Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat & Conference Ctr
Categories: Hotels & Travel Campgrounds Beauty and Spas Campgrounds, Beauty and Spas [Edit]
PO Box 578Detroit, OR 97342
(503) 854-3320
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
24 reviews for Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat & Conference Ctr
24 reviews in English
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Review from I K.
Beaverton, OR
12/13/2011
My partner and i took a getaway to the hotsprings and had a great time. Remember to get a reservation, i asked the front desk what days were best and a Monday was an excellent idea. We had one of the fabulous meadows tubs to ourselves for several hours, when we did have to share the other guests were very nice and respectful. You can stay in the cabins or just go for the day. We went for the day and had dinner with them. The meals are organic and vegie, they were really good. The dining hall features a small buffet with tasty treats. The community atmosphere around dinner is really nice.
The staff are very friendly and checkup periodically on how the conditions in the community pools are doing. The lighting at night is nice and low level you can get around without being blinded. There is a shower room so you can cleanup.
The property is very lightly patrolled and they aren't offensive but do keep an eye on things. I saw someone lighting up a ciggy, one of the other guests went and told them to leave. Very nice no tolerance smoking policy makes the place very nice.
The place is a definite return visit warranted. While it was more expensive then other hot springs in Oregon/Washington it is definitely worth the money. Remember to call ahead -- They take credit card reservations by phone. -
Review from Robert H.
4/26/2011
I grew up where hot springs were unheard of. So the idea of being in mountains, surrounded by wild fir trees soaking in steaming water coming from below while it is snowing, sunning or raining above is special!
I've talked a bit with the staff. Connect and you can visit their side of the river. The hot springs were a big resort thing long, long ago, 1930's-'40's, but went into decline and decrepitude. A hippie trust funder purchased it but realized the labor to restore it and operate it would be prohibitively expensive. Thus began its current reincarnation on Oregon earth as a community, with live-in workers doing all the work. Not sure who owns what now. All the staff I've met have been warm and hip, the organic best ever of people.
There are many small private cabins on the resort side of the river. Heating in them is regulated by opening the windows to let heat, from the iron hot water radiators fed by underground pipes, escape. That we can just throw away precious energy is crazy. In a good way!
Breitenbush gets its drinking water purified from the Breitenbush River. They thought to drill a well for drinking, but every well they drilled turned up only hot water! Though there are high voltage transmission lines overhead, Breitenbush gets all its electricity from a hydroelectric generator right on site!
They have a steam room, a primitive cedar building sitting over a steam well. It's unlit, dark and scary to enter at night, where you are thinking you are about to walk off some edge in the slatted floor and perish in the volcanoes of Mordor.
So bring flashlights to get around at night.
Have visited more than once. Suggest when you book, you check what other events are there at the same time. We visited once when almost all visitors but us were on a vipassana yoga retreat. That's cool, but it's no talking at all, period, for them, or around them. I'm interactive, so not communicating with people around me is weird.
Recommend this place as special and unique, and best experienced with the right expectations. Rustic not posh. You will not be happy if you are allergic to new age organic types. Otherwise cool peeps on staff and visiting. A very special West Coast experience! -
Review from Kevin E.
5/7/2011
I've been going to Breitenbush since 1999 and have always enjoyed my time there. It's gorgeous all around, the soaking pools are nice, the food is really delicious, healing and nurturing. Everyone I've ever met there has been nice and accepting.
I recently went there for the Mushroom Gathering and had just found out that I am allergic to gluten. I already had a soy allergy. So that creates some issues in going out. I requested special accommodations when I made my reservation and when I got there was told they don't do gluten-free accommodations. I was trying to ask the staff what was gluten and soy free and was told in a not very nice tone that the ingredient list was in a book "over there." This was the first time I've had an experience like that, which was weird. I understand that the place was packed out and maybe that woman was having a difficult day.
It would have been more helpful to just have the main allergens listed on the bar where the food was than go through each page of hand-written scratches. It would have been helpful if they just had labels such as "Soy-free", "Dairy-free", "No Nuts", "Gluten-free," etc. Given the kind of person who might frequent this gorgeous place, I would think that would be doable.
