Buckstaff Bathhouse

This was my first bathhouse experience and I very much enjoyed it. I did some research beforehand and decided on Buckstaff to get a more traditional experience and I’m glad I did. It’s up to you if you want to wear a bathing suit. I didn’t but saw a few people who did. The attendants are very good at keeping you covered but there are other people around so they might get a glimpse. If you’re very modest I would wear a suit. Make sure you can undo it if you get the massage tho. I walked in around 9 am and the woman was very nice and helpful. She was honest about the wait times in advance and said if I decide not to wait for my massage I could get a refund or come back. I was taken up in a super cool elevator, undressed, put my stuff in a locker then waited for a bit for my bath. Maybe 10 mins? Ms. Mattie came to get me and made the experience lovely. She walked me thru everything and was so warm and friendly. I got in the tub and she scrubbed my back and feet. The bath is hot and the whirlpool is STRONG. She gave me some hot water to drink from and I soaked for 20 mins. It was loud but still therapeutic. I just really enjoyed looking at the building and thinking about the amazing benefits from the water! It’s over 4000 years old! After my bath I was led to the hot packs. Mattie made sure I had ice water every step of the way. You lay on hot towels and are covered as well for 10 mins. Then the steam cabinet. Totally looks like a torture device and do not recommend if you’re claustrophobic lol but it was nice. The sitz bath was good. I did wait about 30 mins for my massage but it was less time than I anticipated. Danielle was my therapist and did a great traditional Swedish massage. They had a binder with all the employees Venmo’s which was soooo helpful. All in all a good experience. One Star off just for wait. I hope they can get more massage therapist!

O M G ! ! Most amazing experience… except for the massage. I went for the works and got the package with all the services available for only, I believe, $116. This included private tub, soak, lay out with hot towels, steam, sitz bath, 25 minute massage, and paraffin wax on the hands. Shadow guided me through all the soaking steam services. She was patient and kind in her assistance- so amazing. It is a clawfoot style tub with an I-don’t-know-how-old whirlpool jet. There are no words to describe the immeasurable joy of this bath. I could not keep my mouth shut the whole time. I won’t come in the other steam services, except to say they were also fabulous. The massage portion was done by a different staff person and it was the most bland massage of my life. The massage therapist asked me no questions about preferences before the massage or if the pressure was adequate during the massage. My brain was a tad foggy after all the other relaxing services and the massage therapist barked orders at me. The paraffin wax dip at the very end is done very haphazardly. It does not match the professional service that Shadow provided me. Seems like a paraffin wax is kind of an afterthought add-on service. If Shadow hadn’t been so amazing, I hadn’t been so relaxed by everything except the massage and paraffin dip, and the facility didn’t have so much original style from the original bath works on the site, I would have given this place a score of three stars. ****If you are going, be aware that you will be fully nude and the attendants will see your body. This is what they do for a living and are very professional. The treatment room is very loud, so if this will bother you, you might want to take earplugs. All body types are accommodated and modesty is protected. Services are divided by gender- men only and women only sides.

This was my first visit and I will hopefully be returning again. This is a traditional bath house using the water from the hot springs. We opted for the deluxe bath package, which was very reasonably priced. It is absolutely worth every cent! The entire experience was incredible and I highly recommend it. I left feeling so pampered, relaxed and rejuvenated! They were out of slippers, which was kinda crappy, since we didn’t bring any. Other than that little hiccup, I have no complaints. LaToya was my bath attendant and she explained every step of the process and made me feel very comfortable. The deluxe package consisted of a semi-assisted bath in the hot springs water, a hot towel wrap, sweat in the steam box, a sitz bath, a body massage and a paraffin hand treatment. (It should be called the heavenly package!

Buckstaff Bathhouse offers a truly unique experience inside a national park, blending relaxation with a deep sense of history. I visited with my children, ages 10 and 12, and we chose the Whirlpool Mineral Bath Package for $45 each. I also got one of the loofah mitt for $6. Since it was their very first spa experience, I wasn’t sure what to expect—but the staff made us feel completely at ease from the moment we arrived. We wore swimsuits, and everyone was incredibly kind, patient, and accommodating. We went on a weekday and arrived right at opening (8:00 a.m), which I’d highly recommend to beat the crowds. After checking in and paying at the front desk, a staff member greeted us and guided us to the locker rooms—men on the first floor, women on the second. The second floor is accessed by elevator. Each of us was given a private changing area and a locker for our belongings. From there, a staff member helped wrap us in sheets and escorted us to a waiting area, which added a thoughtful, traditional touch to the experience. When it was our turn, we were called by name and brought to the whirlpool tubs. The bathing areas are all located within one large room, giving it a historical, communal feel. Throughout the process, staff members guided us from one station to the next, ensuring we were comfortable every step of the way. Overall, it was a wonderful experience. The rich history of the bathhouse made it feel even more special, and it’s something we’ll all remember for a long time.

I am so happy we came here. My attendant Shadow was 10/10 amazing, made me feel so comfortable and taken care of, and was working so hard. There are no appointments so its hit or miss how quickly you can be seen. I heard they are really down on massage therapists, so the wait for a massage for some people was 1.5+ hours. Cleanliness is kind of... suboptimal, but not bad enough to scare you away completely... but maybe enough to make you hesitate now and then. The price point for service is right on and you will absolutely leave feeling amazing. No swimsuit needed.

We had an amazing experience at the Buckstaff Bathhouse this morning. The staff were very nice and professional, and they made our entire family feel comfortable and well cared for. It was truly a memorable experience. BTW its first come, first serve and they are not kidding when they say to get there early to get your ticket. We arrived at 7:30 and we were the 2nd group in line. By the time they opened at 8, the line was halfway down the front sidewalk to the street. So plan ahead.

Step back in time and treat yourself to the classic bathhouse experience. But, get there early! The deluxe experience was a great value and very popular. They only take walk-in guests and it can get very busy. I'd recommend a weekday visit if your schedule allows. If going on Saturday, get there early. The staff was great at all the stations and each part of the experience was a relaxing indulgence. Bathing suits are optional and I recommend not wearing one. You get a towel to cover yourself as you move about and it worked fine. Bring some cash for tips. They don't make a big deal about it, but tips are welcome and the experience was worth it.

Before visiting we read reviews and also listened to the "Dirt in my Shoes" podcast episode on Hot Springs so were prepared. We arrived after lunch and there was already a line at the door. Upon entry, my wife and daughter and I all paid and were sent back. We all chose the traditional experience with no massage. They had a 30 minute wait or so for their experience so waited in the locker room. I had no wait at all as a man. They both wore swimsuits and said other women were doing the same. No men were wearing swimsuits so be prepared for that- I promise you that the attendant does not care about seeing you at all and no one else does either. To begin you change into a towel in the locker room and lockup your clothes and items. Then an attendant collects you and brings you back to the baths. For me, I did the bath in the tub with the mineral water first and was left there for twenty minutes to relax. I was then taken over to the sitz bath where the warm water ran over my lower back while I sat in the tiny tub. Then, I was led to the steam closet which is a chair surrounded by a metal container with your head sticking out. It was very hot in there! Finally, the attendant put me on a table with hot towels around me and a sheet for about fifteen minutes. My wife and daughter had the same treatments, but a different order. I think the experience in the historic baths was worth the $45 and $10 tip (they have Venmo). My daughter proclaimed it the favorite thing she did on our ten day road-trip. My wife enjoyed it but became overheated so cut out early, but was still happy she tried the experience. Staff were all friendly though not overly so.