2025 Starnet grand prize winning project

Murrieta Hot Springs Resort Renovation

Murrieta Hot Springs Resort Renovation: Restoring a Storied Landmark with Modern Flooring Innovation

The Murrieta Hot Springs Resort renovation represents a remarkable achievement in balancing history, innovation, and modern hospitality design. This ambitious project breathed new life into one of Southern California’s most iconic destinations, transforming a property with more than a century of layered history into a world-class wellness resort. Universal Metro played a central role in this transformation, delivering flooring solutions that combined durability, elegance, and historical sensitivity.

A Property with Many Lives

The story of Murrieta Hot Springs Resort stretches back to 1902, when German immigrant Fritz Guenther developed the site into a celebrated health spa retreat. Known for its Spanish-inspired architecture and geothermal mineral waters, the resort quickly became a destination for those seeking relaxation and healing.

As the decades passed, the property went through several transformations. It served as a hotel, later as a vegetarian commune in the 1980s, and then as a Christian conference center and Bible college in the 1990s. For many years, it was closed to the public, leaving behind a mix of structures and uses that made any future revival a complex undertaking.

In 2022, new ownership took on the vision of restoring the site to its original purpose as a public wellness resort. By February 2024, Murrieta Hot Springs Resort officially reopened, offering modern spa facilities, geothermal pools, guest accommodations, and wellness-focused amenities. The Murrieta Hot Springs Resort renovation became a project not just of restoration, but of renewal and reinvention.

Challenges in the Renovation

Restoring a property with such a long and varied history presented significant challenges. Among the most pressing were:

Respecting the Past While Building for the Future: The design needed to retain the spirit of the original Spanish-style architecture while adapting the resort to modern expectations of wellness and hospitality.
Durability in Demanding Environments: With geothermal pools, saunas, and bathhouses, flooring solutions had to withstand moisture, heavy traffic, and continuous use without sacrificing beauty.
Creating a Unified Vision: With spaces ranging from private guestrooms to public cafés and sprawling bathhouses, every flooring choice had to contribute to a cohesive design theme—“California Nostalgic.”

Flooring and Material Solutions

Universal Metro’s approach to the Murrieta Hot Springs Resort renovation combined thoughtful design with advanced installation systems. Working with Starnet Preferred Vendors, the team delivered solutions that ensured durability, moisture resistance, and timeless beauty.

Daltile & Marazzi provided terracotta-toned tiles in the reception, café, and guestrooms. These finishes echoed the resort’s Mediterranean-inspired roofs while adding warmth and authenticity.
Mosaic and Glossy Finishes were used in the bathhouse, pairing earthy matte tiles with glossy off-white walls. This combination created a clean, modern contrast that also performed well under constant exposure to moisture.
ARDEX & Mapei Installation Systems were essential behind the scenes. These high-performance materials offered moisture protection, adhesion, and substrate stability, ensuring that the floors would perform flawlessly for decades to come.
Digital Tools and Precision Systems such as Measure Square, RFMS Measure, Spec-ID, and C/F Data Systems ensured accurate specifications, streamlined planning, and efficient installation—critical for a project of this scale and complexity.

Every flooring decision was guided by a dual mandate: preserve the integrity of the resort’s historic character while equipping it with materials that would meet the demands of a modern wellness destination.

Results of the Project

The results of the Murrieta Hot Springs Resort renovation are striking. Guests now enter a resort that celebrates its historic identity while delivering the comforts and sophistication of a contemporary spa experience.

Historic Charm Maintained: Terracotta palettes and Spanish-style textures reconnect visitors with the site’s origins.
Modern Wellness Elevated: Durable, low-maintenance flooring supports spaces like geothermal baths, mud rooms, saunas, and cafés.
Longevity Guaranteed: Behind every tile lies advanced installation systems that protect against moisture and heavy use, ensuring the resort’s design will stand the test of time.

The project has transformed Murrieta Hot Springs Resort into a place that is both a tribute to its past and a bold step into its future.

A New Era for a Historic Destination

Today, Murrieta Hot Springs Resort welcomes visitors once again, offering them the healing waters and restorative environment that defined its legacy more than a century ago. Thanks to Universal Metro’s flooring expertise and its collaboration with top vendors, the resort has reemerged as a premier wellness destination.

