Hotel Heaven

On the other end of the spectrum, the New Orleans Hotel in Eureka Springs is getting a makeover. Owners Arnold and John Lehman have already completely upgraded several floors of the 30,000-SF building.

But the biggest change is probably the addition of an upscale Thai-style spa.

Catherina Zorok, owner and director of Suchness Spa, said she is leasing 1,200 SF from the hotel on the lobby floor. When the five-story hotel’s basement is renovated, an elevator will also take customers down to a second level of Suchness.

When it opens in late April, the spa’s amenities will include a balcony orchid garden, four massage tables, a premium green tea and exotic water bar and a rain shower. Services will include body wraps, Schiatsu massage (higher octave therapy), accupressure, reflexology, Russian massage and a salt-glow ritual that apparently involves taking a dip in a gel with Dead Sea salt.

Zorok said her six-therapist staff has been trained by C.C. Flow of the renowned Esalen Spa in Big Sur, Calif., to do the ulta chic “Flow massage” on an air pillow.

Day-long treatments will run $500 and include fruit and spa cuisine. But half-hour massages will be available for $35.