Description: Hot springs sounded like a good plan...we were tired...it was a cool and grey day...now it wasn't as bad a day as we felt up in the mountains so it was fine to sit out when we arrived...

The parking lot could do with some work to deal with a mammoth pot hole or two. But we parked and headed in...the guy at reception was fine in checking us in...got towels for those who needed then. And we headed to the changing room...these where anything but impressive...pokey, and the floor was wet and very slippy...and if you are used to privacy to change forget it. One of my friends got yelled at to get in the shower before using the pool by some woman in the changing room, even though she was simply standing there. When we were leaving the floor seemed muddy and bits of grass from the lawn on th

So we headed out...there was a large lawn area with a good number of patio plastic chairs about the place and also a few gazebo areas for shady areas. There were quite a few families with children about the place...we watched a staff member on several occasions take away from some of the kids bin lids they'd taken and were playing with in the pool.

There was a decent size rectangular pool...there was a committed lap swimming lane...but I'm not a fast swimmer and so I tend to avoid those lanes as I cause a traffic jam...but I found it difficult in the other part of the pool to swim a few lengths without nearly colliding with a kid.

I know this was a Sunday afternoon when we were there...so kind of prime family time...but hot springs don't normally suggest to me so many kids being present. Oh well...

The hot spring pool is divided into two...one is a cooler temperature and one a hotter one...I can't quite remember the actual temps...I headed to the 'warm' section first, and it was nice to soak in...but I there were quite a few people and kids in this pool. After a while I decided I'd been in the heat enough and went and swam a few lengths. I then took my turn and went and sat with all our stuff. I decided that another stint in the thermal pools was called for...so I got in the warm one and then decided I would try the hot one...and lasted all of 2 minutes...it was so hot...and went back into the warm pool instead. The guys decided if I'd done it they better not be showed up, and did bet my miserable two minutes, but they couldn't manage more than about 5 minutes.


Some of our group did try out the sauna but with two spells in the hot springs I decided I had had enough heat and simply dried off...I decided that the changing rooms were uninspiring enough that I would skip showering and changing until I got back to the motel and just put on the beach dress thing.

Honestly and truthfully...I enjoyed the springs...the waters were good...though it was fun when one of the guys started to read the posted list of minerals in the water, including arsenic and cadmium,...but that was on the way out he saw that and slightly frecked...Anyway...it all depends on your expectations...they seem to have designated this as a family friendly place...and it will not be quiet or chilled. This I could cope with...but I didn't know what to expect...but the changing rooms just meant I could only give two stars. But at the same time...I would go back...because the waters did work their magic on my muscles.Close