Tianmingshan Spa & Resort

Visited the Hotel for use of the Hot Springs, not to actually stay at the hotel so my comments deal strictly with that experience. Traveled with a group of Chinese colleagues on a team building weekend. One of the activities was four hours at the Hot Spring baths and it was a very pleasant experience. Although busy, the staff was well versed in handling the crowds and keep things moving. I'll explain a little about the actual experience as well as the pools themselves. After purchasing your tickets you are given a magnetic bracelet that is the key to your locker as well as your charge card for any amenities that you purchase once in the spa. Note that there are lockers in the lobby that are free and some people, like myself, put all of my valuables there instead of the lockers inside. Warning, you have to settle your bill before you are allowed to leave the Spa as, very hard to do if your wallet or money is in that outside locker. I did not have any extras so I was able to get out ok. I acted as bail bondsman for two of my colleagues that could not get out because they did not have their wallets. So be careful, take some cash in with you, the lockers inside the spa area are quite secure. After getting your ticket and wrist band you go into the locker room and use your magnetic band to open the assigned locker. The band also allows you to set the combination for you locker. the combination can be from one to four digits followed by a pound sign.w Bathing suits are required, sandals are provided in the locker as are nice robes. There are plenty of helpful attendants to guide you along or help as needed. You are requested to shower before using the spa and there are plenty available. You then go up to the second floor and enter the spa area. There is a large indoor pool that was quite crowded. The is also a small pool with the small fish that will nibble the dead skin off of your body. That pool was packed so I never got to experience it but it looked pretty neat. Outside, there were eight pools that were open, along with a few small and one large pool that were closed. I tried all of the pools that were open and they were all different. Temperatures varied, as did the actual water. For example, one pool had fowler petals floating in it, another was just short of boiling, and my favorite had some type of Chinese herbs in it. Like goldilocks said in the fairy tale- it was just right! The number of people in the pool varied and you had to skip over some pools and then go back later if you wanted to try it out. We found out later that there was a recommended sequence for using the pools so I can't speak to the benefit of following that. Despite that, the pools left you exhausted and dehydration is a real concern. There are plenty of water stations available and people were using them based on the numb of paper cups surrounding the tubs. The cleaning staff was quick to pick them up so please don't think that there was a lot of litter. You can get a massage for for a very reasonable rate. Three of my colleagues did that and the current rate (january, 2013) for a simple massage was $30 for 60 minutes. Each said that it was excellent and worth the price. Just remember that the cost will be charged to your bracelet. There is a lounge on the fourth floor where you can have free oranges and tea if you want to take a break or just refresh before you leave. It also has a small buffet station and other beverages such as carbonated sodas available for an additional charge. Note: You cannot enter the lounge in your bathing suit, you must shower and change into a pair of scrubs (short pants) that are provided in the shower area or your street clothes. All in all it was a very relaxing four hours. Everyone in our group had a great time and if additional time were available we would have stayed longer.