When in Bentonville, Arkansas ....

I had a business trip in Bentonville, AR recently. Rather than stay at the regular spot, a co-worker recommended staying at:

Inn at the Mill

http://www.innatthemill.com/

Phone (479) 443-1800

3906 Greathouse Springs road

Johnson, Arkansas 72741

For those who travel regularly to Bentonville, AR (on business, perhaps?), this charming Inn is a refreshing change of pace. King guest rooms are standard, the Inn grounds sport a large koi pond and mill preserved architecture, with a ever-attentive staff - and access to the James at the Mill Restaurant, a five star taste at a fair price (though dibs are required as thanks to that co-worker, I didn't pick up the tab, but he knew chef...). Even the light fixture mouldings are unique, cast in the image of the chef' s wife.

The spanning architecture of the restaurant accentuates the grounds "motion thru elevation". When you visit, you'll see you are always traveling up or down on easy paths or staircases - exposed to wide grand views. This landscaping in built into the seasonal menus, as "food display by accents of height and layers" is apparent in every dish.

This was one of those business trips, I kept thinking how much fun the kids would have running around the grounds, feeding the fish from the pathway mill islands, and running the halls ... all the while the wife & I enjoying a five star meal (as any parent knows, I am well aware these would have to be two separate trips .... ). Still, if an Inn & restaurant make you nostalgic to travel "WITH the family", that's a good spot to remember.

Give them a try, & tell 'em Jack sent ya (like I said, dibs...).