Rustic Log Cabin Inspiraiton from Dunton Hot Springs Colorado

I absolutely love hot springs and what could be better than sitting in a 

hot spring in a natural setting among mountains and birch trees.

 

in a fully restored ghost town... How awesome is this cabin

complete with a hot spring inside!

If only it didn't cost an arm and a leg... But one can dream.

The interiors to the cabins and buildings offer fantastic rustic inspiration.  

Makes me seriously want to build a little log cabin that I can escape to

myself.  I love this modern interpretation of a log cabin - complete

with all the modern comforts.  The room is spacious and manages to 

be cozy at the same time.

Dunton Hot Springs is an old Western ghost town that has been restored

absolutely gorgeously near Telluride, Colorado.  It has several cabins

offered to guests as well as having bonafide hot springs to soak in.  

Among the cabins is the two story houses that can be rented out by

groups and family.

 

This cabin has its own outdoor hot spring to soak in.

 

If you have kids, the Indian teepee is very cool.  

 

This is the bath house.  A farmhouse with a lot of glass windows.

It's absolutely fantastic.

Care for a calming and relaxing soak with a beautiful view?

 

Fall in many places often offers some of the most gorgeous views around.

 

Especially with autumn with birch trees...

Here's a cute cabin with a rocker outside.

Dunton Hot Springs like a white winter wonderland.

This is a picture that just belongs in a frame on the wall.

 

Can I build one of these in my backyard?

The deck really gives this cabin character and a place to relax outside.

 

I wonder if it's warm enough to stay in the teepee overnight.

More rustic decor inspiration.

Super cozy log cabin room.

Rustic = Stone, Wood and Leather

Don't forget the native American designs and patterns.

 

I really love the ambience of this room.

Cabin in the Woods

 If you like and enjoy rustic spaces like I do, check out the

book above for some great inspirations from personal 

log homes and hotels.  I just received it today and it has

some really gorgeous log homes and spaces in it.

Photos from Dunton Hot Spring

Asaba Ryokan - Japanese Hot Springs

When it comes to hot springs and ryokan's (Japanese traditional Inns), I've visited more than just a handful all over Japan and aspire to visit many more. One of the most luxurious ryokans that I would love to visit is Asaba Ryokan. Asaba Ryokan is about 1.5-2 hours outside of Tokyo next to a river and a forest. This gorgeous ryokan has quite a bit of history having been constructed in 1675 and is surrounded by a bamboo forest overlooking a large pond. The interior and exterior of Asaba Ryokan are in the traditional Japanese style, and there is even a Japanese Noh theater across from the ryokan where Noh plays are sometimes performed.

**The president of France, on his own time, stayed after the Okinawa summit

at this Ryokan. Many celebrities and well known people also visist this Ryokan.

A bit of history...(courtesy of the Travel Channel)

Asaba Ryokan faces the Katsura River in Shuzenji, site of a tragedy that inspired famous plays. In 1204 AD, Minamoto Yoriie, a politician, was brutally blinded then murdered while in the bath. His own mother planned the assassination. Later, she repented and built a monument, Shigetsuden, to comfort his spirit. It still stands near Shuzenji Temple. Asaba Ryokan has a beautiful garden with a Noh stage for viewing fine plays, including those re-enacting this tragedy. The indoor and outdoor baths have simple thermal waters with traces of sodium chloride, good for soothing aches and pains, skin problems and nervous disorders.

The traditional theater across from the Inn. Very

beautiful and peaceful. The lighting at night makes it

so dramatic.


Front entrace and outer hallways. Very traditional Japanese

architecture.

Deck on the pond facing the Noh theater.





Their outdoor natural hotspring is right

next to the bamboo forest and pond.

Below is there contact information and address. If you need more information,

please feel free to let me know. I lived for a time in Japan so if any of you

ever plan a trip there, feel free to hit me up on places to stay and visit!

3450-1 Shuzenji, Shuzenji-choTagata-gun, Shizuoka-ken 410-2416

Nearest Train Station: Shuzenji-Onsen Station - JR Tokaido Line
Phone: +81 (0)558 72 7000

Japanese Hot Springs - One with Nature...

I was never one for baths until I lived in Japan, the land of natural hot springs (onsen.) In the beginning, I was embarrassed in my prudish American ways and not used to the Japanese bathing culture where the spring water is considered pure and one must strip down to nothing to cleaning one's self before getting into these hot springs. And now, I'm hooked. I can't visit Japan without visiting a traditional hot spring now. The Japanese have such a way with building their landscapes into the natural environment. It's like the heaven, when soaking in a hot spring by a river or forest. The following are examples of very traditional outdoor hot springs in Japan. You certainly won't find this in a city like Tokyo...but if you venture out far enough, there are many of them to explore. I've always fantasized about building such a landscape/soaking place for myself if I had a yard.

Riverside Outdoor Hotspring A Secluded Hot Spring


Secluded hot spring by a River



A soaking spring taking advantage of the view.