Buckstaff Bathhouse

Step back in time and treat yourself to the classic bathhouse experience. But, get there early! The deluxe experience was a great value and very popular. They only take walk-in guests and it can get very busy. I'd recommend a weekday visit if your schedule allows. If going on Saturday, get there early. The staff was great at all the stations and each part of the experience was a relaxing indulgence. Bathing suits are optional and I recommend not wearing one. You get a towel to cover yourself as you move about and it worked fine. Bring some cash for tips. They don't make a big deal about it, but tips are welcome and the experience was worth it.

We had an amazing experience at the Buckstaff Bathhouse this morning. The staff were very nice and professional, and they made our entire family feel comfortable and well cared for. It was truly a memorable experience. BTW its first come, first serve and they are not kidding when they say to get there early to get your ticket. We arrived at 7:30 and we were the 2nd group in line. By the time they opened at 8, the line was halfway down the front sidewalk to the street. So plan ahead.

Amazing experience. I went 2 days in a row. Well worth the money. LaToya was amazing! She made sure I was comfortable with everything (the temperature, keeping me wrapped, making sure I didn't fall).

We were there on Saturday, waiting in line outside from 1:00, and left the place at 6:00. It took all day, almost. If you are out of state, this is not worth the expense. They really need to take a reservation. The place is outdated and the men's bath is really dirty and has funky smells according to my fiance. The women's bath locker is crowded sitting on plastic chairs for 3-4hours. It was really warm in the waiting room. They have about 10 tubs on two sides and each person is around 1hrs 30 minutes. They have two bathroom personnel to manage your service. I feel they are overworked with many women at the same time between different stages of the spa.

I’ve been coming to hot springs for years but never did the bathhouses, what a freaking amazing experience. I soaked in the same tub as Al Capone and sat in the same steam box as President Eisenhower. Amazing piece of history, and my bath attendant was awesome. I will be back! Had the strangest massage of my life so maybe skip that, but awesome experience! Oh and the men and women are separated so couples may end up waiting on the other, I had to hang out for over an hour afterwards but I was relaxed!

Latoya was my attendant. She was very helpful in making me feel relaxed and didn’t rush me as it took me time getting up and down due to back pain. She made sure I had water to drink too. I wore a swimsuit and would recommend anyone who doesn’t want to be seen naked do the same. The bed sheet you wear from one part to another will not keep your attendant from seeing you in the tub. Overall, it was a pleasant and relaxing experience. Good for aching joints.

Buckstaff Bathhouse, the oldest still functioning bathhouse (only 2 still operation) in Hot Springs, Arkansas, is a relaxing time. The men are on the first floor and women on the second. You put your stuff in a locker and then wrap yourself in a sheet to get into the private hot tub. From the hot tub you sit in a small porcelain seat with water flowing on your lower back. Then into the steam closet, then they wrap you up like a mummy for a little rest. Then massage if you selected that option. You are naked through the whole thing but they give you a towel to cover yourself. There is a guy who guides you on to each stage. Mason is the guy to do it. He didn’t make it uncomfortable at all. Very relaxing time there; it felt more authentic than the other which was more of a spa type feel.

Nice place to experience a traditional bath. You would expect a tub, a sit-in stream, a head-out "sauna", and a cooling bed. However your experience would vary a lot depending on the staff. I went to men's and was served by Eric. I feel very hurried from one to another. It was said the tub would last for 15 mins but it is probably only half time. I finished all the experiences in 30 mins. My wife, on contrast, had a very good time for >60 mins by Asia. She told me that she was patiently treated and checked time to time for water supply. Her towel during cooling bed was changed once as well. If I had a chance to go here one more time, I would request the staff to give me more time to enjoy if it is not too busy.

Both husband and wife's experiences included! My husband and I came to the Buckstaff on a Wednesday morning at 9am and were immediately taken back to our respective areas for our deluxe package experience. On the women side, my experience was amazing. Everyone was so kind and professional, explaining everything to me every step of the way. Latoya was my bath assistant and Robin was my masseuse. They were both absolutely incredible!!! They treated me like a queen!!! I felt very comfortable and relaxed the whole time. On the men side, here is my husband's review. "A fun experience for novelty of it. Relaxing but not luxurious. This is more for the antiquity than for the service and luxury. Don't expect to be with your spouse during the stay. She will be treated very well, especially in comparison to you (as she should). The gentlemen there were very professional but were gentlemen.... So expect the massage to be mediocre at best. Definitely worth the time spent as a one time thing. "

No information about the process (and times at each station). The whirlpool bath is terrible, one hard spray from the feet, barely reaches your stomach . attendant OK. Everything seemed worn and lots of rust and missing tiles on the floor. my side of the spa the restroom was closed due to stooped sinks. Would not recommend

Wanting to take a step back in time and experience Hot Springs like it used to be, we decided on our day trip to come to Buckstaff Bathhouse. We came during their afternoon opening and after a bit of a wait in line - come early if you can - we were able to purchase our respective packages. I opted for the deluxe package which included the traditional bathhouse 40 minute soak as well as the traditional wrap, sitz tub, steam box, a massage and paraffin wax hand treatment. After placing my personal items in a locker with key, I was elegantly wrapped in my white sheet and awaited my turn. My bath attendant was Sara, a kind and warm older woman. She completely put me at ease and made me comfortable throughout the entire process. My masseuse, Cooper, was extremely kind and engaging, providing relief to all of my tight and sore muscles. Although a bit of a splurge, I do not regret taking the time or the money to experience what the traditional bathhouse used to be like. I was so relaxed leaving there and slept amazing that evening.

