Just spent two days at The Homestead with my siste...

Just spent two days at The Homestead with my sister and brother-in-law for his birthday. Had a wonderful room with a beautiful view and a private balcony. Staff was friendly everywhere. The spa is awesome; loved hanging out in the serenity garden, getting a facial, and wandering through the aqua thermal suite. Hubby got a great mani-pedi. Ate twice at Woody's and loved both meals, particularly the farmer's salad and a burger-bbq combo. Enjoyed the historic tour (beautiful murals tell the story) and love the theater for a movie night. I hesitate to recommend coming on weekdays because I don't want crowds to increase, but it's much nicer than battling crowds on the weekend. I think the Homestead is a great place for a family gathering, a couple's retreat, or a destination wedding - a warm and gracious oasis of hospitality. There are signs of its age if you look for it, and the water pressure might not be the best in the older rooms, but it's a lovely place to spend time in Virginia's beautiful mountains.