Learn about the history of the Saratoga Resort & Spa.

As you wander through the property, take time to note the history of our unique and special western resort.  Although the resort has undergone extensive remodeling from the early years, many aspects of the original plan and construction remain, including the original gneiss rock wall in the lobby and banquet rooms and the bam wood throughout the main lodge originating from the old rodeo grounds.  With the exception of the seven luxury suites, the lodge rooms remain at their original size and are furnished for maximum comfort to include the very best in featherbeds, Pendleton blankets, and warm décor.  Of constant comment are the quaintness of the lodge rooms, and the level of intimate comfort they provide.  Welcome to one of the west’s oldest and most prized hidden treasures!

The first building to occupy the space that is now The Saratoga Inn was the Hugus and Chatterton Log Store.  Built in the late 1870’s, the log store was the most important establishment in the tiny burg of Warm Springs.  In 1884, the town was renamed Saratoga with the hopes of creating a smaller version of the famed New York Spa, Saratoga Springs.

In addition to the log store, construction of the Saratoga Springs Hotel was completed in the spring of 1884.  The hotel was built with the finest materials and craftsmanship by the owners, William H. Cadwell and Judge M.E. Hooker.  The Saratoga Springs Hotel boasted a large 60 person dining room, a hotel office, a barbershop, a billiard room, a drug store, and a ladies reception room.  A wide hall and stairway with exquisite black walnut banisters led to sleeping rooms which were furnished in the appropriate and much approved style of the era.

Guests quickly filled the small hotel, including those who traveled to experience the renowned therapeutic qualities of the area’s hot mineral water, along with military officers from nearby Fort Steele, local ranch families and sportsmen from the east coast and Great Britain traveling to experience the thrill of the great western hunt.  The hotel operated with success until April 1902 when it caught fire and burned to the ground.

After the unfortunate demise of the Saratoga Springs Hotel, the state of Wyoming constructed the State Bath House, the building at the back end of the courtyard which now houses the Healing Waters Spa.  Use of the private State Baths was offered to travelers at 50 cents for a dip in the hot mineral water.  Also offered to those weary travelers were sweat baths and Swedish massage.  The mineral springs were hailed as a Fountain of Health.

“This place has everything, hot springs (to heal) close to anything that ails you, fishing, hunting, duck and pheasant shooting, one of the most colorful cow towns anywhere, red desert, timber, and mountain country all in one . . .” noted Bill Walker and in the summer of 1949, he completed construction of the Saratoga Inn.  The Saratoga Inn picked up in service and amenities where the Saratoga Springs Hotel left off after its destruction.  The allure of the wild west drew the wealthy from near and far to be pampered at the luxurious Saratoga Inn.

In the spring of 1994, an extensive multi-million dollar renovation was begun to restore the glory and glamour of the early years.  The renovations included five new river rock hot mineral baths, extensive remodeling of the swimming pool, remodeling the old state bath house into the Healing Waters Spa, new rooms on all of the resort buildings, central air conditioning, addition of three enormous river rock fireplaces, addition of the Sierra Madre Microbrewery, and among many other upgrades, the careful curing of the golf course grounds and resort landscaping. 

Now to 2008, a name change has made the Saratoga Inn, the Saratoga Resort & Spa.  Welcome new ownership with lots of changes and renovations to come.  As we make this transition, we hope the Saratoga Resort & Spa will become a special place for each of our guests as we continue to write its history.