By Bernard Burt
Sanus per aquam “health from water” may be the source of a Roman acronym for SPA.
Some experts believe the essential source of spa healing is mineral springs. According to internationally renowned physician, holistic health expert, and author Andrew Weil, MD, Hot springs are magical sources of good energy that soothe aches and pains, rejuvenate, and promote health. Weil says you can’t have a spa without healing water coming out of the earth. You can have health resorts, fitness centers, and any number of other variations on the theme, but if there’s no healing water coming out of the ground, you don’t have a spa. Period.
America’s historic spas developed around mineral springs. The Greenbrier in West Virginia, the Homestead in Virginia, and New York’s Saratoga Spa State Park continue water therapy traditions. There’s a national park devoted to hot springs in Arkansas; Parks Canada operates pools at Radium Hot Springs in Kootenay National Park as well as famed Banff, where I recently bathed on Sulphur Mountain and enjoyed the steam rising amid snow-covered pine trees.
George Washington discovered the mineral springs in what is now West Virginia’s Berkeley Springs State Park when he was sixteen. The park now offers both baths and massages for $40 during the week. Every year the town celebrates Washington’s birthday with spa specials, free tasting of waters from around the world at Coolfont Resort (February 25), and events at the 1815 Roman Bathhouse museum. But the most historic bathhouse in America is near the Homestead, a wooden dome designed by Thomas Jefferson: au naturel soaks cost $15, towel included. For more information on Berkeley Springs State Park call (800) 225-5982; Coolfont Resort, (800) 888-8768; the Homestead, (800) 838-1766, West Virginia Division of Tourism, (800) callwva, www.callwva.com.
Canadian hot spring traditions are alive in Alberta. The Cave & Basin National Historical Site reflects spa origins at Banff National Park where bathing at the Upper Hot Springs is the real thing. For a more luxurious experience, visit the newly expanded Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Banff Springs resort, which features Kerstin Florian facials and soaking pools enhanced by Florian’s Hungarian mineral spring kur salts. For more information on Canadian Rockies Hot Springs, visit www.hotsprings.ca; Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Banff Springs, www.fairmont.com
Lately natural mineral springs resorts have experienced something of a renaissance. In California, King Ventures, owners of Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort and Avila Hot Springs, acquired Two Bunch Palms, a desert hideaway near Palm Springs, and there are plans for expansion. Also undergoing a major makeover is French Lick Springs Resort, a Victorian dandy in Indiana. Taking the waters at Saratoga, New York, set the standard for stylish health seekers in the 19th century; today the colonnaded porch of the Gideon Putnam Hotel is just steps away from the recently renovated Roosevelt Bath, offering $20 soaks in original tubs, day spa packages, and Jurlique facials. For more information on Two Bunch Palms call (800) 472-4334; French Lick Resort, (800) 457-4042; Gideon Putnam, (800) 732-1560; Roosevelt Bath & Spa, (518) 584-3000.
Affordable Desert Hot Springs
Beyond the glitzy hotels and casinos of Palm Springs, we discovered a town with forty hotels featuring mineral water spas at bargain prices. Laid-back Desert Hot Springs is filled with hidden treasures, like the Beat Hotel, which is filled with William S. Burroughs’s novels and memorabilia about the Beat Generation. The swimming pool, which features warm mineral water, pays homage to architect John Lautner, a disciple of Frank Lloyd Wright. Relive a colorful era for $150 per night, complete with continental breakfast. For more information call (760) 288-2280 or visit www.beathotel.com.
Bed & bending is the specialty at Swiss Health Resort on the edge of Desert Hot Springs, just off I-10. SWAMA (Swiss Water Massage) relieves rheumatoid and orthopedic pain. During a SWAMA treatment, Furrer stretches your limbs and applies trigger point pressure to your muscles as you float in warm mineral water at body temperature (98℉). Why does it work? Furrer says the silky mineral water takes pressure off your body, allowing the massage and heat to penetrate stress areas. An introductory, hour-long session of SWAMA costs $100. Ursula treats you to homemade muesli, rye bread, and eggs from her chickens for breakfast. For more information call (760) 329-6912 or visit www.deserthotsprings.com.
You can also discover more off-the-beaten-path hot springs online at www.soak.net, or www.hotspringsenthusiast.com
January/February 2006
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