So, you’ve seen the show. You watched Dave and Jenny Marrs sweat over crumbling columns, battle a literal infestation of bees, and pour way more money than they planned into a massive 1870s house in Rogers. It makes for great TV. But honestly, staying at the Welcome Inn Arkansas is a lot different than just watching a 42-minute episode of Fixer to Fabulous. There’s a lot of noise online about what this place actually is, and if you’re planning a trip to Northwest Arkansas, you probably want the real story, not just the HGTV highlights.
It isn’t a hotel. Don't show up looking for a lobby.
The biggest thing people get wrong is thinking they can just book a single room for a weekend. Originally, the Marrs family wanted a traditional bed and breakfast setup. They realized pretty quickly that the layout and the sheer cost of keeping a full-time staff on-site made that a nightmare. So, they pivoted. Now, the Welcome Inn is a full-house vacation rental. You get the whole place—the chicken coop, the wine cellar, the massive porches, all of it.
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Where Exactly Is the Welcome Inn Arkansas?
Location is everything in Northwest Arkansas because the "NWA" region is basically a string of four or five cities that have all bled into one giant metro area. The Welcome Inn is located in Rogers, Arkansas, specifically about a mile and a half from the historic downtown area.
A lot of people think it’s in Bentonville because that’s where the Marrs family lives and where their store, Marrs Mercantile, is located. It’s not. It’s in a quiet, mature neighborhood in Rogers. You’re about 20 minutes from downtown Bentonville and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. It’s tucked away, which is nice if you want to actually sleep, but close enough that you aren't driving an hour for a decent cup of coffee or a dinner that doesn't come from a drive-thru.
The Reality of the Renovation
Let’s talk about the house itself. This was the King family’s home back in the 1870s. It sat on 160 acres of orchards. By the time Dave and Jenny bought it for $225,000, it was... well, it was a mess. They spent over $500,000 fixing it.
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When you walk in, the first thing you notice is the weight of the history. They kept the original 1870s footprint but reinforced everything. Those giant white columns on the front? Those are steel now, wrapped to look like the originals because the old wooden ones were literally rotting away.
What’s Inside?
The layout is weirdly cozy for a "mansion."
- The Kitchen: It’s a designer’s dream. There’s a blue Ilve gas stove that probably costs more than my first car. The backsplash is handmade mosaic tile. It feels lived-in, not like a sterile showroom.
- The Wine Cellar: This is the part everyone remembers from the show. They took a creepy, damp basement and turned it into a brick-floored tasting room. It’s cool—literally. It stays about 15 degrees cooler than the rest of the house.
- The Bedrooms: There are three. One on the first floor (King bed) and two upstairs. It sleeps eight because they tucked some bunk beds in one of the rooms. If you have a big group, it works. If you're a couple, you're going to feel like you're rattling around in a museum.
Is It Worth the Price Tag?
Honestly, it’s not cheap. You’re paying for the brand and the design. You can find a generic Airbnb in Rogers for a fraction of the cost. But you aren't staying here to save money. You’re staying here because you want to see Dave’s custom woodwork and Jenny’s specific "country-meets-elegance" aesthetic in person.
One thing that surprises people is the "no shoes" rule. They are very protective of those restored wood floors. Also, if you’re traveling with toddlers, heads up: the property isn't really geared for kids under five. There’s a lot of high-end furniture and breakable stuff that makes parents of two-year-olds a little twitchy.
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The "Chicken Coop" and the Gardens
It sounds ridiculous to talk about a chicken coop in an article about a luxury rental, but this is the Marrs family we’re talking about. They built a "mansion" for the chickens. There are actual working chickens on the property. Guests can go out and see them, and if you’re lucky, there might be fresh eggs.
The grounds are filled with formal gardens and mature trees. It feels very "Southern Estate," even though you're in a neighborhood. They also planted apple trees to pay homage to the property’s history as an orchard. It’s these little details that make the Welcome Inn Arkansas feel like more than just a house they flipped for a TV show.
Practical Advice for Your Visit
If you’re actually going to pull the trigger and book a stay, there are a few things you should do to make it worth the trip. Northwest Arkansas is exploding right now, and you can easily spend four days here without getting bored.
Don't Just Stay at the House
You’ve gotta get out.
- Marrs Mercantile: This is in Centerton (near Bentonville). It’s where you can buy the stuff you see in the Inn.
- The Rail Pizza: It’s in downtown Rogers. Best wings in the state, hands down. It’s divey and perfect.
- Beaver Lake: If you're here in the summer, you're only about 15-20 minutes from the lake. Rent a boat.
- The Daisy Airgun Museum: It's right in downtown Rogers. Yes, the Red Ryder BB gun. It’s a quick, quirky stop that’s surprisingly interesting.
Booking Logistics
You won't find this on standard hotel booking sites. It’s usually listed on Airbnb or Vrbo under "The Welcome Inn - 1.5 mi to Downtown Rogers." They have a 10:00 PM quiet time policy because, again, it’s a residential neighborhood. Don't be the person throwing a rager in a historic district.
What Most People Miss
People get so caught up in the celebrity aspect of the "Fixer to Fabulous" duo that they miss the craftsmanship. Look at the wainscoting in the dining room. Look at the way the French doors were cut into the original window frames to let light in.
Dave and Jenny have admitted publicly that this house wasn't a "smart" investment from a purely financial standpoint. They overspent. They hit too many snags. But they saved a piece of Rogers history that was 100% going to be torn down by a developer otherwise. That’s the vibe of the place. It’s a passion project you get to sleep in.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
- Check the Calendar Early: Because it’s a single-unit rental, it books out months in advance, especially during the Walmart Shareholders week or big Razorback home games in nearby Fayetteville.
- Coordinate Your Group: Since the price is for the whole house, it’s much more affordable if you split it between three couples or a large family.
- Plan for Self-Catering: The kitchen is too nice not to use. Stop at a local market, grab some steaks, and use the Yoder Smoker out back.
- Skip the "Hotel" Mindset: Pack your own toiletries if you're picky, and don't expect a concierge. It’s a home stay, just a very, very fancy one.
Whether you're a die-hard HGTV fan or just someone who appreciates 150-year-old architecture, the Welcome Inn is a weird, beautiful anomaly in the Arkansas lodging scene. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best way to save the past is to invite the public in to live in it for a night or two.