Until this past July, Pagosa Springs was just a town I’d driven through on my way to other places, and I’m not the only one. Lots of people drive right through this tiny town without realizing the unique experiences they are passing up.
We were in town to attend the Pagosa Springs Renaissance & Pirate Festival, but to fill in the rest of the trip we soaked and soaked and soaked (and drank some good beer, but that’s fodder for a different post). We checked out all three of the town’s hot springs, and each has their own unique charm.
Healing Waters Resort & Spa
We stayed at the Healing Waters Resort & Spa, which includes motel style accommodations, cabins and even an RV Park. We had a spacious room with a huge deck on the front that was shared with the other guests.
Our room was a bit old fashion, but very clean and had a small refrigerator which is a nice amenity for a three-night stay. The Resort and Spa facilities include a huge hot spring-fed pool, and a large hot tub tucked in a quiet corner of the property and shaded by a large tree. There are also indoor hot baths, one for men and one for women, as well as spa rooms for massages.
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The best part of staying at Healing Waters Resort and Spa is that it is within walking distance of everything downtown Pagosa Springs has to offer, including dining, a little shopping and other hot springs pools.
Overlook Hot Springs
This place is probably the most unique hot springs environment I’ve ever visited. It’s where ancient Rome meets the Wild West, with its Victorian themed architecture, yet Roman Bath ambiance.
I was told by more than one local that Overlook is where Pagosa’s residents prefer to soak. Rates are inexpensive and they serve your drink right to your pool. That’s right, Overlook has a bar serving wine and beer at very reasonable prices.
We immediately went to the two small pools on the roof that literally overlook downtown Pagosa Springs and the San Juan River that cuts through town. The day we visited the springs on top were very hot and we didn’t last long. However, I did have some interesting conversations with several locals while I tried to muster the courage to stay in the steaming hot pools.
The twelve indoor pools were much more tolerable and despite a scattering of people soaking, it was very quiet and soothing. I sipped wine as I soaked; the only things missing were a servant with a fan and another one feeding me grapes.
The Springs Resort & Spa
The Springs Resort & Spa is like a luxurious all-inclusive resort in Mexico without all the tipping, but luxury doesn’t come cheap. If you are guest of the hotel, the use of all 23 mineral pools are included in your stay, so this may be the best option for some.
Ryan and I each had a Platinum Pass ($53/each) when we visited, which gave us unlimited soaking in 23 pools, including the adults-only relaxation pools, robes, towels, lockers and all-day admission with re-entry. The Platinum Pass and Gold Pass include re-entry and are an excellent choice because after a day of soaking, followed by a nice dinner out, you can come back for a night soak, which is an entirely different experience.
We spent an entire afternoon wandering from pool to pool on the large river-front property, stopping once to order a pina colada and wine from the snack bar. After dark we returned for a soak in the adult-only, VIP pools. I loved the waterfalls and fire pits in this area.
I was told that every writer who comes to Pagosa Springs raves about The Springs, but there’s good reason for this high praise. The Springs Resort & Spa provides an exceptional experience that you will not encounter anywhere else in Colorado, and it’s worth the splurge.
This is also true of Pagosa Springs in general. This town provides a remarkable experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else in Colorado, making it well-worth the drive.
This trip was sponsored in part by Visit Pagosa Springs.
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What a cool resort! Love to try it also, I like the room which has small refrigerator where we can store some drinks we bring.
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