Listen: This is not what you would call a "luxury" spa. This is an old-fashioned, straightforward -- almost medicinal -- bathhouse. Historically, this bathhouse is a place where people would visit to "take the cure" and recover from what ails them. Buckstaff retains much of that no-nonsense vibe today. They still use many of the original bathtubs and equipment from when the bathhouse opened in 1912, which is neat to ponder as you're soaking in your private mineral bath. Imagine how many butts soaked in the same tub as you did. Men and woman have separate wings in the bathhouse. I don't know what happened on the male side because I only visited with women. But as for the women's side, this is what happened. You're taken to a dressing room and an attendant turns her back while you strip down to your comfort level. You can wear a swim suit, if you want. I chose to go buck naked at Buckstaff, after I learned that you move through the spa stations by yourself, and the only person who sees you naked is an attendant. I was comfortable with that. You're led out of the dressing room and taken to your own bath filled with clean, hot mineral water. The jets are put on and you soak for about 15 minutes. It gets very hot! I was sweating. Then I was taken to a sitz bath, where you literally sit in a warm pool of water and drink some ice water and chill. This was about 5 to 7 minutes. Next is the steam closet, where you're sitting in box with your head sticking out, while your body is steamed and you sweat it out. This was only about five minutes, which was more than enough. It gets very hot in the box. Finally, you're taken to a row of tables, and you lie down and you're wrapped with hot towels. A cold towel is placed over your eyes. You lie there for a while. I could have fallen asleep. You have the option of adding on a massage, which I did. If you don't get a massage, then your bathhouse experience ends after the hot towel wraps. My massage was just OK -- she didn't go hard enough, and it kind of felt like she was gently rubbing lotion on my body. But a massage is a massage, and after all of my treatments, I left feeling blissful and relaxed. They talk a big game here in Hot Springs about the mineral water and its health benefits. I was a little skeptical about it all, but let me tell you something that might be somewhat TMI. I was feeling a little ... backed up, you might say ... before visiting the bathhouse. The morning after my bathhouse treatment, it was a miracle: My problem was not a problem anymore, at all. Could it have been the magical elixir of Hot Springs mineral water? Who knows, but I would 100% visit again, whether to relax or get things going. Baths are available on a walk-in basis only. They do not take reservations. There are usually lines out the door, so you will want to make sure you are lined up before they open if you want the best shot at getting in.

The first time I went to Buckstaff Bathhouse was 20+ years ago. I went back on 2/15 and the treatments did not disappoint. I knew it would be busy on Saturday, the day after Valentines. I got there around 7:30 am and the lobby was already full with people. Once they officially opened at 8 am it didn't take long to pay, get taken up to the dressing room, and start my services. I payed for the Deluxe package. Shadow took care of me and took me to all of the various services. She was so nice and she left me in a few places longer than stated and I absolutely appreciated that. Cooper did my massage. OMG it felt so good I didn't want to leave. It was definitely worth the $100 price. I left there feeling so good and relaxed. Anytime I go back to Hot Springs I will definitely be visiting the Buckstaff Bathhouse.

This was my first time to visit the Buckstaff Bathhouse. I did the Deluxe Package and it did not disappoint. The service was outstanding everyone made you feel so welcomed. Very relaxing and peaceful. I want to give a shout out to Thresea, Maddie, and Copper for making my day.

I had such a great time today at the Buckstaff Bath House. I've been to Korean spas, Japanese onsen, Icelandic hot springs- this one fits right in. If you've never been to a bath house before, be prepared for a little bit of nudity and some physical contact! If you're okay with that, you'll have a great time. You can select from three packages- whirlpool, traditional, or deluxe. They all start with the whirlpool package, and then the traditional adds a massage and the deluxe adds a massage and a paraffin wax treatment. You could pick any and be happy- I think it's great rates. All packages start with the whirlpool. That includes four things- a soak in a tub, sitting in a sitz bath, hanging out in a steam booth, and a towel wrap. These are the same treatments that happened in the late 1800s. You can see them all in the Fordyce Visitor Center if you want a preview! When you get there, an attendant will help you store your things and wrap you in a big sheet. You can wear a bathing suit or nothing at all. Honestly, if you're okay with it I think wearing a bathing suit is probably the more cumbersome choice, but it's up to you. The attendants take all steps to avoid looking at you, but for some parts it's inevitable that they will see everything. After you're wrapped up, a bath attendant will get you and set you up in a tub to soak. After the soak, you'll move through the three stations, ending with the towel wrap. They give you water throughout and are very caring to make sure you're comfortable. Nothing about the treatments is uncomfortable except the water can be very hot. If you just got the whirlpool package, that's the end of your stay. If you got either of the other packages, you'll get the massage and then change and get the paraffin treatment. Then you take the historic elevator down and head out. The entire experience is very relaxing, and I took some time to sit in the chairs outside afterwards and re-enter the real world. They do ask for tips along the way, but you can tip at the end with an app or with cash. I didn't think these requests were overbearing. If you have an interest in the history of Hot Springs, love a bath experience, or just want to try something new, I highly recommend it. Come with an open mind and be ready to leave as a new person!

My daughter and I got to the bathhouse mid morning on a Friday on there was no wait. We choose the Deluxe Bath package that included a 20 minute whirlpool mineral bath soak with loofah scrub, 10 minute sitz bath, 4 minute vapor cabinet, 4 hot packs, 20 minute massage and hand paraffin treatment. Kathy was our initial greeter and later helped with the paraffin treatment; she was awesome! My attendant Shadow, was friendly and made me very comfortable. She described each treatment throughly. She admitted she was not as fast as some of the other attendants but I enjoyed the extra time in the tub and on the hot towels. Cooper's massage was excellent; it was so relaxing. Could be the best $100 I've ever spent on myself!!

amazing, authentic bathhouse experience!!! it was a bit busy when i went by myself in the afternoon around 1:45pm and the bath attendant seemed a bit overworked. i did the $89 traditional bath experience and it lasted about 3.5 hours or so. i didn't have anywhere else to be, so i wasn't bothered by the time. overall, it was a great experience and i am very pleased! i hope to be back sometime. if you've been to the fordyce bathhouse museum/ visitor center nearby, the buckstaff bathhouse has a somewhat similar overall bathhouse layout. your bath experience is private. there are curtains for privacy. for the pack room, there are others (of the same gender) on beds adjacent to yours. you'll be given some thermal spring water to drink during your experience (hot/ warm or iced. i would recommend iced because the 80-90° temp and 80% humidity can cause you to feel a bit hot and mildly dehydrated after a bit). a locker is provided to put your belongings for safekeeping. i did not wear shoes during my experience. you may choose to wear a bathing suit during your experience or go fully nude. i opted to not wear anything. the attendants are the only ones who would see you nude at any point, so no need to worry about other guests/ customers! there are no phones or camera devices allowed in the bath area. it's helpful to visit the bathhouse's website beforehand for a complete list of services, pricing, hours, and FAQ answers. bathing is walk in only, other services like facials, manicures, and pedicures are by appointment. Shadow the bath attendant was great! Robin the massage therapist did great for my massage! Brenda the dressing room attendant was very kind.

What an amazing place dating back to 1912 to visit and take advantage of all its amenities that are still in use. The lovely lady there that took care of my baths, LaToya, was simply AMAZING and so very nice! And let's not forget about the natural hot springs - oh yes!! I think this is the cleanest I've ever been... Thank for a great experience and I would (1) definitely be back and (2) highly recommend. Cheers!

