2120 S. Louisiana St. Quapaw Quarter Historic District Little Rock, Arkansas 72206 USA
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Imagine an evening in the family parlor at the Biltmore estate, surrounded by luxurious antiques, the warmth of the fire draining away the tension of a busy corporate day, stretched out in your smoking jacket or Victorian dressing gown, and that special book you've been postponing for the "right time". Each room at The Empress conveys just such a feeling in your own private sitting area. Or imagine luxuriating in the "bath of the century" (19th that is) provided by a claw foot tub and the soft glow of long ago lighting. Perhaps the lure of the "secret" watch tower in the turret intrigues you. Or imagine yourself as Scarlett, descending a magnificent double staircase made of walnut and cypress, lighted by the rainbow hues of a 64 square foot stained glass skylight. Breakfast smells beckon you to leisurely dining served from the verandah or the formal dining room, resplendent with silver service and unrushed conversation, where true Southern hospitality is served, along with English crumpets. Queen Victoria would have nodded her approval.
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Following the Civil War, James H. Hornibrook moved from Toronto and established a profitable business as a saloonkeeper. Shunned from the proper Scott Street society because of his occupation, Hornibrook waited until Angelo Marré (his competitor saloonkeeper) completed his home, the Villa Marré, and proceeded to build the most extravagant dwelling in the state. Legend has it that he kept a card game going in the tower room where he could watch for raids on his establishment. Unfortunately, he died of an "apoplectic stroke" at the front gate, shortly after the mansion was finished. He was only 49 years of age. Anticipating his death, he had a death mask of Italian marble designed while on a trip to Italy and is buried in the historic Mt. Holly cemetery, in the family plot. Margaret McCully Hornibrook died two years later at age 49, purportedly of a broken heart.
In 1897, the Hornibrook Mansion became the Arkansas Women's College, the state's first. Between the Depression and the early 1940's the house stood vacant and became a nursing home in 1948. It was a private residence and apartments until 1994 when it was restored to become The Empress..
ACCOMMODATION: This tower room mini-suite boasts an antique Austrian king size bed in walnut with matching marble topped end tables and washstand with room side Victorian sink and Pullman bath with shower. Hues of gray-blue and brown lend this room an air of dignified serenity as the bed nestles behind portieres and tassels and overlooks the front fishpond with fountain. Victorian parlor settee and chair ring the fireplace for that quiet romantic getaway for two.
Named for Presbyterian ministers who evangelized Arkansas in the 1820's and preached the first sermon west of the Mississippi. Escape to the solitude of this spacious octagonal room finished in shades of French Aubergine and green, complimented by a French walnut king sized bed, that can be converted to twin sized beds, and lace at the windows. Recall the treasures of a past era in the travel worn hump back trunk or curl up in a cozy Victorian settee. Explore a cherished history in the old family bible or reflect on a favorite psalm, a balm for the soul. The claw foot tub invites a soak, which would have been "sinfully" wasteful in 1820. |
HOTEL FACILITIES & SERVICES: Its historical significance lies in the unique architectural features (divided stairway, 3 1/2 story corner tower, stained glass skylight, and octagonal shaped rooms) which create a massive structure representing late-nineteenth century architecture in its most flamboyant style.
Imagine an evening in the family parlor at the Biltmore, surrounded by luxurious antiques, the warmth of the fire draining away the tension of a busy corporate day, stretched out in your smoking jacket or Victorian dressing gown, and that special book you've been postponing for the "right time". Each room at The Empress conveys just such a feeling in your own private sitting area.
Or imagine yourself as Scarlett, descending a magnificent double staircase made of walnut and cypress, lighted by the rainbow hues of a 64 square foot stained glass sky light. Breakfast smells beckon you to leisurely dining served from the verandah or the formal dining room, resplendent with silver service and unrushed conversation, where true Southern hospitality is served, along with English crumpets. Queen Victoria would have nodded her approval. |
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