Bonita Springs · Florida
Shangri-La Springs, Bonita Springs: The 1926 Hotel Built Around the Spring That Named the Town
Long before the condos and golf courses, there was a spring. A century on, it still bubbles up on the grounds of Shangri-La Springs, a 1926 hotel turned organic retreat in the heart of old Bonita Springs.
Every town has an origin story. In Bonita Springs, you can still see it. On a quiet stretch of Old 41 Road, behind a row of towering trees, a natural mineral spring rises through a fountain on the grounds of Shangri-La Springs. It is the very spring the town was named for, and the hotel that grew up around it has been welcoming guests since 1926. In a part of Florida better known for new construction, Shangri-La Springs is something far rarer: a place with genuine history, and the patience to let you slow down long enough to feel it.
Built by Gilmer Heitman in 1926, the Mediterranean-style main building is one of the oldest surviving structures in Bonita Springs. Over the decades it has been a hotel, a health retreat and a local landmark, and today it is a small boutique hotel set on 8.5 landscaped acres, with an organic spa, a farm-to-table restaurant and its own organic garden and orchard. It feels less like a resort than a well-kept secret that locals have been quietly enjoying for years.
The spring that named the town still flows on the grounds.
Grounds that do the work
Much of Shangri-La Springs’ magic is outdoors. The 8.5 acres unfold in shaded paths, ponds and lawns beneath champion trees, with statues tucked into the greenery and Oak Creek curving around the edge of the property. Legend links the area’s springs to the Calusa who once lived here and to Ponce de León’s search for the Fountain of Youth, and while the stories are part folklore, the setting makes them easy to believe. It is the kind of place that rewards an unhurried walk with a coffee in hand.
Harvest & Wisdom: brunch from the garden
The hotel’s restaurant, Harvest & Wisdom, is organic and farm-to-table in the most literal sense. Much of what lands on the plate is grown on site, in the property’s USDA-certified organic garden and orchard, and paired with locally sourced organic proteins and organic drinks. Brunch is the specialty, built around whatever the season brings, and the kitchen happily accommodates gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan diets. Shangri-La Springs is also recognized by the Blue Zones Project, a nod to its long focus on healthy, mindful living.
The Spa at Shangri-La Springs
Fittingly for a property built around a mineral spring, wellness has always been central here. The Spa at Shangri-La Springs keeps things natural and organic, with facials and massages using clean products, plus a eucalyptus steam room, a sauna and a private garden lounge for lingering afterward. Yoga and meditation classes add to the slow-living rhythm, and day visitors are welcome, which makes it a favorite escape for locals as well as hotel guests.
A base for old Bonita Springs
Staying here puts you in the most walkable, character-rich corner of Bonita Springs. Old 41 Road has a growing roster of restaurants and cafés within an easy stroll, and nearby you can kayak the Imperial River from Riverside Park or visit Everglades Wonder Gardens, a local attraction since 1936. The Gulf beaches are a short drive west, and Naples is about 15 miles to the south. The hotel is also a much-loved setting for weddings and celebrations, its historic façade and gardens making a natural backdrop.
For travelers looking for something quieter and more soulful than the usual Gulf Coast resort, Shangri-La Springs is the answer: a century-old hotel, a spring with a story, a garden that feeds the kitchen and a spa that asks nothing more than that you slow down.
Shangri-La Springs — At a Glance
- Where
- 27750 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, Florida
- History
- Built in 1926 by Gilmer Heitman; home to the spring that named the town
- Setting
- 8.5 landscaped acres with ponds, champion trees and Oak Creek
- Dining
- Harvest & Wisdom, organic farm-to-table brunch
- Wellness
- Organic spa, steam room, sauna, yoga and meditation
- Also
- USDA-certified organic garden and orchard; weddings and events
- From Naples
- About 15 miles north
Plan Your Stay
Book a room, a spa day or brunch at Harvest & Wisdom, and give yourself time to wander the grounds where Bonita Springs began.
Reserve at Shangri-La SpringsFrequently Asked Questions
Where is Shangri-La Springs?
Shangri-La Springs is at 27750 Old 41 Road in downtown Bonita Springs, Florida, on Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast about 15 miles north of Naples, set on 8.5 landscaped acres near the Imperial River.
How old is Shangri-La Springs?
Shangri-La Springs was built in 1926 by Gilmer Heitman and is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Bonita Springs. It has operated over the decades as a hotel and health retreat and today is a historic boutique hotel.
Is there a real spring at Shangri-La Springs?
Yes. The natural mineral spring that gave Bonita Springs its name still flows on the property today, rising through a fountain on the grounds.
Where can you eat at Shangri-La Springs?
Harvest & Wisdom is the hotel’s organic farm-to-table restaurant, known for brunch built on seasonal produce from the property’s USDA-certified organic garden and orchard, with locally sourced organic proteins. Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan requests can be accommodated.
Does Shangri-La Springs have a spa?
Yes. The Spa at Shangri-La Springs offers natural and organic treatments, including facials and massages, plus a eucalyptus steam room, a sauna and a private garden lounge. It welcomes both hotel guests and day visitors.
Can you visit Shangri-La Springs without staying there?
Yes. The grounds are open to the public during the day, and non-guests can book the spa, have brunch at Harvest & Wisdom and walk the gardens. Check the hotel’s website for current hours.
Can you get married at Shangri-La Springs?
Yes. With its historic main building, courtyard and gardens, Shangri-La Springs is a popular venue for destination weddings, celebrations and meetings.
This article may contain sponsored or partner content and affiliate links; see our Editorial Policy & Advertiser Disclosure. Hours, menus and availability are subject to change.
