Spa /Mineral Springs, Golf, Horseback Riding, Casino, various Dining options, Outdoor and Indoor Swimming Pools.
West Baden Springs Hotel – French Lick Resort – Background / Overview
“Since its early founding, the area of French Lick has been filled with intrigue, adventure and decadence. The rich history surrounding the resort has provided guests with an unmistakable optimism for health, good fortune and the opportunity to satisfy any whim — making it the destination of choice for many of our nation’s most regarded clientele.
The Roaring ‘20s brought the likes of the Rockefellers, the Vanderbilts and the Studebakers to this tiny valley in southern Indiana — all rubbing shoulders with politicians, sports legends and gangsters”.
We have been fortunate to have stayed at the West Baden Springs Hotel on a few occasions, most recently to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. During our 3-day stay, we had the opportunity to enjoy a variety of activities which range from luxurious spa treatments to outdoor adventures plus we had some time to relax by the pool as well as read a book in a comfortable rocking chair on the vast veranda.
There is a distinct aura about West Baden Springs Hotel. From the moment you step into the glamorous, ornate lobby, you become enveloped in a world of opulence and comfort. The hotel grounds are meticulously manicured, finished with sprawling gardens and water features, inviting you to slow down and savor the moment, which we did.
West Baden Springs Hotel & Spa in French Lick Indiana
The West Baden Springs Hotel is part of the French Lick Resort and is a National Historic Landmark hotel in West Baden Springs, Orange County, in southern Indiana. The hotel became a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
The land once hosted an abundance of deer and buffalo, way back in the day, and the area around French Lick was heavily frequented for its salts and minerals (Salt Licks) which provided essential nutrients not only for buffalo, but native Americans and early settlers as well. Migrating buffalo followed their established trails (the Buffalo Trace in this case) which provided necessary food, water, and salt. Buffalo were smarter than we knew.
The land including the mineral springs was purchased in 1830’s and later an inn was built around 1840–45. The old inn developed into the French Lick Springs Hotel, which became a popular health resort for wealthy Chicagoans looking for a break from city life and maybe some bootleg gin, gambling, and other entertainment.
In 1902, The West Baden Springs Hotel opened on a nearby site. It was glamorous and catered to every whim and possible need any city-dweller brought with him or her. It was promoted as the Eighth Wonder of the World.
Mosiac Floor Tiles and a Rookwood Fireplace at West Baden Springs
The West Baden Springs Hotel was designed and built with an appreciation for art. The atrium floor and other flooring on the main level was manually laid in 1917. It was created from 4.5 million 1-inch mosaic tiles. This massive project took a team of artisans from the Cassini Mosaic Tile Company, out of Cincinnati, about six months to finish.
For ceramic / pottery lovers, Rookwood Pottery of Cincinnati was commissioned to construct a pottery façade for the massive fireplace located in the atrium of the Hotel. This artistic feat is about 19-feet long and 11-feet high, depicting a catalpa tree across the front of the fireplace opening and is supposedly the largest piece of Rookwood ever built and estimated to be worth about $500,000.
Hotel Amenities – West Baden Springs
- Free Valet parking
- Free Shuttle to other parts of the resort e.g. French Lick Hotel, Golf courses,
- Residents at West Baden Springs hotel have full access to the French Lick Hotel amenities
- Spa and Mineral Springs
- Indoor & Outdoor pools and Gym
- Casino: 24/7 and “smoke free”
- 3 Golf Courses: including a Donald Ross course and a Peter Dye course
- Stables for Horse Riding and Clay Shooting & Archery
- Hiking trails and Bike trails
West Baden Springs Hotel – Map of the Resort
SPA Treatments – Health, Wellness and Relaxation
There are spa facilities and swimming pools at the West Baden Springs Hotel and also the French Lick Springs Hotel and patrons can use which ever suits them.
The spa at West Baden Springs hotel features a full-service spa with swimming pool and gym on the lower level as well as a smaller outside pool for a cool dip.
