Termas de San Joaquin — Hotel in Coahuila

We have been coming here for many years and our experiences have mostly been good. Not perfect, but the springs are so amazing, and the facilities are gorgeous! When we first arrived in 2010, the place was like a ghost town. We were the only people there and there were only a couple of employees. It was nice to have the place to ourselves, but we wondered how it could stay open. We were actually shocked by a lamp when we turned it on and the receptionist acted like she didn't believe us, but eventually sent the handy man to fix it as we were leaving. The rooms and amenities (except the spa was closed) were mostly the same, but the bedding and towels were a lot shabbier. A lot has changed since then! The place is booked solid on the weekend and still busy during the week. The hotel really has more amenities than we use, like a playground, spa, and indoor swimming pool, and the restaurant is mediocre. However, the gardens are amazing and well maintained with flowering plants and cacti everywhere. The grounds are huge and the view of the surrounding desert is world class. The springs are some of the hottest I have been to. There are two separate bath houses, and we have only been to the larger one for hotel guests. It is underground after descending spiral stairs and has the most amazing architecture, with vault arches in the ceiling, and stone and tile work that stand the test of time and harsh elements. I always measure the temperature of the pools, which vary from pool to pool and throughout the year. The hottest pool once measured 109 F, and is usually at least 105 F. The pools get cooler as they progress to the larger ones that look like swimming pools. This is a truly magical place! Any minor problems we have had in the past have been remedied by the hotel manager. The staff is friendly and accommodating. The rooms have heating and air conditioning, and a newer flat screen TV we don't use. They are spacious, clean, and well decorated. There is a couch, bedside tables, and large closets built into the wall with drawers, many compartments and places to hang your clothes. The showers all have their own special, unique issues. Generally, it is hard to adjust the temperature and it changes randomly after you get it right and suddenly you will get hit with a blast of cold! Hot water is hit and miss, but its usually warm enough to be comfortable. The shower issue is the main reason for counting off a star. It is extremely hard to adjust the water temperature since it is so slow to adjust and tons of water is wasted. You must make tiny adjustments because it is sensitive and each minor turn will eventually cause a major change (after much waiting.) The really need to fix this issue because it is a desert! There is a spa we have never used. The price is right for the quality of the springs, the beauty of the grounds, and the rooms are really comfortable and have a lot of character. We highly recommend and will...

Natural hot springs in a Romanesque style underground atrium. While it’s got character and a nostalgic flare, the construction and operating quality is rudimentary. Not like a high-end Korean spa that’s scrubbed clean every night. The water is a pretty color but I wouldn’t let it get in your mouth. It’s a natural hot spring and there are a lot of particles and debris in the water. A little grimy here and there, but not too bad. The atrium feels about 100*F ambient air temperature and very humid—bring a couple liters of water to keep hydrated in there. Only the cold pull-shower provides an option to cool down. |There are no locker rooms. You pay the admission fee and carry your stuff straight into the hot spring atrium. If it’s not busy there are stone and wood benches everywhere to put your stuff. Overall minimal service from the staff. You need to bring your own towel and flippers. |There are no pre-showers—only one cold pull-shower inside the hot spring atrium room. And you cannot use soap and shampoo. Just be aware that when you visit here that cold-pull shower is your only way to wash off before leaving. |Quiet ambiance. No music was playing while I was there and the walls all had signs reminding people to whisper. The facility itself is in a rural desert location. Nothing else around. No convenient shops. Nothing. |The road here from Monterey gets pretty rural. Lots of pot holes starting from 10 miles out. Don’t recommend driving it in the dark. |You can book a tour here through Expedia (~$110 USD / person), or go directly through a local tour company like Monterrey Tour for a few dollars cheaper. |General admission fee without any spa services is 235 pesos / adult. Sometimes you can find a promotion on...

My family and I stayed here after finding this on expedia. It stated it was great for families, it was. First off the scenery is breathtaking. We got up early and explored the grounds and loved it. They had a large play area for our kids, 2,12,14,16. The little one enjoyed the slides and the older ones enjoyed all the play area obstacle course style, they have on one of the paths. I imagine most people did not know they were there, because the hotel was full but we were the only ones for at least an hour enjoying the obstacle courses. The food was pricey, but good. I'm not sure if it was due to Christmas eve dinner. The breakfast buffet was good too. Meals were not included. Although it was advertised as family friendly, kids under 12 cannot get into thermal pools and the "heated" pool was too cold. We were ok with that, but others might not have anybody to watch small children. The thermal pools smell like sulfur, but not too strong where it bothers you and you quickly dismiss the smell. The room was comfortable, but did not fit 6 as advertised on Expedia. The sofa bed only fit one, unless they are small children. There were no towels in our rooms and had to call twice to get towels for shower and sheets, blankets for sofa bed. Room could use updating like shower doors, shower heads...overall staff was friendly, rooms were clean and comfortable. It was not a luxury 5 star hotel, but the location and scenery were. I would stay there again just for...