The Compton is downtown Bentonville’s newest boutique hotel, sitting just off the Square with a design that blends modern architecture and Ozark inspiration. Named after Dr. Neil Compton — the Bentonville conservationist who helped protect the Buffalo River, America’s first National River — the hotel carries a quiet nod to Arkansas’s natural heritage without feeling heavy or historical.
With 142 rooms, a two-story atrium lobby, a Tuscan steakhouse, a cocktail bar, and a coffee shop accessible from both inside and the street, The Compton is built to serve visitors and locals. It feels more like a community space than a traditional hotel, with open public areas, warm materials, and a layout designed for gathering, lingering, and connecting.
Check out video tour of The Compton:
Table of Contents
Lobby & Exterior
The exterior of The Compton blends naturally into Central Ave with warm materials, clean lines, and wide windows that tie the building to downtown. It feels elevated yet approachable — more like part of the neighborhood than a traditional hotel.
Image courtesy of The Compton
Inside, the hotel immediately feels warm, open, and intentionally designed. The two-story atrium lobby is bright and calming, with Ozark-inspired textures and seating spread across both the first and second floors. The lobby is wrapped in glass on three sides, giving you a view of Central Ave, the movement outside, and the general “goings-on” of downtown. You can see the Square from one side, but overall the space just feels connected to everything happening around it.
A commanding staircaserises through the space — striking but balanced. It adds presence without overpowering the room and guides you naturally to the second level.
On the main floor, a double-sided fireplace> anchors the lobby and creates a comfortable gathering point. With the surrounding glass, it’s an easy place to sit, relax, and take in the flow of downtown.
Beautiful Buffalo-inspired artwork is displayed throughout the lobby and second floor, tying the space back to Dr. Neil Compton’s legacy and the landscapes that shaped it.
Upstairs — accessible by staircase or elevator — is The Eddy, the second-floor cocktail bar overlooking downtown. This level also features bookshelves filled with Buffalo River and Ozark-focused books, including multiple titles by local author Tim Ernst.
Field Notes, the hotel’s coffee shop, sits just off the lobby with both interior access and a treet-facing walk-up window. Sestina, the Tuscan-style steakhouse, rounds out the main-floor dining.
The overall effect is warm, polished, and connected — a lobby designed to relax in, meet in, and stay longer than you planned.
Field Notes – All-Day Café
Field Notes is the all-day café located just off the lobby of The Compton. It serves handmade pastries, custom coffee blends, and light all-day bites, offering a relaxed space for both hotel guests and locals. The café is designed as a community gathering spot, with a warm, approachable atmosphere that matches the hotel’s modern style.
The café has interior access from the lobby and a street-facing walk-up window that is used during select events and activations on the Bentonville Square. Branding draws inspiration from nature, field journals, and botanical sketchbooks, reflecting a sense of curiosity and connection to the Ozarks. Field Notes also offers wine and beer later in the day, making it a versatile stop throughout morning, afternoon, and evening.
The Eddy – Second-Floor Cocktail Bar
The Eddy sits on the second floor of The Compton, accessible by the staircase or elevator. It overlooks downtown from above, giving it a slightly elevated, tucked-away feel compared to street-level bars. The space is modern, warm, and comfortable, with seating arranged for conversation and a relaxed drink rather than a rushed experience.
The bar offers well-crafted cocktails in an environment that feels calm and refined. Because it’s positioned above the lobby, it stays connected to the energy of the hotel while still feeling private. Large windows bring in natural light during the day and offer a soft view of downtown in the evening.
Art of the Bufflao River is Throughout the Compton
The Eddy works equally well for hotel guests and locals — easy to access, easy to settle into, and thoughtfully designed to match the overall tone of The Compton.
Sestina – Tuscan Steakhouse
Sestina is The Compton’s signature Tuscan steakhouse, located on the main floor just off the lobby. The restaurant centers around a wood-fired grill, bringing a traditional Tuscan approach to steaks, seafood, and seasonal dishes. The menu highlights simple ingredients and classic technique — from handmade pastas to entrées finished over open flame.
The dining room is warm and polished, with lighting and textures that match the hotel’s modern design. It has an intimate feel without being formal, creating a comfortable setting for a long dinner or a quick visit. The atmosphere is steady and relaxed, with a layout that makes the meal the focus.
The menu is supported by a wine list built around Italian selections and food-friendly reds that pair naturally with wood-fired cooking. Service is attentive and smooth, adding to the overall sense of ease.
Sestina adds a distinct Tuscan-style steakhouse experience to the property, offering a refined space built around strong flavors and a thoughtful approach to cooking.
Rooms
The Compton has 142 guest rooms and suites designed with the same warm, modern style found throughout the hotel. Rooms feature clean lines, natural materials, and subtle Ozark-inspired details. Large windows bring in plenty of light, and the layouts feel comfortable and functional without being crowded.
The Compton – king suite – image courtesy of The Compton
While room types vary, the overall feel is consistent: calm, modern, and thoughtfully designed. The focus is on comfort and simplicity — quality bedding, practical storage, and a design style that matches the hotel’s refined atmosphere.
For details about specific room types or availability, guests can check the hotel’s booking page or call the front desk directly.
The Compton adds a new layer to downtown Bentonville — a boutique hotel that feels modern but still grounded in the character of the Ozarks. Its design is thoughtful without being showy, offering spaces that feel warm, open, and connected to the neighborhood around it.
With restaurants, a cocktail bar, a community-minded café, and a lobby meant for lingering, the hotel functions as much as a gathering place as it does a place to stay. Every corner reflects an intentional balance of style, comfort, and a sense of place.
In a city known for its art, trails, and constant growth, The Compton stands out as a welcoming new anchor. It’s polished, accessible, and built for anyone wanting to experience Bentonville from right in the middle of it.
Located at 200 E Central Ave on Bentonville’s Downtown Square — with reservations available at (479) 696-4500 — The Compton offers easy access to the city’s restaurants, trails, and museums while serving as a welcoming new anchor in the heart of Northwest Arkansas.