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Oregon Hot Springs Resort offers $20 day passes for soaking
Driving up to The Lodge at Hot Lake Springs in La Grande, Oregon, you might be amazed at the grandeur of the building. Perched at the base of Craig Mountain and overlooking a stretch of the Grande Ronde Valley, the sprawling property with its neon sign “Hot Lake Springs” is a mixture of stark seclusion and historical intrigue. Travelers come for the hot springs but stay for the area’s beauty—and you don’t have to be a hotel guest to experience it.
Fifteen rooms have been recently renovated and furnished with mid-century modern touches. Rooms and suites range from comfortable to spacious, featuring original brick accents while offering modern amenities such as air conditioning and updated bathrooms – some with bathtubs. A reconfigured 60-seat movie theater entertains guests during their visit. The lively Thermal Pub & Eatery is open from 2-9:30 p.m. (with brunch added by summer, says owner Michael Resavy) and offers light meals and an extensive beer list.
The Lodge at Hot Lake Springs
Purcell credit billThe main attractions are the five pools located along the lake, where guests can soak in the hot water and relax. Steam rises from the ponds, which are fed daily by nearly two million gallons of water that comes from the mineral-rich hot springs. The resort’s rural location adds to its charm.
The inn has a rich history dating back to the 1800s as a stopover along the Oregon Trail for travelers heading to California for the Gold Rush, according to its website. The original building, built in 1864, was occupied by a blacksmith and several other businesses. In the early 1900s the property moved to a hotel with over 100 rooms; The website says it served as a “sanatorium” as well as guest accommodation. The big draw was the mineral water’s purported benefits; People from all over the country came to visit and experience the springs. A fire destroyed the hotel and destroyed almost the entire building except for a brick building that was a late annex, according to the site.
Sunset over Hot Lake Springs
Purcell credit billFrom the early 1940s to the 1970s the property operated as a nursing home and later as a nightclub. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the 1970s and abandoned from the late 1980s until 2003, according to Michael and his wife, Tamara. Previous owners Lee and David Manuel bought the property, renovated it and called it the Hot Lake Hotel, which they operate as a bed and breakfast, the Resavis family said via email.
The Rysavys found the hotel while traveling and visiting hot springs around the country; They’ve visited nearly 400 and even met in one, Michael shares. They first purchased the Grande Hot Springs RV Resort, located half a mile down the road from the lodge, in 2013. When the Manuels decided to sell the hotel years later, the couple seized the opportunity with a vision to restore it like a haven of rest and relaxation, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
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“We’re trying to create a structured experience,” Michael said via email. “There are no TVs in the rooms or anywhere on the property; 24-hour hot spring access for overnight guests. We want people to pray, relax, unplug and reconnect. The environment encourages spending time with people and engaging in conversation, being in the moment with your partner, and focusing on rest and relaxation. It really is a one-of-a-kind destination.”
Day tickets are available to non-guests for $20 with reservations. The hotel is not pet friendly and children under the age of 12 are not allowed.
