West Baden Springs Hotel — Hotel in West Baden Springs

A Luxurious Oasis:

Tucked away in the rolling hills of southern Indiana, the West Baden Springs Hotel is a majestic resort that seamlessly blends historic charm with modern luxury. As a recent guest, I was blown away by the hotel's stunning architecture, exceptional service, and unparalleled amenities.

History and Architecture

The West Baden Springs Hotel has a rich history dating back to 1902, when it was built as a luxury resort for the wealthy elite. The hotel's stunning domed atrium, designed by architect Harrison Albright, is a marvel of engineering and a testament to the hotel's grandeur. After a devastating fire in 2001, the hotel underwent a meticulous $500 million restoration, which preserved its historic charm while incorporating modern amenities.

Accommodations

My room, a beautifully appointed suite with a private balcony, was a tranquil oasis with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The room's décor, featuring plush furnishings and elegant fixtures, was tasteful and understated, while the plush bedding and marble-clad bathroom ensured a comfortable and relaxing stay.

The West Baden Springs Hotel offers an impressive array of amenities and activities, including:

👌The Spa at West Baden: A serene oasis offering a range of treatments, including massages, facials, and body wraps.

👌Golf: The hotel's adjacent golf course, designed by Donald Ross, is a challenging and scenic layout that winds through the rolling hills of the Indiana countryside.

👌Hiking and Biking: The hotel offers guided hikes and bike tours through the surrounding countryside, providing a unique perspective on the region's natural beauty.

👌Dining: The hotel's several dining options, including the upscale Sinclair's Restaurant, offer a range of delicious cuisine, from classic American fare to gourmet fine dining.

Service

The service at West Baden Springs Hotel was exceptional, with friendly and attentive staff members always available to assist with any needs or requests. From the warm welcome at check-in to the prompt and efficient room service, every aspect of my stay was handled with professionalism and courtesy.

Pros:

👌Stunning Architecture: The hotel's historic architecture and beautifully restored atrium are truly breathtaking.

👌Luxurious Amenities: The hotel's amenities, including the spa, golf course, and dining options, are top-notch and offer something for everyone.

👌Exceptional Service: The hotel's staff are friendly, attentive, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

👌Scenic Location: The hotel's location in the rolling hills of southern Indiana is picturesque and offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities.

Cons:

Expensive: The hotel's rates are on the higher side, making it a luxury that may not be affordable for all travelers.

Remote Location: The hotel's location in rural Indiana may make it difficult for some travelers to access, particularly those without cars.

Limited Dining Options: While the hotel's dining options are excellent, they may be limited for travelers who prefer a wider range of choices.

No Pets Allowed: The hotel has a no-pets policy, which may be a drawback for travelers who prefer to bring their furry friends along.

Tips: 👌Book a Room with a View: Request a room with a view of the surrounding countryside for a truly unforgettable experience.

👌Take Advantage of the Spa: The hotel's spa is a serene oasis that offers a range of treatments and amenities. Be sure to take advantage of it during your stay.

👌Explore the Surrounding Countryside: The hotel's location in rural Indiana offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

👌Dine at Sinclair's Restaurant: The hotel's upscale restaurant, Sinclair's, offers an exceptional dining experience with a focus on local and seasonal ingredients.

Recommendation: Ideal for couples, honeymooners, and those seeking a luxurious and...

