Hidden oasis: Historic Bonita Springs landmark hidden in plain sight for a century

For decades, it sat quietly, shrouded in mystery and virtually invisible to passersby.

Just steps off Old 41 Road in the heart of Bonita Springs, Shangri-La Springs might as well have been miles away, secluded behind its growing wall of green.

“I’ve been here most of my entire life and always knew it was there,” said Maikol Henriquez, executive director of Bonita Springs Historical Society. “It had gates up and I’d look over and wonder what it was. There was a certain aura around it. It was very mysterious, but not in a negative way.”

But slowly, things began to change. After being closed for two decades, the property was opened to the public in 2015, grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting included.

Then, last October, the wall separating the property from the eyes of the world was removed.

“When I gave the OK to take it down, it was a much bigger deal than I thought,” general manager Lee Bellamy said laughing. “It wasn’t even a wall really. There was a chain link fence and a humongous hedge row had grown unattended for 25 to 30 years.”

“Tearing down the wall made it more accessible,” Henriquez said. “It’s so charming when you drive by drive at night and see the building perfectly preserved.”

And while that physical and symbolic act could have changed everything, it didn’t.

The wonder and splendor of Shangri-La remains.

“If I had a jar of pennies every time someone came in and asked what this place is about, I’d be rich,” Bellamy said. “Now that the hedge row is down, people pull in a little more. It’s more inviting. But it’s still a mystery.”

And that’s a very good thing.

It has been said that the natural mineral water running through the spring at Shangri-La contains healing properties.

Spring into history

To better understand Shangri-La, we’ll start in the early 1500s, a full 400-plus years before the story of Shangri-La Springs begins. A bronze plaque next to the mermaid fountain on the south lawn proudly tells the tale of the spring: Juan Ponce de Leon was in Southwest Florida on his quest for the elusive Fountain of Youth. He learned the Calusa Indians used the water from that spring — on what was to become Shangri-La grounds — for medicinal and trading purposes.

“Many believe that the natural mineral water that runs through this spring has special healing properties,” the plaque reads. “The spring, which flows into Oak Creek, is what gave Bonita Springs its name.” The high levels of magnesium in the water — which is not tested or approved for consumption — “has been shown to improve longevity and reproductive health.” The plaque lists Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Franklin D. Roosevelt as some of the spring’s famous visitors.

The future site of The Heitman Hotel is shown in this circa 1920 photo with people standing near the famed spring.

Welcome to The Heitman Hotel

In 1921, no Everglades Reptile Gardens (which would become the Everglades Wonder Garden) or original Shell Factory drew visitors to the area. Those came in 1936 and 1938, respectively. There wasn’t even an Old 41 Road or Highway 41 as it was called before that. There was, however, a Heitman Avenue and a brand new Heitman Hotel, built by Gilmer Heitman. (Fun fact: In 1908, he built his home on First Street in Fort Myers — now on the National Register of Historic Places — as a gift to his bride. It’s now a popular waterfront wedding venue. But I digress.) Heitman’s 25-room hotel, constructed near that magical spring, was built for homebuyers who needed a place to stay while their homes were under construction. Eventually, The Heitman would become Shangri-La Springs.

A postcard from the early days in the history of Shangri-La Springs

A series of new owners and names

What comes next is a flurry of seven owners and three name changes, before the 21^st century. According to Shangri-La’s website: Robert and Bess DeFoor bought The Heitman Hotel for $6,000 in 1935. When the Depression took its toll, they sold it to the Haverfields who renamed it the Bonita Springs Hotel and added 50 rooms. Mack Cadillac Corporation owner Walter A. Mack of Chicago was next up. He changed the name to Villa Bonita, upgraded it and even got access to a beachfront cabana club on Hickory Island in the 1950s. Then came Dr. Charles Gnau, an osteopath who celebrated the spring’s healing powers by installing the spring-fed pool and Indian Maid of the Springs statue.

Enter neuropath Dr. R.J. Cheatham in 1963. He’s responsible for naming the hotel Shangri-La in reference to the pathway to paradise in the novel “Lost Horizon.” Health was its focus as the hotel transformed into an institute for the practices of natural hygiene. Thirty years later, Leo Dahlman took over, determined to turn the property into a first-class health resort, restoring it to its original splendor.

