'Steady as she goes' at Homestead after purchase by Omni

The Texas company said no layoffs or changes are planned for the historic Bath County resort.

THE ROANOKE TIMES | File 2009

Omni Hotels & Resorts has a deal to buy five resorts, including The Homestead in Hot Springs, from KSL Capital Partners LLC.

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David Ress | 981-3253

Thursday, June 13, 2013

The Texas-based luxury hotel group that is buying The Homestead plans no changes and no layoffs at the storied Bath County resort.

“We feel like we’ve acquired a great property … it’s steady as she goes,” said Omni Hotels & Resorts spokeswoman Anne Tramer.

“We’ve got a team up there now, and while we’re introducing Omni, we’re up there listening to see how they do things.”

Omni agreed to buy The Homestead and four other resorts from KSL Capital Partners LLC, the Irving, Texas, firm announced Wednesday.

It did not disclose a price.

In addition to The Homestead, Omni is acquiring Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas; La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.; Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif. ; and The Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C.

Tramer said Omni has been looking to expand its resort business, which includes historic properties in Mount Washington, N.H., and Bedford Springs, Pa. The company’s nearly 60 properties include hotels in Richmond and Charlottesville.

“We really love historic resorts,” Tramer said. “That’s a special experience … and that’s what The Homestead offers.”

KSL bought The Homestead in 2006 as part of a deal estimated at $1.8 billion that included purchase of Pine-hurst, the historic North Carolina resort.

The deal adds nearly 2,400 rooms, more than 30 restaurants, three water parks, a ski facility and five spas to Omni’s inventory.

Monday, August 12, 2013