Orr Hot Springs
www.andersonic.net/orr/
Description: Orr Hot Springs is an historical resort in Ukiah, CA, located near old growth groves.
Category:
Travel
Keywords:
lodge, dormitory, accomodation, camp, garden, pool, montgomery woods
Address:
13201 Orr Springs Rd map
Ukiah, CA
95482
Reviews of Orr Hot Springs
Orr - The Premiere Developed Hot Springs Experience
My first visit to Orr was over Labor Day weekend -- it had a lot of people, and yet, it didn't feel terribly crowded. Even the kitchen is big enough to accommodate work areas that allow people to prepare food without totally bumping elbows. The private tub rooms do have some sound from the pumps - but it basically amounts to white noise and helps cut down on the sound of people's conversations in other areas.
I found the venue entirely charming and relaxing -- just enough areas with quiet and with white-noise to make it the perfect retreat. The only thing I might change would be the size of the tent camping areas -- the spaces are a bit small and my old and very large tent barely fit in the spot nearest the gate.
Orr was much better than Harbin and substantially more reasonable than Wilbur. I highly recommend it and will go there again and again. The vibe is completely mellow and laid back -- not the new agey/sexually charged vibe you find at Harbin.
Jenn A.'s keywords: orr springs, hot springs, hot pools
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Not Crazy about the New Orr Hot Springs
Not that I've ever been to the old one. But Orr finally reopened to the public (given you've made a rez), after a long-overhaul of its hot springs facilities.
When you take a private tub (there are half a dozen private tubs enclosed in cedar rooms), the noise of the hot springs pumps and machinery are SO LOUD that you can't even relax with your ears under the water. Major oversight for a relaxing hot springs environs, major design flaw.
I don't mean to be a hot springs snob -- however, you can hardly escape the noise. I was disappointed, only because Orr is expensive and the property and location are utterly pristine. And the noise was enough to unwarrant a return visit, because it was difficult to relax. Also, the new tubs that opened have a permanent architectural hot springs "faucet" that's essentially always open, eliciting intermittently the sound of falling hot springs into the tubs, and because the sound is loud but unconstant, it's also startling and creates an unrelaxing environment. Another major design flaw, IMHO.
Now the major benefit of Orr is that Montgomery Woods, a huge old growth redwood grove, is just down the street, where you can take a majestic hike, and I mean truly staggering. We also stayed in a very cute yurt.
I had been hearing about Orr Hot Springs for years, and was so excited to get up there, and I have to admit, I'm not excited to return. I'll go to Indian Springs instead, or Wilbur. Thankyou.
Abendigo R.'s keywords: orr hot springs, ukiah, old growth, spa, health, holistic
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User Comments:
Jenn A. says:
I was pretty surprised that you rated this so low - I thought it was plenty quiet! Sure - there's a low hum from the pumps, but that just becomes white noise. If you're looking for noise, you'll find it, you know? I... more »
Abendigo R. says:
I brought my rating up to 3 stars! Did you just go, to the new tubs? I wasn't looking for noise at all -- but like I said in the post, I'm not trying to be a hot springs snob. It's just a basic tenet of feng... more »
Jenn A. says:
I was there last Labor Day weekend - it was outstanding! The place is so gorgeous. Honestly, I didn't really notice the noise as a problem. The people talking were more annoying than the sound of pumps. I liked that... more »