Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort

The Cella Family has owned and operated Oaklawn for multiple generations setting a high standard of excellence, as summarized by Louis Cella: “When my family started Oaklawn 117 years ago, there were really only two things we focused on: quality and class. That has been our compass for more than a century.”

Designers embraced Cella’s vision by developing a ‘Tailored Equestrian’ concept for the new resort expansion. The scheme celebrates the sport and history of Thoroughbred racing, and Hot Springs’ turn-of-the-20^th-century heyday as The Spa City – America’s First Resort, an era when ladies and gentlemen donned their best bespoke styles to see and be seen. Imagery throughout also depicts the town’s infamous history as a haven for the rich and famous, like baseball hall of famer Babe Ruth and notorious gangsters, Al Capone and Lucky Luciano.

Oaklawn’s high-end, two-story lobby combines a refined modern aesthetic with historical undercurrents, through its bold architectural gestures, restrained gray-blue, navy and tan color palette, natural wood plank ceiling, traditional patterned tile, marble finishes, and a breathtaking, visually layered circular gold metallic chandelier.  A large art piece depicting galloping horses accentuates the hotel registration. A glass-enclosed fireplace grounds the cozy lobby lounge, where historical Oaklawn artifacts from the Owner’s personal collection are curated on illuminated shelving. A handsome lobby bar offers a contemporary suggestion of a 1920s Hot Springs speakeasy. Dynamic overlapping planes and linear forms recalling horse racing produce a sense of movement around the resort.

The guestrooms and suites celebrate the tailored aesthetic balanced with subtle equestrian details. Placing the bed as a focal point, designers elevated the headboards with rich leather detailing reminiscent of saddle leather and buckles. Button detailing on the lamp shades evoke the bespoke styles worn on race day. Each room is equipped with built-in task lighting, ambient sconces with custom controls, and technology inputs and charging stations. The elegant water closets boast high-end tile work and rain head showers with soaking tubs in the suites. Eclectic art vignettes, color variation and furnishings elevate the contemporary ‘Tailored Equestrian’ design composition with vintage overtures.