Frequently Asked Questions

➜ What is Early Soaking / Early Arrival?

Guests with overnight reservations may typically arrive at 3pm on their arrival day. If you would like to arrive earlier than that to soak and enjoy the amenities, you may book an Early Soaking pass, which allows you to arrive as early as 9am. It is essentially a day pass for your arrival day. There will be a link to book Early Soaking in your confirmation email when you book an overnight stay.

Please note that with Early Soaking:

• you may choose to add on lunch if you’d like

• your lodging will still be ready for you to move in at 4pm

• passes are not available on some days

➜ Does Day Use include lunch?

To keep prices low and accessible, Day Use passes do not automatically include lunch. If you would like to have lunch while you are here, please choose either standard vegetarian buffet or “special diet” as your meal selection. If you do not want to eat lunch, you may indicate that instead.

➜ What is included with an overnight visit?

Overnight reservations include meals and full access to our facilities. You may arrive anytime after 3pm; you receive three meals a day beginning with dinner the night you arrive, and including breakfast and lunch the day you depart.  Our hot springs are available 24/7; you will have access from your arrival until 3pm on your departure day.

➜ What are gift credits?

Gift credits are similar to a gift certificate in that they are gifted funds that the recipient can redeem for Day Use passes, an all-inclusive overnight stay, or in the Breitenbush Gift Shop. After you purchase them, the gifted funds will be added to the recipient's credit on file with us. We will then send the recipient an email informing them that they have been gifted credits, and how to redeem them (you may elect to have this email delivered at a later date if you prefer). Please note that we do not provide a physical or printable certificate. When the recipient is ready to book, they can check availability on our website and reach out to us to make their reservation and redeem their credit.

Thank you for sharing the Breitenbush love, we really appreciate the support! Gift credits can be purchased here.

➜ What time are the pools open/closed?

Other than when they are closed for cleaning, the hot springs and sauna are open 24/7. You are welcome to enjoy these amenities any time, day or night.

Cleaning schedules: 

• The spiral tubs are cleaned for about 30 minutes at least twice per day, during mealtimes

• The sauna is cleaned for about 30 minutes once per day, typically between breakfast and lunch

• The meadow pools, sauna, and spiral tubs are each deep cleaned for several hours once per week. For the pools and tubs, this means pressure washing. For the sauna, deep cleaning means manual scrubbing with vinegar and baking soda. The spot being deep cleaned that day is typically closed from breakfast until the end of lunch, and the deep cleaning schedule for the week is posted on a whiteboard in the lodge lobby.

➜ What is the cancellation policy?

Rescheduling Overnight Reservations:

• We can reschedule your stay once at no charge, if it is more than 72 hours before noon of your arrival date.

• Rescheduling more than once, or between 72-24 hours before noon of your arrival date, will incur a $50 service fee.

• We are not able to reschedule reservations less than 24 hours before noon of your arrival date.

Canceling Overnight Reservations:

• If you cancel your reservation more than 72 hours before noon of your arrival date, there is a standard $50 service fee. The remainder of the payment will be refunded to you.

• If you cancel your reservation between 72-24 hours before noon of your arrival date, there is a standard $50 service fee. The remainder of the payment will be placed on a credit voucher, valid for one year.

• If you cancel your reservation less than 24 hours before noon of your arrival date, no refund will be provided.

Day Use Change/Cancellation Policy:

• Day use is non-refundable and non-transferable to a different day

➜ How does overnight pricing work?

Overnight prices are per-person and include three things: 1) lodging (which varies by accommodation type); 2) three organic vegetarian meals per day during your stay; and 3) access to the soaking areas, the sauna, and the lodge 24 hours a day during your stay. The lodging portion depends on which accommodation type you stay in, and is a flat price per night regardless of how many guests are staying in that lodging. Additional guests only pay for their meals and access to amenities. The meals and soaking prices are reduced for youth (age 5-12), and are free for children (age 0-4).

➜ Your prices seem higher than other places - why is that?

Breitenbush is a worker-owned cooperative and our mission is to provide a safe and potent environment where people can renew and evolve in ways they never imagined. We work hard to balance our mission, accessibility, the livelihood of our business and the wellbeing of our community. Our prices are thoughtfully chosen in hopes of providing the ability for all those who desire to experience Breitenbush to come, while also supporting our cooperative structure. As a cooperative we do our very best to create a sustainable life for our worker-owners, one that includes healthcare, employer-provided housing, and a living wage. You can read more about our cooperative on the About page of our website.

Breitenbush is also very unique in that we are off-grid. We make all of our own electricity, filter all of our own drinking water, and pump geothermally-heated water to radiators to heat our spaces. All of these off-grid systems have costs associated with them, both in labor and tools/parts. We have to send staff out at least a couple times per week for food and supplies, and since we are so remote that requires a lot of time and fuel. We are proud of our off-grid lifestyle, and it also creates a financial burden that other businesses do not have to bear. 

With the pandemic and the 2020 wildfires affecting Breitenbush in quick succession, we are currently doing our best to make ends meet. As we get back on our feet financially, we look forward to expanding the ways we can make Breitenbush more accessible through scholarships, special events, and sponsorship opportunities. 

➜ Does my lodging come with bedding?

Lodgings that come with a bed or camp pad will have a fitted sheet only. You should plan to bring your own bedding, including pillows, if possible.

