Wildflower Bed and Breakfast is in Mountain View, Arkansas. It consists of a blue main building with eight units and two additional ADA-approved handicap-accessible cottages. A notable feature of the property is an event center built to host live performances by local musicians. These are done during the business's main operating season and are hosted four days a week. Musicians can also occasionally perform live music during breakfast at the main house. The city of Mountain View is near the Ozark Mountains, where people can participate in many recreational activities such as hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and caving. The bed and breakfast is also near the Ozark Folk Center State Park, where musical performances are hosted along with an artisan craft village. Furthermore, guests can visit the White River, Blanchard Springs Cavern, Pickin' Park, or Loco Ropes!, which is a zipline and rope course park.
Wildflower Bed and Breakfast is in Mountain View, Arkansas, near the Ozark Mountains. The business is next to the central town square and within walking distance of several stores, restaurants, ice cream shops, music venues, and art galleries. The main house is a blue two-story "old ranch-style" building with a wrap-around porch and rockers, as described by Christopher, the owner of the bed and breakfast. A flower garden is at the front of the main house. Two smaller cottages for guest use are on the one-acre property. Christopher describes it as a comfortable place that is "kind of like staying at Grandma's house."
The main house of Wildflower Bed and Breakfast has eight guest units. They are spread throughout both house floors and consist of two ground-floor king suites, three queen suites, two queen rooms, and another king suite upstairs. One king suite has a day bed for a third visitor, and another has a full bed and loft to accommodate up to four people. All units have private bathrooms, sitting areas, Wi-Fi, and TVs, although Christopher says that the suites have larger TVs. Additionally, the suites have minifridges, and their sitting areas are separate from the bedrooms, unlike the rooms. While they are similarly decorated, each unit "is very individual," Christopher says, as they are furnished in light pinks, greys, blues, or white. All rooms are named after flowers; a few examples include the Elderberry King Deluxe Suite, the Ginseng Queen Room, the Azalea Queen Suite, and the Dogwood King Suite. Christopher explains that the units were named after flowers to correlate with the business's theme, Wildflower Bed and Breakfast. According to Christopher, the Jonquil King Mini Suite is the most popular unit due to its private entrance, ground-floor location, and proximity to the parking lot.
Wildflower Bed and Breakfast includes the two on-site cottages, the Daisy Cottage, and Lily Cottage. Christopher says they are ADA-approved handicap-accessible units. They come with ramps to the porches and space inside to maneuver in the interior. Both cottages have full kitchens, refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, coffee pots, large flatscreen TVs, electric fireplaces, dining tables, and handicap-accessible bathrooms and showers. Furthermore, each cottage has a king bed and a pull-out queen sofa. They are pet-friendly, and a fenced-in dog area is accessible from the back doors. However, breakfast is not included for people staying at the cottages.
Additional areas throughout Wildflower Bed and Breakfast include the main living room, which is outfitted with ottomans, sofas, and chairs; the dining room, the porch, and a communal utility room with laundry facilities. An on-site gift shop sells mugs, cookbooks, t-shirts, soaps, and other branded items.
A full breakfast is served at Wildflower Bed and Breakfast starting at 8:30 AM, with coffee available at around 6:30 AM. Christopher says "almost everything" is made from scratch. Breakfast typically begins with a fruit course, an entrée, and two sides. These consist of what he calls "Southern favorites," such as biscuits and gravy, Scottish-style pancakes with homemade peanut butter syrup or blueberry syrup, bacon, and egg dishes such as a fireman's egg casserole or a cheesy egg bake. Gourmet dishes such as sausage squares or quiches may also be served. Christopher further notes that blueberry French toast bakes are often done on Sundays. Accommodations for those with food allergies or dietary restrictions are made as well. Christopher says he can work around vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegetarian diets.
