Luxury Hot Springs Hotels

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Visitors from all over the world have been coming to the charming village of Hot Springs in Virginia for decades. Nestled in the George Washington National Forest on the border of Virginia and West Virginia, Hot Springs boasts a unique combination of rural retreat and luxury resort which keeps visitors coming back year after year. To make the most of the relaxation and rejuvenation opportunities available at the resort, many visitors choose to stay at one of the luxury Hot Springs hotels and to enjoy the best in hotel facilities and guest services during their stay.

The village itself has changed very little in the 150 years since its founding, so visitors will enjoy the colonial heritage and architecture of the villages shops and buildings. During the summer months the village hosts a busy Farmers Market which provides a forum for local growers and businesses to sell everything from local produce to arts and crafts.

Also in the village is the historic Ashwood School, the first commercial school to be constructed in Bath County in 1908. Although it has not operated as a school since the late 1960's it has been perfectly restored to its original floorplan and now houses an antiques shop and museum of artifacts from the original school. The antiques shop sells everything from furniture to vintage textiles and local folk art produced by the owner of the building.

One of the biggest attractions in the area is the luxury Homestead resort in the heart of the village. With a history extending more than two centuries the Homestead is a National Historic Landmark and still functions today to provide the best in entertainment and facilities for the visitor to Hot Springs.

The healing hot waters from which the village draws its name are known locally as the Jefferson Pools in recognition of the visit Thomas Jefferson paid the springs back in 1818. The waters are naturally warmed by underground thermals and full of healing minerals having been naturally filtered through the layers of rock in the mountains. Mineral springs have long been thought to contain healing properties and have been widely recommended to help relieve ailments such as arthritis, rheumatism and many other common problems.

The golf club at the resort, the Virginia Hot Springs Golf and Tennis Club, features three challenging yet playable courses, all of which welcome visitors and the casual player. The Old Course originates from 1892 and the first tee is said to be the oldest to have seen continuous use in the whole of North America. Despite several course modifications over the years it still presents an interesting challenge with an unusual layout including 6 par 3's and 6 par 5's.

Also on the resort is the famous Cascades Course, ranked among the top 100 golf courses in the USA by GOLF magazine and host to several national tournaments and prestigious championships. The third course is the Lower Cascades Course which was opened in 1963 and which has hosted qualifying rounds for national tournaments in the past.

The ski resort at Hot Springs is another major attraction in the area and another with a wealth of history, being the second oldest alpine ski resort in the Southern USA. The resorts slopes face north west and feature a double chair lift with a half way drop off to the intermediate slopes or higher drop off for advanced terrain. There is also a half pipe for skiers and snowboarders as well as other snow based activities including cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snow tubing and snowmobile tours. There is also an ice skating rink at the foot of the ski slopes for evening fun and a gift shop and outdoor restaurant nearby.

When it comes to looking for great places to stay, there are plenty of luxury Hot Springs hotels to choose from. From the grand and many bedroomed large hotel complexes to the quaint and cozy guesthouse, all the establishments in the village have been created with the same goal in mind; to provide a relaxing and comfortable retreat during your stay.

All of the luxury Hot Springs hotels have spacious hotel bedrooms, many with king or queen sized beds and en suite private bathrooms. Guest services at many establishments include room service, access to hotel spa or fitness facilities and high speed internet access in the communal areas such as the hotel lobby or lounge. Hotel rooms are decorated in a range of colonial and modern styles with an emphasis on comfort and the laid back hotel dining facilities offer a range of local and international cuisines.

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