HotelChatter

Luckily, they also understand if you don’t feel the same (there are private baths you can hire for $10) and it’s not so hippyish that there’s no wifi. Accommodation is either in trailers or in a little prefab block across from the springs. The cheapest room is $55 and has a shared bathroom, but it was a little dark, so we plumped for trailer number 6, at $75.

Room Reaction
When we were assigned a trailer, we were a bit nervous. Was this an expensive RV park? Luckily, the row of three trailers just looked like a row of little huts, with stairs and a seating area outside each. And inside, you’d never know. The room was simple but absolutely spotless (peace out to Tracy, who had cleaned it). Air con was a tad noisy, but kept it nice and cool. There was a fridge and small wardrobe space too. The bathroom was pretty tiny, but functional – great shower pressure, which we totally didn’t expect in a trailer.

What We Liked
The atmosphere – as you’d expect from the tie dye, this is a really friendly place, and people will talk to you. But weirdly, you won’t be annoyed – we got accosted in the hot tub but we actually really enjoyed the conversation. Everyone is great at giving recommendations for places to eat, see, and people to meet – Tracy hooked us up with a friend of hers for somewhere down the road. And the springs are fantastic (see below).

What We Didn’t Like
The cheapo rooms, which feed off a communal kitchen and bathroom, were a little dark and dank for us. You’re much better off shelling out for a trailer. Also, there’s no breakfast here, although there’s a nice café about two blocks away.

Public Spaces
There’s a nice and peaceful garden area, but the real draw is the batch of hot tubs, fed by the springs. There are five public baths, three in an open bathhouse, two perched on the banks of the Rio Grande. Each is at a different temperature (102-108 degrees), and you soak for a few minutes in each, then jump into the river (yes, into the Rio Grande, very exciting) to cool off. Best of all, because there’s no sulphur in the water, there’s none of that eggy smell you usually get in a spa tub, so you won’t need to rinse afterwards.

Bottom line
This is by no means as swish as Blackstone, but it’s way friendlier, and soaking in the tubs on the riverbank is pretty mellow experience, man. If you like the simple life, you’ll be well placed with the hippies.