Southern Indiana Resort Shows Off Post-Hailstorm Renovation [VIDEO]

You should never judge a book by its cover or a town by its population. I feel certain both Gatlinburg (population: 3,701) and Pigeon Forge (population: 6,357) in Tennessee have driven that point home repeatedly.

The right city leaders, chambers of commerce, and constituents will maximize opportunities, and that's what French Lick (population: 1,731) is all about. For starters, this relatively tiny Indiana town boasts one of the greatest NBA players of all time as a native son. That would be the man, the myth, the icon Larry Bird.

French Lick

Let's not forget nearby Wilstem Ranch and all of ITS adventures. Sure, it's down the road in Paoli, but what's five miles. It counts.

Then you have two of the most magnificent resorts you will ever visit, lay eyes on, you name it. I've stayed in the 175-year-old French Lick Springs Hotel, and its antique class and nostalgic charm are felt throughout the property. The rooms and suites must look as they did a half-century ago, or more.

Take a little drive down the road and you'll land at the opulent West Baden Springs Hotel, a mesmerizing establishment that reminds me of an old hotel from a 1970s made-for-TV horror movie. (Trust me; from me, that's high praise.)

West Baden Springs Renovations

Dubbed the "eighth wonder of the world," West Baden Springs Hotel was put through the wringer in 2023 when a summer hailstorm wreaked extensive havoc on the resort's breathtaking glass atrium.

With the atrium repaired and new carpet laid, the renovations are complete.

The timing couldn't be more perfect. We're weeks away from spring break season and then it's full-on vacation season. Sounds like the perfect time to visit a beautiful hotel with a new lease on life.