The Crescent Hotel
My overnight experience and review of The Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
A brief history of The Crescent Hotel
The history of Eureka Springs, Arkansas and The Crescent Hotel go hand-in-hand as one would not be famous without the other. It’s all in the water! Over 60 springs in and around the downtown area attracted tourist in the late 19th century from all over that believed in the healing powers of Eureka’s springs. It wasn’t long before businessmen realized the opportunity to build a luxury hotel overlooking the “healing” water-rich valley below and construction of The Crescent Hotel began in 1884.
What do the waters in Eureka Springs supposedly heal?
As the old stories go: on a few separate instances, young children had lost their eyesight due to illness or infection and after visiting the springs and bathing their eyes in the spring water, their ailment was cured, and eyesight was restored.
It remained a local secret until 1879, when a man came with a crippling disease and was cured after visiting the Basin Spring and soon promoted to friends and family throughout the state. (1)
Who first owned The Crescent Hotel?
Powell Clayton, a wealthy conglomerate, would be the first to put the wheels in motion on the construction of this infamous and once luxurious hotel that would sit on a mountaintop from which it was named after: “The Crescent.” During construction, a young worker named Michael fell to his death on a beam in what is now room 218 and said to be the most haunted room in the hotel. Curse or destiny perhaps, but Michael would be the first of many spirits said to have met their demise at the hotel and said to roam about making his presence known.
There are plenty of ghost stories about Michael’s famous room and you also have the opportunity to stay in room 218 by paid reservation if you wish to see for yourself if you experience any paranormal activity. Rumor has it that the spirit of Michael is sweet on the girls, and he likes to scare the men (I find that very amusing!)
Shown is a photo I took of Room 218’s door. I really wish I could have peeked inside the room myself, but it was occupied.
Crescent College for Women
Being in the mountains had its disadvantages as the tourist visits declined during off-seasons. They decide to open Crescent College for Women during the slow operation time in the winter season, but soon both would close in 1934 due to the great depression and hard financial times and remain abandoned for four years.
Shown is a photograph that was hanging in our room of some students staying at the Crescent College for Women.
The women had come to love the college president’s four-year-old son, Breckie, as a playful and loving companion. Sadly, he passed very suddenly from complications of appendicitis and is said to still be heard outside of certain rooms bouncing a ball off the walls and floors and running around like he used to.
Norman Baker: the face of evil
I’ll never understand what possesses a man that is very intelligent, cunning and inventive to think up something so sinister to con innocent people out of their life savings and into certain death, but pure evil and greed (and a very lost soul) had to have been a few factors. Norman Baker swooped in and purchased the former hotel at a steal ($40,000 or about $748,000 in today’s money) in 1937 and turned it into the Baker Cancer Hospital with claims that people could be cured of their cancer without surgery, but with a special concoction of injections that “would eat the cancer without harming the surrounding tissue.”
This framed brochure from the Baker Hospital hangs in the hallway of The Crescent Hotel. You can see the claim is “Where sick folks get well” Cancer-Tumor-Curable without knife, radium, x-ray or serum.
I find it very sad and disturbing that Norman Baker fed off the fears and hopes of healing to profit off of suffering, unknowing ill humans that wanted to believe in the healing process yet suffered and died while staying there or shortly after they arrived home.
Another very disturbing fact that was told to us on the ghost tour was that Norman Baker actually paid healthy actors to check into the hospital and pretend to be sick and then miraculously get healed to heighten morale and amongst the other patients so that they believed in the healing process. (Just another sinister plan to further his greed!) Karma came around a few years later and Baker was investigated and in 1940 was arrested on mail fraud. With also having past arrest warrants, including practicing medicine without a license, Baker was found guilty and served a four-year sentence at the Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. It was determined that Baker defrauded cancer sufferers out of approximately $4,000,000. During Baker’s time running the Baker Hospital at least 44 people were on record to die under his care and over 100 people testified that their loved ones passed shortly after leaving.
In 1946 the hotel was purchased by four men and renovated once again into a thriving tourist destination.
An accidental fire would claim the complete fifth floor and most of the fourth floor in 1967 and the roof line has been altered ever since. They did keep the chimneys the color purple like Norman Baker had painted. Shades of purple, lavender and orchid were his character colors, and he wore the eccentric combination often and most of the hotel was decorated in those shades also.
My experience staying in The Crescent Hotel
As we drove up the winding road and rounded the corner, we entered the parking lot. What a sight this hotel with was with its tall purple chimneys and distinct crescent moon statue in the flower bed in front on the entrance.
It definitely gave me creepy vibes and my imagination wondered with visions of tourists over the past 136 years and how much history and ghost stories this old building had to tell.
Before we made it to the front entrance, the door swung open, and a hotel worker cheerfully greeted us in. There was a chalk board listing all of that day’s activities for guests.
Scavenger hunts, haunted tours, smores and stars and more!
