Carson Hot Spring LLC — Local services in Hood River

So the new management has done a lot of work with the place. It's nice to see maintenance happening. The public soak pools are hanging in there.

My biggest complaint, they had air purifiers in there for a bit, when the new management came in and painted and cleaned up th pool house.

Those purifiers are gone now. The smell of chlorine in the pool house is back to burning my nostrils. I leave the pool and get home a little over an hour away, and when I walk into my home, I can still smell the chlorine. You used to be able to tell the water was mineral water, you could take deep breaths and feel good. Now, the chlorine makes it tough to suck in good deep breaths. You stop noticing it so much after a bit, but it is the first thing you notice walking in to the building. One time I was soaking recently, 2 people came in, looked around, complained of the chlorine smell, and turned around and walked out.

All in all, the pools are staying to temps. The waters are clean (mostly), the pool house is clean, I love that towels are available now.

But, the chlorine smell is strong, I miss the air scrubbers that had it really nice in there. The doors need to be propped open again now, and they don't want that, neither do I. I like having the doors closed for consistent environment temperature.

The plants in the pool house die a little more each week as well, though when they are in good shape I like having them. The air scrubbers might help the plants too??

The place has been hopping lately!!

update 5/2023*

So, new management again. They have been around a handful of months. Things are improving. They finally had the pool refurbished, the heating is fixed, the chairs have been replaced, towels are now available for patrons. It's cleaner and things work! I'm thrilled with all of that.

The cool pool is still only cold, on occasion, it tends to get cloudy and room temp pretty quick after cleaning and draining and filling. There used to be a weekly schedule for cleaning, I haven't noticed one yet with this new management. It would be awesome if the quality was consistent. We go, 1-2 times a week usually, so we see it pretty frequently. At least the pool has been up to tempurature, for the most part. I wish the cold would stay cold though.

The new blaring bright lights that are all over the ceiling, and even in the pool(!!!) are waaaayyy too much for a relaxing experience. If we are alone sometimes I will turn them off and enjoy some natural light. Haven't found a way to kill the pool light though. The SUPER BRIGHT LIGHTS are sadly highlighting super blaring white walls and ceiling as well. Again, not super relaxing. Something more natural and soothing would be nice. But, it's clean.

Only other thing, they have 2 towel cabinets with dirty towel receptacles. It would be nice to have one at each end of the pool, there isn't one by the changing stalls. It would just be a nice convenience to have one at each end. Or at least a dirty bin near the changing stalls.

I'll keep updating as things go along. It's a definite step in the right direction and we have been able to get out there much more and enjoy it.

Keep it up!!

original review**

I have been coming here for years, at least ten. It has been through different management, with varying successes. The current management is not really doing the place any justice. Pre-covid there was an amazing guy running it and he really made it amazing! He did a lot of long overdue maintenance and updating, it was truely a destination you wanted to arrive at. Since the pandemic, it has really taken a downturn. Now, the the management doesn't seem to value cleanliness or customer service. It could be such a diamond, but it has been years since it has truely been the amazing that it once was. The chemicals are strong, the water looks gross at times, the patrons act like they own the place. We used to LOVE this place. We still go, but only because they are the only hot springs within a decent distance from home.

It's been sad to see this gem...

Cute, rustic, historic buildings still standing and operating. Reminds me of a Wes Anderson film location honestly. Spent a long weekend there as a birthday present to myself and enjoyed it.

They have a modern swimming pool/tub which uses water pumped in from the springs but is chlorinated, diluted and the temperature is adjusted so you can’t make it hotter or colder. Includes a cold pool as well. Doesn’t feel as magical as a traditional one. Children are allowed in here.

The spa treatment which uses unchlorinated spring water and is more traditional is a separate cost on top of the hotel stay. You pay for every session you want. But it is worth the price. You soak in a private claw-footed bathtub which you control the temperature of so you can really make it scalding if you like being a boiling lobster like me lmao. They play soothing music and the lights are dim. Also, if you’re an honest to goodness Oregonian like me, this area is clothing optional which I greatly appreciate. For this reason it’s strictly 18+.

Another thing they offer is a gender-shared space called the therapy pool with more natural mineral water where couples can soak together. I never tried that. Probably fun though!

Spa also includes a hot towel wrap and a hot sauna. AND they offer massages but you have to pay a fee on top of the fee for the spa for a massage. The towel wrap and hot sauna are included in the spa soak package. I never did the massage but next time I go back I’ll definitely get one too.

I’m sure their prices fluctuate seasonally based on demands. My birthday is at the end of April so I paid around $250 for a two night stay. Queen size bed. Very modern room as well. Newer furniture and beds. Bed was quite comfy and that’s saying something ‘cause I have horrible insomnia. Also- The showers in the resort rooms have infinite hot water. Not gonna lie I lost track of how long I was in there. Showers are HUGE too gosh it was so refreshing to be able to lay down in the shower and just soak.

My rating? 4/5 but only because I’m a bit of a curmudgeon for larger traditional looking pools being available to guests with the price you pay, which they’ve tried to do kinda with the therapy pool but would be nicer if more pools were offered. It’s also kinda a small resort too so be prepared to book out a ways in advance.

OH! One last thing. The frogs. So many pacific tree frogs!!!! They sing all night long in the Spring. Loud and sonorous and if it didn’t get so chilly that time of year I’d sit in a rocking chair next to one of their fire pits at night listening to them sing while I...

was there yesterday, April 27th sunday around 2pm for my birthday, I was gifted a bath and wrap and hadn't been treated so badly by a bath attendant in my life. She ignored me first thing when i got in there and was so annoyed at the questions I had (because i never been there before and didn't know how it worked) and the continued to ignored me my whole bath 🛁 that was cold. After I told her I was unsatisfied on how she was treating me on what is supposed to be a birthday celebration she got confrontational and got so close to my face that I can smell the marbro cigarettes on her breath 🚬 🚭 🤢 insulated me in the middle of the wrap room saying that she shouldn't have to tell me how to take a bath, that it was a simple hot and cold (which was so wrong I was shocked) because u turn the cold faucet up it's cold and when u turn the cold faucet down then hot water comes out. I know this because the whole time i was trying to get her attention she had her back towards me, I end up figuring it out myself. when I finally got her attention she told me to drain half the bath to get it hot. I was standing the whole time and when the bath was finally hot and full enough, I lay down for about a minutes before she comes banging on my tub to get out. I even apologized to her because i never been there before and didn't know how the whole thing worked. I told her I just got the bath hot and she yelled do u want ur wrap or not?!? so loud that my bf who was standing outside could hear her. I replied well yes, we already paid for it. she continued to berate me while she was wrapping me then promptly went to the next room over to talk about me to other customers so loud I was like "excuse me, I can hear u" So I didn't get my bath or wrap and was crying because this woman was being so rude and nasty towards me it ruined my birthday celebration. When my bf went to the front desk to let them know about this disgusting behavior they said we would have to wait till today (Monday) to talk with a manager. This is unacceptable, they should have give him his money back because we didn't receive the services we paid for and how i was treated for no reason. This woman has to have better sense than that and proper training. They are supposed to call us today if not, I can put the attendant's name so all u ppl can avoid Carson hot springs. How we were treated and lack of customer service and compassion I do not reccomend this place. Front desk and bath attendant don't know how to act. AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS. unless u want a relaxing time or celebration ruined. I am awaiting the...