Swimming outdoors while chilly mountain air surrounds you sounds like a pretty wonderful contradiction. A heated pool makes that possible, turning an activity usually associated with summer into something guests can enjoy throughout the year.
The Virginia resort has a long history of welcoming travelers who come for its natural mineral springs, mountain scenery, and recreational amenities. Its outdoor swimming facilities are among the attractions that make the property appealing beyond the warmer months.
I especially like the thought of enjoying warm water while looking out at a landscape that changes with the seasons. Autumn colors, winter scenery, and green summer hills could each give the experience a different atmosphere.
Of course, swimming is only one reason to visit. The resort also offers spa experiences and other activities, making it tempting to turn a simple pool day into a longer getaway.
You Will Want To Claim A Warm Chaise Before Anyone Else Does
Steam rising off a pool in December is a beautiful kind of nonsense. At The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa, that scene happens at Allegheny Springs, a two-acre water park.
The main pool and the whirlpool next to it are heated and open year-round. Hours typically run from 9 AM to 8 PM daily, so you get a full day of soaking.
Natural springs feed the entire complex. That gives the swim a connection to the mineral waters that made this valley famous in the first place.
Then there is the detail that wins me over. The stone deck walls around the chaise lounges are warmed by radiant heat for cooler weather.
Think about what that means in practice. You climb out of the water, lean back against warm stone, and the mountain air feels a lot less rude.
Winter visits get a special glow here. The pool stays toasty while the surrounding ridges turn gray, white, or frosty blue.
A few practical tips help. Pack a warm robe or jacket for the walk, plus flip-flops for the deck.
Bring a hat for your ears, too. Your body will be cozy underwater, but the top of your head is still in Virginia in January.
Summer Turns The Same Pool Into A Full-Blown Splash Zone
Two 100-foot waterslides called Mountain Rush come alive when the weather warms up. They sit inside Allegheny Springs, and they change the mood from spa calm to cannonball chaos.
The seasonal lineup runs roughly from May to September. Along with the slides, you get a 400-foot lazy river.
Little ones are covered as well. A water play zone and a splash pad give younger kids their own territory to soak.
That setup solves a classic family puzzle. Teens race to the slides while toddlers splash safely and parents drift along the river pretending to supervise.
Here is a smart move for planners. Families who visit in summer get both the heated main pool and the seasonal extras on one trip.
Winter travelers shouldn’t feel left out, though. The heated pool and whirlpool still run, so the vacation feeling sticks around after the slides close.
The location adds plenty of charm too. Green Allegheny peaks rise around the park, making even a lazy river loop feel scenic.
Pack water shoes, sunscreen, and snacks for the kids. A day like this can easily stretch from late morning until the sun dips behind the ridges.
Grown-Ups Get Their Own 97-Degree Hideaway
Ninety-seven degrees. That’s the steady temperature of the Serenity Garden Pool, an outdoor spring-fed spa pool for guests 18 and older.
It sits within the spa facilities and stays open year-round, usually from 9 AM to 7 PM. Kids are happily busy elsewhere, so this space leans quiet.
The warmth comes naturally from spring water. Sinking into it on a cold afternoon feels like the mountains are handing you a heated blanket.
The spa itself extends the experience. It offers treatments, an Aqua Thermal Suite, and a fitness center for anyone feeling ambitious.
Indoors, there’s another option worth noting. The Spa houses an iconic spring-fed indoor pool that’s family-friendly and open 24 hours a day.
Yes, around the clock. Night owls finally have a resort pool that keeps their schedule.
So the water game here has layers. Families splash at Allegheny Springs, couples unwind in the garden, and insomniacs swim laps at midnight.
My advice? Book any spa treatment ahead, then plan extra time to linger in the garden pool afterward.
Rushing out of 97-degree water feels like leaving a movie before the best part. Give yourself the full ending.
The Oldest Spa Structure In America Is A Short Ride Away
The Gentlemen’s Bathhouse stone basin dates to 1761. It’s considered the oldest spa structure in the country, and you can still soak in it.
The Warm Springs Pools sit about five miles from the resort in the village of Warm Springs. Their wooden octagonal bathhouses look almost storybook from the outside.
Natural warm springs keep the water at a steady 98 to 99 degrees all year. Snow outside doesn’t change a thing inside.
The pools reopened in December 2022 after a 14-month rehabilitation. That careful restoration was part of the resort’s larger renovation effort.
Soaking sessions last 50 minutes. Reservations are required, so lock in your time before you arrive.
Fifty minutes may sound short. Once you float in that clear, mineral-rich water, though, it feels pleasantly long and wonderfully unhurried.
History buffs will love the setting. You’re sharing water with travelers who came seeking these springs centuries before road trips existed.
Bring a towel-friendly attitude and leave your schedule loose afterward. Most people walk out feeling noticeably slower in the nicest possible way.
Pair this outing with a cold-weather visit for the full effect. Warm water, frosty air, and old timber make a memorable combination.
