The West Baden Springs Hotel is part of an historic 19th century complex of springs and health spas which also included the neighboring French Lick. The properties went through a number of transitions along the way and by the 1980s and 90s were unused and nearing collapse. Some forward thinking people stepped in and stabilized the structures which have since been given a major rehabilitation. Reportedly nearly $500 million was spent on the overall rehab.

The hotel is a huge circular building featuring a two hundred foot diameter atrium with a skylighted dome built without any supporting columns to keep the space totally open. The building is six stories high and the rooms form two concentric rings with a hallway in the center. Those on the outside have windows looking out on the grounds. Those on the inside have windows and balconies looking out into the atrium, a truly spectacular piece of architecture. The ground floor has meeting rooms, offices restaurants and shops, the upper floors have around 270 mini-suite guest rooms total.

The French Lick portion is now a casino. There are golf courses, drives and trails that interconnect the properties. Our visit was just a one night stay near the beginning of a major tour, so we only scratched the surface as to what there is to do. The properties are large and beautifully landscaped.

The original springs have been sealed off or covered, although some of the associated buildings still stand. It is now long gone but at one time there was a double decked track on this site. The ground level was a pony track and the upper level was a wooden track used for bicycles during the day and switched over for a promanade with seating in the evening! The track was 1/3 mile in length.

This was our second night on the road, part of the Grand Tour 2016, a 5800 mile drive through flyover country!