Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

Kicking Back at Virginia’s Iconic Homestead Resort

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No matter which way you swayed yesterday, I’d say we all could use a little bit of R&R today, right? This year has been particularly stressful for those of us over in my neck of the woods—my dad’s stroke, SVV leaving his job to come work with me, my work schedule in general—so our 48 hours of kicking back at the Omni Homestead Resort together last month was just what the doctor ordered.

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

No really, if I saw a psychiatrist, I’m pretty sure he would have told me this is what I needed to reset my mental health.

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

Given the number of friends we have in Charlottesville from my Semester at Sea days, I’ve been hearing about the Homestead for years. In fact, my baby sister even visited it before I did, and I’m glad that everything she talked up was true: There’s nary a more relaxing place to getaway in Virginia for a few days.

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

After Andrew and Jane’s wedding, we had three days to kill before our project in Lexington started, and once I saw how close Bath County was to Keswick, I knew exactly where we’d be spending that in-between time.

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

For those of you who don’t know the Homestead, it was established 250 years ago—in 1766, for those of you doing the math—and is most famous for being a favorite retreat among presidents; in fact, since the 18th century, it’s played host to 23 of them. Thomas Jefferson, in particular, was a fan of the hot springs, which is why you’ll find plenty of things in these parts named for him.

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

The property spans 2,300 acres, which includes nearly 500 guest rooms, a pair of 18-hole golf courses, four tennis courts, movie theater, a few pools (one with its own lazy river and water slides!) and one seriously awesome spa facility, thanks in part to a $25 million renovation completed two years back.

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

You could easily spend a week at the Homestead and never need to leave. For one, it’s surrounded by mountainous, wooded land, perfect for hiking, running, exploring.

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

For another, it’s got a handful of restaurants on property to enjoy. On our first evening, we dined at Sam Snead’s Tavern, which is exactly the casual pub experience we wanted after a long weekend of socializing.

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort
Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

The next night, we went a wee bit fancier with cocktails and dinner in Jefferson’s Restaurant since the Main Dining Room was closed for dinners the week we were there.

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort
Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

However, we did get to experience the Main Dining Room for breakfast each morning, and I loved the diversity of food offerings available—the buffet had everything from oatmeal and donuts to hash and eggs Benedict. I sampled a little bit of everything, no big surprise.

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

The Homestead is one of those rare finds that’s well-suited for both honeymooners and families alike. Its entrance is as elegant and Old World-like as the outside might suggest with plenty of staff around to wait on you hand and foot.

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

The rooms, on the other hand, are a bit more on the modest side, though still perfectly comfortable and modern.

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort
Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

In addition to Jefferson’s Restaurant, the Main Dining Room and the Lobby Bar, the sprawling ground level also boasts a market and a series of shops that included a kids’ boutique, women’s clothing, outdoor gear and even a candy store (you can guess which one I was drawn to…).

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

We arrived fully planning to take advantage of all the activities on-site (30, to be exact); what really happened is we camped out at the pool for two days straight (while furiously pounding away on our laptops, I should add, but still).

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

But don’t worry, we also found time to hit up the Hot Springs Spa (obviously).

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

Access to the spa facilities and Serenity Garden run at $85 per person or $160 per couple, which may sound steep without a treatment, but this also includes lunch and access to the Aqua Thermal Suites.

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

These suites were unlike anything I’d ever experienced before: You have experiential showers were you can choose from different storm scenarios; you’ve got a heated cocoon for purification and detoxification; you’ve got the Chill, in which vapor fills the air and you apply flaked ice directly to your skin to cool your lungs and core temperature..
Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

Then you end with a punch of aromatic steam to open your lungs and infuse them with healing essential oils.

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

It’s truly a magical experience.

Thank you, Homestead, for allowing me the peaceful retreat I so craved right in the midst of my busiest time of year. I’m too far away, geographically, from being a frequent visitor like many of my Charlottesville friends, but know in my heart of hearts, if that weren’t the case, I’d be a regular—and I’ll definitely be back again (eventually).
Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort

Virginia Travel: A Weekend Retreat to the Omni Homestead Resort


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Rest and Relaxation: Why You Should Stay at Virginia's Iconic Homestead Resort
Rest and Relaxation: Why You Should Stay at Virginia's Iconic Homestead Resort
Rest and Relaxation: Why You Should Stay at Virginia's Iconic Homestead Resort
COMMENTS
  • November 10, 2016

    Amazing article! It’s great to see that they value travel bloggers and the importance of global citizenship! Thank you so much for sharing it.

  • November 10, 2016

    Great post – I’ve from northern Virginia, and have heard things about the Homestead, but didn’t know anyone who had stayed there. It looks really nice and relaxing!
    One question – would you recommend it in winter time, or is a more of a spring/summer/fall type of resort?

    • November 10, 2016

      Lucky you, Noelle, living in such a gorgeous state! I think the Homestead would be nice no matter the season, because you can always soak in the hot springs when it’s cold out, but if you really want to take advantage of the pools and all the outdoors offerings, I think late spring/early summer would be ideal. Fall was also a great time to go, but I would have really liked to have made use of that lazy river 😉

  • November 10, 2016
    Briel K.

    Wow, it looks beautiful there especially the outdoors areas!

    • November 10, 2016

      It is! Seriously, wait until you see the waterfall we just happened to stumble upon while driving (coming soon, i.e. tomorrow!).

  • November 11, 2016

    Wow! its really wonderful photography you shared. Thank you so much for sharing it.

  • November 11, 2016

    Wow, it is great trip to inspire the best resort of Virginia.

  • November 11, 2016

    That place looks heavenly!

  • November 18, 2016

    your blog is not only informative but also impressive. I was not aware of many things mentioned in this post, thanks

  • December 18, 2016

    This resort looks such wonderful to have all the basic services. Seriously this is awesome.

  • December 20, 2016

    Great article! We head there on Friday and I love hearing everyone’s take on the resort! This will be my first time, but my little sister went once 7 years ago so we’re excited to see how it is now that it’s an Omni.. and especially excited to check out the new spa!!

    • December 21, 2016

      Oooh, I bet it will be all wrapped up and decked out for Christmas. Lucky you! Have a blast.

  • February 18, 2017

    It’s a beautiful place for relaxing….

  • July 19, 2017

    thank you so much for awesome blog Enjoyed reading this. Your pictures are great. What kind of camera takes such beautiful pictures?

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