Breitenbush is an expensive place to visit if you're staying there overnight, getting a massage, going to a conference/retreat, so I was just a little put off by that brief interaction with that staff person. But, whatever, Breitenbush is awesome and has always been an enjoyable place to visit. Next time I go there I'll be sure to bring my own gluten-free items I love. If you can't afford those things, they offer a day pass but you need a reservation, and it's also nice that it's a sliding scale.
If you're there for their Goddess cake...it's incredible! I just wish now that they made a gluten-free version.
Oh, and if you can go for the Mushroom Gathering weekend you'll get some amazing foods. Really, one can't go wrong here. -
Review from Elle H.
10/20/2010
Just decided to schedule a healing long mid week time at Breitenbush-one of my favorite places for getting away from everything normal.
The food is quirky, sometimes exceptional but always healthy-especially the pizza. If you think healthy pizza is an oxymoron, you haven't been there when it's served. Sadly, there is no way to know in advance what the meal of the days are going to be.
Walking in the woods in the fall is one of my favorite things to do, and the ancient forest surrounding the hot springs is healing and nurturing. The rock labyrinth at dawn is another must do, as are early morning yoga classes.
I usually schedule a regular workshop in early February, when it's likely to be snowing. Perhaps not Breitenbush's best time of year however it can be spectacular when the moon shines on the snow as you sit in a hot tub at midnight...and then new snow begins to fall.
If you are of the sensitive new age type, BHS is the perfect place for you to center yourself. If you aren't but can tolerate and accept that in others, you might just find a great spot there.
Nude bathing in the sauna and hot springs is co-ed and common...you can't be a prude. It's a good place to look at and discuss tattoos. -
Review from cathy g.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 10/4/2010
I love this place. Once in awhile they have new not skilled reservations staff .. they are your link to go or not go. Unclear information does not hold trust or create good feelings.
I hope it is infrequent happenstance, but when it happens - it has happened. It will be better next time.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/2/2010
PLEASE CHECK ADDRESS!!
It's about 80 miles from Salem in the mountains. east 60 miles and 13 miles… Read more »
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Review from Claire R.
9/16/2011
This place is the luxury version of hot springs. I've only com ehere for the day and it was great! My boyfriend is a kayaker and loves to come here after doing a strenuous run on the river to relax. They definitely do not allow any beer or other liquor to be consumed within the facility (which is fine because the ambiance they are trying to maintain). Its very romantic and beautiful. I can't wait to come back here and book a cabin for a couple nights. Even for a few hours, you leave feeling healed and relaxed; I can't imagine what a whole weekend would feel like.
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Review from Tristan A.
Salt Lake City, UT
6/19/2007 15 photos
This is an amazing place for a rest and replenishment. I lived about 1 1/2 hours away from BB and became quite a regular there, for years, and enjoyed it immensely. It reminds a lot of Esalen in California.
The food is delish and 3 meals are included in the nightly charge there. When I stay, I stay in the non-bathroom cabin for $64 (bathrooms are a separate building, close by) or a lodge room for $50 or I do the volunteer program which is a great time. There are also dorms for less, but I haven't tried those. In the summer you can camp there or stay in their tents there.
The community members that live there are friendly and helpful. They take their springs very seriously and they are very well cared for. I think they quietly discourage the 'one hour soakers' with charges and limited hours, due to bad experiences they have had in the past. Some Oregon hot springs are left trashed by users. I have hot spring-ed all over and this place is very very nice. Check out the natural steam baths, the meadow springs and the 4 tubs on the river (varying temperatures - near scalding to a cold plunge), but do yourself a favor and spend a night or two to get the full relaxing effect of sweet breitenbush.
The whole place is off the grid, and very eco oriented. The electricity is provided by the river, the heat is provided by the hot springs geothermal activity. There are no tvs, and no phones and cells don't work up there. I found I didn't miss them. The focus here is the beauty of the forest and hot springs. Don't expect a fancy hotel - these are comfortable, but rustic cabins. They are TOASTY warm, heated geothermally by the hot springs, and the bathrooms are toasty heated geothermically as well. With the price of your room along with your 3 meals, also comes daily well-being programs (yoga, meditation, EDGU, guided hikes, concerts, dances, singing, exercise). Often there are unexpected professional level concerts/theater (included free). Once while I was there an author lectured on her new book, and a wonderful performing theatre group performed.