French Lick Springs Spa features 28 rooms with a variety of treatments. It is here you can enjoy a Historic Signature Pluto Bath relaxing in a private tub and soak in the same mineral spring waters that made this hotel famous in the 1800s. If a soak is not for you, the spa menue has something for everyone including facials, massages, and nail treatments.
Golf Courses
West Baden Springs and French Lick provides two Championship 18 hole golf courses, one designed by Donald Ross and the other by Peter Dye. There is a 9 hole course available as well.
Peter Dye Course at French Lick
The Peter Dye Course is on a hilltop, built on the highest point in Indiana and provides a 40-mile panoramic views of the Hoosier National Forest. It’s beautiful.
From the “tips” its length is 8,100 yards but it features five sets of tees which (they claim) makes it playable by golfers of every skill level.
To book tee times (844) 489-0529.
Green Fees In-Season $400
Cart required. No walking.
Donald Ross Course at French Lick
The Donald Ross Course built in 1917 and restored in. 2006. I am fortunate to have played it a few times before it was restored to the full Donald Ross original design. The course was tough enough then and by all accounts its tougher after the restoration 2007.
To book tee times (844) 489-0529.
Green Fees In-Season $150
Cart required. No walking.
VALLEY LINKS
The Valley Links is a 9-hole course ideal for youth and beginners as well as experienced golfers who can play the course at 3,450 yards from the back tees, so they say.
To book tee times, call (844) 489-0529.
Green Fees IN-SEASON
(April 2 – November 15, 2024)
Weekend 9 • $45 | Weekday 9 • $40
Weekend 18 • $60 | Weekday 18 • $50
Hiking Trails at French Lick
Description of Hiking Trails
# 1 – Moderate (1.5 miles) – Past the Valley Links golf shop, follow the signs for Trail 1, and hike into the Hoosier National Forest hills.
# 2 – Rugged (5.1 miles) – Trailhead located west of Monon Drive on West County Road 25 South.
#3 – Rugged (3.8 miles) – Trailhead located west of Monon Drive on West County Road 25 South. Access this section through Trail 2.
Ferguson Trail (1 mile) – A paved path connecting French Lick Springs Hotel and West Baden Springs Hotel.
Stables Hiking Trail (2 miles round trip) – A short, moderate wooded path to The Stables and back. Trail begins near the back of the self-parking lot at
West Baden Springs Hotel.
The Stables – Activities at French Lick
Horseback Riding, Carriage Rides, Tour of Stables
Horseback Riding
The Stables at French Lick Resort offer guided trail rides ranging in length from 45 to 90 minutes. We enjoyed a 45 minute horseback ride through the picturesque trails bordering the Hoosier National Forest. Below is John on Eeyore. Lynn is on the Silver Streak, known as Buddy.
The Stables at French Lick Resort are open 7 days a week. There are 26 horses at the stables and a good number of them are ponys for younger equestrians.
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Clay Shooting
Daily • 9am – 3:30pm
The Stables at French Lick Resort
Prices based on number of Target Rounds (25, 50, 100) and whether or not you use your own shotgun and shells
Reservations required: (812) 936-5546
Example: 25 Target Rounds
- $95 per person (includes shotgun, shells, safety glasses and golf cart)
- $65 per person (guest provides own shotgun and shells; safety glasses and golf cart included)
Archery Range
Daily • 9am – 3:30pm
The Stables at French Lick Resort
Reservations required: (812) 936-5546
Crossbows are not permitted.
Like the Clay Shooting the prices are based on whether you use your own equipment or not.
10 Target Shoot
- $60 per person (includes recurve bow, arrows, arm guard and golf cart)
- $40 per person (guest provides own bow and arrows; golf cart provided)
Dining Options at the Resort
We have enjoyed and recommend the food quality and excellent service available at the different dining locations in West Baden – French Lick, the choice is yours depending on your mood, diet requirements and wallet preference.
Fine Dining
1875: THE STEAKHOUSE located in the French Lick Springs Hotel
Serving 100% premium aged Midwest, corn-fed Angus beef.
