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Posted in Oregon January 25, 2019 by Catherine Armstrong

There’s A Soaking Pool At This Historic Oregon Hotel And It’s Everything You Need This Winter

There’s nothing like an Oregon staycation to cure the winter doldrums, but it gets even better when you add a soaking pool where you can relax and soak all your troubles away. There’s a beautiful hotel that has just such a pool – and you don’t even have to be a guest to visit.

McMenamins Old St. Francis School is a beautifully-restored property that includes a movie theater, pub, schoolhouse that's been converted to a hotel, and a gorgeous soaking pool. If you're looking for a relaxing spot for an Oregon staycation, you just found it.

For the ultimate getaway, check yourself into one of the cozy rooms here for an overnight stay. You'll find 60 guest rooms to choose from, each with its own unique artwork and charming schoolhouse details.

After you've grabbed some food and a drink at the pub, head to the soaking pool and ease into the warm waters.

The salt-water pool is warm and inviting, tempting you to stay 'til your fingers and toes are completely pruned. Because of its slight salinity, you'll be a bit more buoyant than usual.

This space is absolutely stunning, with its high ceilings, sky lights, and rich, jeweled tones.

The tile mosaics around the pool feature pastoral scenes of st. Francis during the grape harvest. Each tile was hand-painted by artist Justyn Livingston.

Other details include the large, round, stained-glass window handcrafted by artist David Schlicker, the sunburst tile design on the bottom of the pool, the fountain in the middle...

...and the two stately lions who each spout water from their mouths. This space is as much a stunning work of art as it is a place to soak.

While an overnight stay at Old St. Francis School is the best way to take a break from your ordinary life, you don't have to be a guest of the hotel to soak in the pool. The public is welcome daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (minors are allowed until 6 p.m.).

Visit the McMenamins Old St. Francis School website for more details. Have you soaked in this pool? We’d love to hear about your experience!

If you’re looking for another quiet spot for an Oregon staycation, check out this grain bin B&B – it’s the ultimate countryside getaway.

Catherine Armstrong

Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.