Guests can engage in various activities while staying at Wildflower Bed and Breakfast. They can visit local shops, restaurants, art galleries, and music venues such as Pickin' Park in Mountain View. Christopher says the Ozark Folk Center State Park is a significant draw for visitors to explore artisan crafts and different kinds of music. Wildflower Bed and Breakfast is within driving distance of the Ozark Mountains, where they can visit the Blanchard Springs Caverns, the White River, and various hiking trails. Christopher also mentions places where guests can fish, kayak, canoe, or ride motorcycles. Additionally, a nearby rope course and zipline park called Loco Ropes! is in Mountain View.
Regarding places to eat, Christopher recommends visitors go to Anglers Restaurant, which serves seafood and steaks. He also says they should try Tommy's Pizza, which prepares both local pizza and Memphis-style barbecue. Finally, he suggests that they visit The Skillet Restaurant at the Ozark Folk Center State Park, a restaurant that mainly serves "home-cooked Southern food."
Christopher, the owner of Wildflower Bed and Breakfast, wants guests to feel like family, as if "they've come to visit their favorite relatives." He strives to accomplish this by greeting visitors upon arrival, shaking hands with them, and offering them snacks such as soda, coffee, homemade desserts, and water. He also provides information about local events that guests may be interested in attending. Moreover, Christopher says that Wildflower Bed and Breakfast gets tickets to the Ozark Folk Center State Park at a discounted price, and he "passes" them along to those who would like access.
A few activities are hosted at Wildflower Bed and Breakfast. For example, music nights featuring local musicians are open to guests and the public for free at an on-site event center four nights a week during the "main season," Christopher mentions. These musicians tend to play Bluegrass, folklore, and other genres. Christopher says many musicians perform in the town square as well as several of the nearby venues or porches, and he also tries to get people to play music at the main building during breakfast on Saturdays. Additionally, an "old-time music" and square dancing camp for youth—facilitated by Christopher—is done for an entire week each July. Finally, he remarks that family reunions are occasionally held at Wildflower Bed and Breakfast when a large group rents the entire home.
According to Christopher, Wildflower Bed and Breakfast is known for its breakfasts, especially its homemade syrups and the fact that nearly all breakfast items are made from scratch. He also says guests note the live musical performances at breakfast on Saturdays. Visitor feedback focuses on the property's cleanliness and the comfort of the beds; all of the mattresses have been replaced fairly recently, as reported by Christopher. They further mention that Christopher is a friendly, informative, and hospitable host, with one guest saying, "Breakfast was delicious and we enjoyed meeting and chatting with the other guests. The room was comfortable with the softest sheets and nice thick towels. The owner, Chris, is so friendly and full of great information about the town and surrounding area. He even made us an early breakfast on the day we were leaving so we could get on the road!"
A few of Wildflower Bed and Breakfast's more notable policies include the prohibition of pets and indoor smoking. Dogs are allowed in the two cottages, but they must not make loud noises during the night that may disturb other visitors. Children under six years old cannot be accommodated either, but those over six can stay as long as they are under adult supervision.
Wildflower Bed and Breakfast is open year-round. Christopher says the busiest time of year is from October to mid-November, with a close second being from May to June. The peak season in the autumn is mostly because of the musicians at the porches or gazebos. He also notes that the fall is a "really cool time to be in the Ozark Mountains."
Wildflower Bed and Breakfast began operating as a commercial hotel in 1918. Christopher, the building's current owner, explains that the top portion was used for lodging while the ground floor included a few other businesses, such as a bakery. In 1923, the hotel was changed to Wildflower Bed and Breakfast, and it has operated as such since then. Christopher acquired the property in 2015. He recollects that he and his wife were married at a bed and breakfast, and they enjoyed the social aspect of their stay. It became their goal to own one when they retired, and the option to buy one came not long after.
Since buying Wildflower Bed and Breakfast, Christopher has added two rooms to the main building and added the event center for the live musical performances. He also built the two cottages in 2018. Currently, he does not have any significant plans for his property; he feels that Wildflower Bed and Breakfast is "pretty much maxed out for [him]."
100 Washington
Mountain View, Arkansas 72560
United States
Ranch-Style
Christopher Smith
