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French Lick Resort
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Where History Meets Luxury
The Midwest’s Premier Golf Resort and Casino Destination
Nestled amid the community of French Lick and surrounded by the Hoosier National Forest, French Lick Resort is a tribute to turn-of-the-20th-century architecture and modern luxury. First opening its doors to guests over 175 years ago, the French Lick Springs Hotel has experienced booms and market busts but has withstood the tests of time marking it as one of the great American Resorts. The Resort’s two hotels, the French Lick Springs Hotel and the “younger” West Baden Springs Hotel, have both been fully restored as part of a $500 Million renovation to reflect their grandeur and remarkable histories. Golf courses by Donald Ross and Pete Dye, as well as a Vegas-style Casino, ensure that French Lick Resort will continue its rich history.
The French Lick area rose to prominence in the early 1800’s due to the presence of natural springs believed to have healing and rejuvenating properties. Today, the rejuvenating spirit lives on in the two hotels originally built to take advantage of the natural springs’ popularity. The French Lick Springs Hotel, first opened in 1832, rises from the rolling countryside and transports guests back in time with its fully restored artwork, architectural detail, ceiling murals and mosaic tile floors. Additional wings and structures have been added over the years. This grand hotel features 443 luxury guest rooms, bowling alley, game arcade, shopping promenade and nine dining options, including 1875: The Steakhouse, the Resort’s signature dining venue. There is also over 109,000 sq. ft. of meeting space including a 13,000 sq. ft. Event Center. The West Baden Springs Hotel, first opened in 1855, was rebuilt to its current specifications in 1902 after a fire destroyed the original buildings. The 1902 design, way ahead of its time and even futuristic to this day, featured a circular design with a 100 ft. tall and 200 ft. wide domed atrium. The new hotel was billed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and was the largest free span dome in the world until the Houston Astrodome opened in 1965. Between 1932 and 2007, the building was either vacant or held by various owners and used for different purposes such as a college and seminary. The West Baden Springs Hotel has been completely restored to its original grandeur as part of the entire Resort’s $500 Million renovation project and is now listed as a National Historic Landmark. It is located in wooded surroundings less than a mile from French Lick Springs Hotel. The hotel features 243 guest rooms, shops and six dining options, including Sinclair’s Restaurant for fine dining. There is also over 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and 30,000 sq. ft. of event space in the famous atrium. Lavish gardens decorate both properties and both have extensive shaded verandas to relax and experience the afternoon breezes. Each hotel features its own unique indoor and outdoor pools, luxurious spas and fitness centers. The same minerals found in the natural springs that made the area famous are available in many of the offered spa treatments.
The Resort offers 45 holes of championship golf including the Donald Ross Course built in 1917, the new Pete Dye Course and the 9-hole Tom Bendelow Valley Links Course. The Donald Ross Course, located only a few miles away from the Resort, is a classic links-style design on rolling landscape with Ross’s signature deep bunkering and severely undulating greens. Some greens even showcase false fronts causing poorly hit balls to roll back down into the fairway. Walter Hagen won the 1924 PGA Championship on the course. The course measures up to 7,000 yards. An expansive pro shop and courteous staff are available for your every need. After your round, enjoy a wonderful meal or your favorite 19th hole beverage in Hagen’s Clubhouse Restaurant while soaking up the sunset and hilltop views of the course. The Pete Dye Course, opened in 2009 and located behind the Resort, is situated on one of the highest points in Indiana with commanding views of up to 40 miles. The course will test your shot-making ability with narrow fairways, elevation changes, deep valleys, rolling terrain and Dye’s characteristic sharp edging. The Resort’s Pete Dye Course and Donald Ross Course play host to the 2010 PGA Professionals National Championship. The 9-hole parkland design Valley Links Course is adjacent to the French Lick Springs Hotel and features rolling fairways. The Valley Links Learning Center is also located there along with the French Lick Golf Academy. The Learning Center is complete with a pro shop, indoor and outdoor practice areas and video analysis, everything needed to improve and enjoy one’s game. The Resort’s shuttle is available to transport guests between all Resort properties.
The Resort also boasts a 51,000 sq. ft. Vegas-style casino complete with slots, table games, VIP tables and non-smoking gaming areas. The Casino is connected to the French Lick Springs Hotel via promenade that passes the Resort’s Event Center. In addition to the Casino, guests can partake of additional activities that include horseback riding, hayrides, carriage rides, bowling, billiards, swimming and historical society tours. There are even children and teen activity centers. The Resort also hosts a vintage baseball tournament each year. Nearby activities include Big Splash Adventure Indoor Water Park, Patoka Lake, Paoli Ski Slopes, Holiday World and the French Lick Winery and Coffee Company.
What I liked about French Lick Resort – I liked that the Resort has a classic feel with the hotels dating over 100 years each and the timeless Donald Ross Course. Although the golf is spectacular, possibly the stars of this Resort are the hotels themselves and the people that effortlessly restored them to their original greatness. The detail in the architecture and the precision required to complete the tiled floors or paint the murals is simply awe-inspiring. The West Baden Springs Hotel domed atrium is simply incredible. One must walk inside and experience it to get a full appreciation of the engineering marvel created over 100 years ago. I could not help but wonder how many generations of families worked or vacationed at the Resort over the past century and a half. One thing for certain though, is that there will be many, many more in the next century and a half.
French Lick Resort is located in southern Indiana, and is within a few hours drive from many Midwest cities such as Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Evansville, Nashville, Chicago and St. Louis.
I would like to thank Tessa Higgs, Public Relations Coordinator, and all the staff at French Lick Resort, for their time and hospitality during my visit.
Check out French Lick Resort at www.frenchlick.com.
Chris
French Lick Resort
8670 West State Road 56
French Lick, IN 47432
888-936-9360
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