The Homestead Debuts $25 Million Transformation This Summer

Taking cues from longtime guests, dramatic enhancements to the Allegheny Mountain address will meet the needs and desires of a new generation of travelers while impressing returning clientele by reinforcing elements that have made The Homestead so extraordinary all these years.

With work already underway and set to be complete in Summer 2012, The Homestead transformation will debut a new Spa and Wellness Center as a world-class holistic retreat; Allegheny Springs, a groundbreaking two-acre family adventure area with exciting water attractions; new restaurants and bars combining innovative cuisine and casual dining options; and the new Mini Cascades golf course, modeled after the resort's Cascades Course, for guests of all skill levels to play.

Since 1766, the storied resort has hosted 22 U.S. Presidents, including George Washington, but none has made a greater impact than Thomas Jefferson, who became enamored by the ritual "taking of the waters" while visiting Hot Springs in the 1800s. While those original waters still flow on property and at the resort's renowned Jefferson Pools, The Homestead enhancements will provide additional opportunities for guests to experience restorative natural waters and enjoy themselves as Jefferson once did. Indeed, the third President's legacy will be the focus for many of the resort's new offerings.

A New Spa and Wellness Center
A main focus of the resort enhancement will be the new Spa and Wellness Center at The Homestead, a world-class facility offering a serene setting, calming interiors, and a private outdoor sanctuary enveloping fresh air and natural mountain beauty with services and amenities to relax and rejuvenate the body and mind. A destination in its own right, the new spa will integrate geothermal spring waters to present thoroughly modern experiences for the resort's famed "taking of the waters" tradition.

Guests will be able to choose from a wide range of new treatments, wellness programs, classes and special events that inspire and nourish the soul. Signature offerings and à la carte services will be tailored to suit personal needs, with talented therapists and staff to customize each experience. New features including 29 renovated treatment rooms and an inspiring spa design will encourage meditative relaxation, while a new fitness center will offer a comprehensive array of state-of-the-art cardiovascular and resistance equipment.

A tranquil spa garden will wait outdoors to enhance the journey. Open year round, the lush and secluded adults-only refuge will draw clients with exclusive services that utilize the resort's indigenous hot springs. Walking paths kept warm through radiant heat will lead to a therapeutic geothermal mineral bath and neighboring river reflexology bed. Additionally, guests will be able to stretch out in winterized poolside cabanas and find inner balance relaxing in an outdoor sauna and whirlpool.

Family Adventure at Allegheny Springs
With eyes on enjoyment for every generation, The Homestead transformation will introduce Allegheny Springs, a sprawling, two-acre attraction bubbling with family-friendly features fueled by water drawn from the Allegheny Mountains. It's the latest addition to more than 30 resort recreational opportunities at The Homestead - and counting.

In summer, guests of all ages will take in the thrills and spills of Mountain Rush, with three 100-foot water slides and a 400-foot lazy river. A charming gazebo will be poised over a babbling brook that feeds the river. There will also be winding footpaths, a separate family pool and whirlpool, and abundant interactive amusements for kids including a sandy beach - all surrounded by decking topped with chaise lounges for basking in the Virginia sun. Come winter when the Alleghenies turn frosty, the family pool will remain open for guests to relax in steamy waters and on chaise lounges with a stone-face deck warmed by radiant heat for viewing the seasonal beauty nearby.

New Dining Experiences on the Menu
The Homestead has long been admired for its distinctive dining heritage. Now the resort is broadening its culinary options with the addition of innovative new restaurants and bars to appeal to the evolving preferences of even the most discerning guests. While the quintessential Main Dining Room will continue its great traditions of gourmet breakfast displays and formal dinners with dancing, the resort dining scene will be enhanced by a variety of new and less-formal options.

Set in the space formerly occupied by 1766 Grille, the new Jefferson's Grill restaurant will draw inspiration from the nation's first gourmand, Thomas Jefferson, with a farm-to-table menu celebrating the heritage of Virginia's original farmers and present-day artisans including local farmers, ranchers, cheese makers and vintners. Hip and upscale, Jefferson's Grill will unfold with modern décor, informal and private dining, and an exhibition kitchen that will be the heart of the restaurant and exciting to observe.

The resort transformation will also see the relocation of The Presidents Lounge as part of the Great Hall. Designed to showcase historical artifacts and paintings, the newly reconceived lounge is certain to become the spot for friends and family to share drinks and conviviality around the fireplace. Down the hall outside of Jefferson's Grill, a comfortable new lounge will be wrapped in rich wood paneling with high-tech wide-screen televisions and entertainment technologies to spark a lively atmosphere. Another new casual restaurant will also be added within the Allegheny Springs family adventure area for the added convenience of guests riding Mountain Rush.

Cascades-Style Miniature Golf
The Homestead is a hot spot for golfers, with three courses including the award-winning Cascades Course and the historic Old Course, which plays through the nation's oldest tee in continuous use. Now the resort is further broadening appeal with the introduction of Mini Cascades, a new 18-hole miniature golf course. Located near the new Allegheny Springs attraction, the course will be enjoyed by guests of all golfing abilities, with full equipment available and an addictive atmosphere of fun for all.

The Homestead welcomes guests to experience the completed transformation this summer in Hot Springs, Virginia. Rates from $250. For more information or to make reservations at The Homestead, please contact (877) 549-9506; or visit www.thehomestead.com

Hotel Profile, more photos: The Homestead