Tag Archive for: The Homestead

The Homestead, located in Hot Springs, Virginia, is a luxury vacation spot known for golf, skiing, and relaxation. It sits amidst the Allegheny Mountains near the biggest hot spring found in the state of Virginia. The resort, built in 1959, remains as one of the locations oldest accommodations and has been chosen as a historical landmark. Its history spans over two centuries beginning with the initial building of the lodge in 1766 by Thomas Bullitt. Since the initial construction, The Homestead has been a vacation spot with famous presidents as part of the visitor repertoire. The hotel was redone between 1888 and 1892 after it was purchased by an investment group. It was rebuilt entirely by the group; however, the hotel burnt down shortly after in 1901. The hotel was reconstructed in the early 1900’s and the main structure remains in existence as part of the luxury resort. 

A Golfers Dream 

The Homestead offers three courses with the oldest consisting of six holes that were originally designed in 1892. The first tee developed on the resort is considered to be the oldest within the country. This original course was expanded in 1901 to contain eighteen holes and then redesigned again by Donald Ross in 1913. The Cascade Course is the most famously known of all three golfing options due to its ranking within the top one-hundred links by popular magazines such as Golf Digest. It has been the site of seven major championships and the designer, William S. Flynn, was also an architect who contributed to the famous Shinnecock Hills course. The Cascade Course, opened in 1923, remains as an excellent choice for testing ones skills while staying at this luxury hotel. Lower Cascades, the newest course at this location, was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and is a hosting site for those taking a chance at qualifying for the amateur tournament. 

Additional Activities 

While golf is a main attraction at The Homestead, plenty of alternative activities await those who desire a different setting. The resort offers a ski area that has been open to visitors since 1959. Visitors can use one of five ski lifts to make their way to the top and the slope has been designed to accommodate skiers of all skill levels with a half pipe for those who want a little more of a challenge. Winter activities are not limited to skiing only and visitors can take a turn at snowboarding, snow tubing, ice skating, snowmobiling, or snowshoeing. 

In the warmer months, visitors have numerous choices for family or individual fun including horseback rides and fly fishing. The outdoor atmosphere of this beautiful location offers plenty to do with hiking or biking being a great choice regardless of the season. A romantic carriage ride through the stunning scenery offered at The Homestead makes a great start to any vacation. Travelers wanting to challenge themselves have choices such as paintball, shooting, archery, and kayaking. Indoor activities at the resort include a theatre, historical tour, games, and swimming. As a place where nature takes center stage, The Homestead provides the perfect vacation setting for visitors to experience the uniqueness of Virginia.