Once a renowned retreat for Hollywood types and home to a commune and then a Bible college, Murrieta Hot Springs Resort near Temecula has returned to its roots with a gorgeous restoration of its historic grounds.
The palm-fringed property, which dates back to 1902, reopened in spring 2024 with 50 different soaking pools; lodging in beautifully preserved buildings; and other fitness- and wellness-centric facilities that aim to cater to a variety of guests — whether you’re looking for solo restorative getaway filled with plenty of spa time, a relaxing romantic trip featuring soaking tubs for two, or a family day at the pools.
As one of the first journalists to overnight at the overhauled California resort, I fully embraced the included activities and amenities that come with a hotel stay; learned about the science-backed benefits of hot springs soaking and contrast bathing (including reduced inflammation, improved mood, and boosted immunity); and sampled a spa treatment and farm-fresh menu items at current and forthcoming dining areas.
A longtime fan of hot springs, I found my visit to Murrieta Hot Springs Resort cemented my belief that frequent soaks in natural hydrothermal mineral water — accompanied by good sleep, good food, and good fitness — can only benefit the body, mind, and soul. I’m excited for folks who live in and visit Southern California to have this new opportunity to visit Murrieta Hot Springs — even just for the day.
Here’s the scoop:
Soaking Areas
The best part of my stay at Murrieta Hot Springs was sampling the variety of soaking pools. Each soaking area is warmed (or cooled) to a certain temperature displayed on a sign next to the pool. Sit and relax in tiered pools overlooking the resort; get social at the circular Roman Spa; or try contrast bathing with a stint in a warm pool followed by a 30-second (or as long as you can handle!) dip into the cool Vitality Plunge (cooled to around 50°F).
There are also circular wooden tubs set in the middle of a lake, ideal for a couple’s soak; a terrace of warm-to-cold rectangular bathtubs outside the fitness center for more opportunities to contrast bathe; and an adults-only Oasis swimming pool next to the Historic Bathhouse.
The majority of the pools are fed by a natural geothermal spring on property. The Roman Spa, family swimming pool, adults-only pool, and Vitality Plunge are fed with a domestic water source.
One benefit to staying at the resort overnight: Hotel guests have 24-7 access to the soaking areas. In the early morning and later evening, day visitors aren’t there and it’s a wonderfully serene time to enjoy the therapeutic mineral waters without crowds. Also, there are some gated areas that are only open to hotel guests, so those spots are typically quieter, as well.
Wellness Activities and Amenities
In addition to 24-hour soaking access, all hotel guests can also enjoy a free guided Vitality Plunge (which I highly recommend so you can learn more about the health benefits of contrast bathing) and daily gratitude ceremony (a nice way to wind down the day and share a mindful experience with other guests). Complimentary activities that hotel guests can book in advance are also recommended, such as aqua yoga, an aqua sound bath, and restorative yoga.
Open to both hotel and day visitors, Historic Bathhouse amenities include a massive 412-square-foot sauna with a panoramic window. There’s also indoor and outdoor lounge seating, a steam room, and indoor contrast bathing areas.
I loved heading down to “mud beach,” a sandy area with lounge chairs adjacent to a non-swimmable lake, to lather clay from the Mojave Desert mixed with geothermal, mineral-rich water on my body. I baked in the sun for a few minutes and then washed off the exfoliating and detoxifying mixture with a lake-fed outdoor shower — my skin felt silky smooth afterward!
The much-anticipated, full-service spa is still under construction, with a scheduled opening this summer. It promises to be a tranquil spot for soothing services, plus it has its own landscaped soaking area with pools specifically for spa guests.
In the meantime, treatments such as massages and facials are available in a temporary spa in the historic 1920s Stone Lodge. Day guests who book a spa treatment have full access to the main soaking pools for the day.
Murrieta Hot Springs is also home to Dynamis Fitness, a supercharged, super-modern facility offering strength and “sweat” (cardio) classes. This is a stand-alone fitness center catering to local clientele. However, visiting overnight guests can use the strength-training and cardio equipment and attend the upbeat (read: hard — I tried one!) classes at a discounted rate.
