Historic Shangri-La Springs Welcomes Visitors After Being Closed for Decades

After years hidden from public view, the storied Shangri-La Springs in Bonita Springs opened in 2023. The 8-acre site now features a wellness center, complete with guest rooms, fresh food, and healing treatments.

Since buying the grounds in 1998, the Lama Hana Trust has spent years fixing up the old buildings. Guests can pick between two main house suites or six spots in Villa Ascona.

A bubbling mineral spring, the one that gave Bonita Springs its name, sits at the center. Back in its glory days, the spring drew big names like Thomas Edison, Babe Ruth, FDR, and Elizabeth Taylor.

The site started as the Heitman Hotel in 1921. Dr. R.J. Cheatham took over in 1963, switched the name to Shangri-La, and made it a spot for health-minded guests.

Fresh food fills plates at Harvest & Wisdom, where chefs pick ingredients straight from their 4-acre garden. Breakfast and lunch run daily until 2 p.m., serving up everything from morning quiche to juicy Wagyu burgers.

The wellness center offers body work and skin care, plus spots to unwind in steam and salt rooms. Outside, Florida's largest Mysore fig spreads its branches wide. Stone figures and water features dot the walking paths.

Guided tours are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. for a small fee. The grounds and restaurants are open to non-guests from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Shangri-La Springs is located at 27750 Old 41 Road.