Dr. Wilkinson's Hot Springs Resort Receives Upgrade

• 
  SAVE
• 
  SHARE
• 
  TEXT SIZE
• 
  PRINT
• 
  COMMENT
• 
  PDF

. August 13, 2009

AUGUST 13, 2009 - Dr. Wilkinson's Hot Springs Resort had the freshest newest rooms in Calistoga in 1962 and now, according to co-owner Mark Wilkinson, the resort has the freshest, newest rooms in Calistoga in 2009.

"We have just completed renovating 12 rooms in the first phase of an overall Dr. Wilkinson's refresh," said Carolynne Wilkinson Clair, co-owner with her brother, Mark. Celebrity designer Andrew Alford helped create d'ecor, which Carolynne considers restful, but "very groovy."

Alford designs artistic and unique interiors for luxury boutique hotels, as well as lounges, restaurants and spas. His firm's goal is to be the "couture artists of the decorating world." Projects include guestroom renovations at the Hotel George and the Topaz Hotel in Washington DC, and the Hotel Vintage Park in Seattle. He redesigned the Helix Lounge in Washington DC, the public areas of the Hotel Triton and the Hotel Villa Florence in San Francisco, and Spa Equilibrium at San Francisco's Hotel Monaco.

"Dr. Wilkinson's is a very cool mid-century building," he says. "I wanted to honor the building and bring in some archives as d'ecor. Carolynne searched through print materials and came up with the resort's original brochure and mud bath post card, which we turned into framed artwork." As the color orange has historically been included in the hotel's marketing and signage, Alford put it to work in pillow covers, bed skirts and Andrew Morgan throws on luxurious new king sized beds covered with plush white comforters. The look is nostalgic, but hip.

"It is our goal to reach out to all age groups," Carolynne emphasizes. "Our naturally heated mineral water is wonderful for young people who may be visiting to experience their first mud bath, as well as formature guests." Renovated rooms feature tiled, "toned up" bathrooms, high thread count linens, hypoallergenic bedding, eclectic furnishings, telephones with computer data ports and private voice mail, irons and ironing boards, hair dryers, and aromatic bath amenities.

The renovated rooms are cool, even on Calistoga's hottest summer days, according to Mark. "Our new air conditioning is fast, efficient, and quiet. It was one of my personal goals to make sure that even when the sun is relentless our guests are comfortable. People come here for the mineral water and mud the year round. We want to make sure that their stay is the best it can be during every season. We also assure a good value. Even though we are refreshing the resort, it still offers an affordable as well as rejuvenating getaway."

Swimming pools

Dr. Wilkinson's features three thermal pools: an extra large pool with 80 degree water, refreshing on the warmest summer days; a large pool with 90 degree water, warm and welcoming in the evenings and in cooler weather; and, an indoor pool, a gigantic "hot tub" with 102 degree water, perfect for a soak or swim the year round. The resort's redo includes new classic teak and stainless patio furniture around pools and in courtyards. The new complements the original, including mosaics by Mark and Carolynne's mother, Edy, which, hang from walls and peek out of patios.

As Mark and Carolynne refresh their resort, which put mud baths on the map in the 1950's, Edy's mosaics act as a reminder of Dr. Wilkinson's inherent charm.

Dr. Wilkinson's is located at 1507 Lincoln Avenue on Calistoga's colorful main street. Restaurants and shops are just steps away, and dozens of wineries are within a few minutes drive. The area abounds with events and activities the year round.