Visiting Hot Springs during the quadruple threat of a weekend, spring break, a music festival, and the path of totality may not have been a good idea. My girl and I had VERY different experiences at our first visit to the bathhouse. She was pampered and treated like a queen, while I was pushed through like a widget on an assembly line. Not all of the services were available, the wait was atrocious, and I was made to feel like someone taking up their valuable time as I spent my good money to be there. That being said, it was still an adventure, traveling back in time to experience this spa treatment from "back in the day"...

What an experience! If you've never had an old-school spa moment before and are hesitant, this is your sign to go. A hot bath, a scrub, fully body steam (in an old school machine), massage, and parrafin hand treatment. They move you though the process and educate you the entire way. It's really neat to see it in all its glory, the exact same way it was when it was built, which is gorgeous and unmatched today anywhere else. The staff are friendly and helpful, and have long-tenure here and they treat everyone well with raises, benefits, and 401k. Don't be nervous about being naked but also bring a suit if you are nervous, they don't care either way.

I've been to Hot Springs a few times and haven't been to an actual bath house other than having a bath at the Arlington. All I can say is WOW! DO IT! I had Hillary as my attendant and she tended to me exceptionally well. I knew touring the other bathhouses that I wanted that same experience that was commonly known in the older days. I received it here and want to come back the next day! It was such an amazing experience and I feel so relaxed. Would absolutely do it again! Also- if you made it this far, come early. There may be a wait/line.

On 12/26/24 I decided to try my first hot spring bath. After all, I was on vacation I should give it a try..It was first come first serve so I got there early and waited about 45 minutes. This is OK. I expected this. The gentleman and the lady at the reception desk were awesome. My problem consisted with the woman who is supposed to take care of me. Her name was Latoya . She informed me after I got into the tub. She would be back in 15 minutes. If I wanted my back loofah. I felt a little uncomfortable, dropping the bath sheet in front of a stranger, but we are all women so. And I was looking forward to having my back loofah told her thank you. A few minutes later, she came back in giving me a small amount of mineral water. I thought it was gonna be loofah time. Not. Well 15 minutes came and went. In the meantime, my bathwater started to go down the drain. By accident I guess I kicked the drain stop. (I was not warned to be careful of the drain stop ). I called out for her to come and help. She informed me she'd be with me in a minute. several minutes had gone by. I called out for her again. Same response "I'll be with you in a minute". Well, it's now over 10 minutes . I have manage to stop the water from draining out , but there's only about an inch of water left. And I'm cold. So now I yelled out for her again and at the same time I banging on the side of the tub. "I don't think she appreciated that".Thank God, I was not drowning. Or having a medical emergency. When she did return She inform me my time was up. Did I still want my back loofah. Are you kidding me? I'm sitting there in an inch of water freezing. I declined. I said I just want to be done. Well, that's not the process to these bath houses. She wrapped me up in the bath sheet brings me to a room with a tables and tells me to sit . Latoya, then gets wet, hot, terry cloth towels, which she lays onto the table under my legs, and one for under my back tells me to lie down as she puts more hot towels on me and a cold towel on my face. Which I enjoyed getting warmed up. After several minutes, she comes back and she asked me if I would like to go into the sauna or sit in the sit cyst bath. I thought the cyst bath would be good for my lower back pain. I did witness Latoya take a bucket of water for the other lady pouring it in the bath. She did not do that for mine. I wondered why. So When I got over to the area you could see steam coming off the water so I touched it . it was boiling hot. There was no way I could sit there without getting hurt. She then turned on the cold water and said give it a few minutes.. I sat there and kept feeling the water to see if it was cool enough This whole time you're sitting in a wet bedsheet. This is when Frustration overwhelmed me. I was done. I just wanted to go and get dressed . I asked her can I please have a towel . Then she hands me a very small terry cloth towel. They have two large holes in it and was stained. Oh my goodness this is what I spent good money on. I then returned to the dressing area only to find my chair is now gone. I managed to get dressed, except for socks and Upon leaving my dressing room I showed everybody the lovely towel that they provided me with. Hoping they do not get Latoya. When I returned downstairs, I was going to say something to the people at the front desk, but there was a huge line. I just needed to get out of there. Good luck I'm sorry. I hope others have better luck.

Buckstaff Bathhouse has been in continuous operation since 1912 and is the only bathhouse that offers a full, traditional bathing experience. Translation: Visitors step back in time to indulge in an early 1900s bathing experience using the appliances during that time period. A traditional bathing experience ($40 as of 7/23) includes: - 15-20 min tub bath with whirlpool at a max temp of 102 F - Vapor/steam cabinet (research photos, this is not for the claustrophobic) - Hot packs (hot towels draped on your body and a cold towel on your forehead and ears) - Sitz bath (park your butt in warm water for approx 10 min) - Needle shower Correction, it includes everything BUT the needle shower. This was not mentioned by the staff. However, according to signs posted in the lobby, the needle showers are suspended per the National Park Service. A traditional bathing experience AND a taste of history?! Sign me up! Buckstaff Bathhouse has separate floors for men and women. Men are on the 1st floor and women are escorted to the 2nd floor via an old school elevator operated by a female elevator attendant. Heads up, the traditional bathing experience is not for the modest! Female visitors must be willing to display all their goods in full glory to the bath attendant, because trust me, she will end up seeing everything. I'm not sure how it is for the men. Also, during certain parts of the traditional bathing experience, you're wrapped in a bed sheet in a makeshift toga (but naked underneath) in front of other women. Service was just ok. The staff wasn't rude but they didn't seem particularly friendly either. I'd visit again as this is a bucket list type of experience. Sadly, this establishment does not accept reservations and is first come, first served. Get there early! From what I understand, Buckstaff is the best preserved bathhouse out of the 8 original bathhouses and is currently under construction at this time. P.S. Photos are not allowed in the bathing area.

We came on Black Friday morning around 915-930. We knew there would be an hour wait for the female side (me) & 45 minutes for the men. We did not get a massage because it added another hour of waiting for services. I'm an xxl & the sheet was really awkwardly fit anyway I tried it. About an hour into the wait I tripped on the sheet and busted my knee, which is all me, but I thought it's ok, come on mineral bath! About 15 minutes later my husband messages me that he's finished. Then I kept waiting. 45 minutes later I'm called in. Definitely would t have done the service if the front desk had told me the appropriate wait. Then I'm walked back to my tub, where I'm given an agitator/whirlpool thing that didn't work, and rattled like it was going to explode with the effort of the little stream it produced. It gave me a headache and I got the attendant's attention and asked for it to be turned off. Which sucked because it was part of what I looked forward to. I own a soaking tub but not a whirlpool, ya know? After that I got out and I had the headache the rest of the day. Then they laid me down with the hot towels which was nice until I realized they cover our faces with towels to block out the mildew and flaking paint on the ceiling. Lots of mildew. Add that to the dirt that could trail in the water on the floor and I felt really gross after this treatment. The steam box was nice but beware- they tell you the metal won't burn you but if you move your feet off the mat then you can be burned by the ceramic. I was burned on a toe. Also they only have two working steam boxes so there is where I saw the bottle neck in service. The sits bath was great but I thought the water was supposed to run over my back, but I just sat in a tub of hot water. They obviously made a killing that day, why aren't they investing more into their building!!! The ladies helping were really accommodating but even with great service there's only so much you can do if the tools they're provided with are dirty, broken and mildewed. I'll definitely go back to the Arlington. This was the first time I've been to another bathhouse and I'll definitely never be back to the Buckstaff!

