The Happy Hollow

Service and location were excellent. They’re dog friendly, right by a trail, and it’s an easy walk to the historic hotel row. The room was clean, though it showed some age. It’s a very minimal place, good for people who don’t expect to spend much time in their room. The bathroom was very tight, and I’ve never seen a smaller sink. It was just enough to get the job done. Our stay was okay, no complaints.

The location was perfect, within walking distance of all the shops and bath houses, and just a short ride from the north woods trails. There’s also a spring a brief walk away where you can fill your bottles. The room was clean and ready, and after hours check-in was easy. They have a bike station with tools and a hose if you’re traveling with a bike. 100% recommend.

If you have a dog, this is a great option in Hot Springs. They don’t charge a pet fee unless your pet causes damage, and the ground level room gave us lots of space to take our dog out. The historic area was an easy walk, so we saved money on parking. All the staff I met were very nice and eager to help. The room was a good size and very clean, with non carpet floors, which I appreciated with our dog. It had a small kitchenette with a sink, dishes, microwave, and fridge, plus a comfortable bed. My only complaint was the tiny shower, which I understand was standard for the time it was built. I like to let the water run for a minute to warm up, but the shower was so small that the shower head pointed right at the curtain and soaked the floor. Maybe a head that tilts further down would help. I felt completely safe and would book here again when we come back to town.

The room was so unhygienic that my parents checked out a day early. They had no alternative and were forced to stay at first, even after asking twice to change rooms. They were rudely told nothing else was available. Even a cleaning wouldn’t have been enough, the room needed a complete renovation. From a distance, The Happy Hollow in Hot Springs looked nice and well maintained, which is where my parents had booked because the reviews were so good. But once they entered room number 2, they were shocked. The online pictures somehow looked very different. The front door showed heavy wear. Dog hair covered the windowsill and doormat, and the bed linen was wrinkled, so let’s hope it was at least fresh. The kitchenette had only the basics, a dirty coffee maker, a dirty microwave, and a refrigerator completely frozen over. The bathroom had mold, old grime everywhere, and rust, as the attached photos clearly show. Never again.