Take a trip to Quinn’s for whatever ails you
Travel to Quinn’s Hot Springs in Montana if you are ill and need therapy for rheumatism, intestinal ailments or need to cleanse your body of alcohol, tobacco or mine poisons. At least that’s what people did back in the early 1880s after Martin Quinn bought and developed his land with a hot spring on it. In fact, the hot, therapeutic water worked so well on those kinds of afflictions that customers called their host Dr. Quinn.
Of course, Dr. Quinn is long gone, but the hot water and a new, revitalized resort has opened for people who have severe cases of cabin fever, tension, boredom or “I-need-to-get-away” syndrome. If you have any of these symptoms ask your doctor, as the television drug ads suggest – Quinn’s Hot Springs can provide a cure. Warnings: the prescription may cause drowsiness, extreme relaxation and a strong sense of well-being.
In 1999, the new owner of the property, Andre Melief, began upgrades that will last far into the 21st century. People who haven’t been to Quinn’s since the late 1990s will be shocked at what they will find. Some of the original cabins remain and can be rented. They are rather cramped inside. But it is interesting to compare the accommodations that our parents and grandparents endured up to 50 years ago with the new spacious lodge and cabins. Guests can choose between the historic cabins or a room in the two-story, 38-room, adults-only log lodge. Even if you don’t stay in Glacier Lodge, check out the unique sawmill-blade chandelier in the lobby.
Other overnight accommodations include cabins designed as duplexes. Presently there are 18 rooms available. The deluxe cabins sleep three to five guests, and include refrigerator, microwave, wine, fruit basket, chocolates and two pool/bath robes. The newest addition to the resort is a riverside cabin suite. Guests should be aware that there are no TVs or telephones in any of the rooms.
For years the hot water for the resort came from a surface spring. But general manager Denise Moreth says a geothermal exploration project ruined and stopped the flow of water to the surface. Consequently a 130-foot well was drilled. That water now is constantly fed into the newly constructed pool.
Actually there are six pools to soak and bob in. There is a large 80-degree lap pool, smaller sitting pools with varying temperatures and a refreshing 45- to 60-degree artic plunge. Moreth said that the pool construction was challenging because they could not, at first, find a plumber with hot, mineral water experience. Finally a man in Southern Idaho was hired to complete the job. Each pool has its own water supply and drain. The sidewalks around the pool have embedded pipes that keep the concrete surfaces cool in the summer, warm and snow free in the winter. There are two above-ground Jacuzzis near the pools.
The Harwood House restaurant, named after Quinn’s daughter Minnie Harwood, is a historic 1948 building. It also has a recent addition with windows offering a pool view and a huge stone faced fireplace.
The owner has found that an isolated resort like Quinn’s requires excellent food to be served in order to be successful. Guests get to choose from an outstanding dinner menu. For example, on the menu under steaks, guests will find the Harwood House steak, sirloin, New York, rib eye, filet mignon or porterhouse. The seafood list includes beer-battered halibut, margarita shrimp, scampi, Alaskan king crab, lobster tails or seafood-lover fare with most of the above selections. Along with pasta dishes and steak and seafood combinations, guests won’t exactly starve when staying at this resort.
The renovations are continuing even today. A new restaurant kitchen is planned as well as more cabins and possibly a separate RV park with its own pool. The resort now employs a staff of 60 to make sure guests get the service they paid for.
Martin Quinn was out prospecting when he discovered the hot springs by following Indian trails. He had to build a bridge across the Clark Fork River and picked up guests by horse drawn wagon at a nearby train stop. Now our trusty, self propelled steel and aluminum wagons can get us comfortably to the resort with a post office address of Paradise, Mont. Moreth says that the resort is about selling fun. Try this nearby hot water dip. The outing and water just might cure whatever ills you have.