But fast forward to 1998, and it again fell into foreclosure and was put up for sale. (Fun fact 2: Bellamy thinks the wall/fence/hedgerow was put up “shortly after the last owners abandoned the property, so somewhere around 1995. That fence went around the entire perimeter and it’s still up on the other side of the gate. It’s just covered up with bamboo.”)

Brodie Burns, an employee at Shangri-La Springs, cleans up the pool deck on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024.

Meet the current owners

According to Shangri-La’s website, when Lama Hana Trust purchased the property in 1998, the conservationist organization “vowed to protect the integrity of the hotel as an important landmark in Bonita Springs.”

Mission accomplished.

“I think the management team has done an amazing job with the property,” Henriquez said. “It was built in 1921 as a model for area culture and architecture. Then it was a place to go to detox. Celebrities would go there for health and wellness. That’s been brought back while expanding operations. They’ve done a great job of staying true to its DNA.”

But it’s taken a while.

Tess Chiodo teaches a Joyful Yoga with Tess class on the lawn at Shangri-La Springs. She takes donations and no regristration is required.

“There was so much work to do here by the time they got in to take a look at the buildings and grounds,” said Bellamy, who came aboard in January 2017 after 18 years with Hilton. (Fun fact 3: Originally from Pittsburgh, Bellamy opened the award-winning Hilton Naples in early 2000). “The reopening in 2015 was minimal. It was open for private events. But the restaurant, rooms and spa hadn’t been open. I think they were doing very limited food and beverage.”

“When I got here in 2017, we kind of brought operations back to a pause,” he said. “We did more renovation work — the sprinkler system, electric, new plumbing to start with. We did a lot to get it to where we are now.”

The property today

Shangri-La Springs’ eight acres sit just off Old 41 Road, south of Riverside Park and north of Bonita Beach Road.

“It’s cut in half by Oak Creek,” Bellamy said. “The hotel and spa on the north four and the garden on the south side. It’s a working farm back there.”

On any given day, you’ll find Bellamy strolling the grounds, looking for wildlife out by the creek.

Shangri-La Springs is home to two magnificent Mysore fig trees.

Those grounds are a lush, shade-covered delight with walkways gently guiding guests along the creek and around the lawns.

“We’ve got a little map that includes a scavenger hunt to find treasures,” Bellamy said. “It takes you through the entire property, including the spring and Oak Creek out back. Asian statues are on there to search for. It helps you really enjoy all that Shangri-La has.”

This includes the two Mysore fig trees.

“This is one of the property’s mysteries,” Bellamy said. “Why are they here? They’re native to Mysore, India, not here. There are four in Southwest Florida. One in Estero, one at the Edison home and two here. The one in the courtyard is the largest Mysore fig in the state. The one on the south lawn is the third largest. The age is right around the same age as the hotel. It was planned with the hotel is my guess.” (Fun fact 4: A Mysore fig at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates that was planted in the 1960s was toppled by Hurricane Irma in 2017. The larger one on the property was not damaged and still proudly stands. The area’s other one is at a corner of Broadway Avenue E and Sandy Lane in Estero.)

Shangri-La Springs boasts features an organic garden that grows fruits and vegetables used in the restaurant. The blooms are used as garnish for drinks and dishes.

In the garden

Bellamy can also be found meandering through the garden “for something to eat.”

“It’s like Willy Wonka’s factory back there,” he said. “It’s entirely edible. It’s just fantastic.”

(Fun fact 5: Since it’s a working garden, it’s not usually open to the public. Garden manager Cecelia Morales leads walking garden tours from 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays for $15 by reservation only. Go to shangrilaspring.com to sign up.)

That garden is another source of pride at Shangri-La.

“It’s important to know we are certified organic,” Bellamy said. “And that’s a pretty big deal. It’s expensive and labor intensive but the ownership feels it’s important to have. You have to account for everything that goes in and out of the soil. It took years to get that process to make sure soil becomes and stays organic. Lama Hana took the time to do it.”

Chiffonade kale salad with salmon is on the menu at Harvest & Wisdom in Shangri-La Springs.

Winter is the most productive season for the garden.