The hubs had been very excited about the healing properties of the mineral water. I read on the site what was included but had no idea what the process was, so I'm going to tell you. Location seems to be more like it was when the Bathhouses first opened. They take walk-in's for the bath and massage on a first come, first serve basis. Men on 1 and women on 2 Bathing suit optional. I recommend no suit. We all have the same lady parts, and no one should be ashamed of their bodies. They are very discreet during the process. Bath - temp about 102 - 10 mins Sitz tub - sit in there with very hot water swirling around for your hips and low back - about 5-8 mins Steam bath - only your head is poking out. Extremely detoxing. Try it... it's only 2-3 mins Lay on bed with very hot towels all around and a cold towel around your head and face. 5ish mins Now you are ready for a 20 min Swedish full body massage. Depending on the number of staff and folks ahead of you depends on the wait time. My ladies were fantastic, and I loved conversing with Sara, Christina, and Brenda. If I lived in the area, I would go once every 1-2 weeks. It was amazing!

This overall was a good experience but was a do it one time thing. There was way too much pressure for tips from every employee and you deal with a few. What is odd is they even went tips in spots where you are only in a towel- where do they expect the cash to be?? The massage was very poor quality which was disappointing. Being it is an original bathhouse that has not closed is the only thing they have going for them.

Had my first ever bath house experience today. I didn't read any reviews before.... And didn't know what to really expect. But it's something you need to do at least once in your life (if I lived closer I would do it more often). My bath attendant was Shadow. SHE WAS FANTASTIC!!! Explained everything wonderfully. I found it very relaxing, enjoyable and entertaining? (It's like after you finished one thing... you got another surprise). GET THERE EARLY. I got there at 7:40 am on a Saturday. Didn't open until 8... stood in line. Once I was checked in you get a locker with a key for your belongings. Take sandals if you think about it. Bathing suits are optional. I did Not wear one and felt so comfortable. They really do a good job keeping you covered with sheets and towels. You are never walking around naked. 20 minute ish soak/bath, back, legs, arm scrub by the attendant, cool down/hot towel relaxing time (20ish minutes), sauna (single sauna where your head is out and door is open at the head), sitz bath, massage. All while keeping you hydrated with spring water and ice. Ending with a paraffin wax (hand). If you do the whole experience... takes about 2.5-3 hours. Expect to leave looking a little messy but totally relaxed.

What a truly unique experience. This is old school - truly old school. Be prepared. But very clean and hygienic. My body is transformed from this experience. The bath, sauna , massage all relax my body outside and inside

Wow What an experience Show up at 745 to get in line Trust me Bring $5 bill for tips You don't anything else They give you towels sheets etc Leave your hang ups at the door cause the experience is intended to be "in the state of nature" as Winston Churchill once said... The Traditional was what we got-bath, rinse, steam box, wrap and massage. Men and women are In completely separate Area. I hear the women's tubs are BETTER I felt the value was there for sure. Stan or JT was great! Allen too We were herded through a bit bc it was so busy but still a great experience (Holiday weekend) Katherine, Mattie, and Lena took care of Miss Molly on the lady's side I really enjoyed it and I recommend you try it too! **Front staff was not as welcoming as the employees in the back. I would recommend to the owners to make the up front a more welcoming, inviting, and pleasant experience. The Face of the business, the first people you, I'd encourage them to be less bristly and smile.

I've been to Hot Springs several times in the past and was told that The Buckstaff is a prerequisite. So, I figure I was overdue. Upon entering the Buckstaff, it's as if you're going back in time as you're greeted by the impressive columns, large veranda, and high ceiling foyer accentuating the federal-style architecture. Once inside, the receptionists politely helped explain the different options snd associated costs for each. I decided to go ahead and get the full-bore treatment package deal. Of course, I had very little idea of what I was actually in for. First up, after changing into only a towel, was the whirlpool tub. This was supposedly an original 1900's era vintage tub, very deep and large. I would have preferred the water to have been a bit hotter and I asked the attendant to turn up the temperature-which he said he did but I didn't really notice any difference-I guess it's a potential liability issue. Despite this, it was a very relaxing experience. Afterwards, I was taken to the sitz bath. It's kinda like a bidet...okay that was somewhat curiously interesting. Next, the steam bath was probably the most intense part of this little adventure. I was seated inside a large stainless steel tank with only my head sticking out. I was sort of thinking, this may have perhaps inspired the movie "Altered States". Fortunately-or unfortunately depending on how bent you are-it wasn't an isolation tank and the only con was the really hot, almost scalding water dripping down the back and front of my neck, back, and chest as the steam and cooler outside air condensed into very hot water droplets near the opening edge of the steam tank where your head sticks out. I think that a large towel packed around and between the neck opening would be an easy and very simple fix for this irritating problem. I'm not sure why the Buckstaff don't do this, as I'm not the only one who has previously noted a concern in this regard. I was offered to take a shorter amount of time but considering the amount I paid, I opted to tough it out in order to get the full experience. I'm glad I did, as I found it to be most invigorating. Then it was off to the massage room. Unfortunately, I can't remember my masseuse's name, but it was probably one of the best I've had in a long time. After this, it was shower time and back to the locker room to dress and get a hot wax treatment-first time ever in my life for this experience. The hands are dipped in hot wax that is allowed to dry then it's peeled off by an attendant leaving your hands feeling rather subtle. I guess I can see why the ladies particularly like this sort of thing. I would like to give a five star for this experience, however, there's just no way. In any business, the people you have working for you set the general mood or vibe, and here it is wanting. A few of the staff, based on my observations were behaving somewhat unprofessionally-this was mainly while in the locker room and near the end of my experience. It kinda was like watching, or in this case like listening to, a slow train-wreck. The attendant, and I assume another staff, member were heavily engaged in some rather animated "locker-room" banter and gossip. Not that this was in anyway overly offensive to me, however, it just seemed to totally distract and detract from the ambience of the experience. If I was at the gym after playing ball or other lively sport, that would be totally cool-just not here in my opinion. After all, I'd just paid about $100 (not including tip) and really had no desire to engage in any kind of gossip nor especially listen to the same from staff members. Then, to add further distraction and detraction, while waiting in the main lobby for my friend who had accompanied me, I observed a maid or other staff member standing on the stairs as if trying to hide from receptionist personnel the fact that she was heavily engaged in texting or interfacing on her smartphone for what seemed like a very long time, about ten minutes or so-at least. I realize that these days it seems everyone is jacked in to the matrix as if by some sort of psychological cyber umbilical cord, but while supposedly at work, I think these items should be sequestered. In my head, I'm thinking like, "So this is one of the reasons why the cost of service is getting more expensive?" Overall, the Buckstaff was a good experience and definitely a must do while in Hot Springs, at least once.

