This historic hotel has been a destination for relaxation and rejuvenation since the late 19th century, drawing visitors from around the world to soak in its renowned hot mineral springs.
In This Article
TL;DR
- Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge provides luxurious accommodations paired with natural hot spring pools for therapeutic soaking.
- In addition to mineral springs, the lodge offers spa services, wellness programs, outdoor adventures, family activities, and seasonal retreat packages.
- Sustainable tourism initiatives, scenic Rocky Mountain views, and accessibility by road, rail, and regional airports make the lodge appealing and convenient.
Destination Overview
Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, known for its natural hot springs and mountain scenery. The lodge’s appeal stems from its mineral springs, which have drawn visitors to soak in their therapeutic waters for over a century. Rich in minerals like sodium, calcium, magnesium, and lithium, these springs are believed to provide relaxation, pain relief, and other health benefits.
In addition to its springs, the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort offers luxurious rooms and lodge amenities. Guests can enjoy spa services, wellness programs, outdoor adventures, family activities, seasonal retreats, and proximity to regional attractions like ski resorts, national forests, and Rocky Mountain vistas, which are accessible right from the lodge grounds. This combination of amenities makes Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge an ideal wellness retreat and tourist destination.
Local Experiences and Culture
Beyond its on-site offerings, Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge provides opportunities to experience local arts, culture, cuisine, and community. The lodge organizes tours of downtown Glenwood Springs, a quaint mountain town with galleries, shops, restaurants, and community events. Popular events include farmer’s markets showcasing regional produce, art fairs with local craftspeople, and festivals celebrating traditions like rodeo competitions and folk music.
The lodge also arranges activities like foraging hikes with expert guides to collect wild mushrooms and herbs. Cooking classes feature farm-fresh ingredients and traditional mountain cuisine. These programs offer immersive ways for guests to engage with the local culture. By participating in these authentic experiences, visitors gain a deeper appreciation of the regional lifestyle.
Wellness and Spa Offerings
The centerpiece of wellness offerings is the lodge’s hot mineral springs. The on-site pools provide opportunities for therapeutic soaking to improve circulation, ease muscle pain, and promote relaxation. Lithium-rich waters are particularly renowned for their stress-relieving properties. In addition to the hot spring pools, the lodge has steam rooms, a full-service spa, and fitness classes like yoga and tai chi.
For those seeking more intensive wellness experiences, the lodge provides multi-day retreats focused on rest, recovery, and rejuvenation. These customized programs can include massage, acupuncture, nutritious meals, hiking excursions, meditation practices, and educational workshops on topics like mindfulness and nutrition. Guests emerge feeling restored in body, mind, and spirit.
Sustainable Tourism Practices
Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge pursues sustainable environmental policies and community partnerships. Eco-conscious practices include solar power, water conservation landscaping, and green waste reduction. The lodge sources food from regional farms and artisanal producers to support local economies. Job opportunities and hospitality training empower community members.
These initiatives benefit visitors and residents. Guests enjoy fresh, authentic experiences that preserve regional traditions and environments for the future. Residents gain economic opportunities, infrastructure improvements, and incentives to steward natural resources. By traveling sustainably, visitors contribute to the vitality of Glenwood Springs.
Seasonal Activities and Packages
The lodge provides an impressive range of seasonal activities tailored to spring, summer, fall, and winter. Lodge reservations should be scheduled in advance to take advantage of the best attraction to suit your preferences. Warmer months offer hiking, biking, horseback riding, rafting and kayaking on the Colorado River, and gondola rides up nearby mountains. The lodge also arranges sightseeing trips to destinations like the scenic Maroon Bells wilderness area with its shimmering mountain lakes.
For winter visitors, the lodge provides ski-in/ski-out access to Sunlight Mountain Resort, snowshoe and cross-country ski tours through the White River National Forest, and transportation to downhill skiing complexes at Aspen and Vail.
Seasonal wellness packages cater to summer and winter travelers. Summer packages emphasize outdoor adventure and relaxation, while winter packages focus on recovery after activity. The consistency of the mineral hot springs makes the lodge a year-round haven. Whether booking standard rooms or premium rooms, guests have access to the therapy pool, athletic club, meeting room, and other lodge amenities.