The lodge is old, comfortable and quite beautiful, stocked with lots of books, games, and is located at the center of the resort. Everything is easily walked to. Be sure to see the smaller Forest Shelter, the Sanctuary and other buildings. They have over 150 conference offerings through the year, and as a single woman, I have felt safe and comfortable here. I have given this place 5 stars - - this is a big beautiful forest with tiny cabins and a big lodge that serves yummy food, kind concerned people that have taken a worn out, falling-down lodge and resort, worked hard improving it, with a focused mind to eco principles, and have given it new life. I love how I feel when I visit here.
The greeting I received upon arrival was, Welcome Home, and it feels like that. Breitenbush is magic for me. I remember soaking in the meadow pool, on a snowy dawn, and as tiny snowflakes floated down and melted in the pool, a deer cautiously approached the pool, gazing at me with big doe eyes.Listed in: My Guilty Pleasure
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Review from Tom S.
Portland, OR
9/11/2011
Summary: Relaxing and enjoyable retreat.
Value: Good
Food: Good
Service: Good
I am not a vegetarian, but enjoyed the vegetarian food. You do need to bring your own coffee if your a caffeine addict.
Nice camping spot. Clean facilities, well maintained.
No WiFi, no cell coverage - great get away. -
Review from Becky R.
6/26/2009 7 photos
Breitenbush rocks. I've been there several times and each time had a wonderful experience. 5 days is just enough to get to that point of understanding what doing nothing or relaxing feels like, 7 would be perfect if it weren't for the price of lodging here.
I went in 2003 for the first time in November for an Embodying Gratitude yoga retreat with my teacher and our group. It was fabulously snowing and I had never been anywhere like it.
I went again in May of 2005, it was still great, but I went for a Couples retreat about love, sex, and healing and it was super intense...I'd not have made it through had it been anywhere else. I prefer the snow though.
I returned yet again in 2007 with my ex-husband and that was a good way to begin parting ways - had we known we were doing that - it was a great place to make peace.
The last time I went was December 08 with my two sisters and we had a fabulous time, this was during the snowstorm and it rocked. We were in the pools for ages, then took our buff arses out to flop n giggle in the snow poiles, then back into the pools. We met amazing people, I had a massage (it was "ok" and shoulda saved the $$ for something else).
The food - every time, hands down, absolutely amazing vegetarian food. The bread...oh, darn that fresh, hot bread and its wonderment...I cannot sto myself from the next piece...every time.
My body feels amazing every time I arrive at and leave this place. I always get very tense as I get farther and farther away, closing the gap back to "real life" cuz "I don't wanna go back!"
Namaste, Breitenbush. And please, add more scholarships for broke peeps. Everyone deserves a retreat at least once in their lives at Breitenbush. -
Review from joe r.
San Francisco, CA
6/18/2011
If you like Harbin Hot Springs in California, you will love this place in Oregon. Situated in a gorgeous forest, a river runs through the property. I am not a vegetarian but liked the food. I loved the quiet, lack of cell service and technology, long hiking trails, hot pools and rustic stream sauna (that's right, a stream sauna). Highly recommended! I am coming back again.
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Review from Rachel H.
Portland, OR
11/16/2010
A couple of hours south/east of Portland, the actual location of this hot springs / resort is Detroit, OR. You can get some directions from their website, and they make it very obvious: "DO NOT FOLLOW MAPQUEST, GOOGLE MAPS or GPS DIRECTIONS!" Find out how to get there on this website: http://www.breitenbush...
FYI, You can also read more reviews about this place here:
http://www.tripadvisor... -
Review from kellie b.
Long Beach, CA
8/14/2011
Disneyland is NOT the "Happiest Place on Earth". Breitenbush is.
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Review from Karen J.
Honolulu, HI
2/9/2009 3 photos
Wish I was there sitting in the Silent Pool surrounded by snow.
A good place to lose the stresses of life. I've been there twice to take photo workshops from Doug Beasley, a photographer from St. Paul. -
Review from Eric F.
Portland, OR
10/10/2011
My girlfriend and I ran out of gas coming back from Bagby Hot Springs and used our last bit of fuel to drive up the hill to the Conference Center. Pete C., who was on night duty, was kind enough to give us enough gasoline to get us to the nearest station (Detroit, OR). He really helped us out, and I have no doubt that he applies such generosity of spirit to his position at the Conference Center as well. We will always be grateful to him for helping us out of a jam!
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Review from Micah S.
