The birthplace of Walmart is an unusual town in the centre of the United States. Located in the north-west of Arkansas slightly beyond the outskirts of the larger college town of Fayetteville, Bentonville’s buoyancy is thanks to Walton Family, a dynasty that not only grew the world’s largest retailer but now has its heirs building a compelling case for moving to the Ozarks.

Cycle trails and contemporary art pin down central Bentonville with Crystal Bridges American Art Museum and over 100 miles of new trails developed in the past 10 years. Similar to Boulder, mountain bikers can be seen weaving through town to connect with the impeccable bike routes that have helped Bentonville gain an outsized influence in the endurance world. The Walton’s multi-strategy investment firm  RZC Investments purchased Rapha in 2017, and the cyclocross world championships are now held in Bentonville.

21c Museum Hotels is an Accor brand, part of the Ennismore family which includes Hoxton, Mama Shelter and 25hours hotels. The hotel opened in 2013 with 104 bedrooms and the broad entrance area that houses contemporary art – a principle maintained at other 21c properties in Nashville, Lexington and Durham, North Carolina. A sculpture at the front of the building references the Walton dynasty in the work Making Change (below) – a Fleetwood Cadillac limousine covered in thousands of dimes equating to the amount of money that Walmart saves a family in a year (nearly $1000).

Restaurants and coffee shops stud Bentonville’s central historic district. Onyx Coffee Lab pulls in beans from its roastery in nearby Rogers. For light bites, visit The Meteor Cafe. Emulating At the Chapel in Bruton, England, The Preacher’s Son offers contemporary American cuisine in a converted church – a short walk from 21c Museum & Hotel. Pizzeria Ruby for a hearty pizza.

Training Notes

Bentonville’s small urban footprint reaches out to running trails in all directions. Start by heading north along from Compton Gardens, taking the Slaughter Pen Trail before joining the North Bentonville Trail. Designed and built by Progressive Trail Design, the trail system offers over 15 miles of single-track trails ranging from easy to moderate along the wooded hillsides. The athletics track at Bentonville High School is 1.5 miles due south of 21c Museum & Hotel (Google Maps).

Cyclists should check into the Rapha Clubhouse, a relatively recent addition to their portfolio of cycle-friendly cafes and meeting points. Join RCC to access their fleet of Factor road and gravel bikes. Regional bike rental service Phat Tire Bike Shop has more burly models. Either join the RCC group rides, or head out of town the north – Big Sugar Classic Gravel route is worth looking up (takes place mid-October). Alernatively, take the Razorback Regional Greenway to Fayetteville for an assured route, or the Coler Mountain Bike Preserve to the west of Bentonville is a destination for mountain bikers.

During the summer, swimmers can book lanes at outdoor Melvin Ford Aquatic Center (50m pool). Bentonville Community Center is the more dependable year-round facility, home to a 25-yard pool also in the north of town.

For more information, visit 21cmuseumhotels.com