This summer, as we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, we will focus on Omni Homestead Resort & Spa, America’s first spa resort with a storied history dating back to the 1700s, and its adjacent geothermal fields.
Warm hot springs in western Virginia.

America’s First Spa: Then and Now

The resort was founded in 1766 and offered a structured bathing experience similar to European spa towns, attracting notable tourists such as George Washington, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson. It was believed (and still is believed) that the mineral-rich hot springs were effective against illnesses such as arthritis and skin conditions such as eczema, so guests used to come to “drink this water” for both health and social reasons. The springs that launched America’s wellness culture eventually evolved into two formal bathhouses, one for men and one for women, but a women’s bathhouse wasn’t added until the 1870s.

Today, you can visit the stone-lined thermal pool. The pool was carefully restored in 2022, but has retained much of its historic charm. The unique wooden women’s bath (pictured) is open to the sky, so be sure to visit on a sunny day. The crystal clear water still flows constantly, meaning guests are experiencing the same mineral composition as people centuries ago. The temperature remains constant at 98-99 degrees Fahrenheit (same as the human core body temperature) and is not affected by seasonal changes.

Both pools are unisex, open daily, and unlike many bathhouses in Europe, reservations (and swimsuits) are required. Please refrain from using your phone or camera and keep noise to a minimum so that you can enjoy a relaxing and quiet bath. We also offer a sound bath for those needing some extra R&R.

The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa

You don’t have to be a guest at Omni Homestead Resort & Spa to visit the springs, but it’s a great property that’s well worth the visit. Not only do we offer more than 40 seasonal activities, from hiking the famous Cascade Gorge Falls to ice skating, archery, horseback riding, and wine tasting, we also have a full-service spa with our own mineral soaking pool surrounded by a beautiful outdoor Serenity Garden (pictured below). If you’re a golfer, book a tee time at one of the championship golf courses where many presidents have played.