As we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday this summer, we’re highlighting America’s first spa destination with a storied history stretching back to the 1700s: The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa and its adjacent geothermal
warm springs in western Virginia.
America’s First Spa: Then and Now
The resort was established in 1766 and offered structured bathing experiences similar to European spa towns, which attracted high-profile visitors like George Washington, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. Guests came to “take the waters” for both health and social reasons, as the mineral-rich springs were believed (and still are to this day) to help with ailments like arthritis and skin conditions such as eczema. Credited for kick-starting American wellness culture, the springs were eventually developed into two formal bathhouses: men’s and women’s, though the Ladies’ Bathhouse wasn’t added until the 1870s.
Today, you can visit the stone-lined warm spring pools, which underwent a careful restoration in 2022, but very much maintain their historic charm. The unique wooden structure of the Ladies’ Bathhouse (pictured) is open to the sky, making it a can’t-miss experience on a sunny day. The crystal-clear water still flows constantly, meaning guests are experiencing the same mineral composition that people did centuries ago. They maintain a steady temperature of 98 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit (similar to our core body temperature) and are unaffected by seasonal changes.
Both pools are co-ed, open daily and reservations (and swimsuits) are required, unlike many European bathhouses. Guests are asked not to use phones or cameras and to keep noise to a minimum to ensure a relaxing, serene soak. Sound baths are also offered, which are a treat for anyone needing extra R&R.
The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa
Though you can visit the springs without being a guest at The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa, it is an exquisite property worth a visit. Not only does it offer more than 40 seasonal activities, ranging from its famous Cascades Gorge waterfall hike to ice skating, archery, horseback riding and wine tasting, but it also houses a full-service spa that has its own mineral soaking pools amidst a beautiful outdoor Serenity Garden (pictured below). If you’re a golfer, be sure to book a tee time on one of the championship golf courses that many presidents have played.
