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Health & Fitness

A 4-Star Resort in the Alleghenies

Visit a 4 star resort in the Allegheny Mountains of Virginia.

It is without question one of America's finest resorts, a 4 Star to be exact.  You'll find it in the Allegheny Mountains of Virginia. It's The Homestead, covering about 3,000 acres with 483 rooms.

It's identifying structure is The Tower, completed in 1928 with 102 rooms. It is used as the resort's logo.

I was there over 20 years ago so I thought it was time to go back for a look.  The place looks mighty fine.

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The resort is owned by the KSL Corporation out of San Diego. It has been visited by 22 presidents, heads of state, show business celebrities and of course folks like me looking for a vacation spot or getaway.

You know it's a classy place because each day at 3 they offer high tea in the Great Room. The Great Room is where you'll enter to register. Also in that large area are chairs, sofas, a lobby bar and the concierge. The concierge can become a fast friend since they can make dining reservations and provide a guide to all the activities. And there are plenty of them.   

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You can entertain yourself by swimming, golf (3 courses), tennis, horseback riding, archery, off-road driving, walking trails, mountain biking and more. I would suggest you take a tour of the hotel and learn some of its history. A guide does just that everyday at 10 am. And how about eating?

There are eight dining locations, and that includes those open only in the summer. Most people either opt for the main dining room, open for breakfast and dinner, the 1766 Grille, more formal, or Sam Snead's Tavern, just across Main Street and described as a gastro pub. You'll find good food in all of them.

If shopping is something you just have to do, you'll be pleased to know the resort offers retail outlets off the Great Hall plus more at the pro shop. The merchandise is first class with prices to match.

In short, The Homestead is a terrific place to visit. It will take you about 4 to 5 hours to get there, but most of the trip is on interstates. My triptik took me to 695 to 95 to 495 to 66 to 81. When you exit 81 you're about 45 minutes away on winding country roads. As you approach you'll see the tower in the distance like a Phoenix rising out of the woods.

For more information go to thehomestead.com. You can also find them on Facebook where I'm told you can find special deals.

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