WEST BADEN SPRINGS — The global traveling public has officially weighed in, and for the fifth consecutive year, southern Indiana’s own West Baden Springs Hotel has been crowned as one of the premier lodging destinations on the planet.
The sprawling French Lick Resort property—originally constructed in 1902 and designated as a National Historic Landmark—was officially named a 2026 Travelers’ Choice Award winner by Tripadvisor. The prestigious designation automatically anchors the historic luxury hotel within the top 10% of all hospitality properties listed worldwide.
This marks the sixth year overall that the resort has captured one of Tripadvisor’s highest guest-voted accolades, having previously secured the elite “Best of the Best” distinction in 2021 and maintaining a flawless streak on the Travelers’ Choice list every year since 2022.
Unlike conventional hospitality awards that rely on steep corporate entry fees, panel bias, or rigid industry surveys, the Tripadvisor honors are entirely metrics-driven. The 2026 title is the direct byproduct of authentic, real-life traveler reviews, ratings, and insights cataloged globally over 12 months throughout 2025.
Adding to the resort’s momentum, Historic Hotels of America simultaneously bestowed its coveted “Best Historic Resort” distinction on the broader French Lick Resort system, solidifying Orange County’s footprint on the national tourism radar.
Architectural Marvel of the Midwest
The continuous global praise underscores the enduring appeal of what was once dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
When it opened at the turn of the 20th century, the West Baden Springs Hotel bypassed traditional European architecture to construct the largest free-spanning dome in the world—a record it held securely until the opening of the Charlotte Coliseum in 1955 and the Houston Astrodome in 1965.
Initially built to cater to wealthy travelers seeking the region’s mineral springs, the property survived a devastating fire, the Great Depression, and decades of structural decay before a meticulous, multi-million-dollar restoration spearheaded by the Cook Group in the early 2000s returned it to its original Gilded Age splendor. Today, it stands alongside its sister property, the French Lick Springs Hotel, as a premier pillar of Indiana’s tourism economy.
For travelers locking in reservations at the resort through the remainder of the year, the property has finalized a major entertainment and historical exhibition schedule under its iconic 200-foot atrium dome. The marquee summer events kick off this weekend with a massive slate of Fourth of July activities tied to the national America 250 semiquincentennial.
