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Frankray1957
My wife and I visited for a day-trip, to soak in the pools and enjoy the natural setting. It was pouring rain the whole time we were there, and it was truly extraordinary to experience the rainstorm from the comfort of the spiral pools. We chose to wear bathing suits, and were clearly in the minority, but I didn't feel uncomfortable around all of the naked strangers. Everyone was very friendly, calm and welcoming to newcomers - clothed or not. The pools are clean and well-maintained. The staff were helpful and friendly. We passed on the vegetarian fare, and instead had burgers and then ice cream at a couple of local restaurants in the town of Detroit - down the road. All in all, it was one of the most fun and relaxing day trips we've taken in a long time. Highly recommended!
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739christyr
I'm hooked on Breitenbush! Great creative vegetarian food, many relaxing hot spring pools to choose from. The massage staff is gifted. Everyone seems has a positive energy. It is very clean there. I've seen the staff working and they do a thorough job. No cell phone access-what a relief! Put your comfortable shoes on because there is some walking from your cabin to the lodge and springs. Tip-bring a thin towel, they dry faster on the radiator.
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bobbij582
I stayed in a tent that I rented from them. A nice big Cabalas. The hot tubs were divine. The food was superb, vegetarian meals, no meat allowed in or around the lodge. A big plus for me that they DO NOT allow alcohol. Make your plans at least 6 months in advance. Stay at least 2 days. Bring munchies. Read their rules carefully and abide by them this is a beautiful place and I for one want it to stay that way. THANKS.
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ShyBare
Breitenbush has wonderful hot pools, a sauna, yoga classes, and labyrinth walk. It respects nature and a place where you can truly commune with the earth. This is a place to unwind and relax. The camping area is small with just 12 sites for tents (plus 5 for vehicle campers). But they are lovely. Many are nestled deep in the trees. This is a place where people respect silence and most choose to only whisper when at their tents.There is no facilities in the camping area, but there are two porta potties close by. Showers are in with the cabins, so a wee walk. The cost of camping is considerably higher than normal campsites. But then at Breitenbush your lodging (including camping) includes three vegetarian meals plus use of all amenities. To note, it is "clothing optional" at the hot tubs & sauna with most people choosing that option. However, people do not walk around the camp or through the lodge without being covered, so bring a robe. Overall this is a magical spot.
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SCtripchick
This was our second multiple night stay at BB. The cabins are basic but clean. We did not remember to bring our own bedding so paid for their's. The food was better this time than the last time we went but not the best for a retreat like this. (We have been to several in CA with way fresher and more interesting food. The baths on the hill side are the reason to come. Great views and varying degrees of heat. We also like the free daily classes, hiking trails and variety of spots of hang out. the many accommodation options and good value for the money. they keep the place up and are always making improvements. Are you surrounded by groovy new age people, sure but that can be very entertaining. Unlike one of the reviewers we find the staff to be overall happy and well treated form what we heard. We also appreciated the family friendliness of the place. Of course liken any public setting these days some parents don't seem to realize parenting is a 24 hour a day job but overall we were lucky and the kids when we have been there were fine. The first time our daughter and another family with two daughters were with us. The kids wore or didn't wear bathings suits as it suited (ha ha) them. I am sure we will go back again.
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OlgaPurington
Great discovery. It took about 2.5 h to get from Portland airport. The drive was very scenic. Use the directions com their website . Nav or GPS is not reliable. I used a day pass. Paid $20. The fee is between $15-28. I felt $20 was sufficient. The parking is plenty. Make sue to bring a bag with a towel, etc and water bottle from a car. The springs are a bit away from the parking lot. Dress up light as the soaking area is closing optional. The best view is at silent pool. The view is breathtaking. The tub is overlooking mountains with a wonderful floating river sound below. It is also the hottest pool. I tried the spiral tubs. Basically 4 different temperature soaking tubs, including cold plunge. The views were uneventful. But the tubs are shaded and good for soaking and reading. The property has a steam sauna with mineral water. Very nice! Make sure to fill in a tub outside with a cold water. It feels really good to go back and forth between the sauna and cold plunge for temperature contrast. I took a walk around the property. It is big and has multiple accommodations. You can stay in a cabin with or without bathroom or in a platform tent( it has 2 mattresses with sheets but you need to bring your own bedding. They looked very romantic . My favorite place was Sanctuary. Beautiful yoga Dom with crystal hanging from the ceiling in the middle. Peaceful views of the forest and nice sent smell. I did not have much time but could totally see myself meditating there or taking a rest. The resort has yoga classes and meditation practice sessions. Another building that I really liked was Buddha playhouse.it is very primitive, simple, rustic inside but has a wonderful picture window looking into vista. Excellent for a meditation practice or a nap. Finally, I had a buffet dinner there. It is vegetarian. Tasty. A bit heavy in sauces. But I felt it provided a good value for a money. I would love to stay a couple of nights there next time to enjoy the hikes. The drive back to Portland through Detroit was simply breath taking! And probably worth exploring more! Highly recommend!
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minimuffinlover
The cabins were full, so we drove from a Portland airbnb for the day - an excellent value at sliding scale $15-28 per person from 9am to 6pm. The springs do not look like a pool, more like small rock ponds. Nudity is certainly the rule, but no big deal. The organic buffet lunch for $12.50 was superb, and the Basil Lemonade alone was totally worth it. The setting, amenities and vibe are all beautiful and conducive to relaxation - small children were noisy, but mostly there was great people watching in yoga poses, hula hoops, quiet reading or lounging. I say it's worth the drive, but the fact that we had a sunny day definitely helped.
