Virginia is a wellspring of things to see and do, and itineraries for groups often include the commonwealth’s heritage trails and historic sites, culinary experiences, small-town surprises, and creative arts. But Virginia is also a wellspring for wellness, according to Joni Johnson, CTP, director of domestic sales and marketing for the Virginia Tourism Corporation.
“Wellness travel is increasing globally, especially since we emerged from the pandemic, and Virginia offers many opportunities for groups to add wellness activities to their itineraries or to enjoy a wellness-focused tour,” she says. “Groups tend to spend a couple of days to up to a week at Virginia resorts and retreat centers.”
Wellness tourism incorporates a mindful mixture of fitness, nutrition, relaxation, and cosmetic treatments, and tour operators can give their groups plenty of activities in gorgeous settings at the commonwealth’s resorts.
“Staying at a Virginia resort offers a comfortable and luxurious basecamp for travelers to customize their wellness experience, choosing from a wide range of spa, outdoor, and relaxing options,” Johnson says. Here are five resorts to consider:
The Tides Inn, situated on a private peninsula and surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia’s Northern Neck region, offers 66 guest rooms, four luxury suites, and meeting space on a property with gardens, a beach, and a walkable shoreline. Guests also enjoy exclusive access to the marina, a full-service spa, fitness equipment, Golden Eagle Golf Course, and a sailing school. For a taste of the coast, you can learn the art of making a Lancaster Lemonade or how to shuck oysters like a pro.
Located in Hot Springs, The Omni Homestead Resort has been visited by 23 U.S. presidents, including Thomas Jefferson’s 1818 dip into the destination’s signature mineral waters. Along with 483 guest rooms and suites, the 2,300-acre property houses two golf courses, seven restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, a luxury spa and salon, and a fitness center. Set to open in late 2022, the Warm Springs Pools (formerly the Jefferson Pools) are a careful restoration of the oldest spa structures in the United States.
Primland Resort is a 12,000-acre estate in the Blue Ridge Mountains with trails for mountain bikes, horses, all-terrain vehicles—and human feet—along with golf, lawn games, and a fully equipped observatory. Accommodations include lodge rooms and suites, cottages that can accommodate up to 12 people, treehouses perched above the Dan River Gorge, and 11 mountain homes that house from two to 22 guests. Wellness experiences include a spa, indoor pool and hot tub, a gym, meditation sessions, and yoga.
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