Sierra Hot Springs — Hotel in Portola

My Pops and I went to the springs for the day, but never saw the rooms or hotel area except for the front desk area to pay. I think it was about $35 a person??? Don't hold me to that.... (I probably shouldn't even mention it then, huh?)

But the covered dome over the hot spring pool was large enough to accommodate about 8 people in the 10'diameter hot tub filled with fresh hot spring water kept at about 110° and there were 2 bath tubs built into the wall on one side of the dome that are kept very cold, adding a great therapy technique going from hot to cold and then hot again. This changes the body's pressure and creates an equilibrium for homeostasis.

Then, outside beyond the dome, they have a large swimming pool that is kept warm, but not hot. It's a good size pool.

Beyond the swimming pool is a hot sauna kept at about 130° I think... With enough space to accommodate about 12 people or so... With a double layer bench - one above the lower bench area. I would guess that it was about 10'x10'.

However... I did notice something very strange... It was a really weird feeling... There's a rule about being pretty much silent the whole time in the spa area... It made it a really strange experience. The silence from about 20 people all wading in the pool, only about 6 or 7 people in the "hot tub" and probably about 10 to 15 people in lounge chairs relaxing... All without ever exchanging any words!

I'm not saying that it was bad, per se, but it left me with an awkward feeling.

Oh, and it's clothing optional, so that's a little award in itself, but I'm not totally new to the nude beach or nude resort lifestyle as I've been to Laguna Del Sol in Wilton, California a few times, and yes. I went full nude there. But it was a life-changing experience there. When almost everyone is nude, and you are, too, then it's like a shedding of something that you never realized was there in your mind. It changes you. It did for me and others say the same thing. It's like you can't hide from anything and you don't care to. It's freeing in a sense. But here at the hot springs, it's different. It was almost creepy in a weird way for me. I didn't go nude here, but because I'm a bit ashamed of my body after having a Widowmaker heart attack last year and not being able to keep up with my workouts. So I've lost my butt and gained some really only l ugly scars, obviously... And even though I'm still 5'11" and 175lbs., I'm more conscientious than ever. Oh. And I went from a full head of hair to bald within 2 months after my quadruple bypass!! So I'm bald now. And skinny. And had to grow a van dyke (gotee with mustache and sides going down to chin hair, like everyone says is a gotee, but it's really a van dyke. Lol)

So... Just remember: clothing optional. Silent stay. People staring off into nowhere. It reminded me of when people say I'm doing my 1000 yard stare (I have Combat PTSD).

That's what was strange!! The people were all like zombies, just staring at nothing in the distance, moving slowly and never saying anything!!!

So... As much as the hot springs were nice and somewhat relaxing because of the whole holistic aspects of the water and sauna, the people just seemed so strangely quiet and zombie-like. That's what made it strange for me.

So if you like going to a place with a holistic appeal, aren't inhibited about your body or others, and live for silence around a medium sized group of strangers... THEN THIS IS YOUR PLACE!!!

😜🤣🤣🤣😜😜🤣🤣

I do recommend the experience, though. Staying at the hotel includes going to the hot springs and there's even another spring "hole" on the other side of the house about a quarter mile away, still on the property that you can go to. It's in the woods, kinda, but it reminded me of a more tropical paradise type of ambiance. I just drove over to about 150 yards from it where you have to park, then walked down and looked at it for future reference. When the other side closes down for the day you can go to this one, 24/7 and be pretty much alone. I wish I had pictures, but that's not...

Sierra Hot Springs

Well, where do I start… Sadly, zero stars is not an option here.

TL;DR - Don’t go there.

Now, if you’d like more details.

This place has nothing to do with wellness, relaxation, spiritual retreat, or whatever they say they are. Now to the points:

I booked a room at the lodge (one of five rooms), and arrived there on a Wednesday afternoon fully open to the above mentioned relaxation and retreat, willing just to get away from the city life, work, routine, problems etc., and unwind in a calm spiritual type of way, soaking in some warm waters, not expecting nothing fancy at all. Well, it didn’t happen…

First of all, about the “pools”. There are no pools (plural)! There’s one small pool (i think it’s 25 ft or so) and two hot tub sized small pools (Dome and Meditation (this one is at the camping), the latter two are not lighted at night, and you must walk there (abt 1000ft) on a dark snowy icy road with no lights. That’s it! Nothing else, no sauna, no individual baths, no classes, no massage, etc. The only pool is crowded and unpleasant to be in. I could also go ahead and talk about the common tiny changing area, but it’s clothes optional co-ed, so no offense here, I was warned.

The place is very! rundown and poorly maintained, and honestly, dirty. Everything is dirty. Mold and residue everywhere around the pools, lodge, spider webs in the room, dirty toilet (which is common use), I could go on and on.

Staff is rude for this kind of place (and for any place, actually). I was greeted by a woman who acted like this was not a wellness type of resort, but as it was a Motel 6 check in (and even there the staff is usually friendlier). She never asked if I had been there before, if I needed any info, map, how to get to the “pools”, food info, etc. I asked it all myself, and she was kinda annoyed I’m asking. So weird…

There’s no food (or even coffee) available anywhere around except at the cafe from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, which is about $25 a meal and only one menu option per day. Sierraville isn’t an option, trust me :(

There’s a kitchen where you can use their pots and pans and cook smth yourself, but there’s only one! table in the lobby where you can eat, which was always taken by one same family during my stay (well, and good for them for figuring it out:)).

