Bentonville, Ark., boutique hotel features Ozark-inspired design
The Compton, a new 142-room independent lifestyle hotel, that recently opened in Bentonville, Ark., features biophilic elements throughout the property. Echoes of the nearby Ozark Mountains and the Buffalo River welcome guests. Many visitors are drawn to the “The Mountain Biking Capital of the World” with more than 70 miles of trails weaving through the city that access more than 400 miles of bike trails across the Ozarks.
Appealing to outdoor lovers, the hotel offers a dedicated cycling concierge with complimentary bike valet service, along with design elements that bring the outdoors inside. The guest experience begins at the Front Porch, a covered outdoor patio informed by classic Southern architecture, leading into the reception foyer. This area features a reception desk crafted from Ozark limestone, behind which hangs a porcelain sculpture that showcases a native tree integral to the region’s ecosystem within a soaring two-story atrium.
The atrium is anchored by a sculptural limestone bluff wall carved from Ozark-sourced stone and influenced by the cliffs of the Buffalo River. Water flows gently across the surface, intended to slowly patina the rock and be a living installation that mirrors the pace of the natural world. Lush greenery and boulders frame the atrium, while shifting daylight from the 900 sf skylight casts changing patterns across the space. Hanging above the atrium is a glowing light sculpture crafted from dandelion seeds with tiny LEDs, symbolizing the beauty of fragility, resilience, and imagination.
On the mezzanine, the Ozark Room is a cozy lounge that doubles as a pre-function area for events. Design touches include a communal table etched with the path of the Buffalo River, ceiling details that reference a canoe, and a custom rug resembling morning light dancing across green water. The space is also home to the hotel’s library where guests can explore a collection of historic, rare, and contemporary books on topics ranging from Ozark folklore to the region’s flora, fauna, and geologic history. Mineral specimens, curated in partnership with the University of Arkansas Department of Geological Science, and artifacts, including vintage records and handmade fiddles, and imagery of regional natural and cultural features adorn the space. Guests in the library can use their phones to experience the sounds of Ozarks and listen to digital field recordings gathered from the banks of the Buffalo River and in the surrounding woods.
The hotel’s nature-centric design ethos flows into guestrooms. Each room is centered around a built-in window seat replacing the typical chair-and-desk arrangement. Natural materials drawn from the region, including hickory millwork and green-blue accents that echo Arkansas waterways, echo the surroundings. Bathrooms take inspiration from waterfalls, with handcrafted turquoise tiles that shine like flowing water and a mix of textures that feel carved from the land. Floating ledges, oversized mirrors, and organic patterns in rugs and throw pillows cultivate a quiet sense of calm.
Owner/Developer: Blue Crane
Director of Design and Development: The Working Group
Design architect: Marvel Design
Architect of record: BRR Architecture
MEP engineer: Smith & Boucher
Structural engineer: Apex Engineers
General contractor/construction manager: Flintco Construction