The Omni Homestead Resort

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.

I wanted to take a moment to share some feedback about our recent stay at The Homestead, because there was one member of your team who truly went above and beyond and deserves to be recognized. During our stay, we had the pleasure of interacting with Senior Sous Chef Roderick Ottey, and I cannot say enough about the impression he made on us. His level of service, attentiveness, and genuine hospitality was exceptional. What stood out most was that he didn’t simply respond to requests—he remembered them, followed through on them, and made us feel like our experience genuinely mattered to him. On our first day, I asked if there was a particular hot sauce available that I enjoy. It wasn’t something that was readily available on the floor at the time, and Roderick initially wasn’t able to locate it. I honestly didn’t think much more about it. However, about five minutes later, he came back and had found exactly what I had asked for. That alone was a great example of going the extra mile. What impressed me even more was what happened the following morning. When we came down for breakfast, Roderick had remembered the hot sauce and had it available for me without me even having to ask again. That small gesture really stood out. It showed an attention to detail and a level of personal service that you don’t encounter very often, even at an exceptional property like The Homestead. Then, on our final day, Roderick went above and beyond once again. He provided our entire table with filet and eggs, which were cooked absolutely perfectly. It was an incredibly thoughtful gesture and a wonderful way to end our stay. More than the meal itself, though, it was the thought and hospitality behind it that meant so much to us. We felt genuinely taken care of. What impressed us most was the consistency of Roderick’s service throughout our stay. He was attentive, personable, proactive, and clearly took pride in making sure guests had a great experience. These seemingly small details made a tremendous difference. People often remember a hotel because of the room, the grounds, the food, or the amenities. Those things certainly matter, but it is employees like Roderick who can turn a nice stay into a truly memorable one. His actions made us feel welcomed and valued, and that is exactly the kind of hospitality that reflects incredibly well on The Homestead. Please make sure Roderick knows how much we appreciated him. He is AWESOME, and I sincerely hope his efforts are recognized by the organization. Employees who demonstrate this kind of initiative and genuine care for guests are incredibly valuable, and I wanted to take the time to make sure his outstanding service did not go unnoticed. Thank you to Roderick and the entire Homestead team for a wonderful stay. We are extremely grateful for the hospitality we received and will remember our experience fondly. Roderick, in particular, made a lasting impression on us, and we are very thankful for everything he did to make our visit special.

Wonderful overall stay and experience at this historic resort. There was so much to do and enjoy, including just walking the property and learning about the history. The grand lobby is spectacular and we enjoyed spending time there while someone played the concert grand piano, and also loved the peaceful mornings sitting on the front porch. The room was nice with a big walk in closet, and we enjoyed the food at all the restaurants, especially Jefferson’s. The history tour was great too.

We stayed at the Omni for our 49th anniversary. From arriving to departure the staff was very friendly, polite and always ready to help in anyway. The Omni is beautiful and has many great qualities to include golfing to horseback riding, & Hot Springs bathing. The food was excellent and the rooms are very clean and comfortable, we plan to attend next year on our 50th Anniversary.