Juldie

I hope you can help. My husband and I would have just spent a week in the San Diego area and want to spend 2 nights, January 1 & 2 in the desert before flying out of LAX. The healing waters and pools that seem to be prevalent in Desert Hot Springs look very attractive. Is there any place off the beaten path that is under $175? Some look incredible, but definitely above our budget. I don't need elaborate spa services, just wonderful hot pools.

Is there any area, if we were to consider somewhere else than Palm Springs/Desert Hot Springs that is unique, quaint, memorable to spend a couple of nights, within 2 hrs. or so from LAX? Thank you very much.

FrankS

a nice out of the way spa we like is http://www.glenivy.com/

Juldie

FrankS: I looked at Glen Ivy but from what I can tell they do not have lodging. It looks like it is a just day spa. Do you have a suggestion of where to stay? Have you heard of Bella Monte Hot Springs Resort?

FrankS

Juldie,
Desert Hot Springs is not in the Palm Springs area wind shadow, its much nicer in the Palm Springs, La quinta, Palm Desert and Cath City area. (IMO- avoid Desert Hot Springs)I dont know of a nice place that would have low rates on those premium dates.

Glen Ivey is really nice, out of the way and you can do room and spa for what you want to spend albeit you would be staying at a 3 starish hotel nearby

Juldie

FrankS,

i have seen reference made on a few Fodors posts about the wind north of Palm Springs. I am from Boston and know nothing about the area. What attracts me are the mineral pools and being in the desert.

Can you tell me a little more about the winds; are they constant, seasonal, certain times of day?

Otis_B_Driftwood

Besides Club Mud, there's Warner Springs Resort. It's near San Diego but only about 2.5 hrs from LAX. It's in a beautiful valley and close to Anza-Borrego.

http://www.warnersprings.com/hot-springs.cfm

In Desert Hot Springs are:

http://www.dhsspa.com/

http://www.miraclesprings.com/

Both of these should be in your price range. I've stayed at dhsspa and think it's showing its age but the pools are wonderful.

If you can splurge: http://www.twobunchpalms.com/ but you might have a problem with those dates.

lvk

The actual city of Desert Hot Springs is a very run down, depressing area. Nothing "quaint" about it -- high crime and known as a "meth" hotspot. There is a reason that the lodging there is cheaper. Just know that going in. You would have to drive to Palm Springs to find decent dining options. I've stayed at Two Bunch Palms, and it is definitely not worth the splurge, IMHO.

I have also stayed at, and enjoyed, Warner Springs, and I think it would be a great option for you coming up from San Diego. It may be tough getting reservations for your dates, but it is worth a shot. However, please note that traffic on the 91 freeway is terrible at all times of day, and you should give yourself 3.5 hours to get to LAX.

basingstoke2

We stayed at the Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs and were very pleased. The price is within your range and the Native American run hotel was lovely. We had a large, attractively decorated and clean room with a view of the mountains. Athough we did not use the spa facilities, we saw them and I know they have a hot mineral spring pool. The work out facility was top notch. The location is in downtown Palm Springs and thus convenient to all of the city's restaurants and shops. The casino is a block away, so there is no bother with noise. If in Palm Springs, the Casino is a great place for a well priced buffet breakfast. Click on my name if you care to read my Palm Springs trip report.

SOCALOC

We have spent many of getaways at a friend's ranch house in Warner Spring's and have stayed at Warner's Springs Resort during a wedding. It is a very lovely area for a peaceful retreat. Do KNOW there is basically absolutely nothing in the immediate area such as shops, restaurants etc. You can take a short drive to the quaint town of Julian; it's not my style, but many enjoy it. If you are seeking down time- you'll definitely find it in Warner Springs.

Juldie

Wow, ivk, a "meth" hotspot, run down and depressing? Yikes. I guess that is why they talk about security on the websites for these resorts.

I have looked at the site for Warner Springs and read reviews and it just doesn't seem to be what I am looking for. I also do not want to stay anywhere with a casino. Thank you for the suggestions though.

I had in my mind a beautiful setting with clean natural pools in the desert with beautiful mountain scenery around. I don't care about spa services, just healing waters and a sauna would be wonderful. I think I cannot get out of my memory my trip to Costa Rica where I rode a horse down into a volcanic mountain. There was a natural sauna from the volcanic steam, mud to rub on, and 6 or so completely natural pools, all surrounded by the wilderness. Ok, I will wake up, California is not Costa Rica.

This resort is looking good to me, except for the winds and the area being so run down. http://www.bellamonteresort.com/ I would still appreciate other ideas. Thank you so much.

lvk

You are smart to get that image of lush rainforests with secluded pools in natural wilderness out of your mind. Replace it with dusty, windswept terrain, boarded-up storefronts, chain link fences and pit bulls and you will be mentally prepared for your approach to any Desert Hot Springs resort.

The Bella Monte seems to get good reviews on Tripadvisor. Just do a Google street view of the area, so you know what to expect.

basingstoke2

Juldie, perhaps I did not explain Spa Resort Casino correctly. The casino part is owned by the tribe that runs the resort part but they are not in the same location. The casino is at least a block away and if you did not specifically go to the casino, you would not know it is there. It is a seperate operation - the name of the place is misleading.

Otis_B_Driftwood

"Ok, I will wake up, California is not Costa Rica."

Are you talking about Tabacon? There's nothing like that in the US much less California if you want a tropical experience.

However, there are many excellent natural hot springs in California. They just are not within an hour and a half of LAX.

Juldie

Otis, Yes I have been to Tabacon which was very nice but still commercial. The most amazing experience was the trip in Rincon de la vieja riding a horse down to the pools as i described above. You can cheek out this link to read about it. Don't miss it if you return to this region of Costa Rica. I have also been to some fabulous ones in British Columbia.

http://www.buenavistalodgecr.com/ingles/wellness.html

How far from San Diego or LAX does one need to travel to find natural hot springs? I did some research but without a suggestion, I am concerned about long drives and hikes to find pools either shut down or filled with lost of people partying.

lvk

Did you look into the places listed here?:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ngs-links-.cfm

Otis_B_Driftwood

Juldie, we visited Rincon de la Vieja about six years ago. We stayed at the Lodge (there was only one then, I believe) and hiked to the hot springs. At that time, they were totally undeveloped. It looks like that has changed and it seems there's a lot more to do there now. It might be time for a return visit. Thanks for sharing this information. I tried to find my trip report from back then but was only able to find our Montezuma thread.

The best hot springs in Southern California are in Deep Creek in the San Bernardino Mountains. These springs are totally natural in a wilderness setting. There are various ways to hike in - none of them easy and it can get crowded on weekends and major holidays. January though is not the best time to visit them.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/deep-creek-h...s-apple-valley