West Baden Springs Hotel is surreally beautiful — there’s a reason why the hotel was dubbed the eighth wonder of the world, when it was first built in 1902. Erecting its glass dome, spanning 200 feet in diameter, at the time the largest in the world, was an unmatched feat of engineering. The round atrium underneath the dome, overlooked by rooms windows and balconies, is reminiscent of the gilded era, and yet there’s something uniquely futuristic about the place.
The hotel had a tumultuous history, rising from ashes again and again, sometimes literally. Built by hotelier Lee Sinclair in 1885 to tap into the area’s mineral springs and their alleged medicinal qualities, its earliest building burnt down to ground in 1901. Sinclair was ready to retire but his daughter Lillian talked him out of it. Instead, he built a circular structure topped with the world's largest dome at the time, held by steel rods — in an amazing span of only a year. Over the next century, the hotel had been everything from a hospital to a Jesuit college, until it fell in disrepair in 1991, when one of its walls collapsed. A local entrepreneur couple helped restore West Baden Springs to its former glory. The hotel also has an adjacent sister property named French Lick Springs Hotel.
How I Felt
Awed. Walking into the hotel’s 130-foot-tall glass atrium, filled me with a sense of wonder and reverence. With its massive glass dome the atrium basks in sunlight during the day and lights up in rainbow of colors during the night, casting shadows onto the Greek and Roman frescos on the walls — a spectacle guests can watch from their rooms’ balconies all evening. The onsite historians offer behind-the-scenes tours sharing the hotel’s unique history and secrets.
The Digs
My room was at the very top floor and thus right underneath to the dome — it almost felt as if I could touch it. I loved the fact that my room had a balcony that overlooked the atrium. It also had an enormous plush bed, an oversized bathtub and marble floors.
The hotel also has a spa that uses water from natural springs said to have medicinal qualities — that’s why the hotel was built here in the first place. Besides the salubrious waters, the spa offers massage services and other treatments. There’s a cute trolley that can take you around or to the sister property, French Lick. Or you can choose to walk there.
The Agenda
I spent quite some time soaking up the beauty and tranquility of the place, sitting on my balcony with a cap of tea, enjoying the early morning sunshine and the colorful light show in the evening. I was endlessly fascinated by the glass dome and by the hotel’s unique story. I was on a business trip in Indiana and was surprised to find such a sophisticated and beautiful spot in the otherwise rural settings.
I went to swim in the hotel’s mineral waters, enjoyed a massage and followed an onsite historian on an insider’s tour. I also enjoyed shopping at West Baden Spring’s many boutiques which sell artsy clothes, shoes and jewelry — and brought home a few great finds.
The Eats
Breakfasts were immense and delicious. My favorite dish was a yoghurt and granola bowl topped with the freshest ever fruit and berries, each nearly popping with ripeness.
There are several different restaurants on-site, ranging from European-inspired cuisine to alfresco-like dining under the atrium glass dome. Sinclair's, the hotel’s iconic restaurant named after the original owner, serves contemporary American cuisine including perfectly tender scallops, succulent steaks and juicy Chilean seabass, complemented by an impressive wine list and dessert options. Meanwhile, Table One offers a unique culinary experience, in which chefs will work with you to combine your personal tastes with their ideas. Moreover, you can watch your culinary team prepare your dinner through a glass wall.
Why I Would Go Back
I would come back to relish the sunshine under the glass dome and the light show in the evening, only this time I would take my husband with me. We would have a terrific time together dining in the atrium and listening to all the yesteryear stories. It would be so romantic!
Lina Zeldovich
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