Lodging Options
Guest rooms are located in historic buildings: the early 1900s Mission Revival Monterey and California buildings, the 1920s Spanish-Mediterranean Stone Lodge (which served as a dorm for Bible college students in the 1990s through the turn of the century), the 1960s mid-century Hillside Suites, and the 1970s Lakeside lodges. Each of the accommodations has been lovingly restored with furnishings appropriate to the era of the building.
I stayed in the Stone Lodge, with terracotta tile floors and soothing natural tones throughout my room. Its location is excellent, close to the lobby building, forthcoming spa, and bathhouse. When I return, I’ve got my eye on the Hillside Suites: Each has a private patio featuring a hammock and soaking tub fed with natural geothermal waters. The two-room suites have a retro vibe, with a groovy (yet subtle) 1970s-inspired design scheme.
Murietta Hot Springs espouses four “elements” that are key to its mission to enhance guests’ well-being: Revitalization (hot springs soaks), Activity (mindful fitness), Nutrition, and Sleep. One neat amenity for all overnight guests is a sleep tray containing items and advice for a good night’s rest: ear plugs, a cell-phone sleep sack, a refreshing aromatherapy towelette, a lavender-scented aromatherapy sleep stick, and a protein snack.
A pamphlet of “sleep well techniques” outlines methods for a better sleep routine. While I can’t say I’ve kept up with the regimen at home, I appreciated learning about ways to mentally unwind from the day — one of my biggest hurdles to getting good ZZZ’s. For example, I like the advice to calm your mind by tracing your day in reverse, event by event — one way to keep thoughts from spiraling and the mind spinning just before bed!
Dining Options
The resort is still building out its dining facilities — but many exciting options will soon be fully revealed. Menus here focus on farm-fresh, sustainable ingredients, all to support the “Nutrition” element of its mission to enhance visitors’ well-being. I was able to sample some phenomenal, veggie-forward “contemporary California” dishes that looked as pretty as they tasted.
Talia Kitchen, to open this summer, and Guenther’s, a lounge open now for drinks and tapas, feature approachable, accessible, healthy menu items with ingredients sourced from surrounding farms, orchards, and ranches. Both of these eateries are open to the public. Poolside options for hotel guests and day visitors include the Tortoise Shell bar for drinks and snacks, and casual Café Azuli serving delish sandwiches, salads, and snacks.
I appreciate that although Murrieta Hot Springs Resort is decidedly a wellness resort with a focus on healthy and balanced nutrition, there are options for indulgence, too. I certainly like to drink my wine, beer (including a gluten-free option), or cocktails on vacation, so there are plenty of opportunities for that here. Meanwhile, zero-proof cocktails made with housemade syrups, as well as vitality elixirs, kombucha, smoothies, and agua fresca are also available.
Get your coffee and basic grab-and-go breakfast at Brew 1902. (Think pastries, bagels, and yogurt; I’m hoping they’ll add some egg sandwiches to the counter menu eventually, otherwise, guests must leave the premises for a hot morning meal.) Novel Wine Bar is further out from opening, but it promises to be a comfortable, social spot to relax for a drink at the end of the day.
The Bottom Line
Murietta Hot Springs Resort is a fantastic addition to the Southern California hospitality scene, and there are so many ways wellness enthusiasts can enjoy its offerings, whether with a day visit to the hot springs pools, fitness center, or spa; a dinner at Talia Kitchen, which is open to the public; or a weekend stay in one of the historic (but smartly updated!) lodging options.
Personally, I’m aiming to visit again with my husband once the spa is fully open. I’d like to combine a Murrieta Hot Springs stay with a visit to nearby Temecula wineries. A couple of days of indulgence at area vineyards, followed by healthy meals, a detoxifying spa treatment, and immune-boosting geothermal soaking is my ideal Southern California getaway.
Adult day passes start at $89; child day passes start at $45. (Get there early and stay all day to maximize the value!) Locals get discounts. Room rates start at $249 per night for a standard king bed in the Monterey Lodge. You can also check prices on Expedia. A $59 resort fee plus other assorted taxes total nearly $100 per night. Leave your dollar bills at home: This is a cashless property.
Parking for day visitors is free and included in the resort fee for overnight guests. Dogs are allowed for a $125 fee per stay.
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Hotel review and photos by Colorado-based travel writer Kara Williams. Murrieta Hot Springs Resort hosted her three-night stay. As always, all thoughts and opinions are her own.
