Samanthemofthesun P.
Yelp
I want to start this off by saying the Belknap Hot Springs grounds is one of the most beautifully maintained and spectacular facilities I have ever been to. The grounds are vast and manicured JUST enough for comfort while giving a sense of the wild and extraordinary nature of the preserve. The Secret Garden, once found, is a feast for the senses. Everywhere I turned there was a picture to be taken, a scent to be inhaled, a texture to be touched!
Our check in was smooth and the front desk manager very nice and thorough! We stayed in the Lodge, but there are camping and RV hookup options available as well, which looked like a good alternative. The campsites were lovely, and the hookups were clean, all placed along or in proximity to the gorgeous McKenzie River.
Our room....well, we got the last room available when making the last minute reservation, so beggars can't be choosers... Lodge Room 2. It was quite clean! The bed needs replacing badly (very soft and wobbly on its frame) but the sheets were crisp and felt nice. The pillows were good. The bathroom had a spa tub, which was in need of replacing, (as well, it seemed unfinished in its installation) and was slippery upon entry and I did in fact slip and scuff my knee so be careful! But who needs that when there is a soaking pool outside? Would have been better served with a stand up shower and a higher nozzle. There is no cable and limited WiFi as stated on their website so no disappointment there (although we WERE able to connect to the WiFI in our room which is close to the lobby, so ended up streaming some Ted Lasso!)... There are TV's with a hookup to a DVD player and they offer MANY movies to rent for $2.00. Unfortunately for us, we did rent a movie, but the hookup wasn't working and it was after lobby hours so nothing to be done. They did reimburse that fee the next day. And finally, the only light sources were an overhead in the corner and two canned lights over the fireplace which were both on the same light switch and they put out about 1000 watts of light, so a bedside table with a lamp would have been nice (or maybe just 25 watt bulbs). But really, I didn't go for the room. Clean was enough.
So far as the spring and pool, I would have loved my own tub, but the pool was clean and warm and the water clearly from the spring just across the river (which is well marked DO NOT TOUCH as it is 180 degrees coming out of the ground!), and I had plenty of space to stretch out and float. I floated and played in the pool 3 times in my short stay and each time was wonderful. There were other people but they stayed to themselves and it was never overcrowded. I didn't go to the upper pool, which in hindsight I really wish I had, but I will go back someday to do that. It was lovely and felt more private.
I was happy enough with the food truck on premises. The operators were lovely, the food good. I wish there had been more food options available onsite, but we knew this would be the case so brought some snacks and foodstuffs. The fridge and microwave in the room were clean and very usable. The Lodge did serve a large and varied continental breakfast, which included many different types of bagels, muffins, yogurt, fruit, juices, and with some hot options (I had biscuit and gravy, but they offered egg and sausage burrito's). The coffee was good! But you only get an hour, so be sure to be up by 7:45 because it ends at 8:45. AND, the food available a few miles away was great, went to Obsidian at McKenzie Bridge the next day and it was a great experience.
So Overall, I say, Heck yes. Amazing place and loved the springs. Don't go for luxury, go for the environment.