This place is amazing! Stephen Sims gives incredible massages! Got the deluxe package. Wasn't a fan of the sitz tub, felt like I was in a giant toilet. But the heat, and therapy, and the friendliness was off the charts. Would definitely come back.

The Buckstaff Bath House experience is a must try if you love learning about the history of Hot Springs and aren't afraid to try something new. You kind of have to trust the process, as the attendance guide you through many different (and sometimes odd) experiences. Go into it with an open mind, and you'll have a blast! I recommend going to the national parks operated museum first so you can see what you'll be trying out if you're nervous! Don't skip this though - for $40 you can experience a piece of history.

I have been a patron of Buckstaff for 30 years, however this last deluxe treatment was awful. So many things went wrong. My friend and I arrived at 8:45 however our treatments ended 40 minutes apart. The whirlpool water was cold and I was left for 30 minutes without being checked on by staff. In the past we were given hot spring water and a thorough scrub. Today the scrub was one pass on each leg and a swipe on the back. Next up was the sitz bath. Then the steam. Afterwards I sat with a wet cold sheet until LaToya placed warm towels on my body. She methodically serviced many patrons with an odd long lag time between water treatments. Worst of all was Christine's "massage". She is an anti- vaccer, so she wore gloves and a mask. I did not like the feeling of plastic gloves and lotion. She called it a Swedish massage but it was more of a lotion application. Fans blasting cold air didn't help the experience. Pre COVID I was massaged by a gifted person, so it was an enormous disappointment. Lastly, was the paraffin treatment. The lack of time management made me antsy to receive the dip. I could not locate my friend. Bottom line, management needs to go back to the ways of the past and improve the issues I listed.

BEWARE!!! The management/checkin stafff has absolutely no common courtesy for the time that they will delay you after the have your money in hand from the time they capture you and the time that you actually get the service that you paid for!! I checked in with a male friend of my at the exact time and paid and his service was completed 2.45 hrs. ahead of mine...leaving me having to wait for approximately 2hrs. before my service began because they were totally understaffed knowingly leaving my male friend waiting outside unknowingly what was keeping me so long to rejoin him so that we could continue our vacation day!!! Totally discourteous and inexcusable!!! Please don't let the Buckstaff's staff take your money and control your day!! P.s. I would never take the time to publicize this matter at this length if it was not totally valid!

My daughter's said "10/10, definitely would recommend and return", and I totally agree! I thought that it was just going to be a bath, but it was more than a bath: it was an entire experience!! First, you go undress and they wrap you in a sheet. Then they take you to your bath for 20 minutes, and then you go to a sit down bath. After the sit down bath, you go in to this death trap looking thing that's a steam bath. Once you're done with that you get hot towels wrapped on you and lay back and relax. If you didn't choose a massage, this is where your journey ends. If you chose a massage, you get that done next. The staff was so amazingly super friendly! You didn't have a chance to feel self conscious because they keep it professional and you are moved along. I'm definitely coming back to Hot Springs, and I'd definitely do this again!!

We are very sorely disappointed in the service received from your staff. Rosy and another young lady at the front desk was rude and very abrasive. When I said something, the young turned to her colleague and asked, "was that rude?". Really????? If you have to ask then more than likely it was. To make matters worse, it took us forever to get an appointment. When you call no one answers and the voicemail states hat you can email; when you email they keep telling you to call. Then to finally get an appt and this happens is ugghhhh. We arrived at the location at 1:34 pm and instead of anyone asking us our name They sent us outside to wait - whn they did allow us back in it was after 2 pm when they proceeded to tell us we needed to reschedule. When we called and advised we were running late for our 1:30 appt and out ETA they said to come anyway. If you knew we would not be able to keep our appt then someone should have told us. The staff was rude and not not very sensitive to us as customers. I will make sure to let our audience know of this horrible service and how no other customers were treated as such. Also, when we booked other than staying that masks are required we should have been made aware of other COVID protocol (like standing outside in 30 degree weather). So frustrating to drive all this way and not get to have this experience- SMH

Close your eyes and imagine poured honey, fresh cut roses, and a warm prolonged hug from your grandmother. Now imagine a woman whose voice, temperament, and hospitality embodies all of those things. She and her voice stay with you long after part ways. She is the true embodiment of Hot Springs, the Buckstaff bathhouse, and of what we all should hope to experience and encounter when meeting welcoming strangers in our day to day lives. Meet LaToya Pickney, bath attendant extraordinaire of Buckstaff Bathhouse. LaToya is a unique gem - one you might be lucky enough to meet at the Buckstaff! If Buckstaff knows what is best, they would profile miss LaToya and miss Kathy Jones! These native to Hot Springs women ARE everything!

Took the deluxe package and wasn't disappointed. Line forms long before they open so be prepared.

I did not know what to expect when my sister-in-law chose this place to visit on our girl's trip over Thanksgiving. I don't have any pictures except of the elevator because you put all.your items in a locker including your clothes and then it's on. You put all of your belongings, including clothes in a locker and let the girl now you are ready. You turn around and they wrap you in a sheet toga style and you wait to be taken to the room. What's in the room? Magical, healing waters! You start in a claw foot bathtub where they insert a board behind you to keep you from slipping and give you two solo cups of water that they fill from the constant stream of water entering your tub. The water is hot but it feels great. When your time is up they wrap you back in your town and put you on the tables sitting outside the bath area. The add hot towels to your body and a cold towel to your face. You are again given water to drink. From the tables you move to the sauna for 15 minutes, then to a dip in very hot water where you immerse only your butt. It is supposed to be good for your hips and sciatica. I was so impressed with Mary. She managed all these woman and where they needed to be in their treatment. She is very good at her job. I think was taken for a massage which was good as well. The last part with the paraffin treatment for your hands is the perfect ending to your treatment. It's fast paced and you don;t really have time to be uncomfortable about being naked. I saw some women in swim suits and felt they missed out on the full experience. Really great for my first time.