Romantic and Family-Friendly Options
In addition to wellness offerings, the lodge provides the perfect setting for romantic escapes and family vacations. Secluded cabins with private mineral spring tubs are ideal for couples, with cozy fireplaces and views of the mountains. The on-site dining room provides fine cuisine and wine for an intimate dinner.
The lodge also offers childcare, family activities like movie nights under the stars, and bonding opportunities like family yoga classes and art workshops. The concierge can also provide helpful information about local attractions like Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.
The lodge’s pool amenities, well-appointed public areas, and welcoming atmosphere enable meaningful experiences for couples and families. Visitors come away feeling connected, renewed, and inspired.
Adventure and Outdoor Exploration
The lodge provides many opportunities for the adventurous to challenge themselves in the outdoors. It offers dedicated adventure packages, including lodging and activities like whitewater rafting, zip lining over the Colorado River, horseback riding, rock climbing, mountain biking, and kayaking. Expert guides lead backcountry hiking, four-wheel driving, and wilderness survival skill camps.
The lodge itself serves as a perfect home base with sweeping views of the Roaring Fork Valley, Mt. Sopris, and the Elk Mountain Range. Guests can access miles of hiking trails directly from the lodge grounds and soak in the hot springs after an exhilarating day outdoors. Visitors get the best of both worlds by combining luxury accommodations with outdoor adventures.
Accessibility and Travel Connections
Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge enjoys convenient transportation links to facilitate travel. Located right off Interstate 70, the lodge is easily accessible by car. Shuttle services are available from nearby airports in Aspen and Eagle County, and Amtrak provides direct train service to Glenwood Springs Station.
Additionally, the scenic Rocky Mountaineer luxury train offers packages pairing travel along Colorado’s old mining routes with stays at the lodge. This unique option enables visitors to enjoy breathtaking vistas through floor-to-ceiling windows as the train winds through the Rocky Mountains before disembarking for relaxation.
With these varied transportation connections, Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge appeals to diverse travelers seeking both an adventurous journey and mountain tranquility.
FAQ
What is the history of Glenwood Hot Springs?
The hot springs were first discovered by Native Americans over 10,000 years ago. By the late 1800s, the town of Glenwood Springs developed around the springs as a wellness destination. Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge opened in 1893 and has welcomed guests ever since.
What amenities and services does the lodge provide?
Lodge amenities include mineral hot spring pools, a full-service spa and salon, an athletic club, an adventure center, a dining room, a lounge, and a seasonal outdoor pool and grill. The lodge also arranges childcare, connecting rooms, pet services, equipment rentals, and airport transportation.
Free cancellation is available with 48-hour notice, and the Buy Now Spring Package gives 20% off the best available rate for lodge reservations. Gift cards are also available for purchase. Check the website for the latest specials.
How do the mineral hot springs benefit health and wellness?
The springs contain over 20 minerals that provide therapeutic benefits by stimulating circulation, delivering nutrients, promoting muscle relaxation, easing pain and inflammation, removing toxins, and stabilizing mood. Soaking also relieves stress.
Does the lodge accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, the on-site restaurant and in-room dining can accommodate a wide range of diets, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and food allergies. Nutritionists help customize wellness packages.
What is the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool’s SwimWell Program?
SwimWell private classes and SwimWell group lessons are available with certified instructors in the low-chlorine geothermal pools.
What is there to do in Glenwood Springs in the winter?
Winter activities include downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice skating, sleigh rides, winter hiking on snowshoes, and soaking in the steamy mineral pools surrounded by the snowy landscape.
How does the Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge contribute to the community?
In addition to providing swimming lessons and creating jobs to boost the local economy, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort makes charitable community contributions to a wide variety of local charities and organizations.
What resources are available on the Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge website?
The official website allows visitors to make lodge reservations, view a video library offering a close-up look at the resort, find the latest specials, such as the Buy Now Spring Package, learn about pool amenities, and more.