There are two things I’m obsessed with: traveling and Al Capone. There’s one place in the state that I can have both at the same time, and that’s in Hot Springs. I learn something new about the city and its history every time I visit, so naturally, I make trips down there whenever I get a chance. Now, Al Capone also spent a lot of time in Hot Springs, along with a host of other notorious gangsters. If you haven’t dived into the gangster history of Hot Springs, I highly recommend falling headfirst down that rabbit hole because it is absolutely fascinating.
Al Capone would hide out in Hot Springs from his many enemies around the country and the federal authorities trying to put him away. This man had a whole underground system in Hot Springs created for his protection. He stayed in a loft at the Arlington, and tunnels ran from his room to his favorite spots in the city so he could go out without a target on his back — what a strange life, right?
The Ohio Club happened to be a favorite spot for Al Capone and many other gangsters of the time. Even after the gangster era dissipated, celebrities and politicians have had their fun at the Ohio Club, making the location one of the most legendary and historical places in the city.
Nestled right above the club and just as iconic is the Ohio Club Loft. I had the absolute pleasure of staying there over the weekend, and the Al Capone/Hot Springs fangirl in me was screaming the entire time.
Every detail, from the ceiling to the floor, was absolutely exquisite. There are two bedrooms and one bathroom, and even though all appliances and hardware are updated, you still feel the history in every room.
The owner of the Ohio Club Loft, Mike Pettey, bought the loft and completely transformed it into the beautiful space it is today while still incorporating all the historical concepts that make the Ohio Club so unique.
“This space has been part of the Ohio Club Casino since 1905. The facade of the building needed a remodel, especially the windows because they were the originals from 1905,” Pettey says. The windows in question are the tall bay windows that overlook the downtown area. They were breathtaking and the perfect centerpiece for the space.
“I’ve been collecting Hot Springs artifacts for decades, and those artifacts are used as decorations in the loft. I also have connections to other collectors in the area who allow me to use their pieces to really help keep that history alive in this modern space,” Pettey says. From framed photos to furniture to even the smallest decoration, being in the loft feels like being transported in time.
One of the greatest details of the space, and the Ohio Club in general, is the number of faces that have passed through the halls and looked out into the same view of downtown. Names like Theodore Roosevelt, Wyatt Earp, Bill Clinton and almost every gangster — Al Capone included — throughout the years have gambled, enjoyed live music and stayed at the Ohio Club. The loft has a private entrance separate from the club, so the space offers the best privacy for any name, big or small, to relax and let loose.
“We worked hard to make this space unique and a full experience for people to enjoy Hot Springs. This a vacation rental unlike any other,” Pettey says.
I lived out my dream of being in the same time period as Al Capone and all the other figures that helped build Hot Springs. The style, the luxury and the breathtaking nightlife views are all part of the package, and I highly recommend the Ohio Club Loft to anyone looking for a full Hot Springs experience.
READ MORE: Some Like It Hot (Springs)
