The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia: History, rates, and more
Virginia’s oldest resort is tucked away in the Allegheny Mountains. Learn why the Omni Homestead is still beloved after more than a century.
The Allegheny Mountains are home to some of the loveliest scenery in Virginia, whether you’re there in summer, fall, winter, or spring. That’s why it should come as no surprise that this part of the Old Dominion has been a popular vacation spot since the eighteenth century. In fact, in the mountain town of Hot Springs, you’ll find the oldest resort in the state: the Omni Homestead Resort.
But just how old does a resort have to be to be considered “the oldest?” How has it changed over the years? What’s it like to visit today? Well, the answers to all these questions tell the broader story of one of Virginia’s grandest historic hotels, and tie into the broader history of what leisure and vacations have meant in the state over the decades. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how the Omni Homestead Resort came to be, and whether you should consider booking it for your next Virginia vacation.
Where it all began: Setting up camp
It may surprise you to know that there’s no single, official date for the origins of the Omni Homestead Resort. That’s because the original leisure site, simply called the Homestead, was a place for Americans to relax since before America was even an independent nation. The founding of the Homestead dates all the way back to 1766, when military officer and surveyor Thomas Bullitt built a simple wooden lodge on the land that’s currently home to the resort. This was the first recreational building on the site, and is considered the foundational building.
Throughout the rest of the eighteenth and into the nineteenth century, the Homestead was the site of rustic getaways, with the natural mineral springs drawing visitors who wanted to “take the waters” for health reasons. From 1832 on, when the Homestead was purchased by the physician Dr. Thomas Goode, the hotel marketed itself as a medicinal “healing spa,” which were increasingly popular at the time, as well as a place to relax.
The Banker and the Burning Bakery
The modern resort as we understand it today dates back to the late nineteenth century, specifically the 1880s, when Dr. Thomas Goode’s family sold the Homestead to a group of investors, including a lawyer from Cincinnati named M. E. Ingalls and the famous banker J. P. Morgan. Ingalls, Morgan, and their partners began an extensive renovation plan, which many say created the modern resort as it exists today.
In 1901, though, a catastrophic setback sent the resort’s future spinning into doubt. The resort bakery and pastry shop caught fire, with the resulting blaze spreading throughout the property. While thankfully no one was seriously hurt, much of the resort would need to be rebuilt from the ground up—which it was, in only one year. In 1902, the hotel reopened with its newly rebuilt Great Hall, and subsequent renovations in 1904 and 1914 would see the additions of a West Wing and an East Wing, respectively.
The most significant renovation project would be completed in 1929, when the iconic tower was revealed. The tower is the symbol of the resort to this day, and appears in the Omni Homestead logo. Other renovations have added a ballroom, a shooting club, and, in 2012, the Allegheny Springs water park, complete with water slides and a lazy river.
Summer or winter, there’s always plenty to do
Given the centuries-long popularity of the resort, you’d probably guess that there are plenty of different ways to enjoy yourself once you’re there. And you’d be right! One of the draws of the Omni Homestead, today and in years past, has always been the sheer variety of things you can enjoy there, whatever the season.
In the summer, the Omni Homestead is a great place to get outdoors. Options for guests include not only the resort’s lavish pools at Allegheny Springs and extensive golfing opportunities, but also the Shooting Club, horseback riding, and guided fly fishing. You can even fly through the Allegheny Mountains on a zip-lining tour. Kids can get in on the fun as well, with the Adventure Kids Club.
But what if you’re planning to visit in the winter? Not to worry! In January and February, the resort is open for ski season, and guests can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. Even in colder temperatures outside of ski season, though, there’s no shortage of ways to have fun, including outdoor activities like hiking and shooting, and indoor activities ranging from nightly movies to a dip in the famous natural hot springs to relaxing with a sweet treat at the afternoon social hour.
Planning an Omni Homestead getaway today
Does all this sound like a good time for you and your family? If so, that’s hardly surprising, because after all, a resort doesn’t stay in business for over two centuries if it’s not a great place to visit. Online booking means it’s fairly straightforward to not only plan and book your trip, but also many of the reservations-required activities you might want to try while you’re there.
Once you’ve decided what time of year you’d like to visit, you’ll need to choose your room type, with deluxe rooms and suites available and options to book a room with a scenic view. You should be aware that, as this is a deluxe resort, room rates can be pricy, with a single night in June 2026, during one of the most popular times to visit, starting at $434 per night. Rates are lower during the winter, with rooms during the ski season starting at $347 per night. Room rates include access to the pools, water park, and many of the indoor activities, although many of the outdoor activities, such as horseback riding, must be booked separately.
While all of this can add up to a pretty penny for your vacation, many visitors from Virginia and beyond keep coming back to the Omni Homestead, which retains its appeal as Virginia’s (and America’s) oldest resort. If you do decide to go, be sure to take advantage of everything the resort has to offer. Bon voyage!
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics.