As a tourist, a whirlpool mineral bath is a must! I was so nervous/anxiety ridden about what to expect, but Mattie explained everything to me step by step and made me feel so comfortable. It is definitely not a typical, glamorous spa day, but it's historical and definitely something everyone should do at least once! My husband and I went at separate times since we had our toddle with us, and he said the guys side is very matter of fact where as I experienced a more "pampering" feel on the women's side. You go into the bath for about 15 min where you're given hot thermal water to drink. Next you lay down and have hot, wet towels laid over you. Mattie gave me ice chips to chew on during this portion. Then you move to the vapor cabinet for 2-5 min. Lastly (unless you get a massage), you go to the Sitz bath. Again, Mattie made sure I always had ice water to be drinking and made me feel comfortable and modest. I highly recommend doing this if you're in the area! Also, I read about long waits. They open at 8 and we got there around 8:30 and there was no wait. This was on a Wednesday so not sure if that has anything to do with it.

Sadly, the Buckstaff is not what it used to be. The bath water was only 100 degrees (even after I requested it to be hotter) and the attendant was abrupt, although she warmed up after awhile. The locker room assistant was courteous but didn't say anything when I left the plastic bag in the room (I was supposed to use it to carry the loofah they had given me). They don't give you the disposable slippers anymore so I was worried about slipping on all that wet tile and also about athletes foot. I was going to have to drive 4 hours that afternoon and my back was in terrible pain, so I wanted to do a hot bath and massage, thinking this would loosen things up to enable the drive home. I told the masseuse how much I hurt and she did a quick superficial massage, not even concentrating on my sore area. I was still in pain when they finished so I found a chiropractor to adjust me and he commented that people are usually loose when they finish a massage but I was still tight all over. Was planning to return, as we do every Hot Springs trip, but I will be looking for a new location to take in the hot mineral waters and get a better massage.

I would come here every day if I lived closer!!! My experience was absolutely wonderful. You get so pampered. I visited during the time of Covid so somethings were different. First you are taken to the dressing area. You are asked to undress and put your things in a locker. It's older so they lock and give you key. They will also wrap you in a sheet. Little weird at first since I was naked, but only the bath attendant sees. Your are then taken to your private bath tub where again it got awkward because she sees you naked in the tub, but then the whirlpool action starts, you lean back with towel under your head and it's relaxing. I did have a loofah but it was up to me to use it. After the soak, I was taken to a sitz bath, sit down after removing sheet but then laid over to cover you. Next was steam cabinet in my birthday suit :) Followed by laying on table, bolster under knees, towel covered, hot wet towel placed on back, legs each wrapped with hot wet towels, laid back and cold wet towel placed on forehead. Very nice!!!! On to the massage..... omg! This 20 minutes was better than any 60 minute massage I've ever had!!! I was laying there thinking, can I fit in another appointment before we head home! The bath attendants..... these ladies hustle!!! We visited in October, they had lots of fans going. I assume their is no air conditioning??? If not, don't think I'd want to visit in the summer. Now the only person that sees you in your birthday suit, is the bathing attendant. I didn't see any of the women without their sheets. I wanted to share this level of detail as I had read a review that said there was no one that saw you named. That wasn't my or my husband's experience. Regardless!! You have to visit!!!

I had an enjoyable time at Buckstaff yesterday and my two attendants (Kathy in the locker room, Cyndi in the bath house) were professional and respectful. To speak on the naked part: like other reviews I was a bit shocked at first by the nudity aspect though if that had been more clearly explained at the front desk it probably wouldn't have surprised me at first. By the end, though, I felt so used to it I hardly gave it a thought. And, as others have mentioned the staff does their best to ensure modesty and respect are offered to the client wherever possible. I got the basic $40 whirlpool experience and LOVED it. For the price I paid it felt like I got so much: 30 mins in the tub, time lying down with warm towels over my body but a cold one on my face (probably the best part!), the steam box for about 5 mins (which was the perfect amount), and the final sitz tub (a funny end to the whole thing). My whole experience took a bit more than an hour but my boyfriend was done about 30 mins quicker than me. Totally worth it! Yes, they remind you about tips frequently but I don't blame them for the work they put in--I can only image how many steps each employee walks in a day. We would love to come back next time we're in Hot Springs!

This is my first time visiting the bath house it was a great experience the staff was very professional and I enjoyed myself with the much needed relaxation! I will be a frequent visitor now ! Christopher , Illinois

Get there at open. They are busy. No appointments for bath and massage. Walk ins only. Bonny was my bath attendant and he was great with over 40 years experience he told me. This is not your traditional spa. It was my first experience and I'm glad we did it. Men and women are separate and of course the woman get more pampered and takes longer. I recommend doing it at least once.