To the left was the check-in desk and to the right was the sitting area lounge with a huge original fireplace. You can definitely tell at one time this was a grand hotel adorned with spotless details and very luxurious in its prime.
Now, it’s more like a time capsule that I felt transported me back for the full experience that I wanted. I’m so glad that the current owners didn’t fully renovate this gem, but just continue shining it up like an old penny and keeping it true to its era.
The rooms at Crescent
I was even more impressed when they gave us our room keys…they were ACTUAL KEYS! The big brass keys to open our room doors was the perfect touch for my total experience here. (It just wouldn’t be the same if it were the credit card style keys.)
The King Room
My husband and I stayed in a king room on the second floor. It was nothing special, but I enjoyed the historic feel of the room. It was clean, smelled good (some old places smell musty, this one didn’t) and had a mini fridge and coffee maker. Standard amenities, which was very sufficient for our short time we actually spent in the room.
The King Room Bathroom
Nothing too fancy in the king room bathroom. It was very tiny, but clean. If you need more room in the bathroom, I suggest staying in one of the whirlpool suites they offer (see next.)
The Whirlpool Suite
My mother-in-law and the kids stayed in a whirlpool suite. This was a spacious room with a king bed, sitting area with couch and chairs, large shelving area with microwave, mini fridge and coffee maker and of course…a whirlpool!
Whirlpool and sitting area
The whirlpool suite is perfect for 3-4 people to stay in comfortably. For an extra fee they will provide you with a roll away bed or crib, if needed.
Be sure to read the directions on the whirlpool before starting it, the water has to fill above a certain point before starting the jets…or you will have a big watery mess in your room!
The Whirlpool Suite bathroom
About double the size of the king room bathroom and it was very clean and sufficient.
The Crescent also offers penthouse’s, the Governer’s suite (my mother-in-law stayed in this room years ago and said it was very nice and nothing spooky happened) parlor suites, balcony rooms, standard rooms and double rooms…and if you don’t want to stay in the hotel at all, you can stay in the nearby cottages.
The Crescent Hotel amenities
They have a pool that is open seasonal hours daily from 8am-10pm with cabanas that are first come, first serve.
There is an outdoor area with lots of games like a large chess and checkers board and huge connect four along with several seat swings to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
They have a Red Ryder BB shooting range and axe throwing that is open at a certain time of the day (posted in lobby) and for an extra fee.
They also offer “S’mores and Stars” where guest can enjoy making s’mores during the evening from 6-8pm. Everything is provided to make your campfire treat along with making memories with your family.
Right outside the hotel in the parking lot is a trailhead for two different trails:
Harmon Park Loop is an easy 1.4 mile walking and biking loop trail through the shaded paths of Harmon Park, Spring Garden, and towards the historic neighborhood of Upper Spring Street that leads to the Crescent Hotel. Harmon Park has a playground, skate park, bark park and picnic area.
Lake Leatherwood Trail is one of the premier trail destinations in Arkansas and offers 25 miles of hiking and biking trails with a spring fed lake, 80-foot-tall limestone dam, cabins, camping, RV park, boating, fishing, marina, swimming area, playground, soccer and baseball fields.
There are brochures on the trail head sign available for free as a guide and further information.
Where to eat when staying at The Crescent Hotel
Sky Bar Gourmet Pizza is highly rated, and we just had to try out for ourselves. Be patient or expect long wait times for a table and if you have a ghost tour planned, I suggest getting there at least 1 1/2 hours ahead of time to be seated, order food and eat.
The restaurant is located on the fourth floor of the hotel, yet the food is prepared on the bottom floor and brought up to your table when ready.
The seating area of the Sky Bar overlooks the courtyard below and views of mountains and the nearby church…along with an occasional visit from a pigeon looking for scraps! The service was superb, and the pizza was satisfying, very thick crust and hearty amount of toppings.
Although the hotel offers breakfast for a price, we wanted to venture out and try a local favorite, the Three Bird Cafe.
It’s a fairly new place about a mile from downtown Eureka Springs and they offer a great variety of breakfast foods and seating room inside and out on the deck.
I thoroughly enjoyed the playful menu names of the entrees that they offer. There’s a good variety from a hearty “Mountain Man” plate or “Lady Lumberjack” (for a vegetarian version) to the classics named “The Cardinal” or “The Baby Bird.” They also offer southern favorites and vegan and dairy free healthy options like avocado toast and smoothies.
We all left happy and satisfied. The staff was very attentive and friendly, and I would highly recommend eating here.
There are lots of other restaurant options to choose from in downtown Eureka Springs such as Mexican, steakhouses, burger joints and more. A special recommendation from a family member is The Spring on Main which offers brunch, charcuterie boards, sandwiches, salads, small plates and lots of signature cocktails and beer. It has a casual and relaxed atmosphere.
