Christmas at Omni Bedford Springs Resort
There are 2 gorgeous Omni properties in the state of Pennsylvania. One is located in downtown Pittsburgh and the other in Bedford Springs, a small town in the Allegheny mountains. Many famous politicians and Presidents have stayed at this resort. If you are seeking a relaxing getaway, complete with easy access to a multitude of outdoor activities, Omni Bedford Springs is a great choice. Amenities include an indoor pool, spa, several restaurants and a lobby bar, morning yoga, complimentary puzzles and board games, and firepits where you can enjoy S’mores and cocktails.
If you are seeking a festive holiday getaway, Omni is also a wonderful choice. The beautiful decor over the holiday season easily makes this Omni one of the most festive resorts in the state. Whether or not you are staying at the resort, it’s worth a visit over the holiday season to enjoy the seasonal decor and festive onsite restaurants.
History of the resort
The Bedford Springs location is considered one of the most historic of the Omni properties. The resort is located on 8 mineral springs which were once a source of healing water for Native Americans and later travelers from around the world. In the late 1700’s, a local doctor bought the land and built a hotel as more guests came to enjoy the healing properties of the mineral waters. The pool was built using the natural spring waters. This Omni was home to one of the first indoor pools and golf courses.
The resort became very popular with the wealthy, especially politicians and Presidents. To date, 13 Presidents have stayed at Bedford Springs. During James Buchanan’s presidency, the Omni served as his “summer White House.” Other notable Presidents who stayed at the resort include Ronald
Reagan in 1975 and George W. Bush in 2012.
Read more about the history of this Omni
Christmas activities
The entire resort is decked with holiday cheer. Festive wreaths, cozy fireplaces, garland, nutcrackers, Christmas trees, and gingerbread houses add a special seasonal ambiance. Special holiday activities include carriage rides, holiday movies, and gingerbread house decorating.
Horse drawn carriage rides – A 20 min ride will take you around the pretty property. Rides run on Fridays and Saturdays, from Dec. 1st-24th & NYE from 4-7pm. Tickets are a steep $45 per person.
Gingerbread house decorating – Build your own gingerbread house to take home with you. This event takes place Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 1pm, and Sundays at Noon, Dec. 2nd-24th. Tickets are $48 (up to 4 people) and include free hot cocoa.
Holiday movies – Enjoy free screenings of Christmas classics in the Anderson Room at 6pm. This event runs daily from November 21st – January 2nd.
Holiday cheer galore!
Holiday dining
The best place to dine over the holiday season is at the gorgeously decorated Crystal Room. The ambiance is very elegant and the sparkly winter trees add a special holiday touch. Consider enjoying the breakfast buffet even if you are not staying at the resort. While the food quantity and quality is a bit sub par vs. other Omnis I have stayed at, it’s still a pretty place to dine over the holidays. The chefs work with local farms and use local and organic ingredients for a true farm-to-table dining experience.
The breakfast buffet is priced at a steep $28 per person, although unlimited coffee, juice, and made to order omelets make it a slightly better value. In addition, the buffet line includes all the standards including eggs, breakfast meats, potatoes, yogurt parfait, oatmeal, pastries, bagels, and pancakes.
Resort Details
Omni Bedford Springs is located at: 2138 Business, 220, Bedford, PA 15522.
To make reservations and explore resort amenities further, visit the Omni website. Room rates range from $250-400 this time of year. Expect to pay more during peak holiday periods. Fortunately, parking is free, so if you are just visiting for the day no need to worry about extra costs.