“I’m looking forward to leafy greens, spinach, lettuce, kale, tomatoes, eggplant,” Bellamy said. “We get so much. We do produce sales on Thursdays in October for any excess. Leafy greens sometimes are harvested at the same time and there is just so much. Nothing goes to waste here.”

Let’s eat

When Harvest & Wisdom first opened in 2019, it was an organic fine-dining restaurant.

For the last 20 months though, that’s all changed.

“Now it’s a seven-day-a-week organic brunch restaurant,” Bellamy said. “And that works really well for us.”

Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, it’s a great starting point for first-time visitors to Shangri-La.

Gluten-free Key lime pie is served at Harvest & Wisdom in Shangri-La Springs.

“I love Harvest & Wisdom,” Henriquez said. “It really is wonderful. The prices are very reasonable and the quality really is in a league of its own.”

The organic farm-to-table menu is in the more-than-capable hands of former Sunset Grill and Sanibel Fresh chef Amy Schmicker, a longtime proponent of healthy eating and sustainability.

“We’re very fortunate to have her,” Bellamy said.

Expect quiche and egg dishes, salads constructed with just picked from the garden ingredients, plus Wagyu and black bean burgers and a handheld or two.

“Our menu primarily stays the same,” Bellamy said. “Where we add is to our special menu. That can change daily.”

Enjoy it all in the comfortable, brightly lit dining room or on the spacious patio overlooking the courtyard (Mysore fig included).

Brodie Burns, an employee of Shangri-La Springs, sets up for a wedding.

From spa services and weddings to yoga and guest rooms

When asked to describe Shangri-La, Bellamy starts big and works his way down.

“Well, it’s one of the oldest historic properties in Bonita Springs,” he said. “I think we really try to emphasize Shangri-La as a whole. Then it’s really easy to go into the amenities.”

And there are many.

Yoga: From joyful and gentle yogas to mindful movement to Yin and Vata Dosha yogas, plenty of classes are offered from Monday to Thursday. “The majority are held outside throughout the property,” Bellamy said. “They’re on the lawn, down by the creek under a tree, wherever the teacher prefers.”

The spa is open to the public by appointment at Shangri-La Springs in Bonita Springs.

Spa: For decades the spa, like the rest of the property, was for guests only. Now it’s open to the public and offers a wide range of services — massages from Buddah to Young Living Raindrop technique; facials, including a Springs Fountain of Youth treatment; body treatments — wraps and scrubs; and amenities including eucalyptus steam room and Himalayan salt infused sauna. Call or schedule an appointment online.

Weddings and corporate events: The unique venue accommodates 10 to 400 people. “We have a ton of weddings booked,” Bellamy said. “I don’t think there’s a Friday or Saturday left until May.”

Guest rooms: The intimate boutique hotel has two guest suites (The two-bedroom, three-room Bonita Suite and the two-bedroom four-room Heitman Suite) in the main building and six king guest rooms in the Villa Ascona building near the courtyard (hello again, Mysore fig).   

Shangri-La Spings has two guests suites in the main building and six guest rooms near the courtyard.

“We’ve had lots of locals using the eight renovated rooms for summer staycations,” Bellamy said. “Almost every weekend, we’ve had guests stay from Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral.”

Special events: At various times throughout the year, look for Garden Tea Parties (Fun fact 6: it’s a high-noon style type tea with a Shangri-La twist — guests pick their own leaves from the garden for their tea), Art & Soul Nights, history tours, artisan farmers markets, wine dinners and more.

A first in decades

“This will be our first season going in fully open,” Bellamy said. “The entire resort has never been where we are now. Rooms are open, the restaurant and spa are seven days a week, tours and yoga classes are five or six days. This is uncharted territory for us.”

While Shangri-La is exotic, luxurious and mysterious, it’s also warm, welcoming and inviting.

And it’s open to the public 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

The entryway welcomes guests to Shangri-La Springs in Bonita Springs.

When asked for his favorite part of Shangri-La, Bellamy pauses.

“It’s the overall vibe,” he said. “It’s just an amazing atmosphere.”

You’re going to love it.

Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press and Naples Daily News. Connect at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Hidden oasis: Historic Bonita Springs landmark hidden in plain sight for a century