A Guide to Hot Springs Etiquette

Is there anything more relaxing than slipping into a pool of perfectly heated water and letting your cares float away in a cloud of steam? Whether visiting hot springs to unwind and unplug or enjoying a soak to ease aches and pains or improve your sleep, soaking in mineral-rich hot springs is the ultimate self-care indulgence.

Enjoying your hot springs experience doesn’t mean anything goes, though. Following proper hot springs etiquette ensures everyone has a tranquil and soothing soak. You don’t need to worry about Miss Manners popping up and scolding you while you soak, but if you don’t want to be “that person” in the spa, remember to mind your p’s and q’s.

4 Ways to Be a Courteous Hot Springs Guest

Most hot springs etiquette comes down to common courtesy. When you visit a facility like WorldSprings, you’ll share the pools with others who expect a pleasant and relaxing experience. Remembering the Golden Rule is the best way to ensure everyone leaves feeling blissed out.

1. Follow Facility Rules

Hot spring rules aren’t intended to stop you from having a great time. They are actually the opposite and designed for everyone’s safety and enjoyment.

Read the rules and guidelines before visiting a hot springs facility to avoid disappointment and misunderstandings. For example, if you plan to bring your family, know the rules regarding children’s areas and avoid allowing your kids to enter the 18+ areas. Other rules you should familiarize yourself with include:

• Time limits on soaks
• Proper attire (WorldSprings and most other public facilities require guests to wear swimwear and prohibit nudity)
• Guidelines for food and drink while in the pools
• How to safely move between pools

When you arrive for your visit, you’ll have to sign a waiver acknowledging these rules. Staff will be on hand to enforce them, ensuring you can decompress in the most serene environment possible.

2. Respect the Tranquility of the Space

When you slip into a hot spring pool to unwind, you don’t want to endure loud conversations from other visitors, so try not to interrupt someone else’s chill-out time. If you’re visiting with others, keep the volume of your conversations down so you don’t disturb others.

You can find an unoccupied pool at a facility like WorldSprings, which has dozens of soaking pools during quiet periods. Otherwise, expect to share the space. It’s polite to acknowledge other soakers, but don’t feel compelled to strike up a conversation. After all, silence is often hard to come by in today’s world, so take the opportunity to clear your mind and destress. Most people won’t be offended (and might even prefer) if you don’t want to chat.

If other people are disrupting your experience, it’s perfectly acceptable to politely ask them to quiet down. If you don’t feel comfortable approaching them yourself, ask the facility staff for help.

3. Be Courteous With Cell Phones

Many people turn off their devices and leave them in a locker to fully unplug while they soak. If you need to keep your phone with you, turn it to silent mode in the pool area. If you must have a conversation, leave the pool and move to a more secluded space to avoid disturbing others.

Cell phone hot springs etiquette also extends to taking photos. Memorializing your hot springs experience, especially when you visit with others, is totally fine, but be mindful of others when you do. Take care not to snap photos of others without their permission, and don’t be disruptive during your photo session. Consider renting a private cabana for your group or taking pictures in the cafe or bar areas to preserve memories without making others uncomfortable.

4. Practice Hot Springs Hygiene

Before slipping into the warm, mineral-rich waters of a soaking pool, take a few moments to shower. Bath products, lotions, perfumes, and other chemicals on your skin can disrupt the balance of minerals in the pool. If you have long hair, it’s a good idea to tie it up before soaking so loose hairs don’t end up in the water. At WorldSprings, guests have the convenience of enjoying indoor and outdoor showers.

Keeping the facility safe and sanitary also means not visiting the springs if you’re sick, have a rash, or any other contagious skin condition. Reschedule your visit when you’ve recovered so others can stay healthy.

You should also consider washing your swimsuit with a mild detergent before visiting mineral springs. Not only can certain chemicals in detergents get into the water and affect the mineral balance, but wearing a swimsuit right from a lake or beach without washing it first can introduce algae and bacteria into the pools.

Ultimately, the key to hot springs etiquette is to give others the experience that you want by respecting their privacy, limiting noise, and adhering to the facility rules. Everyone deserves the chance to escape everyday challenges for a little while and enjoy the soothing waters of a warm mineral bath, so mind your manners and make that a reality.