By Bernard Burt

Historic hotels are adapting to today’s lifestyles. From taking the waters to fitness training, resorts across America mix past and present.

Midwestern Marvel

The rich and famous flocked to French Lick Springs‚  in French Lick, Indiana, at the turn of the 20th Century to seek cures for just about any ailment. Closed since 1932, The West Baden Springs Hotel reopened last May with its Sprudel Water baths intact, a new indoor swimming pool, fine dining, and 246 refurbished rooms rising six floors around the grand rotunda. An architectural exercise in excess, the domed hotel has a two-level spa and a fitness center in the former natatorium. Less than a mile up the road, the original French Lick Springs Resort sports a new casino and full-service spa. For more information call (888) 694-4432 or visit www.frenchlick.com

California Club Mud

Emerging from a four-year facelift with its signature mineral baths and mud experience still intact, Glen Ivy (a.k.a. Club Mud) has gone glam. The massage and dining facilities include an underground cavern where guests steam in a mix of aloe vera and sea kelp. Sourced onsite, red clay mud soothes sore muscles and relieves arthritis. Guests may still enjoy the ritual dating back nearly 150 years (when Glen Ivy opened) of applying mud to their body, baking in the sun or sauna, and rinsing off in the all-natural mineral water pools. During the drying process, the mud absorbs impurities and detoxifies the body. Coming soon: glass-enclosed pools for a tropical respite regardless of weather. Operated as a day spa, Glen Ivy has packages with nearby inns, and is a short drive from Anaheim’s Disneyland. Tip: Wear an old bathing suit; the mud can be very messy. For more information call (951) 277-3529 or visit www.glenivy.com

Canadian Rocky Mountain High

Set in the midst of Alberta’s vast national parks and hot springs, Fairmont’s Banff Springs Hotel has a secret within its castle-like spa: the original sulfurous mineral water was replaced by mountain spring water and mixed with salts from the famous Sarvar springs in Hungary. The hotel’s posh pools feature kurs by Kerstin Florian, salon facials, and body treatments. But a short hike up the mountainside, Parks Canada maintains open-air natural pools where you can soak and meditate in silica-rich water as steam rises amongst the pines. Open to the public and inexpensive, the no-frills Upper Hot Springs bathhouse also features the Pleiades day spa and cafƒ©. For more information on the Fairmont, call (403) 762-1515 or visit www.fairmont.com; Pleiades, (403) 762-2211 or visit www.pleiadesmassage.com

Pennsylvania Springs Eternal

For hundreds of years, health seekers traveled to Bedford Springs in western Pennsylvania. Indians considered it a healing place where the Great Spirit lived. Seven springs rich in sulfur, iron, and magnesia run through this romantic mountain retreat. Now recent renovations have brought mineral water into the stunning men’s and women’s bathhouses, and the heated indoor pool. Treatments at the new Springs Eternal Spa feature indigenous plants and herbal hydrotherapy. For more information call (866) 623-8168 or visit www.bedfordspringsresort.com

Vermont Green Mountain Adventure

Steeped in Americana, The Equinox Resort has evolved from tavern to luxury inn and spa. Notable guests include Mary Todd Lincoln and presidents U. S. Grant and Theodore Roosevelt. Steps from the heart of Manchester Village, the resort offers outdoor adventure, sports, and spa programs. Views of the Green Mountains showcase the golf course and indoor swimming pool. The new owners plan to expand the spa as well as the facilities for sports therapy and training, and to update guest rooms. While onsite enjoy fly-fishing and shooting schools, archery, tennis (indoor and outdoor), and falconry, or take a spin at the country’s first dedicated off-road driving school. For more information call (902) 362-4700 or visit www.equinoxresort.com

P.S.: Locate dozens of historic hotels and spas online at www.historichotels.org. Historic Hotels of America spa-worthy members range from Mohonk Mountain House and Saratoga Springs’ Gideon Putnam Hotel in New York to Florida’s Don CeSar Beach Resort and Biltmore Hotel.September/October 2007
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