History Runs Deeper Here Than The Spring Water
America’s first resort started with 18 rooms. Captain Thomas Bullitt built that lodge in 1766, and the property has kept welcoming travelers ever since.
The original hotel buildings largely burned in 1901. The current Colonial Revival main hotel rose between 1902 and 1929.
Its most recognizable feature, the tower, arrived in 1929. You’ll spot it long before you reach the front entrance.
The property became a National Historic Landmark in 1991. It has also hosted 24 U.S. presidents, which makes for an impressive guest book.
Omni Hotels & Resorts acquired the property in 2013. A major renovation wrapped up in late 2023, refreshing rooms, public spaces, and the Warm Springs Pools.
Curious guests don’t need to guess at the backstory. Complimentary daily history tours share how this Virginia landmark grew into what it is today.
I’d take the tour early in your stay. Knowing the stories makes every hallway and portrait feel more meaningful later.
Also, take a seat on the front porch rocking chairs. They offer a classic resort view and a perfect spot to digest all that history.
Look Down In The Great Hall Because The Rug Steals The Show
A 100-foot custom rug runs through the Great Hall. It shows the flora and fauna of the Allegheny Mountains, so the lobby practically tells you where you are.
Elegant uplighting and traditional hardwood floors frame it all. The result feels grand without looking stiff.
Other public rooms have their own personalities. The Lobby Bar and Georgian Room lean into darker tones and presidential portraits.
The Washington Library goes the other direction. It has been restored as a bright sunroom, ideal for a slow afternoon with a book.
Each afternoon brings Southern Social Hours with teas and treats. On Fridays and Saturdays, formal Afternoon Tea is available by reservation.
Upstairs, the 483 guestrooms received a full refresh. Each wing has its own color palette and floral patterns, which is a fun detail to notice.
Some rooms add fireplaces, and suites include separate living rooms and private porches. Those extras feel especially cozy after a winter swim.
Here’s a little game for your stay. Walk the full Great Hall and try spotting every animal woven into that rug before checkout.
Dinner Plans Can Swing From Formal To Pizza Night
Evening dancing still happens at the American Audubon Dining Room. That old-fashioned touch pairs with formal continental cuisine shaped by regional influences.
The Audubon serves breakfast, afternoon tea, and dinner. It’s the place to dress up a little and feel like a classic resort guest.
Jefferson’s Restaurant & Taproom takes a more relaxed path. It offers modern American grill dishes with a farm-to-table focus and regional meats.
Pizza fans should head to Woody’s. It serves Italian-inspired dishes and craft pizzas inside the historic Casino building.
Need something quick between pool sessions? Martha’s Market handles pastries, coffee, sandwiches, salads, and snacks.
Pioneer Picnic keeps things fast-casual and family-friendly. Its wrap-around porch offers outdoor dining with mountain views.
There’s even an Allegheny Springs Grill near the water park. Hungry swimmers don’t have to travel far between laps.
Other outlets include Serenity Garden Café and Rubino’s At The Cascades. Cashless payment works throughout the resort, so leave the loose bills at home.
My tip is simple. Reserve your nicer dinners ahead and keep lunches flexible around pool time.
Golfers And Skiers Can Both Pack Their Gear
The Old Course has the oldest first tee in continuous use in the United States. It dates to 1892, so your opening drive comes with serious bragging rights.
The Cascades Course opened in 1923. It often appears among the top 100 courses in the country.
Legendary PGA Tour champion Sam Snead served as the resort’s golf pro for decades. The highway out front even carries his name.
Winter brings a different kind of sport. The resort operates Virginia’s oldest alpine ski area, established in 1959.
Skiing typically runs from December through March. Picture the perfect combo: morning runs, then an afternoon soak in the heated outdoor pool.
Okay, I promised not to say picture. Still, that schedule sounds pretty close to ideal.
Not into either? Tennis, archery, skeet shooting, zip-lining, and horseback riding fill the calendar too.
Falconry, fly fishing, guided hikes, and paddling on the Jackson River round out the list. You could stay a week and still miss something.
Book specialty activities early, especially during busy seasons. Popular slots fill fast at a resort with this many options.
Kids Get Movies, Mini Golf, And A S’mores Hayride
Nightly family movies play at Theatre 1923. After a full day in the pool, a cozy screening might be exactly what tired kids need.
The kids club welcomes ages 5 to 10. Parents can enjoy a little spa time while younger guests stay busy.
Mini Cascades offers a mini golf version of the famous course. There’s also an arcade, mini bowling, and a playground.
Seasonally, the S’mores Express hayride rolls out. Marshmallows plus a wagon ride is a hard combination for any kid to resist.
All of this sits at 7696 Sam Snead Highway in Hot Springs, Virginia. The resort spans roughly 2,000 acres in Bath County.
George Washington and Jefferson National Forest surrounds the area. That means quiet mountain roads and big scenery in every direction.
The remote setting is part of the appeal. Once you arrive, everything you need for a full vacation is right on the property.
So pack swimsuits no matter the month. The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa proves a warm pool can make January feel suspiciously like July.
