The Omni Homestead Resort and Spa, Hot Springs, Virginia

The U.S. state of Virginia is a state loaded with historic cities and towns and historic sites.  From Alexandria to Williamsburg and Jamestown to Mount Vernon to Montpelier and Monticello to the historic battlefields of Richmond and Manassas.  It is one of the most visited of the United States of America.  Many people do not think about the state being a place of hot springs.  In the western region of the state is a town called Hot Springs.  Although the local Native Americas originally discovered the springs, it was later found by three men who were surveying the land during the French and Indian War.  They later bought the land and moved their families here.  They built and wooden hotel here in 1766.  Today, the Omni Homestead Resort and Spa continues to welcome visitor from around the world.  From a small homestead hotel to a massive resort with the spring and golf courses that produced golfer Samuel Snead, the Omni Homestead Resort and Spa is an amazing place to relax and enjoy.

Some of you are saying, “Wow!  This place is amazing.  This is one incredible place.  It sure beats a night at your normal hotel.  The hot springs must be very relaxing.  There is a very big problem.  What is the big problem?  There is no railroad here.  Therefore, you will not see me resorting to this place.”

So, you refuse to come here because there is no railroad here.  Why would someone who loves railroad want to visit a place where there is no railroad?

As you arrive at the Omni Homestead Resort and Spa, you will see a brick structure with its iconic brick tower.  You will see a great view of the surrounding mountains and golf courses.  What you will not see is a railroad.  You will not see a railroad bed or even a caboose.  The nearest railroad line to the resort is in the town of Covington, which is nineteen miles south of here, and the nearest Amtrak station is in the town of Clifton Forge which is thirty miles away and in White Sulphur Springs in the U.S. state of West Virginia.  So why would you want to visit here?

A resort that was opened in 1766 that is still open today obviously had numerous owners.  In 1881, a prominent lawyer named M. E. Ingalls came to the town of Hot Springs from Cincinnati, Ohio.  Why was he here?  He was doing research for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway.  The railway was looking to bring a spur railroad line to the resort.  Mr. Ingalls and other investors to include a man named J. P. Morgan, bought the resort, and the railroad line was built.  The railroad brought many people to the resort.  A newer hotel was built.  The railroad served the resort until people began using the automobile.  The railroad was discontinued, and the tracks were taken up.

Some of you are saying, “The tracks are gone, and there is no signs of the train here.”

Actually, you are wrong.  The original train platform remains, and where the terminal tracks are located is now a small field.  Much of the old railroad bed is on private property, but the main railroad line where the spur ran from is still in service and is now owned by CSX Transportation.  The old train platform can be seen from U.S. Route 220.

As you can see, one of the finest places to relax was once served by the railroad.  You can take a tour of the hotel.  The tours are free, and you do not have to stay here to take the tour.  You are also free to walk the grounds but be warned.  You will be tempted to spend a night here.

The Omni Homestead Resort and Spa is owned by Omni Hotels that own hotels and resorts around the world.  It is located at 7696 Sam Snead Highway (U.S. Route 220) in Hot Springs, Virginia.  You can read more into the history of this resort to include the 1901 fire that burned down the hotel and book a room by going to https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/homestead-virginia?utm_source=yextlisting&utm_medium=organic.

Come and spend some time at the Omni Homestead Resort and Spa.  Enjoy the springs.  Enjoy a night in a nice room.  Enjoy a great meal at one of their restaurants.  Enjoy a place where the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway once brought passengers to.