The Omni Homestead Resort

My wife and I had a fabulous time at the Homestead. The food and drinks were fantastic. The breakfast buffet was very extensive and I particularly enjoyed the smoked trout, brie and fresh vegetable juice options. All the staff were friendly and helpful. In particular I had wonderful conversations and deeper connections with Mike Morris at the Equestrian Center and Brian who guided our nature hike on a beautiful private gorge. Brian is so knowledgeable about the land, plants, springs and the history at the Homestead. He is also very caring and passionate about his work. The only negative experience we encountered was a slight odor in our room upon arrival which was addressed by housekeeping.

I grew up coming here with family as a kid. Then, to me, it was very “up and proper” with staff always around, available, and ready to recognize you by name. It had a pizazz to it. Now, it’s lost its spark. The staff seems to just be there for a paycheck. I spoke to multiple managers who weren’t willing to address or face or take responsibility for easily fixable, but incredibly upsetting and frustrating experiences or circumstances for myself. Additionally, the final bill features 100’s of dollars worth of nonsense, menial fees that cause a lack of respect for The Homestead and/or management. The spa is ridiculously overpriced, as well.

My husband and I booked the unlimited golf package and played 4 rounds in two days. The courses and staff were awesome…as were our room and the resort! We had a slight billing glitch at checkout (which did get resolved) based on a disconnect between the front desk and the golf, marketing and accounting side. I reported this to Omni when I returned home and incredibly I received a personal phone call several days later as a follow up to my concerns! This level of service is exactly how you retain your customer base! Kudos Omni!!

The Omni Homestead in Hot Springs promises a storied escape nestled within the breathtaking Virginia mountains, but behind its historic facade lies a property in profound need of modernization and basic upkeep. While the natural setting is undeniably picturesque, every turn of our stay revealed a resort coasting entirely on its past reputation rather than delivering a standard worthy of its rates. The Accommodations & Service Breakdown Historic charm should never be an excuse for deteriorated conditions. The carpets throughout the property were blatantly stained and in desperate need of replacement, the armchair in our room had visible stains on its upholstery, and the room towels were rough and thin—comparable to what you would receive at a budget hotel pool. In our room, we were placed in what functioned as a connected double room; despite the adjoining space being vacant, the lights inside remained switched on, casting a harsh, sleepless glare around the shared doorway all night. Compounding the issue, our room phone didn't even function, leaving us no way to call down for assistance. To top it off, our "upgraded view" looked directly at a thick tree branch—a beautiful tree but I'm not sure I would have advertised the view as upgraded. Furthermore, every aspect of the resort seemed severely understaffed and stressed. Whether trying to approach the front desk or consult the concierge with basic questions, the waits were consistently sluggish and frustrating. When checking out, the front desk employee asked how our stay was; when I honestly replied that it was just okay, he simply nodded once and handed me my folio without a word of concern. The Spa Experience The resort’s crown jewel—its famous thermal waters—felt entirely gimmicky, orchestrated more like an assembly-line tourist trap than a restorative sanctuary. That impersonal touch carried straight into the spa, which lacked genuine hospitality. For a staggering $440 (before gratuity) for an 80-minute massage, the experience felt rushed, clumsy, and entirely devoid of luxury. There were no thoughtful touches like complimentary prosecco, chocolate-dipped strawberries, or a quiet invitation for tea—just an exorbitant price tag for a distinctly mediocre treatment. Bright Spots To be fair, it wasn't a total loss: the food we had was genuinely good, and the resort shops featured a charming selection of cute clothing and home goods. The Homestead has all the raw ingredients to be a magnificent destination, but right now, it is failing to deliver on the fundamental promises of luxury comfort and hospitality. If the rooms were priced at a quarter to third of what we actually paid, I would probably give the facility 4 stars; however, for the luxury rate charged, the experience was truly unacceptable. This stay has entirely tainted my view of the brand, and I will actively avoid Omni hotels whenever possible in the future. Moreover, I even question Amex's choice in featuring them as a fine resort.

My girlfriend and I went for a weekend getaway. I haven't played both golf courses in twenty-five years. The Homestead is a great experience. The courses were in excellent condition. The food was fantastic. The service was wonderful. I can't wait to get back.