- Sunday – Thursday: 5pm – 9pm
- Friday & Saturday: 5pm – 10pm
SINCLAIR’S RESTAURANT located in the West Baden Springs Hotel
Sinclair’s is our favorite fine dining restaurant, because of the food choice and presentation along with the general ambience of the dining room itself.
- Sunday – Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 6pm – 9pm
- Friday & Saturday: 5pm – 9pm
Boomer Alert: Highly Recommended
TABLE ONE located in the West Baden Springs Hotel
Table One is a chef’s tasting table and a unique private dining experience for groups of up to 10.
Thursday, Friday & Saturday: By Reservation Only
Casual Dining
HAGEN’S CLUB HOUSE RESTAURANT located at the Donald Ross Golf Course
Hagen’s is our favorite casual restaurant, with great views of the golf course and a diverse menu including steaks, seafood, salads, burgers, and Hagen’s signature BBQ ribs.
Boomer Alert: Recommended
Daily: 11am – 9pm
CAFÉ SINCLAIR’S located in West Baden Springs Hotel
Café Sinclair’s is a sophisticated and refined location for breakfast or an early brunch.
Boomer Alert: Highly Recommended–breakfasts are fabulous!!
- Sunday: 7am – 1pm
- Monday – Saturday: 7am – 11am
BALLARD’S IN THE ATRIUM located in West Baden Springs Hotel
Choose from a wide selection of appetizers, salads, pizzas, sandwiches and dinner entrees, and savor the ambiance of a dining atmosphere in the famous atrium.
- Daily: 11am – 10pm
Ballard’s Bar
Sunday–Thursday: Drinks and late-night menu available until 11pm
Friday & Saturday: Drinks and late-night menu available until midnight
Boomer Alert: Recommended
POWER PLANT BAR & GRILL located in the French Lick Springs Hotel
Family-friendly restaurant that serves up appetizers, salads, burgers and sandwiches, plus a kid’s menu
Daily: 11am – 10pm
SPRING NO. 8 located in the French Lick Springs Hotel
Offers variety of sandwiches and salads along with nachos, hot dogs and personal pizzas. Dining service inside or grab a table outdoors on the shaded pool patio.
Daily: 11am – 5pm
THE GRAND COLONNADE RESTAURANT located at the French Lick Springs Hotel
All-you-can eat breakfast buffet is $21 for adults, half price for children
Daily: 7am – 11am
PLUTO’S PIZZERIA located at the French Springs Hotel
Pluto’s Pizzeria offers a variety of homemade calzones, stromboli and pizza served whole or by the slice.
Daily: 11am – 11pm
The Casino at the French Link Resort
While we walked through the “smoke free” Casino, we didn’t stay long as we are not avid fans of betting our hard-earned cash. Plus the more modern slot machines have no handles to pull. We like to work for our winnings!
Here’s a summary of what is available within the Casino:
- 700+ slots — play everything from classic reel games to the hottest new interactive video slots! You’ll also find progressive jackpots, video poker and video keno of all denominations and themes.
- 25+ live-dealer table games featuring blackjack, craps, roulette, 3-card poker, mini-baccarat and more.
- It is Indiana’s only fully non-smoking casino!
- An exclusive high-limits section with tables and slots up to $100, and relaxing VIP lounge areas.
Some Trivia about French Lick – West Baden
- In 1918 and 1919 the West Baden Hotel served as a WWI War hospital.
- The mineral water at West Baden is called sprudel water.
- In 1902 West Baden hotel produced its own electricity in his own power plant.
- There are three Greek Muses in the West Baden atrium: Cleo, Calliope, and Thalia.
- West Baden had four mineral springs
- While the West Baden hotel was once advertised as having an (untrue) 708 rooms, today it does truly have 243 rooms available.
- Greek God of the Underworld Pluto is the French Lick mascot.
- The name French Lick comes from the natural salt licks created by the hot spring in the area.
- Nashville, Tennessee was once called French Lick, TN.
- The first hotel in French Lick/West Baden, IN was built in 1845.