What is a Grotto?

A grotto is a natural or man-made cave or cavern, often characterized by its unique geological formations, peaceful atmosphere and association with water such as springs, pools or waterfalls. They are commonly found in gardens, parks or spa environments, providing secluded sanctuaries for relaxation, rejuvenation and connection with nature.

What is the History of Grottos?

The history of grotto caves dates back centuries, with these natural or man-made caves often connected with spiritual and therapeutic properties. In ancient times, these sacred spaces have been historically used for various purposes, including spiritual or religious rituals, meditation and as places for reflection and contemplation. First discovered in ancient Rome, grottoes were recognized as peaceful escapes from the outside world. The Italians used the natural moisture of grottos to create hydrating bath houses. Similarly, the French sought out these cool subterranean caves for relief from the heat.

Over the years, grottos have evolved from simple caves to elaborate structures. Still renowned as sacred spaces across the world, grotto caves now commonly symbolize rejuvenation and people’s connection to nature. 

What are the Benefits of Grottos?

The cool, damp environment of grottos is believed to have therapeutic benefits for both physical and mental well-being. The tranquil atmosphere of a grotto, often enhanced by the presence of water features, can help promote relaxation and reduce stress levels. Additionally, the damp environment of a grotto, along with the presence of mineral springs and mud baths, can have positive effects on skin health, respiratory issues, stress relief, muscle relaxation and skin health. 

At Glen Ivy Hot Springs, The Grotto offers a subterranean experience that includes a treatment ritual to promote healing and overall well-being. After descending into the gently heated grotto cave, guests are painted neck-to-toe with a warm aloe vera, coconut oil, eucalyptus, shea butter and lavender masque that they then rinse off in cascading water.

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Dimitrije and Vera Cülevski first came to Glen Ivy in 1968. Better known as Chule, for more than 40 years he has been Glen Ivy’s most enthusiastic and frequent guest. You may know him as the elderly European cherub of the mineral baths, an ivy leaf on his nose held in place by thick glasses. All who know him love his zest for life.

The Cülevskis are from the city of Bitola in southwestern Macedonia, just north of the Greek border. The land is naturally beautiful and the people are tenaciously cheerful in character. Having mastered the traditional skills taught to him by his father and grandfather, he had his own small shop in Bitola circa 1940. In addition to weaving, he also spun his own wool into yarn and dyed it in homemade vats. After the war he moved to a larger shop along the Dragor River in Bitola, and became locally known as the master weaver in a town of master weavers. Weaving was and is his passion. It’s in his blood. Chule is the 5th generation of weavers in his family, who altogether produced rugs and blankets for a century and a half.

Weaving is an ancient textile craft in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads, called the warp and the filling, or weft, are interlaced to form a fabric. The warp threads run lengthways on the piece of cloth, and the weft runs across from side to side. Cloth is woven on a loom, a device that holds the warp threads in place while filling threads are woven through them. The way the warp and filling threads interlace with each other is called the weave.

The fabrics of our lives are woven of the warp of our character and the weft of our choices. Every day—indeed, every moment— our behaviors, how we express ourselves, pass like weaver’s shuttles left and right, revealing patterns in our fabrics. Like all of us, Chule is more than a weaver of blankets. Across generations he and Vera weave an old world and a new in the warp and weft of their lives. Their love and their blankets touch many people. The colors are vivid, the patterns rich, the results lasting. Chule’s blankets are both facts and symbols of a life’s work.

Through all those years the Spa was growing too, and Chule often remarked on the entrepreneurial parallel: “Give a good product at a fair price, and you’re happy, I’m happy, everybody happy.” His vision for his business was “to warm the world with blankets.” He saw Glen Ivy’s as “to warm the world with water.”

With each blanket comes a measure of history along with the touch of two special spirits, woven together through time.

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A Brief Chronological History of Glen Ivy Hot Springs:

1850 – The Golden State entered the Union after the discovery of gold in 1849. The population exploded with westward migration and the quiet rural lands near Temescal Sulphur Springs, as Glen Ivy Hot Springs was known prior to the 1880s, saw great growth.

September 8, 1860 – Abraham Lincoln was campaigning for President when the Temescal Sulphur Springs (Glen Ivy Hot Springs) natural waters were first advertised in the Los Angeles Star.

1870s – The first country inn to later carry the name Glen Ivy Hot Springs was an adobe construction dating from the 1870s. At this time, the price of a swim in the mineral waters back then was just 25¢, including bathing suit and towel!

1880s – Owners William & Louisa Steers conceive the name Glen Ivy Hot Springs. The Steers were from England where a canyon is often called a “glen.” Growing in glorious profusion by the springs were vines of wild grape whose leaves resembling the ivy growing on buildings in England. Although no one knows for certain how it happened, one could imagine Mrs. Steers out one morning, walking up Coldwater Creek to bathe when suddenly the name “Glen Ivy” leapt into her mind.

1913 – Frank and Mabel Johnson purchased the property. They completed the  expansion of the old adobe into a real hotel in 1922, and built a concrete bathhouse in 1927. Automobiles brought Glen Ivy Hot Springs even closer to a burgeoning Los Angeles population. Glen Ivy Hot Spring’s reputation for healing waters and comfortable service spread and the Johnsons’ dreams were becoming realized. Glen Ivy Hot Springs flourished. In addition to the hotel and bath house, they built guest cottages and more mineral baths, and added 30 acres of citrus trees.

1937 – Danish hotelier Axel Springborg assumed ownership of the property and business.

1940s and 50s – Under Axel Springborg, Glen Ivy transformed further into a destination resort in the prosperous post-war economy.

1977 – A new ownership group brought the standout features Glen Ivy is known for including the Lounge Pool (1984), Club Mud, The Grotto (2002), and Under the Oaks (2007). In 1999 the present Bath House was opened, the Roman Baths added to it in 2001, and the whole building upgraded and enlarged in 2005 to accommodate more guests. In 2006 Café Solé opened serving fare from acclaimed chef Bill Wavrin.  The rooftop Solé Terrace and Cabañas have been delighting guests since then too. Along with various new pools and deck areas, treatment capacity was gradually raised to the present 72 rooms/stations in five buildings.

2016 – GOCO Hospitality acquired historic Glen Ivy Hot Springs, and developed plans for expanding the world-class wellness resort community on this land surrounded by organic orchards, the Santa Ana Mountains national preserve, and adjacent golf course. The immediate investment will be used to enhance the current hot springs spa and set the stage for future expansion. Touching on the hot springs storied past, GOCO intends to create overnight accommodations, as well as allow nighttime access.  GOCO plans to build on Glen Ivy’s pristine reputation with thoughtful renovations, expansions, and program development that aim to put them as a top destination for tourists and Californians alike.

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