For me, traveling halfway across the country to visit Hot Springs National Park, I knew that I wanted to experience it all....including this, having a real, lifetime - old fashioned retreat among the pure waters at this famous Buckstaff Bathhouse. Just to back up a little...here at Hot Springs NP, there are 8 bathhouses situated along Bathhouse Row (of the 8...6 of them are INACTIVE bathhouses). Outside, of this classic Buckstaff Bathhouse, the only other option to bath and immerse yourself in hot spring waters is at the Quapaw Baths & Spa. When I researched which bathhouse to choose, this Buckstaff Bathhouse was more of the real deal type of spot and classical experience. Whereas the Quapaw Baths was just a bunch of tubs where you casually hang in and out of while jumping from pool to pool. Well...been there, done that. For me it was a no brainer to skip Quapaw and come here to Buckstaff. Couple things....be prepared to make an appointment or arrive early in the morning. Around afternoon time when I randomly passed this place, the line was out the door! After arriving in the town of Hot Springs, I immediately came over here to Buckstaff to see if I could get in a 1 hour bathhouse treatment. Fortunately, they took me right away. Especially because....their hours at Buckstaff are quite limited. They're open 8am - 11:45am...and then they close for a long lunch break and reopen from only 1:30pm - 3pm. That's it. That's all they're opened for. So...for someone randomly visiting like I was...especially someone who's a national parks enthusiast...be prepared ahead of time and have your day and visit planned efficiently. I headed into the back where they had a locker for me to put my personal belongings. Though...without a lock on my locker, I had to trust the powers that be that my wallet would be safe. This sketched me out a bit. Also, they hand you a giant sheet cloth to get changed into and wrap yourself around. Well, I did this - with a bathing suit on! Yeah, I wasn't getting nude - which my bathhouse attendant told me to do. But...I didn't feel comfortable about it. I just wanted a simple bath...sort of on my own terms without having to be supervised by a guide. Also, well...yeah...I'm a big photo person...and I planned on taking pictures inside the bathhouse. So...I brought my phone, my bathing suit and my white cloth all together! The attendant told me to return to my locker and put my phone away because photography wasn't permitted in the back bathhouse area. Grrr...so now I have ZERO photos to show all my Yelp followers, lol...j/k. But...again, now I had my wallet and phone in my locker without a lock on it. This worried me very much. In fact, it was on my mind the whole time while having my 1 hour bathhouse/spa experience. Btw...for this 1 hour, it cost $38. But big deal...YOLO! And, I was very looking forward to having this old-fashioned/vintage bathhouse experience. Being chaperoned by the attendant ruined everything. First....I sat in the hot tub for 20 minutes. That was boring. Next I was told to step into a steam shower for a cleaning which lasted 5 minutes. Then I lied down on a padded massage table and got wrapped up by my cloth. I stayed like this for another 20 minutes. Again...I was downbeat about it all. I felt like I was wrapped in a suffocating cocoon and for being the middle of the day....I just couldn't get myself to relax and enjoy the ambiance. Btw...yeah after sitting in the hot tub and then having the steam shower...my bathing suit was soaked and I was dripping along the entire floor. Lol, for the record...I have no problem getting naked. If I was in a random place or on a random beach, I'd be fine. But knowing my attendant would be supervising my every action...it was very AWKWARD to be nude. Lol...just saying. Finally, I went back into the shower and had one more rinse off. All in all...I didn't nearly enjoy the experience like I had anticipated. I just figured I could go back in the bathhouse area, choose my own tub and relax at my own leisure. I never realized it'd be a cut-by-cut precise and timed experience. And I was never fully comfortable being around my attendant or even casually talking with him. Though, when the 1 hour mercifully finished....I didn't know what the policy was, but I did give my attendant a $5 tip. Not sure if that's what I'm supposed to do but I'm all for being generous and giving gratuities rather than ruining someone's livelihood. So...this Buckstaff Bathhouse experience was a disappointment. I hated leaving my personal belongings in an unlocked locker...thank goodness everything was still in place when I returned. Had my wallet or phone gone missing, it would have been game over. Also, I never got to photograph the inside of the bathhouse like I was expecting. And wearing a bathing suit, I felt guilty that I puddled up the floors. I'm just glad I got out of there ASAP and went on my way enjoying the rest of my time at Hot Springs NP.

Smooth check in process. Great staff! Very friendly and accommodating. If I lived closer I would go every couple weeks. The full bath experience was amazing and the value for the cost is unbelievable. If you are in Hot Springs you must check it out.

What an adventure! The staff here is above best! Hubby and I enjoyed the full Monty. Bath with hot mineral water to drink. Mattie was very helpful arranging the tub to suit my very tall 5 foot 1 stature. In other words, used a board to shorten the tub to allow my feet to touch. Follow this with a hot towel wrap, cool forehead towel, more mineral water with Ice this time, knees supported and very comfortable.. steam bath, just like the olden days, box head above and surprisingly comfortable. Then the sitz bath. My hemorrhoids never felt better. TMI? Very hot, and slowly got use to it. Follow all this with a very wonderful message performed by Robin. Wonderful hands, Robin. Sandy the changing room attendant was very attentive. She also gave me a paraffin hand treatment. Lavender or eucalyptus and mint were the selections. I opted for the eucalyptus and mint. Glorious. Almost fell asleep! I think we were there for at least hour and a half. The cost was reasonable, military discount was honored here. Thank you for that! Would I come again? YES, YOU BET. Males on first floor, females on second floor. We both are in our seventies and fully enjoyed it.

What an Experience!! Latoya was my first person of contact and she was Amazing! Beautiful person inside and out, she has such a calming voice and energy. Very attentive. I did the full package and got the bath soak, spritz bath, Massage and paraffin on my hands at the end. A worker did say from 8-12 it's slow and after lunch from 1:30-3 it's back to back crowded so maybe go earlier if you can. This was an Absolute Bucket List to do that I didn't even know was on my list of things to do.

Visited in January 2023. This was a unique experience. We didn't really know what to expect, so I'm hoping to provide some clarity for others. They don't take reservations and we had read there could be lines. We got there right when they opened at 8 a.m. and there were no lines - probably due to time of year. I got the Traditional Bathing Package. Once I filled out the paperwork, I was directed upstairs to the women's floor, where I was seated in the waiting area. Within a few minutes I was led back to a dressing room. I was instructed to remove all clothes and put them in the locker. I had read "bathing suit optional" but I don't know if anyone wears a suit. The expectation is definitely that you will be naked. When ready, I called the attendant back over who, with my back turned towards her, wrapped me in a sheet and led me to my bath attendant. The bathtub was big. The attendant has you careful get in the tub, adjusted a wedge behind my back so it was more comfortable and then left me to soak. After about 20 minutes the attendant came back in and used the loofah to "wash" my arms and legs. This part was a little awkward and you could obviously skip that if you wanted. My bath attendant was very professional, so it wasn't quite as awkward as I had anticipated. Wrapped in a sheet after getting out of the tub, they had me lay on what was like a massage table. They covered me with hot damp towels, with a cool towel for my face. This felt fantastic- but I was ready to move on when the towels cooled and I was wishing they'd come back sooner. Next, I sat in the steam box. This is a metal box with a bench. They close the box around you, but your head sticks out. The steam felt great, but I wasn't really comfortable... you're not sitting in a relaxed way. Next was the sitz bath. This was the most awkward part for me - sitting with just your butt in what was like a tile sink. Finally, the massage. This was very nice; I was just wishing my masseuse would stop talking - I just wanted to relax and enjoy the massage, not chat. It was an interesting experience - remember that the building, tubs, etc. are OLD - so it's definitely not a modern spa experience. Glad I did it. No need to do it again!

