The Omni Homestead Resort

Our family recently stayed at The Homestead, and I want to begin with sincere appreciation for the aspects of the resort that were truly exceptional. The property itself is magnificent—beautifully maintained, elegantly decorated for the holidays, and a pleasure to walk through. We also dined at the Jefferson Steakhouse, where we enjoyed impeccable service and outstanding cuisine. Both the setting and the dining experience lived up to the storied reputation of The Homestead. Unfortunately, the quality of our accommodations fell far below the standard reasonably expected at this price point. We paid over $600 for a Deluxe King room and anticipated a level of refinement consistent with the resort’s luxury positioning. Instead, the room conditions were unexpectedly substandard. The chaise lounge was stained; the bathroom floors were visibly dirty; and the towels contained multiple black curly hairs. The bathtub was in such poor condition that we were unwilling to bathe our daughter in it. The linens were thin and worn, and the mattress itself was uncomfortable. Additionally, we arrived to a room that was 62 degrees—extremely cold, especially with an infant—despite the outdoor temperature being 19 degrees. Compounding these issues was an interaction with the front desk that did not reflect the hospitality expected at a property of this caliber. After check-in, I called to request the crib we had confirmed twice prior to arrival. The associate responded with, “Is this for accessibility reasons?” and initially told me housekeeping likely would not provide one. Only after consulting a manager was the crib sent up. Both the confusion and the tone of the interaction suggested a need for more comprehensive staff training. We were also upsold at check-in for a $25 “view,” which ultimately overlooked the back of a neighborhood—effectively no view at all. One bright spot in the guest experience was Carter, the bellhop, who was exceptionally professional, warm, and attentive. He represented the resort with the level of care and hospitality that distinguishes truly great properties. He should be commended and, candidly, could serve as a model for front-of-house service. I would also like to share context that underscores the seriousness of our disappointment: prior to traveling with a baby, my husband and I would have immediately checked out, requested a refund, and relocated to another property. The conditions of the room were that unacceptable. However, when you arrive at nearly 5 p.m., in 19-degree weather, with an infant, you simply make do because the alternative is not realistic. I also intended to address these concerns during checkout, but the front desk agent did not even ask how our stay was. He appeared rushed, was dismissive, and offered no opportunity for feedback. When I asked for assistance having our belongings brought down and our car retrieved from valet, he simply pointed outside and said, “Go out there.” Overall, while the resort grounds and dining were exceptional, the room quality and front desk experience were deeply disappointing. At this time, I would recommend that guests visit the property, enjoy the amenities, and dine on-site—but consider lodging elsewhere. We arrived expecting a standard reflective of luxury resorts such as The Salamander; the experience we received was more in line with an aging budget motel. We hope this feedback is helpful and taken in the constructive spirit intended. Given the significant disparity between the expected and actual experience, we respectfully request consideration of a partial refund. The Homestead is a property with tremendous potential and history, and we truly hope these issues can be addressed so future guests can enjoy the elevated experience the resort is known for. Thank you for your time and attention.

We stayed Monday–Saturday in room 1226, which overlooks the Great Hall, and unfortunately the noise made our stay very disappointing. From about 7am until 11pm every day, we heard constant noise from the lobby—crowds, screaming children, the piano—without any sound dampening. On our first night, workers were assembling a huge tree about 10 feet from our door, with ladders and metal scaffolding clanging late into the night, then starting again at 6:55am. The following morning the lobby sound system blasted Handel’s Water Music at full volume at 6:15am. Another night, someone vacuumed the Great Hall at 1am and it was loud enough to wake us. The two rooms facing the Great Hall are simply not restful, and I wonder why they haven’t been repurposed. Inside the room, the HVAC unit was extremely loud, and when the heat turned on it rattled like an old machine. The room itself was comfortable enough, though the view was terrible and there was no dresser for a longer stay. On Thanksgiving morning, the hot water was only lukewarm for several hours. Martha’s Market made a good latte on day one, but the rest of the week the line stretched 30+ people long, with only two clerks handling everything; the espresso machine in the Audubon was also broken. Food throughout the resort is middling and overpriced, which is expected for this kind of property, but they were fully staffed with great people, a rarity these days. The lobby was uncomfortably cold from constant door traffic—many guests sat huddled in coats and hats. The highlight was the spa: both indoor and outdoor areas were in great shape, our massages were excellent, and the outdoor mineral pool was a memorable, historic touch. Children were not allowed—there were 100s of little kids at the hotel for Thanksgiving and they were rarely under control—and so the spa was a peaceful oasis. Staff everywhere were terrific. Overall, the spa was lovely, and staff everywhere were wonderful—but the noise issues and inconsistent amenities made the stay far from relaxing. For $600/night we expected more.

Pleasant/relaxing experience. Rooms were clean. Hot tub and outdoor pool were functioning and available. We enjoyed a movie in the theater. The History Tour guide (Anthony) was very knowledgeable about the hotels history. My wife and I enjoyed a nice meal in Jefferson’s. The food was unique. Often times, we travel and have a “fancy” meal and it’s almost the same as a chain restaurant. Wife had shrimp and grits and it was tasty. I had the bolognese and it was also good. Noise was low, from our room we did not hear any. Rooms right beside the Great Hall may experience noise at afternoon Tea or during events. Overall, I highly recommend this hotel due to its class, price value, and activities available to unwind. If going, book the Warm Springs 50 minute soak.

What a beautiful and historic hotel. Love the historic tour. Service was great. Everyone was super helpful. Food was great. Lots of walking as the place is huge! but so much to do there. Warm springs is quite an experience.

After reading many reviews and researching the property I decided to treat myself to a bit of a splurge gift for my birthday. It was quite an expense, and drive, but I had a lovely stay. Although the room was quite basic for the price, I made the most of my time at the resort by exploring all components of the property. The amenities that were open at this time of the year were well maintained and enhanced my experience. Simply walking throughout the resort, the external grounds (hiking trail/golf course) and the small downtown area, was a rewarding aspect of my stay. In addition, I had a relaxing spa day, which was the purpose of my selection of this location, and I enjoyed all of my meals throughout the stay. The gaming area has some fun indoor activities (ie. bowling) if the weather is less than ideal outside or later at night. Visiting the warm springs twice was a true highlight of my visit, and left me feeling fully relaxed as I returned to everyday life. Finally, I truly appreciated the service I received throughout my stay. I want to take a moment to recognize the following individuals for helping me make the most of my stay: Steve was very welcoming upon my arrival and provided great insights about the warm springs and area. He was also very helpful to other guests as I watched him engage no matter what questions he was asked. Amber at the front desk was very meticulous in the registration and onboarding process. She also provided me with a late checkout that allowed me to enjoy an uninterrupted stay at the spa. Amber at the concierge desk was very patient and helped me work through a number of scenarios to create a schedule of spa services and warm springs visits that were exactly what I needed to fully enjoy my stay/birthday. Aoife was very professional in her presentation of the wine flight I took, and she was so personable that we had a great conversation as I indulged. In addition, I don't want to forget Christopher (Woody's), Ivy and Hannah (spa)! A+ service by all. The only disappointments I experienced were the additional fees throughout my stay and the type of room with no view I was given. The costs rose quickly outside of what I had already budgeted, especially given the reality that my stay was off season (before the holidays). For those who travel without a budget, enjoy it all without any financial concerns.