The Ghost Tours
Let me begin by divulging that I’ve always had a fascination with the paranormal and scary ghost tales from a young age. I would buy every book I could on ghost stories, especially the local ones from my home state of North Carolina and read them over and over again.
Do I believe in ghosts and spirits? First, let me tell you that I am a Christian and believe in God and that there is a heaven and a hell. I also believe there are unexplained phenomena and experiences that lead me to believe that possibly before the second coming of Christ and judgement day that unsaved souls are trapped in the spirit world (whether knowingly or unknowingly) Also, there might be a more scientific explanation of underlying limestone that holds energy and replays events as what is known as “the stone tapes” or residual hauntings. It is a known fact that the hilltop that the hotel sits on is predominately limestone as well as the massive 18-inch-thick stones used for the body of the hotel.
This is nearly my opinion and take it as a grain of salt if you will, but I thought some of you might wonder why I wanted to stay in a “supposedly” haunted hotel…and for me it’s the thrill and excitement of something I’m fascinated with and loving that hair-raising feeling.
Ghost tour tickets are available online or see the front desk for reservations. The time slots can fill up quickly, so I suggest planning ahead and purchasing tickets ahead of your visit for the desired time.
The tour guides dress in period clothes and are very knowledgeable and also give lots of history about the hotel and its former guests, love to answer questions, and also have ghost stories of their own to share.
The ghost tour begins promptly on the fourth floor and ends in the morgue.
I never felt any hair-raising moments when walking about on our tour, although it’s with about 10 other people. I feel like if I were alone walking through the hotel and morgue, it would have definitely been a more creepy and scary experience.
I truly loved all the detailed stories that the tour guide was giving, and especially about one spirit named Theadora in particular that allegedly is very tidy and loves to organize and clean up after guests while they are out of the room…now that’s my kind of spirit!
Even Morris the cat who roamed the halls for over 21 years at the Crescent is said to be seen and felt brushing up on guest’s legs from time-to-time. (My son, a true cat lover, would love that!)
There are many more ghost stories and hauntings that I did not mention. I highly recommend taking the professional ghost tour if anything, to learn more about the history of this notorious hotel and other ghost stories.
Other places to visit while in Eureka Springs, AR
St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church
There is a beautiful and inviting St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church that sits directly behind The Cresent Hotel that you can walk to or take an extremely short drive to get there.
If the doors are open, you are welcome to go in and explore, pray or worship, but even the outside is adorned with gardens, statues, fountains and lovely landscape and architecture and worth visiting this 113-year-old church.
Christ of the Ozarks
The Christ of the Ozarks statue stands 67 feet tall and has a 65-foot arm span and can be seen from the fourth floor of The Cresent Hotel on a clear day.
Construction started in 1965 and was dedicated in 1966. The statue is made of 24 layers of white mortar on a steel frame and the face only is about 15 feet in height. The statue’s total weight is over two million pounds. It’s definitely a sight to behold!
They have The Great Passion Play performances May through October (on select nights) in an outdoor seating venue. They are a nonprofit organization and offer the performance for free but tax-deductible donations are greatly appreciated to keep them running to spread God’s word.
They also offer Holy Land Tours that is open throughout the year. Guests are transported back in time as they walk through a full-sized replica of the East Jerusalem Gate and Marketplace to Biblically inspired exhibits. All exhibits have been researched archaeologically and historically for authenticity. For more information or to reserve a ticket, click HERE.
Thorncrown Chapel
The Thorncrown Chapel opened in 1980 and has welcomed millions of visitors since. This majestic architecture is nestled in the woods of Eureka Springs, Arkansas and stands 48 feet tall. Made of native stone, wood and colored flagstone, it has 425 windows, and it blends with the natural setting as if it were placed there by God himself.
Lots of couples get married there each year and it stays booked up for weddings constantly. No wonder, it’s like a fairy tale setting!
Blue Springs Heritage Center
A tourist attraction since 1948, the Blue Springs Heritage Center blends history from the Cherokee who traveled the Trail of Tears and camped alongside of the Blue Springs for several days to rest and wait for stragglers to catch up, along with early settler life and prehistoric civilization.
There are walking trails down to the springs and beautiful gardens and flowers along the way at certain times of the year.
The main spring maintains a year-round temperature of 54℉ and is 70 feet in diameter at the surface. It’s funnel shaped and the actual opening is 25 feet below the surface of the pool and about 10 feet wide.
The spring is a gorgeous shade of turquoise blue, and the photos don’t do it justice.
Alternate transportation
There is a trolley and bus station in downtown Eureka Springs with tours and fixed routes that are available to purchase in all-day passes and some go to attractions like Christ of the Ozarks, The Crescent Hotel, Grotto Springs and more.
Hope you enjoyed my review and experience (and a few tips) from my visit at The Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas and you feel inspired to visit this unique and historic city.
Feel free to comment below and especially if you stay at the Crescent and experience anything while there or have in the past, I would love to hear about it!
