As a longtime patron of Omni Hotels, the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia, has been on my to-go list since they acquired the property in 2013. I appreciate the hotel group's custodianship of beautiful resorts often on the National Trust for Historic Preservation and recognized by the Historic Hotels of America, both of which [...]
I have had longtime appreciation for the Omni Hotels brand and once again, they went above and beyond to help us put together a spontaneous trip to the historic Bedford Springs Resort just a few days out. The property is situated in the beautiful Allegheny Mountains of central Pennsylvania, where hot springs have drawn visitors [...]
The Power of Pampering. It's a thing.... I am a huge advocate of self-care in the form of massage therapy, dry sauna and wet steam rooms, therapeutic pool areas with sensory showers, jet treatments, and waterfall massagers. The ability to relax in a beautiful lounge that is comfortable and quiet, while sipping hot tea or [...]
The Grand Hotel experience begins even before stepping foot onto northern Michigan's Mackinac Island. First glimpse of the stately white columns and billowing flags of the hotel unfurling along the hillside hints at the timeless luxury that awaits across across the bay. The fifteen-minute ferry ride (we used Shepler's Ferry out of Mackinaw City) is just a teaser as the boat [...]
A MOUNTAIN NEST One hour southeast of Pittsburgh is Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, a luxurious mountain retreat sprawling across 2,000 acres of scenic hills and valleys. This area, known as the Laurel Highlands, is a storied region where Native American and colonial history runs deep and beautiful, mountainous terrain climbs steep. It is home to Pennsylvania's highest [...]
If ever there is that one bite that becomes burned into your culinary memory, the Grand Hotel's chicken consommé was one of mine. Having spent a few glorious sunny summer days on Mackinac Island, my sister and I took our meals in the variety of Grand-owned restaurants around the property and in town. We chose to [...]
Springs Eternal Spa at Bedford Springs Resort The Omni Bedford Springs Resort is an historic destination spa in the mountains of central Pennsylvania. The abundance of natural mineral springs combined with fresh mountain air has made for a healthful retreat for more than two centuries. In 1796, Dr. John Anderson purchased more than 2,000 acres from [...]
I have been on a bit of an Afternoon Tea odyssey lately. There is something genteel and charming about the formality of it all. Tea cups with roses. Tiny sandwiches. Tiers of minature sweets. While living and working in England for a few years, friends and I sat sipping darjeeling with pinky's out at the [...]
Bedford Springs Resort and Spa The dreamy mountains of Cumberland Valley are conveniently positioned between Pennsylvania's capital of Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. Cumberland County is home to nearly fifty miles of the Appalachian Trail, hundreds of springs, ponds and lakes, a few storied universities, and pre-Revolutionary and Civil War history. Boating, hiking, fly-fishing, and touring covered bridges [...]
I haven't spent much time in Texas (like, zero). So, it was exciting when an opportunity arose to visit San Antonio, of which I've heard all sorts of wonderful things. My typical M.O. is to sniff out a historic inn or smaller, locally owned boutique hotels, but the J.W. Marriott Texas Hill Country caught my [...]
Malabar Farm “As soils are depleted, human health, vitality and intelligence go with them.” ~Louis Bromfield To say Louis Bromfield was a strong advocate of scientific agriculture is an understatement. Bromfield not only championed the American farmer in a time of great depression, but spearheaded a radical conservation effort in the name of soil, rain [...]
Taking the Waters. A Spa Day at the Greenbrier, West Virginia When in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, it only makes sense to do what the Native Americans and travelers, including George Washington, have done for centuries ... take the waters. Sink your body into the local mineral waters for whatever ails you. Tucked into the folds [...]