Here's the thing: I read tons of reviews and blogs about bathhouse experiences in Hot Springs in effort to determine which I would be more comfortable with but still feel like I'd gotten a true idea of what these may have been in their heyday, and while all of those reviews pointed me in the Buckstaff direction, many were very misleading about the level of exposure one would have during their time there. What is true: I was never once fully undressed in front of anyone. Ever. What is also true: I was around five or six other women receiving the same treatments, all of us wrapped in our own sheets, having to change out of those sheets a couple of times during the treatments. The whirlpool baths are separated by walls or curtains, and the only time the attendant it with you is if you need temperature controls or other assistance. The hot towels may have been my favorite; it was like a heated weighted blanket on your lower back, shoulders, legs, and feet while a cold towel draped over your forehead for temperature regulation. The sitz bath and steam box were fine but not necessarily relaxing. The needle shower felt nice and was also a reminder of just how old everything in this building is! It was truly impressive how they've kept the plumbing up in this historic building when the pipes are obviously aged. My massage therapist was kind, attentive, and good at her job. I left feeling like I could instantly fall asleep in the best way! My teenage daughter backed out at the last minute for fear of feeing awkward, and honestly, she likely made the right call for her. But I would do this again in a heartbeat! Don't sleep on this one-of-a-kind experience.

Definitely an experience to remember. I wanted the bath and massage package for my wife and I. We walked in about 11:00 and we're told they couldn't take us at that time, but to return at 12:45 to be first in line at 1:15. We returned and we got the first spot of the afternoon. Tim explained the locker room process. Undress and wrap in the sheet. He took me to the bathing hall and Elijah had the tub ready.Elijah explained each step of the process (tub- sitz tub, steam box, hot towel bed, cooling room, and massage. He made sure I was OK at every transition. It was an amazing a rejuvenating experience. You do need to be comfortable with being exposed at times or naked around others. Highly recommend though.

As a National Park enthusiast, I knew I had to make the drive from Memphis to Hot Springs when I was in Memphis for my friend's wedding. I also knew I had to splurge a bit and experience a traditional bath at Buckstaff Baths. Driving to Hot Springs, I really did not know what to expect. Luckily I watched the video at the Visitor Center which detailed everything I would soon experience. After paying for the traditional bath package, I was quickly escorted up to the second floor via elevator. I must say the elevator was quite historical and pretty. I then found myself in the women's dressing room area and was soon wrapped in a sheet while I awaited my traditional bath experience. About 20-30 minutes later, I was called back to the bathing area by LaToya, my attendant. She was absolutely fantastic and made me feel comfortable as I received the traditional bath experience. Floating in the tub was so relaxing but what outdid that was the hot cloths on my body yet the cold cloth on my head. I was so relaxed and could have laid there all day. From there I experienced the vapor/sauna area and unfortunately I think LaToya forgot about me because I was definitely in there longer than five minutes. The head part was open, luckily, or I would have had to break free! It wasn't that bad but I did start to feel some anxiety at that point. After the sauna, I did the sitz tub in which I basically just sat in a half bathtub covered in a sheet. Kind of weird. I passed on the needle bath because it was cooler water and I was already freezing!!! The package I got also included a 20-minute massage. Although I had a 10-15 minute wait for this, Christina did a fantastic job on my massage. Normally I don't have conversations during massages but I didn't mind conversing with Christina as she shared about life in the south, working at hot springs, and about all the people she encounters from all over the world. The last part of my package was the paraffin wax for my hands. Again, super relaxing. I had the option between lavender wax and peach wax and of course went with lavender. The experience left my hands feeling soft and smooth. So, all in all, would I do the traditional public bath again? No, probably not. But, I am so glad I was able to experience it once. Everyone I encountered was great and the experience as a whole was pretty relaxing. I'd recommend the experience but definitely head to the visitor center and watch the video so you know what to expect before you sign up for a traditional bath.

Opened in 1912, Buckstaff Bathhouse is the only continuously running bathhouse within the Hot Springs National Park system. Today, it offers a very traditional, therapeutic thermal springs experience. Although we did not have a bath here, we were told that men are on one floor and women on another as all guests are naked for their Roman style treatments. Services offered may include mineral bathing packages, loofa mitts, massages, and parrafin treatments. Book an appointment as they do fill up early.

I wasn't sure what exactly to expect when going to Buckstaff, but I am in awe of how great of an experience it was! I've seen quite a few reviews about the front desk staff being rude and I'm happy to say everyone here was SO nice. We were running about 15 minutes late and we were still allowed in which we were really worried about. Give yourself extra time to park if you expect them to be busy!!! We could've used an extra hour but we only gave ourselves about 15 minutes which was stressful!! You have the option of wearing a swimsuit throughout the visit, but there isn't a chance for anyone other than the attendants to see you and I felt 100% comfortable in front of them. We did the deluxe package which took about 1.5-2 hours and had Kathryn, Julie, and Cooper who were fantastic! Such a peaceful day.

I highly recommend going here for a little "self care" day. It was such a relaxing and wonderful experience.

AHHHHHHH-MAZING EXPERIENCE My husband surprised me with this truly unexpected experience. We were just married in July 2021, and this was a part of OUR extended honeymoon. After signing in, you're (women) guided to the second floor (as men stay on the 1st floor) on this manually operated elevator. Then, you're taken to a changing stall with only a curtain for privacy. In there were lockers for you select from to lock up your clothing and valuables, and then wear a key around your wrist. The attendant will then cacoon you in a sheet as you face away from her and then you go sit in a small waiting area as you wait to be called for your assigned tub. That's when you step back in time!!!! An old-school iron tub with a stepstool. Maybe I've watch too many 1920-1930 movies in the past, but I almost felt like I was in an insane asylum... (like if I tried to escape, a Big, Huge orderly would be waiting on the other side of the door) LOL!!!! The water was bubbling like crazy and looked inviting but looked really old! Because well it is!!!! The attendant put a board and a towel behind me and a towel over the front of my body. I just sat back and tried to relax, but then I went deeper in the water and just went with it, I really started to enjoy it. The water felt amazing. After my 20 mins were up it was off to the Sitz bath. I was a bit apprehensive. This small, almost in the ground bathtub for my lower region was a little strange, but I wanted the full experience so I went ALL in. It was hot and a little odd to sit in but felt AWESOME on my lower back. From there I went into the steam cabinet. Again, (thinking of an insane asylum or horror movie when I laid eyes on this contraption) It was like a metal cabinet with a bench. The bottom of the cabinet open for me to enter and sit while the attendant enclosed my body as my head was the only visible body part coming out of the top. It was weird, but ahhhhh-mazing!!!!! I felt every muscle just relax. From there I went to the warm needle shower to rinse off the sweat and toxins that came out of my pores. My attendant took a warm towel and put it in my shoulders then took another one and wrapped it around m; then scooted to the cool off room. The cool off room has metal tables with blue mats on the top of them. I laid down for a few minutes before I was brought a cold cloth for my face. It was COLD and wonderful. Overall it was a very UNIQUE experience. (once you get past a stranger seeing your birthday suit). If you want a truely back in the day experience..... BuckStaff is where it's at!!!!! **note** Don't forget to bring or wear flipflops.