harbin hot springs

my wife and i have been going here for 15 years-even though it is a 12 hour drive from our home it is worth it-both the weather and the choices at the springs-we love the different tubs to choose from,the hiking trails to wander down,and the choice to either cook your own food or get some add-ons at the market or have them make your food in the cafe. and a favourite is the movies at night before one last visit to the pools.

I've been to Harbin many times, and always felt that they could improve their customer service. Was pleasantly surprised by the smiles and willingness to assist on my recent visit - from registration, check in to housekeeping. The one exception was the regular breakfast guy on the cash register. He could use an Harbin attitude adjustment, or maybe more coffee. Show us some love next time! :-)

My wife and I enjoyed our first visit to Harbin on Columbus Day weekend 2014. There are many positive and some negatives. Positives: assuming you appreciate being nude with others and enjoying deep relaxation (and there aren't many places where you can enjoy both anymore), this is a great place. The various baths are great - there is a variety of pools, from hot (I mean really hot), lukewarm, and freezing, plus steam and dry sauna. There is a wide age range, but few families with children, which is good in our book because Harbin is all about quiet and restorative conditions. We enjoyed long hikes on their very large mountainous property - we chose to hike nude, which was fun, how many places can you do that? The food is quite good, as was the yoga class we took. I had a really neat massage from Helen - she described it as a "Native American Journey" - it was much more than a massage (think spiritual experience that includes high quality massage) and it was really unique and memorable. We did not try the Watsu water massage, mostly because it was a busy weekend and it seemed awkward sharing the pool with a lot of onlookers. Another reviewer described this as a "hippie/healing" sort of place, and I think that accurately describes the vibe. The guests we met were all very friendly and easy going people. There is no alcohol allowed, which is a good idea - this place is not a party time atmosphereNegatives: it is remote, about 1/2 drive north of Calistoga. The facility itself is in need of some serious TLC - it feels very much like a 1970-built place with nothing done to it since (this might be a positive for some). We were there on a busy weekend, mind you, but there was not a lot of deck space to sunbathe and hardly any lounges or chairs, so most people spread towels on the wood decks (by the way bring your own towel). The dining experience is retreat like, not hotel like. You wait in line to order at the kitchen window, then they bring it to you - which was fine with us, but we didn't know what to expect beforehand. We stayed in one of the new cottages, which are very nicely built, but there was no maid service or anything, and while we were fine with the short hike/walk from the cottages to the baths/restaurant, you should know it is about a 10-15 minute walk from your room to the rest of the facility.Overall, it is a really interesting place with a special and healthy atmosphere and we liked it after we got used to it. We expected more of a hotel type place, and it is not that. It is a retreat, and in my book, very reasonably priced for what it offers.

This is the second hot springs resort my wife and I have visited. From the standpoint of an experience with nature, the area is beautiful, however, too many buildings, pavement, etc. detracts from the feeling of being in nature. Also, human beings are social, but, the quite rules for the hot springs prevented interaction and made the experience just awkward. Having experience a true natural hot spring without signs telling you what you can and cannot do everywhere, Harbin rates at average to below average for us.

Harbin is a long-standing tradition of the San Francisco Bay Area for people who are into a naturalist/hippie/healing/hedonist/yoga type of experience. It is now run as a non-profit retreat and workshop center. The natural hot springs feed several concrete pools of different temperatures, and there are sun decks, places to eat, and yoga and other workshops. The pools and sundecks and walking areas are clothing optional (but not the eating areas), and most people do not wear clothing, so if you are bothered by this, DO NOT GO. If you are not bothered by other naked people minding their own business, then it is hard to imagine that you won't enjoy Harbin. They have a water massage called Watsu (for water shiatsu?) that is truly unbelievable. There is no cell phone service, no internet, and not much parking, so it is designed as a real escape from daily life. They have a variety of overnight accommodations including tent sites, improved tents, dormitories, shared domes with private rooms, and private cabins. (I like the domes best as you have access to another set of pools at night right outside your door.) There are shared kitchens available for use (vegetarian only), and there is an internet cafe with computers you can use for a fee (but no wifi). People of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds can be seen hiking, reading, sharing massages, doing yoga, or just relaxing and meditating. There are families with young children (though not many), and international visitors, but mostly it is locals (broadly defined). Read their website carefully to understand what it is about, and if it sounds appealing, you won't be disappointed.