If you cannot bring your own bedding, you may rent some from us. 

• An individual bedset includes a pillow, a flat sheet, two blankets, and two towels. 

• A couple’s bedset includes everything in an individual bedset, plus an extra pillow and two extra towels. 

Bedsets can be added on to your reservation when you book online.

➜ What should I bring with me? What should I leave at home?

WHAT TO BRING (strongly recommended):

• Towels

• Non-glass water bottle (not bottled water)

• Flashlight

• Biodegradable and scent-free toiletries

• Warm bedding and pillow (we provide a fitted sheet only, the rest is up to you) - unless you’ve rented a bedset from us

• Critter proof container for any food items to be stored in your vehicle. Do NOT store food in your tent

• Traction devices for your car (Nov 1 – Apr 1)

• Smiles

WHAT TO BRING (nice to have):

• Slip-on shoes and robe

• Coffee and non-electric brewer (French press, pour-over, etc) - we also sell coffee in the gift shop

• Yoga mat, meditation cushion, etc.

• If you plan to use a device in your room, please bring headphones. Note that devices are not allowed in public areas.

WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME:

• Pets

• Burnables (candles, incense, or firewood)

• Electrical devices (CPAP machines are okay, but no hairdryers, kettle, coffee makers, etc.)

• Recreational drugs, alcohol or firearms

• Perfume, cologne or heavily scented toiletries

• Glass containers

• Judgment of others

➜ What are the rules for the hot springs?

The goal is for the hot springs to be a sacred, healing space. To that end, we ask all guests to observe the following guidelines during their stay:

• Guests may enjoy the springs in the nude, or may choose to wear swim suits.

• Sexual activity of any kind is not permitted in the springs.

• Children must be supervised while using the hot springs, and children under age 3 must wear a swim diaper.

• No photography or use of electronic devices in the soaking areas.

• Use of alcohol or drugs is not permitted.

• Treat others with respect and kindness.

➜ What is your pet policy?

We do not allow any pets at Breitenbush. We do allow service animals; if you have a service animal please contact us at office@breitenbush.com

➜ What are the meals like? Can you accommodate a special diet?

Our meals are vegetarian and mostly organic. We also offer a Special Diet option of low gluten, no egg, no dairy at each meal (cross contamination is possible), which you may select when you book. There will be an Ingredients Binder and Dining Room Coordinator at each meal if you have any questions. We are unable to accommodate any additional dietary requests.

➜ Are children welcome at Breitenbush?

Yes, we welcome children and families! There are a few events throughout the year that are adult only, but they will be clearly marked as such. Children must be supervised while using the hot springs, and children under age 3 must wear a swim diaper. Please be aware of our Parent Reminders:

• Children 12 and under must be supervised at all times

• Maintain a quiet tranquility of pools and tubs when soaking

• Pursue only quiet activities in the Lodge

• Walk (no running) in the Lodge and Dining Room

• The piano in the Lodge is meant to be played for the pleasure of others

Thank you for helping to maintain a safe sanctuary for retreat, relaxation and renewal.

➜ How do I book a massage?

Massages are available for our guests. You will need to make a reservation prior to booking a massage. Within your confirmation email you will find a link to book a massage appointment. If we have any openings when you arrive, you may come to the gift shop to book.

➜ Is there coffee available?

Yes, we do offer coffee for purchase. We have pour-over coffee available by the cup in the store, as well as cold brew and Cafe Mam ground coffee for purchase. You are also welcome to bring your own coffee or tea. 

In the Dining Room, you will find hot water available 24/7, along with coffee creamers, sweeteners and complimentary herbal teas.

➜ Is there a Breitenbush cookbook?

We have republished a digital copy of our 1995 cookbook; it is filled with staple Breitenbush recipes. Find it here. We are working to offer physical copies and a new cookbook in the near future.

➜ Will taxis, Ubers or Lyfts come to Breitenbush?

No they will not, as almost all are not willing to drive out here, and you definitely will not be able to book a ride back, as we don’t have cell service or Wi-Fi available. However, we do have a RideShare page, where you can coordinate with other guests to carpool, or offer rides.

➜ We used to be able to put some items in the fridge in the dining hall. Is that still allowed?

Yes, although it looks a little different. It’s small blue fridge in the lefthand part of the Lodge Lobby. Please label your items with your name and departure date.

➜ How do we check the weather forecast for Breitenbush?

You can check NOAA weather here for the most accurate forecast, or look up the weather for Detroit, OR. It is the closest town and accurate, although keep in mind we are a few degrees colder at night, and a few degrees cooler during the day. In general though, Detroit weather is a good predictor for planning and packing for your trip.

➜ What temperature are the pools?

Our many pools span a range of ~100-110 degrees. The temperatures are all varied, and can even fluctuate within individual pools, as our hot water comes straight from the earth and is never the exact same temperature. Our hardworking Systems Technicians are constantly monitoring and adjusting to keep them in the right ranges; you might even see them visit the pools and test with a thermometer.

➜ I heard the old hiking trails closed because of fire damage, are there new options?

Yes there are! Here is the link to our new map of options, and it will also be available at the Gatehouse at check-in, so you can grab a paper map there too.

➜ Is there enough power for a CPAP machine?

Yes! We have a number of accommodations with power that can and have adequately powered CPAP machines. Many folks bring their machines here successfully.