Portland, OR
8/25/2010
Not impressed. The woods themselves are lovely but the waters are very weak, and on the dirty side. Lots of body hair, and--because the pools are along wooded paths--they REALLY need to put in foot-baths next to every pool for people to use before entering the water. It would make a big difference.
My biggest complaint, however, is that Breitenbush refuses to accommodate food allergies in their kitchen (which is almost unheard of these days). So NOT A WELCOME PLACE FOR PEOPLE WITH FOOD ALLERGIES!
If you are looking for a tranquil sanctuary with AMAZING healing waters, I would recommend going to Wilbur Hot Springs instead. It's in Northern California, but that place is Magic! Wilber also has a full sized, cool water, mineral swimming pool for cooling down after soaking in the hot waters (which we love!) . Breitenbush has a swimming pool, but it's not open to guests/customers : ( -
Review from B W.
Cincinnati, OH
4/5/2011
I dream about this place, long for it. I would move from my beloved Cincinnati to be closer to hot springs. I had a two day quiet, personal retreat here and I have never come away from a vacation so refreshed and connected with myself. To fellow Midwesterners: swimsuit optional seems to mean no one wears one, which was serious culture shock for me. I acculturated pretty fast, which was amazing and liberating. Can't wait to go back.
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Review from A C.
Portland, OR
10/28/2009
I have applied to and I have worked at retreat centers for the past decade. I have had opportunities to learn about healing arts lifestyles in these learning immersion experiences.
The only place I have repeatedly applied to with never a reply is Breitenbush. Perhaps it is because they lack internet access, or it is limited to certain uses yet I have sent hard copies of their extensive job applications to no avail. They willingly take my money as a guest yet lack the time to even respond to job applications.
So onto reviewing them as a spa. The food was buffet style and tasty and healthy enough. If I remember, there could have been more provided, though, having worked retreat center kitchens, that may be too much to ask.
I went to BB during the fall so it was cold and rainy. While the hot springs were toasty, it was pretty miserable getting around. The landscaping was unremarkable. The cabin we stayed in were basic huts. We had a queen sized bed and the bathrooms were outdoors which was unpleasant in the cold rain.
The sauna was the best part for me. There was a water source so as to rinse off and the inside the the sauna was dark enough for shyness yet bright enough to get around. Other visitors in the sauna were quite polite and helpful.
I liked that there was a small library and various people were using it.
The bookstore had some interesting offerings as well.
BB is a well known name in the retreat center business and as much as I have loved community living, for comfort I would recommend a sustainable B&B with a tub by the beach instead. -
Review from Katie L.
VALLEY VILLAGE, CA
8/30/2011
This was a truly healing, wonderful place. I did not want to leave after 2 nights. I want to do at least 3 next time, so I can take advantage of all the classes and activities AND get to the hot springs as much as possible too. But even one or two nights is a wonderful retreat I highly recommend!
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Review from Lindsey N.
Philomath, OR
6/24/2011
I just got back from my 2nd stay at Breitenbush. I love it up there! It is so peaceful and beautiful. A great getaway to just relax, de-stress, and live "simply" for a few days. No internet, tv, cell service. Sounds terrible, but honestly, it's great to have a break from all of that. They provide 3 meals each day, which are healthy and delicious. (I'm a picky eater, so coming from me, you've got to believe it!) I could go on forever about how awesome this place is. But I'll tell you my 2 favorite things from this most recent visit. The first was my massage. I had one last time I was there too, and it was amazing. But the one I had yesterday was incredible!! Seriously. It's worth the $$$. I think it was $90 for 80 minutes. Something like that. Ask for Ilsa. My other favorite thing was this outdoor shower they have! I hadn't noticed it last time I was there, but someone who lives there told me about it. It's totally private (unlike the bath houses), but one side of the shower faces the trees and river. So while you're standing in the hot water, you can look out at the scenery! It's amazing! Definitely give it a try when you go! I wish I had known about it sooner! Oh, and one more thing-like others have said, the "clothing optional" in the hot springs is more like "plan on not wearing anything" because no one does. If you wear a swimsuit, you will feel out of place and awkward!
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Review from Josie K.
9/18/2011
Just returned home from breightenbush and really wish I was back there soaking in the hot springs and hot tubs.
