Travel: Treat Yourself To A Wellness-Focused Getaway At The Springs Resort & Spa

Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on September 9, 2025
- 8:22 am

View of The Springs. Photo by Debbie Stone

Thermal Turnout. Photo by Debbie Stone

By DEBBIE STONE
Santa Fe
For the Los Alamos Daily Post

Sleep can be elusive for me. On the occasional good nights, I hit the pillow and get my necessary zzzs, though I do wake up at least once during this span. Most times, though, I lie in bed wide awake because I can’t turn my brain off. I try numerous techniques to help me relax and to stop the mental regurgitation, but much of the time they fail to work. And as the clocks ticks, I just get more stressed over the fact I’m not sleeping. Then it becomes a vicious cycle.

Enter The Springs Resort & Spa in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. This award-winning property, which was voted the #1 Hot Spring in the United States by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, recently went through a major expansion. It added 78 new guest rooms, relocated its full service spa, created a panoramic sauna with halotherapy and doubled the number of terraced geothermal mineral soaking pools along the picturesque San Juan River for a total of over 50 pools. In addition, there’s a dedicated wellness activity pool offering a variety of guided water-based wellness experiences, as well as a dedicated movement and yoga studio.

As for the food scene, the resort now has a signature restaurant called Wild Finch that features a wellness-focused menu, using locally sourced ingredients and seasonally inspired dishes. Also new is 1881 Poolside Provisions, a casual spot specializing in shareable plates and a selection of libations.

Having been to The Springs in the past, I was excited to visit again and see all the additions, as well as experience the enhanced wellness options, lux amenities and the breathtaking riverside setting.

The soaking pools naturally take centerstage at the property. These rejuvenating mineral waters are located on multiple levels of the expansive terraced deck. Each is labeled with its name and respective water temperature, which ranges from 83 to 114 degrees Fahrenheit.

These pools are fed by the Mother Spring aquifer, the deepest geothermal spring in the world – more than 1,002 feet deep. Think of the height of the Empire State Building and you get the picture. At its hottest, the temperature at the source of “The Mother” has been measured at 144 degrees Fahrenheit. So don’t even consider jumping in!

As for the water itself, it’s a cocktail of thirteen different minerals and elements with scientifically proven therapeutic benefits. Such benefits help promote healthy skin, lower blood pressure, strengthen bones and muscles, and increase energy, and more.

Your only issue with the pools will be choosing which ones to try, as each pool has its own personality and mood. Some are very secluded and intimate; others are roomier and more publicly located. There’s even one large enough to swim laps in. Several sport waterfalls and rock walls, or are grotto-style, complete with a steamy ambiance. And with the expansion, there are now many more offering picture-perfect views of the river. There’s also a section of pools for adults only, as well as a family-friendly area. Something for everyone.

Like Goldilocks, I went from one to the other over the course of my stay, finding that my sweet spot in terms of temperature was about 105 degrees. And I was particularly fond of the smaller pools that were tucked away, overlooking the river.

I soaked mornings, afternoons and evenings (overnight guests have 24-hour access to the pools). My favorite times were early mornings and later in the evening before I headed to bed. There were fewer people, it was quieter and I appreciated the night air.

Experiencing the spa was also high on my list. The facility is located on two levels with the locker rooms and panoramic sauna (sweat with a view!) on the first floor, and treatment rooms and special soaking pools on the level below. These pools are infused with “microscopic oxygen treated bubbles – smaller than skin pores – designed to hydrate and enhance cellular recovery.” I felt like I was soaking in a tub of champagne!

The spa offers a variety of services, from different types of massages and facials to a range of body treatments. I opted for a Radiance Facial, as my skin was sorely in need of some TLC. This treatment uses double-exfoliation to help plump those pesky lines with moisture. It’s followed by a sublime face, neck and shoulder massage and then a gentle rose quartz crystal treatment.

My aesthetician Morgan was a magician when it came to technique. Her hands knew exactly how to massage my face, using light pressure and languid strokes that felt so calming. I loved the rose quartz crystal, too, as it left my skin cool and reinvigorated.

There is also an extensive menu of complimentary wellness activities offered at The Springs. Once again, it was hard to choose which experiences to try, as there’s everything from Aqua Yoga and Aqua Floating Meditation to Aqua Sound Bathing, the Warrior Plunge and even Forest Bathing, the latter which is aimed at connecting with nature in the woods.