The Murrieta Hot Springs Resort renovation stands as a testament to what can be achieved when history, design vision, and modern flooring innovation come together. By preserving character while ensuring performance, Universal Metro helped deliver a project that will inspire and rejuvenate guests for generations to come.

2025 Starnet Grand Prize project: Murrieta Hot Springs entry with reclining wooden slat chairs and brown floor tile

Explore More Projects

At Universal Metro, every project tells a story of craftsmanship, collaboration, and innovation. From historic landmarks to modern commercial spaces, our work reflects a commitment to excellence in flooring design and installation.

Bar Issi: Italian-Inspired Commercial Flooring Installation

Palm Springs’ New Italian-Inspired Destination

When design meets craftsmanship, the result is unforgettable. Universal Metro, Inc. is proud to highlight our role in the creation of Bar Issi, a glamorous new Italian-inspired venue in Palm Springs. This commercial flooring installation project reflects not only our technical expertise but also our commitment to collaboration, precision, and elevating the customer experience through world-class flooring solutions.

Setting the Stage: A Destination Worthy of Palm Springs

Palm Springs has long been known as a destination for luxury, design, and cultural influence. When Bar Issi was envisioned, the goal was to create a venue that combined elegance with durability—flooring that could stand up to high foot traffic while still maintaining its high-end aesthetic. That’s where Universal Metro came in.

Our reputation for Palm Springs commercial flooring installation meant we were uniquely positioned to deliver a product that balanced beauty and performance. From the earliest planning stages to final walkthroughs, our team worked side-by-side with the general contractor to ensure the flooring would reflect the Italian-inspired design vision while meeting all industry standards.

Building Relationships Through Craftsmanship

At Universal Metro, every project is more than just an installation. It’s an opportunity to build lasting relationships with general contractors, architects, and designers who trust us to bring their vision to life. On this project, collaboration was key. Working hand-in-hand with the GC not only streamlined the construction process but also created a partnership built on communication and trust.

This commercial flooring installation demonstrates what happens when craftsmanship is matched by teamwork. Every square foot of flooring at Bar Issi reflects careful attention to detail and the shared dedication of everyone involved.

Materials That Set the Tone

The flooring selection for Bar Issi was about more than appearance—it was about creating an atmosphere that supported the Italian-inspired aesthetic while ensuring functionality for a high-traffic hospitality space.

Universal Metro installed a combination of premium materials, including:

Daltile Keystones and Elixir tiles – Bringing in texture, durability, and timeless style.
Reward Flooring’s Costa Testa hardwood – Adding warmth and sophistication with natural character.
Altro Stronghold 30 – Delivering slip-resistant safety without compromising on design.
ARDEX Self Leveling products – Ensuring a flawless foundation for every finish.

Each product was carefully selected for its performance and aesthetic contribution. Together, they created a layered design that enhances Bar Issi’s chic interior and ensures long-lasting quality.

Elevating Standards in Palm Springs

Hospitality spaces demand flooring that does more than look good—it must perform day after day. That’s why our installation team adhered to rigorous quality checks, ensuring every step met or exceeded industry standards. The result is a floor that not only supports the vision of Bar Issi but will also serve its guests for years to come.

Our experience with this Palm Springs commercial flooring installation has taught us that success is in the details. From leveling the foundation with ARDEX products to precision tile alignment and seamless hardwood transitions, we approached this project with the same care we bring to every Universal Metro installation.

The Finished Result

The completed project at Bar Issi is a celebration of design and craftsmanship. Walking into the space, guests are greeted by flooring that seamlessly ties together the Italian-inspired atmosphere with the modern elegance Palm Springs is known for. The floors provide not only a striking visual foundation but also a durable solution that meets the functional needs of a busy hospitality venue.

Universal Metro: Experts in Commercial Flooring Installation

This project is just one example of how Universal Metro supports clients in achieving their design vision while maintaining practical durability. With decades of experience and a reputation for excellence, our team brings unmatched knowledge to every project. Whether it’s hospitality, retail, education, or healthcare, we understand the unique demands of commercial spaces.

For anyone seeking Palm Springs commercial flooring installation, Universal Metro offers a trusted partner who combines technical expertise, quality craftsmanship, and a dedication to customer satisfaction.

Final Thoughts

Bar Issi is more than a new venue—it’s a destination that embodies the essence of Palm Springs style. Universal Metro is proud to have contributed to its success, and we look forward to continuing to deliver flooring solutions that inspire, perform, and endure.