The coveted bachelorette party once known for its wild and crazy, "what happens here stays here," nights, is changing from the ever so bawdy to extreme rest and relaxation. After planning for months, so many brides are now wanting to rest before their big day, and in South-central Arkansas, they can do just that! To all the maids of honor, here is your planning guide for the perfect R&R bachelorette weekend.
Bachelorette Planning Guide
- Make Time to Relax – A bachelorette R&R weekend is not about cramming as much entertainment into two days as possible. It’s about letting all the stresses that come with planning a wedding go, and indulging that last opportunity to pamper yourself before the big day! The word of the day is “leisure,” so spread any planned activities far apart.
- Go to the Spa – No self-respecting bachelorette weekend would dare label itself R&R without a day at the spa. Do your research ahead of time to ensure you’re going to a good one and make appointments if necessary.
- Know Where You’re Staying – I don’t mean physical location, I mean service and reputation. It’s hard to relax when you are frustrated with the hotel and its staff. Read reviews and pick a winner, even if it costs a few dollars more. It’ll be worth it!
- Know Where You’re Eating – Same concept as above. There’s nothing relaxing about bad food you can’t force down. Restaurants get reputations the same as hotels. Don’t let your desire to be adventurous override your good judgment. Not to say you shouldn’t try something new, but know that the place you’re trying it is a quality establishment with a reputation for delicious dishes.
- When in Doubt, Nap – Is there a hole in your itinerary? Did you spread activities out a bit too far? No problem! This is the perfect opportunity to take an afternoon siesta and let time catch up with you. You’ll all wake up refreshed and ready to saunter languorously to the next event.
Here’s how I used this planning guide to plan a fun filled getaway to Hot Springs.
If you're from the South, you've most likely heard of a hidden gem in Arkansas called Hot Springs. This historic town, known for it's piping hot mineral springs, is nestled in South-central Arkansas, just 30 minutes past the state capitol of Little Rock. Hot Springs, also known as Spa City, is rich in culture, history and WATER. The city sits between two lakes and has the actual hot springs right in the middle of downtown.
A Lovely Friday Evening
I had the opportunity and pleasure of enjoying the oh-so-fabulous city this past weekend. Our bachelorette R&R weekend started on Friday afternoon when we arrived in Hot Springs, unloaded our stuff and went for a leisurely walk. The winding bends of Lake Hamilton provided a gorgeous view, and helped us clear our mind of all the worries from the week before. After hanging by the pool in the hotel, we decided to head on out for dinner at a local Cantina. We ate outside on the patio and watched a gorgeous sun drift behind the mountains as night began to spread her starry cloak behind us.
Relaxing Saturday
Saturday was our Spa day. After sleeping in late, we headed to downtown Hot Springs for lunch at an authentic Italian bistro called Angel's. This corner restaurant located on Central Ave. was filled with character, starting with the menu and ending with the decor. We had a light lunch of salads and appetizers, and then took a short walk across the street to Bathhouse Row.
This street along Central Ave. holds four bath houses, all mostly in their original state. Only two of these are in operation today, the Buckstaff Bathhouse and the Quapaw Bathhouse. The others now house different things. One, a welcome center, and the other a brewery that will be opening up soon!
We chose the Buckstaff, which does not take appointments, so we got in line promptly at 1:30 to get our services done. We all went with the Traditional Bath Package and awaited our ride in the hand operated, original elevator to the second floor Women's area.
Once inside, we stripped down, left our clothes and purses in secure lockers with keys and were dressed in a sheet toga. We were each taken, one by one, to our own personal bath and bath attendant. We started with a 30 minute whirlpool bath using the original whirlpool jet which was outside the tub, but pumped air and water in. After the bath, the attendant came to scrub our arms, legs and back.
With a clean body, we were ready for the steam box! The steam from the flowing hot springs flushed out our impurities and sent us deeper into relaxation. Next, piping hot towels were placed around our legs, arms and back, as we laid on a massage table. I melted into the table as my attendant placed an ice-cold towel on my forehead.
Next, we sat in Sits tubs to help loosen our lower back and relieve pain. Lastly was a massage which, after soaking for the past hour and a half, felt heavenly. One by one, we filed back into the locker room, each looking and feeling like a limp noodle. After two hours of being pampered, we had finally hit extreme relaxation.
We topped off our afternoon with a casual exploration of downtown and scrumptious homemade ice cream at the Fudge Factory. After a good nap, we headed to Bell Arte Restaurant for a late dinner. Bell Arte is both a local favorite and a Hot Springs staple, and it easily passed our taste bud test!
To Top off the Weekend
We finished the weekend on Sunday with brunch at the famous Pancake Shop, also located on Central Avenue. Since 1940, the Pancake Shop has resided in downtown Hot Springs, promising a traditional breakfast to all it's travelers. A wait can be expected, but not to worry. The host introduces you to their sister shop, The Savory Pantry. Here we tested dips, jams and a variety of different specialty seasonings. Our thirty minute wait flew by as we shopped around, testing everything at least once and some things twice!
On Sunday afternoon, we headed back home, reflecting on our relaxing weekend. The bathhouse, the scenery and the history all contributed to a restful weekend. Our bride considered the weekend quite a reward after all the handwork and planning she had put into the wedding.
If you're planning a Bachelorette party, go for the R&R weekend! I promise, your bride will not be let down!
P.S. Don't forget to include a cute tank to commemorate the weekend!
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