Original Springs Hotel & Mineral Spa - Day-use fee or pay-per-soak in Okawville, IL (2026)
A 19th-century German bathhouse still pumps mineral water directly into private tubs and an indoor pool on the Illinois prairie.
Original Springs Hotel in Okawville, Illinois preserves a quirk of 1860s American history — a German-American mineral spa town in southern Illinois that briefly competed with Hot Springs, Arkansas as a Midwestern health-resort destination. The 1867 Original Springs Hotel still operates with mineral baths in private clawfoot tubs, an indoor pool, and Victorian-style overnight rooms. It's a 45-minute drive east of St. Louis on I-64, and the property is the only surviving operational spa from Okawville's 19th-century mineral-spa era. Bath rooms are small private cubicles; the hotel itself is a faded but charming 1800s structure.
What to expect
Reserve a $20 mineral bath (a 30-minute private clawfoot tub session) by phone. Overnight stays in the hotel (rooms from $90+) include access to the indoor pool and discounted bath rates. The on-site restaurant runs simple American fare. The town of Okawville is tiny — the hotel and a few antique shops are the entirety of the experience. Pair with a Saint Louis-area weekend or as a stop on a southern Illinois drive.
Temperature
98°-104°F
Pools
2 soaking pools
Best season
Year-round
Reservations
Required
Dog policy
No pets at pools
Family policy
Family windows available
Safety notes
- Mineral water discolors jewelry—remove gold and silver pieces before bathing.
- Expect vintage charm, not luxury; some rooms require climbing stairs.
Amenities & etiquette
FAQ
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