, we’ve seen too many people fail to deliver on their promises in our beloved Spa City.
Your online biography says you graduated from UCLA in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, so maybe you can understand the anxiety on the part of this societal segment known as Arkansans.
Prove us wrong, Mr. Rajabi.
Please prove us wrong.
Renovate the rooms, reducing the number while increasing the size.
After refreshing the beautiful Venetian Dining Room (so much potential there), bring in a big-name chef who will be an attraction in his/her own right.
Mixology is all the rage these days, so hire some hip, young bartenders who will have millennials driving all the way from Little Rock for a drink.
Transform the bathhouse into a spa that people as far away as Dallas will want to visit.
Fill the veranda with furniture in Dorothy Draper pastels and add an outside bar.
Fill your basement with high-end boutiques.
Transform the neighboring Wade Building into a place for high-dollar suites.
Mr. Rajabi, as I stated at the outset, the Arlington isn’t just another hotel, at least for those of us born and raised in this state. I’ll say it again: It’s the most iconic privately owned building in Arkansas.
With this purchase comes certain obligations to the 3 million people of Arkansas.
We wish you well, Mr. Rajabi.
Please don’t disappoint us.
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