Heartstone Inn Bed & Breakfast and Cottages — Hotel in Eureka Springs

Just got back from a two-night stay with Sheri and Rick at Heartstone! A friend and I planned a post-thanksgiving writing retreat (I know it's not the usual reason for visiting a bed and breakfast, but bear with me) and we had a fabulous time. The weather was great one of the days, so we worked outside on one of the porches and it was perfect. The owners were sincere and the food was extremely delicious. The breakfast room overlooks bird feeders and when I casually mentioned I needed a bird book in reference to my feeder at home, Sheri pointed out right away that they had some. So we had a great chat about bird watching and robin migration and it was nice. I overheard the owners having similar heartfelt conversations with other guests who seemed to be repeat visitors! All good signs of a great inn! The facility was very well maintained, very clean, and nicely decorated in a more contemporary style. Overall I enjoyed it and I would definitely stay again, but there is some room for improvement (isn't there always?).

Pros: Great staff, clean rooms, AMAZING food! Location is central enough to walk, but feels woodsy.

Cons: Shower was not hot enough and extremely low/weak pressure on the first morning after we stayed (maybe rush hour because it was better the second day). Real coffee (not Keurig) not available until 8 AM. There was a lack of common spaces. The one they had felt like somewhere you could not actually sit privately or sit and chat casually with other guests. The space was locked up at night, as well as the dining room - leaving zero indoor common spaces after 9 PM. This was problem for me - one thing I like about bed and breakfasts is sitting in the common spaces and pretending I am a fancy lady who occasionally chats to other guests. There are also typically snacks, teas, and occasionally digestifs in these areas. They had some refreshments in the lobby/limited common space only - which the owners would enter as soon as you did. It did not feel particularly cozy or inviting. Cookies on first day and blondies on second were bomb, though. Another common space issue is having leftover food - the dining room should always be accessible to guests and there should be some form of refrigeration for communal guest use (e.g., common mini fridge in dining room). Breakfast not coursed out, served...

My best man and I booked a room for the weekend along with my other groomsmen (they were in separate rooms). We decided to group up at my room after rehearsal dinner to decide on the rest of the evening.

2 of our friends were not staying at the inn so we abided by the rules and they didn't park in their lot. Rick, the host rushed out of the inn and told one of my groomsmen about the parking rule and accused my friends for parking in their lot. We told Rick that we were following the rules but his response was "I find that hard to believe." I even called ahead of time to ask about the parking policy for this reason.

Rick then goes down to my room and tells us that it is illegal to have unpaying guests drinking on his property and he threatened to call the police. This was at 8:30 pm and it had only been 5 minutes since we've been back to the inn. There hadn't been a complaint from and guests so Rick was either just passing by and noticed us or he was watching us.

We planned on having 1 beer each before ordering an Uber to downtown. We are all in our thirties and partying in a hotel room is not our style but Rick didn't give any of us a chance to explain our plan for the evening before telling us to disperse in a very assertive tone.

I certainly will not be returning but the inn is beautiful and is suited for couples who plan on isolating themselves. This review is to forewarn prospective guests who plan on having similar...

Heartstone Inn is an absolute gem in every way and the best Inn and B & B we have ever stayed in and that’s saying a lot as we are older folks. It is our happy place in every way imaginable. We have stayed there every year for 14 years. We wish we’d found them sooner. Rick and Cheri are the consummate hosts and make us feel like family. They are warm and welcoming, thoughtful and helpful, so responsive if needed, have a great sense of humor and they make us feel like we are their very favorites guests, which I feel quite sure they are do for every person who stays with them. Rick is a very talented chef and his breakfasts are absolutely scrumptious as well as so beautifully prepared and presented. They are also very sensitive to the eating needs of their guests and gladly accommodate special dietary needs. Then, there are Cheri’s afternoon sweets that are so delicious and just the thing to return to after a day of adventure. We often stay in the cottage which is absolutely perfect for us. The bed is cozy, everything is immaculately clean, the toiletries and sheets and towels are lovely and the kitchen is well-stocked. The little patio is one of my sweet hubby’s happy places as he loves the hammock and the chairs are also really nice for listening to the birds and watching the fireflies in the evening. Rick and Cheri’s attention to detail is unparalleled and we just wish we lived closer so we could stay at...