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hurstdavidj
It's a beautiful setting, for sure. Cabins are great until they throw in a stranger as your roommate; pay the extra and make it private. The food the food the food. You get sick of it by the third day, there is so much, but really great. Now, I like kids; it's just their parents I don't like. Why do I say that? Well, they think their kids are "special" "unique" "so smart" "cute" "funny" "etc." ...on the other hand, I saw "rude" "pushing siblings into adults and walking on their feet instead of their own" "loud" "out of control" "outright obnoxious" children. Granted, there were a few charming ones in the mix, it kind of ruins the energy when you're trying to relax and people turn their cheeks (really) when they need to discipline their kids. I pay as much as they do and don't want to have to deal with it. Take things for your kids to do, and/or family games, books, toys. I am not their toy. And while we are on this subject, I do not wish to get into a hot springs where a toddler or baby has been soaking; that's outright nasty even if you think the hot springs has a natural disinfectant quality--well, it doesn't. It actually can feed many of the organisms left behind by a potty training kid. EWE...please, Breitenbush, make one of the lower hot springs a birth to age 4 springs and make them stay there where they can all swim/soak in their community organisms. Also, the place is a perfect hiding spot for perverts, as they are allowed to view beautiful, naked children romping around the woods and ponds. People will just think they are yuppies away on a retreat. As such, since no one has ever thought of this, in order to protect the children from unpleasantries, impromptu photo shoots, ets., it would benefit all if clothing was mandatory for those under 18. As a teacher, do you think I like a naked ten year old sitting next to me? No. There's something wrong that the parents can't figure this out, so I think it should be policy. It doesn't hurt them to wear a suit until they are 18. It's for safety and comfort, along with being more sanitary. When there are children's events and many families, the pools need to be checked more frequently, also, for pathogens. Well, moving past the experiences with the children with invisible parents, the staff was the best part of this. Most of them were friendly, except the old guy who had to sit where I was eating and run the place into the ground--at which point, I moved tables. They have some real staff issues and this guy is the issue!! The politics (which I didn't want to hear about) are such that after a period of time, the staff becomes part owners yet there are no distribution of profits or stock options, which would be reasonable considering some people will make this their life's work. Basically, a person could work there for 20 years and end up with nothing, being thrown back into society into a nursing home or some God-awful adjustment when you are too old to work your 30-40 hours a week shift. God help you if you get sick or have an accident while working. You'll be homeless. Although the organization appears to be a positive and delightful work environment, one should not be so naïve to think that the politics in this place sets the tone for a futuristic society that reeks of Communistic overtones. Communism is the idea that everyone in a given society receives equal shares of the benefits derived from labor and that is the basis of this for the workers. This would not come up in a review but for the butt-jerk old fart going off at the mouth--truly a representative of the culture there--I don't think so, but if the guy is so unhappy with his agreement to work in a place like this, he should not be going around at dinner time spewing his "true confessions" to a friend who happens to be sitting next to someone neither of them know. An interesting blend of customers attending, with many snobbish, new-age self imposed guru types or the Buddha reincarnated, Himself. Lots of airs and snobbishness, big egos, but opportunities exist to make new friends more to your liking somewhere in the woods or pools. I can't wait to return to this place to experience chapter two. Also, this place would be difficult to get around if you are in a wheelchair; you wouldn't make it out of the parking lot. Crutches could make it to the hot springs on the left side but not down the right path.
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seniortraveller101
I spent 2 nights at Breitenbush last week and was disappointed. The cabins are rustic, but clean. I had a cabin with toilet and sink so no midnight trips to the bathhouse in the very dark were needed. But, I had to move to a cabin without toilet and sink and realized that just wouldn't do. I get up several times a night and couldn't see bundling up, getting my flashlight and hiking a block to the toilet! So I left early.The food is marginal and I usually like vegetarian a lot.There is no outside lighting and it is DARK . The first night there, I got turned around after dinner and wandered around 15 minutes until I finally found my cabin.I like more amenities like enough lighting and rooms with toilets. So, not my think and I won't go back.Don't know if I can get my money back for the 3rd night, but will try.
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cyanhead
This is not a pretentious spa, but rather a place of communal harmony. Children play on the lawn, you bus your own dishes, bring your own linens, or in my case, a tent. The food is vegetarian and absolutely delicious. If you're looking for pampering, you essentially pamper yourself by taking hikes, walking the labyrinth, or soaking in the various pools. Massages are available, and they run several programs such as yoga, drum circles, and hikes.Depending on the type of experience you want, you have a choice of lodging. I wanted a silent retreat, so I brought my own tent and stayed in the camp area where cars are not allowed. They have giant carts for you to carry your items, though, which is a nice touch. You have your choice of cabins, staying in the lodge, or dormitories. Each has its own charm.Now, a couple of essentials: You will need a light source, but don't bring one of those headlamps. They are way too bright and blind people in the pools because they are aimed down. Try to find something less bright or throw a filter over a flashlight. Bring at least two towels, just in case the first one doesn't dry in time. You will need sandals and loose clothing and a robe so that you can easily move from one pool to another. There's hiking, and yoga, so if you're interested in those, bring the appropriate clothing. Many people brought a french press since there is no coffee, and you do have the ability to put items in the refrigerator if you want creamer.You will have the ability to spend a lot of time in your own thoughts or bonding with your traveling partner since there are no electronic distractions. There is no cell coverage and no wifi, so enjoy the chance to reconnect. Your time here will depend on what you make of it.