We stayed for two nights (Dec 2019) at the West Baden Hotel in an atrium view room on the 5th floor. Walking into the atrium for the first time was stunning with the Christmas decorations. Our room was well appointed; however, there were visible layers of dust on the mirror, the headboards, a shelf, the bar faucet, and the moulding in the bathroom. We requested that they come re-dust, and when we returned to the room, the beds had been made and the garbage emptied, but there was still dust on all the mentioned surfaces. The dust caused problems for both my allergies and my mom's asthma. A couple of the glasses in the in-room bar were dirty, and the mini fridge wasn't cold (has no ice box portion either). While at the hotel, we ordered room service twice (late night dinner and breakfast), ate at the Cafe at Sinclair's (breakfast), and traveled to French Lick Hotel by shuttle (free) to eat at the Power Plant Bar and Grill (late night dinner). At both of the meals in a restaurant, I had to send my meal back due to my steak being burnt and my sandwich being made incorrectly. Both room service meals were barely average quality, although the late night was superior to the breakfast (overcooked omelets). We didn't have time to have them replace our room service meals. Activities at the hotel were overall high quality. We took a carriage ride, and our driver/guide was fantastic! She knew the history of both hotels well and was able to give us ideas of what else we could do while at the resort. Very well worth the $25/person. The rail trolley was a highlight - a free ride from West Baden to French Lick on an original rail trolley, just like on Mr. Roger's Neighborhood! The driver was jovial and fun, had a great sense of humor, and also gave us several recommendations for activities, encouraging us to come back in the spring/summer to see the sunken gardens in bloom. We also took the history tour of the West Baden. The facts were very interesting, but our guide very much lacked in telling the story. She said she had been doing the tours for a couple of years, but it seemed like she didn't actually know any of the information. We saw another tour group with a male guide, and he was sharing as if he was telling a beautiful tale with all sorts of extra, interesting information and an eye for detail. My mom said she wished we had him for our guide to make it worth the money. The pool, hot tub, and locker room facilities were beautiful, clean, and perfectly appointed. The valet and bellhop services were impeccable - I wish we had known valet parking was free when we got there instead of later that night. Certain front desk staff were very helpful, others seemed quite patronizing. There were a lot of things we had to figure out on our own because it seemed like they expected their guests to know how everything worked without asking questions. Side note: the area floods a lot in the spring and fall. Our GPS (Google Maps) tried to take us in a back way through the hills of the national forest, but we ran into flooded roads. Stay on main highways (IN-37 and US...

I recently stayed at West Baden Springs Hotel/French Lick Resort for a three day vacation. I do not usually write reviews, however, my stay was incredibly exceptional and I wanted to share my experience for others who are looking to stay here.

The West Baden Springs Hotel is beautifully maintained, inside and out. Its history only amplifies its luxurious appearance. My stay was on a slow week/weekend, so the atmosphere was quiet and peaceful, which suits the idea that the hotel was once a spot for Grecian style bathing and self-care in the surrounding mineral springs. My room was clean and turned down nicely. Amenities were as expected in addition to some cool spots in the hotel I found during my stay (library, front patio, billiards room, restored barbershop museum).

I have no complaints on the quality of my meals at Ballard's, Cafe Sinclair's, and 1875 Steakhouse (located in the French Lick Hotel a mile away). I understand the options are limited perhaps due to location or to keep things orderly so that the menu is not too overachieving for the staff to handle because the amount of restaurants within the resort. I did not expect Italian or Japanese food anyways, so this really doesn't detract from my rating.

One of the pleasant surprises that made the trip was the trolley. This historic ride runs for 24 hours a day and can be called by hotel staff no matter where in French Lick, IN! We often waited less than 10 mins for the trolley to arrive wherever we needed it. This is a wonderful service for those who road-tripped to the resort and need a rest from behind the wheel.

Staff all over the resort were incredibly kind and were happy to help. Servers all did well keeping up when it was busy. Of course, I don't ask for much and I was in no hurry on my vacation but even so, they were hard working, friendly people. I want to shout out a few staff members, in case the resort happens to see this review. The entire team at the Stables were fun, energetic, and seemed so happy to be there to care for the horses and take us on a good ride via horseback. Matt, Doug, Makayla, and Mackenzie (apologize for mispellings) are all down-to-earth, humble people who made both me and my significant other want to come back and ride again! At 1875 Steakhouse, our server Mimi was attentive and kind during our dinner. She made our meal that much better, despite it already being fantastic!

Overall, I really do not hype experiences up if they don't make me feel satisfied and happy to have invested my hard earned money into them. The West Baden Springs Hotel and French Lick Resort was a wonderful respite from this past year. I would definitely love to come back eventually as I know I would be equally refreshed, satisfied, and taken care of as I was...