Review: A Health and Wellness Journey at Marietta Hot Springs Resort in Southern California

By the last morning of my stay at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, which opened in Murrieta, Calif., earlier this year, I had fully embraced “robe culture,” swapping out traditional resort wear for swimsuits and bathrobes morning, noon, and night. I did.

In fact, the laid-back nature of this wellness resort, located just 90 minutes south of Los Angeles and one hour north of San Diego, is entirely focused on four key pillars: rejuvenation, nutrition, activity, and sleep. suitable for relaxation and recovery.

And even before I checked into the resort for a two-night stay, I was fully committed to returning to Los Angeles to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and make the most of my time away from home. .

This intention was surprisingly easy to follow thanks to the hotel’s intentional program.

Activation: “Immersive Journey”

Although ownership of the property is new and the resort itself is in the final stages of extensive renovations, Marietta Hot Springs Resort has a long and rich history in Southern California, where the area’s indigenous peoples first worked to heal the area. This is from when I recognized the characteristics of Natural hot springs (minerals found in hot springs include potassium, silica, calcium, sodium, boron, chloride, sulfate, lithium, and bicarbonate). The property was purchased by German immigrant Fritz Gunter in 1902 and first operated as a resort. His retreat attracted celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, entertainer Jack Benny, and Warner Bros.’ Mel Blank (the hotel’s old guest list was signed by famous people) and is on display in the lobby. ).

And while the land itself has changed hands several times since Gunter’s ownership, its mineral springs have always been a key element of land use, ultimately ending up with the team at The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. This hot spring caught my eye. He currently oversees hotel renovations and program development.

With over 40 hot spring pools (soon to be up to 50 pools), every guest’s ‘bath trip’ will be a little different. Each pool is identified by its own unique name. I spent the most time in my “Clouds in my Coffee” heated to about 103 degrees Fahrenheit. And “Warm Embrace” heated to about 98 degrees.

One of the resort customs I was skeptical of was something I’ve come to love called the “contrast bath,” an ancient practice of soaking in warm water, then soaking in cold water, with a rest break in between. It’s a routine that, while not entirely comfortable, offers countless health benefits, including increased circulation, reduced inflammation, and muscle recovery, says the resort’s medical director, a specialist in balneology (the study of natural mineral waters). explained expert Dr. Marcus Koplin. as it relates to health and well-being).

I was able to last about 90 seconds on my first cold plunge (in a pool that was about 56 degrees Fahrenheit), but I pushed myself up to 3 minutes on my second circuit. My reward? She took a 15-minute soak in the Bathhouse’s dry sauna, followed by her 60-minute sleep-focused massage at the on-site spa using Osea-branded skin care products aimed at stimulating the vagus nerve. I received her treatment. (Currently, the spa operates out of one of the hotel buildings, but a separate spa will soon be open daily from 9am to 9pm).

However, if guests opt out of spa treatments, there are a variety of options, including complimentary daily terra thermal mud therapy sessions. This involves applying mud, made from a mix of local mineral water and Mojave Desert clay, to the body and then rinsing it off. Turn it off.

The resort’s pools, baths, and spa are available to day pass holders and community members with annual memberships, but overnight guests have additional benefits. That’s his 24 hour access to the hot springs. (On our final day, my partner and I woke up at 5am to watch the sunrise from the resort’s “Bombshell” tub overlooking the lake, an experience I highly recommend.)

Nutrition: Thalia Restaurant’s “Farm to Table” Healthy Menu

While it was the hot springs that first drew me to Murrieta Hot Springs, the hotel’s food and beverage program is just as much a part of guests’ overall health journey.

The cuisine is designed with health and nutrition in mind, focusing on natural, unprocessed foods and ingredients from local farms whenever possible (fennel was in season during my stay, so Many of the dishes they tried incorporated herbs). Thalia Kitchen, which serves breakfast and dinner, hasn’t officially opened yet, but we were able to get a sneak peek at a variety of “preview meals” featuring dishes expertly crafted by Executive Chef Matthew Steffen. Standout menu items include Turkish eggs in a yogurt and dill sauce and drizzled with chili oil. A stack of protein pancakes made with hemp. A beautiful beet and feta salad with pickled mustard seeds. I also liked the black bean burger, seared Pacific salmon, and Gulf white shrimp for dinner.

While cocktails are available, the resort also has an impressive list of zero-proof mocktails, Vitality Elixir, featuring a chaga mushroom adaptogen to help you feel refreshed after a daylong soak. Brew 1902, a to-go coffee bar, also introduced me to my new favorite caffeinated beverage: the espresso tonic. Espresso Tonic is a cold drink made with espresso and tonic water, served with an orange twist.

Activities: Fitness for the mind, body, and soul with a focus on sweat, physical strength, and water.

As something of a gym fanatic back home in Los Angeles, I was excited to try out the resort’s state-of-the-art fitness center, with classes programmed and curated by resort fitness director Brad Davidson, creator of Dynamis Fitness Workouts. Ta.

Available to both community members (for one-time access or bulk class packages) and resort guests (who receive discounted classes), the fitness center features over 30 high-intensity interval training classes (also known as “sweat classes”). ) etc. Over 25 weightlifting classes (also known as “strength classes”). My strength class, which I continued with a post-workout soak, of course, included a weightlifting circuit that targeted every muscle in my body.

I don’t usually attend group classes, but the high-energy format of this group class kept me motivated and energized, and my trainer Yvonne customized my circuit to my body’s unique needs. (The other Dynamis trainers in the facility are experienced in training elite athletes, Navy SEALs, and celebrities, and can accommodate all fitness levels).

Another fitness-oriented activity I happily participated in was an early morning aqua yoga class that featured light stretching in a heated pool, and an evening meditation and aqua yoga class to enhance my “mental fitness.” We did a sound bath. A gratitude ceremony is also held daily at 5pm, where guests can write their intentions on dissolvable paper and then place it in a small glass bottle filled with mineral water to take home as a souvenir.

Sleep: Techniques for gradual recovery

The final pillar of wellness at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort is a restful night’s sleep.

The 174 rooms and suites available to guests are spread across multiple buildings and span a variety of room categories. These range from one-bedroom suites and double queen rooms with lake views to his eight-bunk bunk rooms, perfect for families with children (some accommodations come with their own bathtub) ).

The Stone Lodge building where I stayed was previously used as a dormitory for Calvary Chapel Bible School in Costa Mesa, which owned the property from 1995 to 2021. The rooms at Stone Lodge have been renovated, but the 1920s building remains intact. Most of the original characters.

Our room was equipped with a king-sized bed, a minibar with coffee machine and refrigerator, and a spacious bathroom, but the real detractor was the “sleep tray.” This is an in-room amenity that gives you the tools you need for a perfect night’s sleep. Mental Relaxation: A “sleep sack” for your phone, lavender and vetiver sleep sticks, high-protein bedtime snacks, and earplugs.

But as it turned out, I didn’t need to use many of the items in my sleep tray. My days at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort were so relaxing that I was asleep before my head hit the pillow. This is proof that your mind, body, and soul have undergone a truly satisfying rejuvenation.