Summer has brought big changes to The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia. The historic landmark resort dating from 1766 recently unveiled newly renovated guest rooms in its West Wing and Historic Tower, including its first-ever Governor's Suite.

There are also new menus at eight of The Homestead's dining outlets, as well as new onsite activities and new spa treatments to engage guests of all ages. With a capital investment of $4 million, The Homestead, the birthplace of Southern hospitality, is ready to welcome guests to experience the resort’s renaissance in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains this summer.

The Homestead debuts a total of 157 renovated guest rooms and suites this year, 67 of which are in the Historic Tower, and 90 in the West Wing. The Historic Tower celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2010, and along with new guest rooms, features the resort's first ever Governor’s Suite. Richmond-based interior design firm Beaty and Brown directed the renovations of the Historic Tower and West Wing guest rooms, which feature a new and enhanced interior design. Regency style interiors are reflected in brightly colored, floral bouquet patterned prints and geometric stripes and plaids all of which complement the traditional guestroom elements including crown moldings, presidential style desks, four-poster beds and antique armoires. Other guest room enhancements include new pedestal sinks and wallpaper in the bathrooms.



Located on the 17th floor of the Historic Tower, the resort adds a new Governor's Suite, which is nearly 3,000 square feet. The suite includes a bedroom, a parlor, bathroom and a large exterior porch spanning 1,800 square feet. The porch has new wicker furniture including chaise lounges – the perfect vantage point to take in the stunning views of the Allegheny Mountains and countryside. The Governor’s suite also features a commemorative plaque with a letter from Governor McDonnell, along with a picture of the First Family, displayed on the wall outside of the suite.

Executive Chef Mark Gallaudet unveils new dining concepts and menus at eight of The Homestead’s onsite restaurants, including the signature Main Dining Room. Famous for its breakfast buffets and nightly dinner and dancing, the Main Dining Room will now feature a very special new dinner menu, which is a celebration of past and present. The two columned menu features "Classics" on the left side – dishes The Homestead has become known for such as Sautéed Mountain Trout "Homestead" with peeled grapes and almonds in lemon butter sauce while "New Classics," dishes appear on the right-hand side, celebrating fresh twists on traditional American cuisine, like Seared Black Bass with chorizo, littleneck clams, corn custard.



As if three championship golf courses, a handsome shooting club, four tennis courts, a 48-stall equestrian center and one of the finest private trout streams in the state of Virginia weren't enough, The Homestead recently added a new opportunities to its mix of recreational and sporting activities. New activities include archery, off-road adventures and Kids Golf on The Old Course, complete with junior tees, scorecards, and kid's size rental equipment.

The European-style Spa at The Homestead is introduces a new treatment menu as well as special new services, including Family Spa packages! Now, parents and kids can enjoy the spa together at The Homestead. New kids treatments include the strawberries and cream manicure and a chocolate pedicure. Adults can indulge in new therapies such as the Southern Harvest Apricot & Sweet Vanilla Wrap with a sweet vanilla sugar scrub and massage or a Buttercup Body Polish using fresh buttercups that grow indigenously in the resort's Cascades Gorge.

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