VIRGINIA’S OMNI HOMESTEAD RESORT CELEBRATES 125TH ANNIVERSARIES OF ICONIC OLD COURSE AND RENOWNED SPA
"America's First Resort” is a spirited pioneer of both golf and wellness therapy; Guests can enjoy choice of either with customizable “Your Way” package
May 22, 2017 Hot Springs, Va. – Fresh off the heels of its 250th anniversary in 2016, The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Va., is celebrating even more keystone milestones this year: the 125th anniversaries of both the Old Course and The Spa. Combined with resort roots that date back a decade before the American Revolution, the dual anniversary reveals “America’s First Resort” as a spirited pioneer of both the historic game of golf and wellness therapy.
An Iconic American Golf Story
Home to two championship
golf courses that make the most of their breathtaking mountain setting, the Cascades Course and the Old Course, The Omni Homestead’s golf tradition dates back 125 years. Drawing American Presidents from Taft to Eisenhower and more recently George W. Bush, the Old Course was completed in 1892 and is still home to the nation’s oldest first tee in continuous use. Laid out with six holes across the edge of the property, the resort hosted its first golf tournament in 1897 and the first women’s tournament, an open, in 1900.
As the game of golf developed over time, so too did the Old Course, with an expansion to 18 holes and 6,000 yards in 1901 and a professional redesign in 1913. In 1994, the Old Course received a million-dollar enhancement overseen by renowned course designer Rees Jones. Today, it runs 6,099 yards and par 72, with individual and group instruction available in spring and summer.
A Spa to Remember
The Omni Homestead’s historic healing tradition of “taking the waters” has been drawing travelers since the mid-1700s, including Thomas Jefferson who spent 22 days using the resort’s pools in 1818. The original Spa was built in 1892, along with the resort’s main hotel buildings, before the great fire of 1901 that destroyed nearly all except The Spa.
Refreshed and opened anew in 2013, The Spa at The Omni Homestead Resort stretches 60,000 square feet, with 28 treatment rooms and a family spa suite dressed up with striking décor. An oasis of luxury, notable features include a European-inspired Aqua Thermal Suite with Experiential Showers; an Herbal Cocoon; the Chill, a cold cabin where guests can cool down by deeply inhaling crisp vapor and applying flaked ice directly to their skin; and Aromatic Steam with invigorating essential oil.
A year-round Serenity Garden invites adults to indulge in the historic hot springs, a naturally pressurized deluge shower, River Reflexology Walk, co-ed Finnish sauna, spring-fed pool and whirlpool, and private poolside cabanas.
Along with a wide range of treatments, The Spa offers family services with specialized treatments for children ages 5-13, as well as services for teens ages 14-17.
Make It My Way
Whatever the occasion, experience The Omni Homestead precisely the way you like with the
Your Way package that pays homage to the resort’s legendary golf and spa offerings. The package includes luxurious accommodations; choice of European facial or a round of golf on either The Old Course or Cascades (per adult); use of golf cart; and parking for one vehicle, per night.
Rates start from $225. To make reservations at The Omni Homestead Resort, contact (800) 838-1766 or visit www.theomnihomestead.com.
About The Omni Homestead Resort
Welcoming travelers since 1766, The Omni Homestead Resort is one of America's most storied resorts, offering unparalleled hospitality and southern charm in a 2,000-acre setting within the Allegheny Mountains of southwestern Virginia. Renowned for its natural healing springs, The Omni Homestead Resort is distinguished by 483 luxurious guest rooms and suites, 72,000 square feet of meeting space, a wide array of fine and casual dining choices, and more than 30 recreational amenities. The resort, which was honored by AAA Mid-Atlantic in 2016 as a Four Diamond® property, offers an expansive, luxurious spa with exclusive, adults-only Serenity Garden and two championship golf courses including The Cascades, one of the nation's finest mountain courses. The resort’s newest adventure, The Ridge Runner Zip Tour, is a one-of-a-kind experience that allows guests to explore the Allegheny Mountains from new heights while flying through the treetops on eight zip lines. Allegheny Springs is a two-acre family-friendly water attraction complete with lazy river, water slides, family pool and water play zone. The resort also offers the South's first downhill ski area; a beautiful Equestrian Center with 28 stalls, visiting barn with 40 stalls and riding arena; top-rated Shooting Club with trap, skeet, sporting clays; fly-fishing; archery; falconry; Segway tours; Mini Cascades, an 18-hole miniature golf course and a wealth of other recreational attractions. The Homestead became part of Omni Hotels & Resorts on July 1, 2013.
About Omni Hotels & Resorts
Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences at 60 distinct luxury hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America. With over 20 world-class golf courses and award-winning spa retreats, to dynamic business settings, each Omni showcases the local flavor of the destination while featuring four-diamond services, signature restaurants and unique wellness options. Known for its distinguished, personalized service, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every customer interaction, with a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest loyalty program and the company's "Power of One" associate empowerment program. The brand is frequently recognized by top consumer research organizations and travel publications and was ranked "Highest in Upper-Upscale Segment Guest Satisfaction" in the J.D. Power 2016 North American Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index StudySM. As a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), Omni's loyalty program is further expanded through the DISCOVERY® loyalty program offering members additional global benefits. Committed to reducing hunger, Omni is on a mission through its Say Goodnight to Hunger initiative to help provide more than 18.2 million meals each year for food banks to feed children, families and seniors in communities in which it operates. To get additional information or book accommodations, visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni.