
The Baker Hotel and Spa
Located in Palo Pinto County sits Mineral Wells, a small town of 15,065 people making up 21.2 square miles. It was once home to one of the largest luxury hotels in North Texas, and on June 20, the city celebrated the revitalization of the iconic site.
The Baker Hotel and Spa originally opened in 1929 as a health resort. It was a sought-after resource for celebrities spanning from Judy Garland, The Three Stooges and President Lyndon B. Johnson. On June 20, the owners and developers of the development, as well as the city of Mineral Wells, announced the hotel will undergo a complete restoration and will reopen as a premier historic, luxurious resort, spa and conference center. The three-year, $65 million project will be the largest restoration in Texas history of a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
And it’s being led by some of Southlake’s very own. The owners and developers include Laird A. Fairchild of Hunter Chase Construction and Development and Chad Patton of Wells Fargo Advisors and the Southlake City Council. The pair have been working on the project for years and are now proud to be leading the charge on The Baker Hotel and Spa.
“This is a great day for Mineral Wells,” Fairchild says via press release. “The Baker Hotel and Spa will be the crown jewel in a much larger plan to re-establish Mineral Wells as a destination for the weekend traveler – much in the same way that Magnolia has spurred interest in Waco.”
Fairchild says this hotel will not only have a big impact on Mineral Wells but also the larger Texas community.
“The Baker will attract visitors from across Texas who are looking for a luxurious getaway as well as those from across the country and around the world who crave the small-town Texas experience,” Fairchild says. “In addition, with plenty of hospitality space, we believe The Baker will be an enormously popular spot for weddings, corporate gatherings and other special events that will provide additional economic benefit to Mineral Wells.”
Councilmember Patton credits not only the city’s efforts in gathering the appropriate funds and driving the push of this project but also the people who call Mineral Wells their home.
“The resurrection of The Baker would not be possible without the overwhelming support of the citizens of Mineral Wells,” Patton says via press release. “From the start, they have been very vocal in their belief that this project would be a cornerstone in the redevelopment of downtown.
The renovated hotel will house 157 guest rooms, a Baker Suite and Presidential suite, a natural springs-based wellness spa with indoor and outdoor natural springs and more than 22,000-square feet of meeting and event spaces. Guests can also enjoy the 14th-floor ballroom known as the Cloud Room, a lounge, a restaurant, a coffee shop and retail options.
The entire process, including the construction that has already begun, will be documented for television purposes. For more information on the project, visit TheBakerHotelAndSpa.com.