Being the oldest hotel in the US, the Homestead Resort and Spa in Hot Springs, VA has so much charm and character. My husband and I were visiting for a golf tournament and were blown away by the hotel’s amenities and the beautiful architecture.
My husband and I don’t usually splurge on resorts like this, but we enjoyed our experience. Below is a detailed breakdown of the hotels, amenities, activities, and overall experience. If you are visiting the area and looking for more places to visit, I highly recommend Fayetteville, WV.
Common Questions About The Homestead Resort and Spa
What makes the Omni Hotel Resort and Spa so famous?
The Omni Homestead Resort is famous because of its premier golf courses, hot springs, and its pertinence to American history.
What is the dress code at the Omni Homestead?
The dress code at the resort is resort-casual.
How old is the Omni Homestead Resort?
The resort was initially built in 1766 and has undergone several renovations due to fires and typical wear and tear that comes with age.
Basic Information
Where is the resort?
Located in Hot Springs, Virginia, the Homestead Resort and Spa is nestled in the Alleghany Mountains and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountain landscape.
History Of The Homestead Resort
The Homestead Resort was built in 1766 as a retreat for prominent Americans. Over the years, it has hosted many notable figures, including Thomas Jefferson. The unique thermal mineral waters in Hot Springs, Virginia, where the resort is located, are a major attraction due to their medicinal properties and the spa treatments offered at the resort.
After changing ownership multiple times and serving as a hospital for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, the resort was destroyed by a fire in 1901. The only buildings that were salvaged were the spa, casino, and cottages on Cottage Row. The resort was then rebuilt, and several wings were added.
The roaring twenties was a lucrative time for the resort and the homestead continued its reputation until the 1940s when it turned into an internment camp for Japanese diplomats.
This resort has a very unique history from definitive moments in American history. While you are visiting the resort, I highly recommend taking a history tour as the Homestead is so rich.
Things to do Around The HomesteD
Spa
This is where I spent most of the time as my main goal was to relax. The serenity garden was perfect for this, with an outdoor pool, sauna, cold shower, and even a thermal hot spring!
The Spa at the Omni Homestead offers a variety of treatments, including massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures. Visit the hotel’s website for a full list of services and special offers.
Pools
There are two other pools within the resort, offering different ways to spend your time. In addition, there are the Warm Springs Pools where you can relax and submerge yourself in the mineral springs.
- Indoor Pool
- Located in the spa area, this indoor pool is stunning! Built in 1904, the pool is filled with the mineral springs water and is treated accordingly.
- Water Park
- This is a great place to hang out if you have kids as there are several different slides and a heated lazy river that you can cruise around the park.
- What makes this park so wonderful is that it stays open year-round because it is heated. I can picture myself floating down the lazy river with snow on the ground and it sounds magical!
- Warm Springs pools
- Soak in the same pools Native Americans claimed to have healing properties and where presidents frequented to relax and unwind.
- Admission
- $35 per person and require reservations
Golf
The resort offers two different courses of your choosing which are considered some of the best courses in Virginia. Tucked into the Alleghany Mountains, both The Cascades and The Old Course offer amazing mountain views and challenging courses!
Skiing
Located less than a mile from the resort grounds, this ski slope offers beginner to intermediate slopes, which makes for a great place to learn! My husband and I visited in August, so we were not able to check out the slopes, but this seems like a great activity!
Homestead Restaurants
- Martha’s Market
- Cute coffee shop within the resort that also offers breakfast sandwiches and other quick breakfast foods.
- Jefferson’s Restaurant
- Jefferson’s Tap Room
- Great place for a drink and bar-like food. I got a burger to enjoy when wanting a quick meal.
- Pioneer Picnic
- Located beside Woody’s, fun place to have dinner and hang out outside the yard of the resort. The resort also has several yard games you can enjoy as well.
- Woodys
- Wood-fired pizza is pretty good!
The Town of Hot Springs Virginia
The town of Hot Springs, Virginia is located in Bath County and is very small with a population of 455, based on the Census Bureau. There is a main street with a few restaurants and shops within walking distance from the resort. It’s worth it to take a stroll and engage with the locals.
Listed below are some of the shops and restaurants along the Main Street:
Restaurants and Cafes
- Sam Snead Tavern
- More of a classic dining restaurant with live music on the weekends.
- Bacova Beer Garden
- Great atmosphere and quality food. While we were there, they were having a trivia night that seemed fun!
- Duck In Deli & Market
- Great for grab-and-go. I went here for a breakfast sandwich, but they also make lunch sandwiches as well.
Shops
There are only a couple of shops in Hot Springs, Virginia, but it is important to support locals when you can! Listed below are the shops along the main street.
- Laura’s Boutique
- McGraw Minerals and Main Street Gallery
Churches and Architecture
After walking along the main strip of Hot Springs, Virginia, I highly suggest taking the longer route to the hotel entrance. This will involve a bit of a hike due to the steep hills, but I always enjoy looking at the area’s architecture, especially since this hotel is the oldest in the US. Some of the surrounding houses and churches also have a lot of history.
Honest Review of the Homestead
Here’s the thing, if luxury hotels are your bread and butter, then I’m not sure this review applies to you. My husband and I love luxury experiences but also want to feel like we are getting what we paid for. Do I think that the hotel was overpriced? Absolutely. Did I also think the Homestead is very unique to American history and is a cool landmark to visit? 100%.
My advice is that, if you want to splurge on a resort-style hotel, then maybe do some more research. There wasn’t anything necessarily bad about this resort, but for the price you are paying for accommodations, dining, and drinks, I think that your money could go further somewhere else.
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