Japanese hot springs with pagodas and Koi fish. A replica of the Dead Sea. A volcanic waterfall from Costa Rica. An authentic Roman bathing experience. These are some of the offerings guests will experience in a 10-acre immersive hot springs venue underway in Forsyth County.
Slated to open in fall 2023, Passport Springs & Spa will be located along the Ronald Reagan corridor and will be the largest spa in North America, according to a press release this week, with more than 40,000 square feet of interior space and approximately 150,000 square feet of outdoor space. “The innovative venue will visually transport guests to the exotic locations of Costa Rica, Rome, Israel, and Japan, by recreating the most celebrated hot springs from across the globe.”
Leading the development is Jacob Bloch, the CEO of Passport Experiences, who has extensive experience working with hot springs and recreational real estate ventures, according to the release.
Voelker Gray Design, the team behind Glen Ivy Hot Springs in California, Cabo Azul Resort in Cabo, and Cancun Resort in Las Vegas, is serving as the architect and designer. Kimley-Horn, known for Resorts World in Las Vegas, as well as The Battery, Avalon, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Porsche Experience Center in the Atlanta region, is the civil engineer.
“Metro Atlanta is the perfect location for Passport Springs & Spa due to its vibrant culture and position as an international hub,” Bloch said in the release. “There is nothing like Passport anywhere in the world, and we look forward to opening our doors and providing a worldly experience for our guests. Whether they’re soaking in a pool with friends or making new ones, immersing into our unparalleled spa amenities, or dining at our rooftop restaurant, guests will have breathtaking reasons to come back for more.”
Passport Springs & Spa is divided into four pavilions: Costa Rica, Rome, Israel and Japan. Each mini oasis will replicate the architecture, landscaping, sights, sounds and cuisines of its corresponding international destination, as well as its artisanal mix of mineral hot springs. In the Costa Rica pavilion, visitors will find waterfalls and rapids within a tropical jungle, inspired by the Arenal Hot Springs. The Rome pavilion will feature an outdoor courtyard and colonnade with reflexology pools and a monumental Pantheon dome that encloses a Roman hot spring bathing experience. The Dead Sea pool in the Israel pavilion will be the largest flotation pool in the world, excluding the Dead Sea itself, and will be surrounded by authentic mud pools, Western Wall stone and Bedouin casbahs. As guests walk into the Japan pavilion, they will be greeted by giant origami sculptures, moon gates and dragon fountains in a lantern-lit space inspired by Japanese onsens. Passport will provide an unmatched, buzzing social atmosphere both during the day and at night.
“Across the globe, hot springs resorts are sought-after destinations for socializing, wellness and escaping the routine,” Bloch said. “Passport is unveiling this upscale venue, which is globally unprecedented, with the sophistication of Atlanta in mind.”
The flagship location will feature over 25 thermal mineral pools, with a centralized and glass-enclosed Ocean pool which links each of Passport’s international hot spring pavilions together. Guests can also journey through the Grotto, a subterranean cave network featuring snow, steam, sauna and salt rooms. Additional luxury wellness services, such as massages, facials and other treatments, will be offered from 17 spa rooms or two premium treatment rooms. Themed private cabanas and VIP villas will also be available to rent within each pavilion. Guests can dine at The Passport Café and Bistro or sample international cocktail and hors d’oeuvre offerings within each pavilion.
