photo: WildCrafted Photography

Hot springs have been central to healing around the world for thousands of years. As Americans, we’ve witnessed how our overstimulated, overprocessed and short-cuts-to-health culture has affected our lives. The simple and direct impact that soaking your body in natural thermal mineral water has on relaxation, health and sleep is undeniable.

We recognise that hot springs destinations in the US are barely scratching the surface of how they can aid the health and wellbeing of our communities. They give everyone an opportunity to care for themselves in an easy and approachable way. At the same time, we get to connect with others and escape our hectic lives. It’s a healthy dose of nature that we all need.

Our customers are diverse, but we’ve seen the greatest growth among guests who are looking to unplug from their busy lives and who prioritise health and wellbeing. These customers range in age from 25 to over 65, and we’ve seen growth in all age segments, including families with young children. More than 80 per cent of our visitors travel from over 200 miles away.

At both properties, we’ve created well-rounded offerings that complement our thermal waters in four key areas: physical and mental revitalisation, nutrition, sleep and physical activity. Our environments allow people to rest, recover and leave feeling recharged. To accomplish this, we built F&B offerings in Pagosa and added wellness professionals who could create exceptional programming such as guided cold-plunging, mud bathing, guided hikes and dozens of wellbeing classes.

The team that’s driving these resorts. From the beginning, we’ve focused on our employee wellbeing. It’s only by putting our team first that we’ve seen remarkable growth in guest satisfaction and are considered a top hot springs destination.

It’s very important to us that we create real, science-backed services and avoid the well-washing that we see all too often. So it was paramount that our team consisted of passionate and experienced professionals in the fields of nutrition, exercise physiology and massage therapy, as well as a medical doctor who could oversee our programming to ensure it was efficacious and comprehensive.

We’re currently focused on creating excellent experiences at our two resorts, but given the strength of our team, if the right opportunity presents itself, we will not hesitate to pursue new opportunities.

photo: Ivester Creative

My training in medicine includes a specialisation in integrative therapies. A major aspect of this is using hydrotherapy and physiotherapy to treat a variety of conditions beyond aches and pains.

In 2012, I undertook a research sabbatical through Europe that led to intensive training at several geothermal resorts and rehabilitation clinics. My understanding of what was possible through thermal mineral bathing as part of a larger care plan was forever changed. When I returned home, I joined the Balneology Association of North America as a founding board member. We aim to spread information about the therapeutic use of geothermal mineral waters.

Originally, my role was to ensure its programmes had a firm and rational grounding in the science and practice of balneology. Now, I also work across the resort to ensure everyone has an understanding of what it is we do and what the water is capable of providing our guests.

Our goal has always been to provide a self-guided health and wellbeing experience for guests. We’ve largely done this through educational prompts about why hot springs are good for them and how they can maximise the benefits. We’re now going to go deeper by providing two to three-day stays focused on themes such as sleep, burnout and detoxing.

The best thing about my job is that I only have to help people get in the water and let the experience speak for itself. When people feel what regaining their health is like, providing them with a scientific foundation for why it’s occurring firmly plants the concept in their reality – and they come back again and again.

photo: Ivester Creative

I oversee the creation and execution of wellness aspects of programming, community events, F&B, spa, guestroom enhancements and the overall expansion at both the Olympus resorts.

It’s about weaving wellness into all guest touch points and finding ways to improve the quality of our guests’ lives while they’re with us and when they return home. It’s about encouraging our guests to explore new things, connecting with nature and those around them and experiencing aspects of wellness that are approachable and tangible. Often, guests improve their wellbeing without even realising it, simply by engaging in the activities we offer. The most important thing is for them to feel the difference when they leave.

Being able to work with geothermal mineral water was very alluring. It’s so powerful and has such a profound impact on people’s wellbeing. Hot springs are more accessible to a wider demographic than luxury spas – one of my favourite things is seeing multi-generational groups or families taking to the waters together.

Soaking in hot springs is a way for people to improve their sense of wellbeing in a relaxing environment that creates a sense of connection with nature and those around them. I enjoy meeting people in pools who seem like they’re old friends, only to find out they’ve just met. That is the power of the water and what people are being drawn to.

There’s so much to be excited about. Bringing Tibetan singing bowls into the geothermal water was profound. We tried it out of curiosity and were surprised at how powerful the experience was compared to in a studio or outside. The synergy of the bowls and the water gives an amplified effect.

At Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, we have a traditional Kneipp walk modelled after the original therapy prescribed in the Bavarian rivers over 150 years ago and it’s extraordinarily therapeutic. The opening weekend saw queues of people excited to feel its benefits.

The historic springs at Murrieta as a whole have been wonderful to programme. Collaborating with Dr Coplin, our medical director, has been such a gift. His passion for using water for improved health is inspiring.

There are currently more than 50 hot springs in development in the US. Visit www.spabusiness.com/thermalusa to find out more