Posted in Indiana
Accommodation
February 08, 2022
Sometimes when you want to get away from it all, you absolutely want something off the beaten path. You are not interested in hotels or motels; you’re more about that glamping life, or maybe staying in an old grain silo converted to Airbnb. But then, sometimes… you do not do wanting to get too exotic about it. Sometimes you just want to stay somewhere stylish and familiar, or perhaps historically significant but still modern, trendy and beautiful. Well, Hoosier State’s most famous hotel might be perfect for those times when you’re feeling the latter. The French Lick Springs Hotel is a historic former Indiana hotel that immerses you in luxury. It’s the perfect getaway for those who don’t want to get dirty, pitch a tent or sleep in a yurt. Its history is as unique as the hotel! Check it out:
In these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list at a later date.
This place was originally founded as something quite different around 1845. The area had been licensed as a salt mining area but when the effort turned out to be more laborious than it was really worth due to lack of salt, the land was purchased by two brothers and eventually developed.
Over the decades, the hotel and property would undergo many changes, upgrades, downgrades, and disasters — and these are just the things that happened before 1900. Initially, the hotel was only open during the summers and it was a bit of a hit. Nearby land containing a mineral spring was acquired in the early 1850s. It would be called Pluto’s Well in 1869. This is where Pluto’s water – eventually banned when lithium became a controlled substance – would be put in bottle and offered to hotel guests.
The original hotel building has been expanded (or possibly rebuilt); it was sold, bought by someone new and turned into a thriving spa resort based around the mineral springs. In the late 1880s, the property was again turned over to a group of Kentucky investors. The new owners made the decision to make the resort a year-round activity instead of a summer-only type of place.
In 1897, yet another thing happened: the main building was destroyed by fire. Unfazed, the French Lick Springs Hotel complex has been rebuilt to be bigger and grander than ever.
In 1905, it became a full-fledged spa again with a leisure center and several wings. It worked well – VERY well – for a while after that, but when the stock market crash of 1929 happened there was a noticeable decline. The hotel managed to avoid closure again – then it nearly closed once more during WWII after a brief flurry of success. Over the next few decades, the hotel became a hot potato tossed from owner to owner, remodeled, upgraded, modified, restored…everything you can imagine, it’s probably been there.
Now, over a century later, this beautiful hotel (and the stunningly beautiful grounds that surround it) is thriving (FINALLY). Its sister hotel, West Baden Springs Hotel, is also doing incredibly well. They are elegant, beautiful and ridiculously luxurious.
These days, guests looking for a stunningly modern, upscale place to stay for whatever life throws their way, from weddings to birthday parties and everything in between, know they can find the perfect spot at the French Lick Springs (or West Baden Springs) hotel.
Who knew this former historic Indiana hotel was so steeped in tumultuous history? We love it, though – it gives the place a lot of character. Do you have a favorite historic hotel in Indiana with an interesting history? Tell us about it in the comments! To see more photos or book your luxury getaway, be sure to check out the official French Lick Springs Hotel website.
Address: French Lick Springs Hotel, 8670 IN-56, French Lick, IN 47432, USA
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