Why the Trip Savvy Editors Choice Award? Recently I was notified that the Empress had been awarded a Trip Savvy Editors Choice Award for 2018.  We were also on their list of Best Downtown Hotels/Resorts/Bnbs In Little Rock.  There are 9 hotels and inns on the list and The Empress is #3!! at Trip Savvy.com .  This is quite an honor, but it caused me to wonder what might be behind the fact that of all the different downtown hotels and inns, we are the only 2018 Editors Choice Award winner.  There are some good hotels in Little Rock! After correspondence with Trip Savvy’s team, I was told the res ..read more

It is  that time of year to enjoy haunting experiences in Little Rock, Arkansas.  It is also the time of year when goblins and creatures wander neighborhoods seeking goodies, candy and treats. Or suffer the tricks!  Little Rock’s preeminent ghost authority and author, Linda L. Howell, conducts her annual Little Rock Haunted Tours and The Empress offers “A Haunting We Will Go!” Haunted Tour Package.  The Empress and her spirits are proud to be part of this real paranormal tour. Tours begin on Friday, October 5,  from 7-9:00 P.M. and continue every Friday through the first part of November.  Con ..read more

Is Grand High Tea an idea whose time has come?  “Maybe so”, say’s Sharon Welch-Blair of The Empress of Little Rock, known as the “Downtown Abbey” in Little Rock, Arkansas, for it’s keeping of elegant traditions of more than 100 years ago.  “We started serving “Grand High” Tea as a way to fill an otherwise slow day since most guests check out on Sundays after staying the weekend.  Little did we realize we might be filing a void in the lives of our guests”. Grand High Tea seems to have caught on as a way to share a special time and unique experience with loved ones and friends, when everything e ..read more

When your wedding budget begins exploding it becomes obvious that getting the best small wedding value becomes a challenge.  Doing things yourself feels like the right choice, but sacrificing your ability to enjoy this special time by stressing yourself out may not be the best option.  Finding a boutique property that offers not only consulting but taking care of all the details as well as a beautiful experience could be the best small wedding value in the end.  Especially when they have built wholesale relationships overs the years and are able to pass those savings on to you while allowing ..read more

Episode 5-The Empress Series-Christmas Magic!! Welcome to Episode 5 – the Empress Series-Christmas Magic at the Empress.  Join me at http://Www.empress.com as we do a walk thru of the gorgeous decorations put up by the elves at the Empress. As we pass thru the Victorian gates at the Empress, Rudolph and Mrs. Rudolph grace the fountain.  The curved front doors are magnificently draped in live greens and lit up.  “Twas The Night Before Christmas”- A hand painted sleigh from the 1880’s graces the front porch bedecked with hand wrapped packages and a gorgeous Santa bringing his sac to deliver pres ..read more

The Empress Series-Episode 3-The Petit Jean room, brings our series of videos to four.  This room at The Empress of Little Rock is named after the legend of Petit Jean from the 1700’s, the French girl who couldn’t bear to see her love sail away to the new world. The Petit Jean Room is filled with relics of military and sea regimen, reflecting the strength required to leave family for a world unknown and the softness of the love that inspired it.  Done in dark walnut, the ornately carved Empire queen style bed is in striking contrast to the romantic blues and whites of the window treatments, t ..read more

EPISODE 4 – THE WASHBURN-WELCH ROOM The Washburn-Welch Room at The Empress of Little Rock is named for two Presbyterian Ministers who came to Central Arkansas in the early 1800’s at the request of the Cherokee Indians and ultimately founded the First Presbyterian Church in 1828.  It is the oldest continuous congregation West of the Mississippi.  The Right Reverend Cephus Washburn came to open Dwight Mission in Russellville for the Cherokee at the request of the Western Chief of the Cherokee, Tahlonteeskee. He was regarded as a good man by the Cherokee and he even traveled with them when they w ..read more

At The Empress of Little Rock, The John Edward Murray Mini-Suite is one of our most unique and romantic rooms because it resides in the 3 1/2 story Gothic Queen Anne tower overlooking the front fountain and feels like two separate rooms.  Originally Mr. Hornibrook’s Morning Parlor, it is named for Pine Bluff native and plantation heir John Edward Murray, the youngest Brigadeer General on either side of the Civil War, receiving his commission posthumously at the age of 21.   A West Point student, who left at the secession of Arkansas to return home, he joined the Arkansas Volunteer Infantry and ..read more

Amazing guest experiences start with the great service and luxury guestrooms.  WELCOME TO THE EMPRESS SERIES: Stories From an 1888 Gothic Queen Anne Mansion with amazing luxury guest rooms!! Luxury Guestroom bed We start with The Hornibrook Suite, named for James H. Hornibrook.  It has hand painted tiles on the fireplace and is original to the home.  They were painted by Mr. Hornibrook’s sister, Mary Leicester Wagner, an artist of some repute from the Detroit area.  She painstakingly hand lettered the tile with an excerpt from Milton’s poem, L ‘Allegro.   “And every shepherd tells his tale und ..read more

Yes! Katy Perry comes to Little Rock, Friday, January 12, 2018, and we’ll all be “ROARING” to hear her.  She’s had an amazing string of hit’s and appeals to all ages from Gen Y’s to Boomers.  The tickets will be going fast so you’ll want to get online right away.  And The Empress will be booking up as well, so make your reservations at http://www.theempress.com, CHECK AVAILABILITY.  If you haven’t seen her performance with James Cordon on the Late Late Show doing carpool karaoke, you can catch that on her website at //www.katyperry.com/watch-late-late-show-james-corden-carpool-karaoke/ .  It’s ..read more