Quick FactsOverview
About The Original Springs Hotel & Mineral Spa
The Original Springs Hotel & Mineral Spa, Illinois is a historic mineral bathhouse and hotel in the small town of Okawville, widely described as the only operating mineral spa left in the state. The current brick building dates to 1892 and sits on a resort site first developed in 1867, after mineral-rich well water was discovered on the property. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains a landmark in Okawville.
The water here comes from a mineral spring rich in sulfur and magnesium rather than a geothermal source, so Illinois has no truly hot water in the way western states do. Instead, the spring water is drawn and warmed for soaking, and the spa has long centered on quiet warm mineral baths, massages, and other wellness treatments. This hot spring resort experience is about historic bathing and relaxation rather than open-air natural pools.
Alongside the baths, the property operates as a hotel with an outdoor pool and an on-site restaurant, which has made it a steady stop for travelers in southwestern Illinois near Okawville. Note that as of late 2025 the hotel and spa are temporarily closed for renovation, with no firm reopening date announced, so visitors should confirm the latest status before planning a trip.
Location & Access
Getting to The Original Springs Hotel & Mineral Spa
The Original Springs Hotel & Mineral Spa is reached by car at 506 N Hanover Street in Okawville, Illinois, with no hiking or walking required to arrive at the door. Okawville sits just off Interstate 64 in southwestern Illinois, roughly 45 miles east of St. Louis, which makes the spa an easy highway stop rather than a remote destination.
The hotel is in the middle of town, so the approach is simple: exit the interstate, drive a short distance into Okawville, and the historic building is easy to spot. On-site parking is available and free, and the entrance is at street level. As a town-center mineral spa rather than a backcountry spring, it is one of the few hot springs near Okawville that you can reach without any trail or rough road.
Because the surrounding area is flat farmland and small-town streets, the drive in is straightforward in any season. The spa shares its building with a hotel and restaurant, so the same parking and entrance serve overnight guests and day bath visitors alike. Anyone planning a visit should remember that the property is temporarily closed for renovation as of late 2025, and should check the official site or call ahead before driving out, since reopening timing has not been confirmed.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who The Original Springs Hotel & Mineral Spa Suits
The Original Springs Hotel & Mineral Spa suits adults and history-minded travelers who want a quiet warm mineral soak and a sense of old-fashioned bathhouse character, rather than families looking for a splash-and-play water attraction. The draw is the historic mineral bath experience, which is calm and spa-oriented, so it fits couples, solo travelers, and anyone curious about one of the more unusual hot springs in Illinois.
The spa has historically welcomed day visitors as well as overnight hotel guests, with paid mineral bath sessions, so you do not need to book a room to use the baths. Pricing has been modest for a bath session, which makes it approachable for travelers passing through on Interstate 64. Because it is a paid, treatment-based spa, it works best for those planning a deliberate wellness stop rather than a casual free dip.
Accessibility is mixed and should be checked directly with the property. The building dates to 1892, and while the hotel advertises some accessible facilities, the historic bath areas may involve steps or narrow spaces that are hard to navigate for wheelchair users. Families with young children may also find the quiet, adult-oriented bath setting less suitable than a public pool. Since the spa is temporarily closed for renovation as of late 2025, anyone with specific access needs should confirm the updated facilities once it reopens.
Safety & Etiquette
The Original Springs Hotel & Mineral Spa Safety Tips
The Original Springs Hotel & Mineral Spa is generally safe as a supervised indoor mineral spa, but the most important thing to know right now is that it is temporarily closed for renovation as of late 2025, so it is not open for visits until it reopens. Before making any plans, check the official website or call the property to confirm whether bathing and lodging have resumed, since no firm reopening date has been announced.
When the spa is operating, the mineral baths are warm soaking baths rather than scalding thermal water, so overheating is less of a concern than at natural hot springs out west. Even so, warm mineral soaks can leave some people lightheaded, so it helps to hydrate, limit the length of a soak, and step out slowly. Anyone who is pregnant or who has heart conditions or other health concerns should speak with a doctor before a warm mineral bath.
As an indoor historic facility, normal spa etiquette applies: follow staff instructions, rinse before bathing, keep noise low out of respect for the quiet setting, and wear the swimwear the spa requires. The building is more than a century old, so watch footing on older tile and stairs, which can be slick when wet, and give yourself time moving between the bath rooms and changing areas. It is also worth booking a bath session ahead rather than assuming walk-in space, since the spa is small and historically quiet. Treating the historic property with care, leaving the bath areas clean for the next guest, and respecting the calm atmosphere all help preserve one of the oldest bathing landmarks in the region for future visitors.
