HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — The Hotel Hot Springs has been downtown for several years.
"It was built in 1986 and was originally a Hilton," Hotel Hot Springs Co-Owner Keith Holland said. "In 1996, the owner changed it to an independent called the Austin Hotel."
As of April 2023, the Hotel Hot Springs is now Arkansas-owned and operated.
"It's a great location," Holland said. "We feel like it's been very underutilized."
Holland is excited about what they have in store, starting with the reopening of two former Central Arkansas restaurants — Coys Steakhouse and the Satellite Café.
"In the case of Coys... it had been around since 1945 [and] burned in 2009," Holland said. "[Satellite Café], a restaurant I owned in Little Rock, was around for about 15 years."
The hotel has a sports bar, which will soon be removed to make room for Coys Steakhouse, while Satellite Café will be on the other side of the lobby.
"We met with the interior designer a couple of days ago, and I think we've finalized the Satellite plan," Holland said. "We're still working on the Coys plan."
Holland said this is an exciting new era for the hotel, and they have more plans in store besides expanding the food options.
"We're also going to put in a pool," Holland said. "We're going to put in a spa and fitness center."
He said the goal is to add to the visitor experience and continue being a staple in Spa City.
"We want you to be able to experience the local atmosphere, the local cuisine and the local activities," Holland said.
According to Holland, the goal is to have Satellite Café open by February 2024.