The lodge floors are so creaky, that i woke up every time somebody was walking by, (and people will be walking by as there are common-use bathrooms, remember? ) Walls are thin and be prepared to hear everything (like, EVERYTHING) that is going on around.

Now, about the relaxation part. I thought I’d have a good long quiet sleep at least. Nope, didn’t happen either. Why? Because there was an 18-wheeler turning around on a tiny court right below the lodge windows at 6 am!!! 6 am!!! 18-wheeler!!! In the middle of nowhere! It turned out to be food delivery. But, c’mon, 6 am, relaxation, remember? ) I literally had to go outside to check if this truck hadn’t hit my car as it was trying this u-turn for like 10 minutes.

There’s nowhere to walk, no trails, i mean, they are there, but they are not cleaned of snow, even the two trails to the “pools” are not cleaned properly, and are icy and dangerous (I wonder about the liability part, hmm), and if there’s a car coming, you have to jump into the snowcurb, there’s no way for a car to pass you on the trails.

Now, wrapping up:

I don’t know where you can relax and meditate there, only in your room maybe, but you can do that at home too, for free, i guess…

I didn’t even have guts to stay there for the second night (paid) and left in the morning.

I don’t usually write such long negative reviews, but I just got so frustrated for my time and money spent, and thought I need to spill it out for other people to have a second thought before going there following their photoshopped pictures and nicely put descriptions on the website.

To the management: Invest in your property;...

This historic and funky Springs is very interesting but please, DO YOUR HOMEWORK before coming. And go to the website for more complete, up-to-date information.

Please note: NO DOGS ALLOWED....and they can't stay in your car. And no drugs or alcohol either (including weed). I will post photos of what I could 'legally' take and the rules so you know what to expect before you arrive.

Tent/RV camping is in very primitive areas with ONLY porta-potties. It appeared the best 'shade spots' were taken well ahead of when we arrived 7:45pm Friday night. No generators allowed at the camp sites. Some sites are WALK IN ONLY so not good for large, heavy tents, bulky bags, etc.

No running water, pit toilets, or camp fires/open flame allowed. A good portion of the sites are in range of grazing cattle; who's 'lowing' you will hear all hours of the day and night. Ear plugs may be necessary if you sleep lightly. Positives: BEAUTIFUL stars, coyotes howling and a friendly orange 'house cat' that wanders through the camp sites.

At the pools, it can get VERY crowded on the weekends. It is first come, first serve on the literally 20 chairs they have at the larger pool. The sun is brutal and intense due to being at 5,000 feet of elevation...so bring a BIG hat, sand chair umbrella (with chair clamp if you have one), and slather on sunscreen FREQUENTLY or find shade. And bring some type of shoe to the pools (don't leave them in the dressing area). The pavement and mats get EXTREMELY hot in the sun and were uncomfortable to walk on.

They have some pop-up shade tents, which were quickly taken in the morning. And we saw one woman put her towel on a chair to NEVER RETURN for 5 hours! Extremely rude behavior! Small ground squirrels sprint into your bags to steal food, so be aware. A cooler full of iced drinks (no glass) and/or food is fine at the larger pool.

Apparently a number of people don't read the rules for the pools which are given to you upon check in AND are signed all around every pool: Quiet conversation is fine--but large groups and couples were yammering away disturbing the quiet. PLEASE don't be one of 'those' people! These are quiet, scared areas and normal conversation is NOT permitted--nor are cell phones or cameras.

Everyone is asked to SHOWER before you head in the pool to keep them as clean as possible. And no lotions, etc. are allowed in the pools! We both got burnt badly by not using sunscreen more frequently and most pools have a shower to quickly rinse off 'whatever' you slather on. A pain, yes. But its required to keep the pools in good shape.

We simply were not being careful enough when IN the water (with the sun bouncing off the pavement) and were burned LITERALLY all over (we went clothing-free).

They do have a restaurant in the lodge that serves simple fare and prices start at about $15 for an entree. Soup or Salad is around $5. And a tiny 'store' with canned soup ($5) with kitchen to cook it in. Come prepared with a cooler/ice/drinks/bottle water or be ok with paying!

Sierraville is about 1 mile away with a tiny coffee shop and Los Dos Hermanos Mexican restaurant that serves good, fresh fare--lunch/dinner only. Their sign should be changed that said Breakfast: owner said they don't serve it.

We camped and didn't stay at the Lodge. Please note: THIS IS AN OLDER HISTORIC BUILDING. So, don't come thinking this is going to be a 'Hilton' experience. Walls are thin, bathroom is probably down the hall, not sure how the sheets and mattresses are (check Yelp, Trip Advisor or other rating sites), and know what you are getting into before you are disappointed/upset.

Everyone today has internet and there is simply no excuse not to do some 'due diligence' before embarking on ANY...