Enjoyed my experience there and took in all it had to offer, with free classes included in the price. My first time doing a sweat lodge and walking the labyrinth. Met lots of people from all over the u.s. Cabins were clean and basic and meals, all vegetarian were o.k. And could have been more creative. The food would be my only issue here. The staff has done a great job of quietly maintaining and organizing this place. I would return here. It is a bit of a commute from Canada, but is worth it. I would be interested in exploring some of the history of this place if anyone can steer me in the right direction. The gem table, with quartz on the whole underneath area was so amazing.
If you need a spot to just slow down and get quiet then come to this place. You are definitely not at the holiday inn!!! -
Review from Jordan W.
Seattle, WA
1/2/2009
Great place to relax and eat great food, get centered. Meet some cool people. Its good to go for at least 5 days or more, but one or two is good too. Good hiking, good soaking, beautiful in all seasons.
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Review from Christen M.
Portland, OR
2/7/2007
If we had half stars, I would probably rank this place at three and a half, but hey, I'm in a good mood today, so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.
My first sort-of-encounter with Breitenbush was several years ago, when I was camping with some friends at Detroit Lake. We heard there was a hot springs nearby, but then found out the resort charged ridiculous amounts of money for the pleasure of soaking there. Then someone in my party discovered a few concrete pools that were part of the same natural hotsprings system, but not connected to the official resort, where we could soak for free. So we did.
Then, about a year ago, I had the opportunity to attend a work-related conference at Breitenbush. Now, I grew up in southern Idaho, where there are lots of natural hotsprings, and my family made frequent daytrips to these. Some had cabins attached, but really, they tended to be wonderfully ramshackle developments with extremely hot pools and extremely low soaking costs. Breitenbush is not in this category. It is a full-on resort, hippie style. There are cabins (which rent upwards of $100 per person, but still require you to bring your own bedding), and nice, clean showers. And a big dining hall, where guests are served three (vegetarian) meals a day as part of the package (part of the reason it's so expensive to stay there, I guess). You can also get massages (about $80 for 90 minutes) and there are optional yoga classes and other workshops included. Note that Breitenbush is also an intentional community and worker-owned collective, and that you will be summoned to meals by a dinner bell.
So the experience can be somewhat off-putting on a number of levels. (Note that if you want to drink coffee or alcohol, or eat sweets, you'll need to bring your own.) Still, it's a nice short jaunt from Portland, and the place is very, very well-maintained. While the (clothing-optional) pools are probably not as hot as the ones this high-desert baby is accustomed to, I'd probably come to this place for another work conference or retreat. Or just to get out of the city for a weekend and soooak. Still, I wish there were some options near the city that didn't so specifically cater to conference-holders and rich hippies. -
Review from Nicole W.
Portland, OR
2/19/2009
In anticipation of going up to Breitenbush this weekend, thought I'd put in a review. I do love Breitenbush, although for a hippie type deal it can be a little expensive. If you go there and have not been before, be aware of the nudity - its more the norm than the exception at the hot springs. The water is great - relaxing, natural mineral springs. And they have the best sauna - you will sweat out all possible toxins in there! Food is good, filling, healthy. It would be nice if they had coffee, but you can bring your own. Sometimes I have caffeine withdrawals when I'm up there for awhile. I'm really looking forward to a relaxing weekend at Breitenbush!
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Review from Mustang L.
Oakland, CA
7/8/2011
This place was amazing. I lived in Seattle for years and never made it but was on vacation in Portland and begged my gf to take us there. Just our luck it was Women's Day! When we first got there there were men until 2:00. I was glad they left b/c it was really unpleasant to be around so many unfit males. The afternoon was terrific. There was a free yoga session. A vegetarian lunch in a beautiful setting. I spent most of my time in the hottest tub 110 F plus staring at a mountain. There rest of the time I was in the 104 F tubs in the woods! My gf loves the steam and cold plunge. There are beautiful flowers all over so in the small steam shed you can look out and see the wildflowers. Outside the steam hut is an old claw foot hot tub to cool plunge in. It was really magical and a great price too. For the day for 2 people including lunch it was $40.00. We hiked to the river and the yoga teacher was great. You go into this beautiful octagon shaped room with lots of windows deep in the woods. They have a public reading area filled with books to lounge in and an outdoor area for eating lunch as well. The ONLY con is that it is so far away. The road to BB is magical as well. I hope to be back!