I’m not a yogi on land, so I was curious to see what yoga in the water was like, which led me to an early morning Aqua Yoga session. I discovered that being in the water milieu helped me assume some of the yoga positions, but it also created new challenges. I really needed to focus on my core to remain steady, as the water kept trying to levitate me. It made me work harder, which I found beneficial. This session proved to be a great way to start my day.

The Warrior Plunge also attracted me. This activity is done at a specified location on the river marked by a sign. I knew I had to enter without hesitation, but it was a shock to my system as soon as I waded into the 49 degree water. I audibly let my feelings be known to all those in the vicinity.

I remembered to use some quick breathing techniques, having done this type of polar bear experience in the past. I then got out and headed to the closest hot pool. I repeated alternating between the cold-hot temperatures one more time for a contrast bathing experience. It was a little easier to do the plunge the second go-around, as my body knew what to expect. Thankfully, I didn’t react with the same vocal intensity!

The Mother’s Mud ritual was up next. This activity took place in a special room in the spa building. Each participant was given a scoop of mud crafted from a blend of clay from the Mojave Desert and water from the Spring’s Mother Spring. We then applied this mineral-rich therapeutic mud all over our bodies and proceeded to hang out on the attached patio until the mud completely dried. Once this occurred, we headed to the showers to rinse it off. The results left my skin feeling silky smooth and I felt like I had shed a layer of flaky epidermis.

I was fortunate to be at the property for the Thermal Turnout (held only on Wednesday evenings). This event occurs at the large Tufa Turnout Roman-style pool, which is easy to find, as it has a giant rock in the middle. People gather at the pool for a unique light and music show featuring drums and Tibetan singing bowls. Lights twinkle in vibrant colors, creating a dramatic contrast against the night sky.

For the most immersive experience, soak while the show is happening. As I floated in the water, I closed my eyes and let the sounds lull me into a semi-comatic state. It was the combination of sensory elements that allowed me to fully relax and send my consciousness on a soothing journey.

There’s something for everyone when it comes to The Spring’s food scene. For breakfast, I enjoyed The Café’s crepes, particularly a yummy one with peanut butter, banana and granola. As for lunch, I munched on veggies and hummus and chips and guac at 1891 Poolside Provisions.

And when I wanted something cold to drink, I headed to the Canteen for a refreshing Ever- greens. This spritzer was a meld of sweet and tangy, with those good for you superfoods, like wheatgrass, spirulina, pineapple, lemon, ginger and apple.

I was excited to have dinner at Wild Finch. Helmed by the talented Chef Daya, the restaurant’s eclectic menu features dishes such as Scallop Crudo, Tooth & Gill Risotto, Tiger Shrimp, Pastured Chicken and Roasted Duck Breast.

I began with the fresh Summer Salad, which contained heirloom tomatoes, squash blossoms, goat cheese, mint and green garlic. It was a light and tasty starter. My entrée was the fish of the day, which happened to be my favorite, salmon. It was in a flavorful achiote sauce and accompanied by sweet potato and shishito hash browns.

To end the meal, I opted for the Campfire Girl, a dessert I had seen several other diners enjoy.

This heavenly concoction had smoked chocolate, meringue, vanilla ice cream and a potato chip crumble. I split it with my husband and we both greedily attacked the dish, wishing we had each ordered our own!

There are several accommodation styles to choose from at the resort, as the property has the original 1950s Spring Inn Motel building, a mountain-style lodge and the brand-new rooms and suites in the newly constructed building.

I stayed in a Petite King, one of the new expansion rooms. It had a king bed and sofa sleeper, hospitality center with mini-fridge, microwave and coffee maker, and a bathroom with an generous sized shower that had perfect water pressure.

The room was very spacious and the bed, incredibly comfy. All the necessary amenities (and then some) were there, including quality bath products and robes, and my favorite, a Deep Sleep Ritual Tray. The latter featured a Deep Sleep Guide, a sleep sack for your phone and a lavender balm stick. The guide listed recommendations for nighttime soaking and other techniques from The Spring Resort’s Medical Director, Dr. Marcus Coplin.

In the interest of trying to get better sleep, I followed the guide’s instructions. They included doing contrast bathing (check!), soaking before bedtime (check!), putting my phone in the sleep sack (check!) and using the lavender balm stick (check!). Combined with all the fresh mountain air and various activities, I felt ready for a deep slumber.

I am happy to say that I don’t recall anything after my head hit the pillow until I woke up the next morning. I slept soundly for nearly nine hours – a record for me. No bags under my eyes and no grogginess.

Now my goal is to create a spa-like experience at home using my bathtub and a few easy-to-source minerals. Stay tuned!

www.pagosahotsprings.com