An Amazing Long Weekend at Bedford Springs Resort

Hello, everyone! Michelle here for a special guest post about one of my favorite weekend destinations. I’m talking about Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, PA! I’ve been here several times now, and each trip leaves me wanting more. It’s the perfect getaway for a girls’ trip, special occasion or romantic weekend. If you’re ready for a weekend of relaxation, indulgence, and great food and drinks, look no further than Bedford Springs!

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The History of Bedford Springs Resort

Bedford Springs was established in 1809 and is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. There are even portions of the property designated as a national landmark. 

Located just on the outskirts of Bedford in southcentral Pennsylvania, the property came to be after the discovery of abundant natural freshwater springs which were thought to have healing powers. Through the 19^th century, the resort expanded as the popularity of visiting the property increased. The allure of these magical spring waters and the relaxation provided by the resort kept people coming in droves.

Bedford Springs is filled with great historical details. There are plaques with information about famous guests (including former presidents!) and the history of the resort through years, little trinkets and artifacts, and old photos of the resort in its heyday. The resort offers daily complimentary historic tours of the property if you’re interested in learning more while you’re there. Check with the concierge to book a spot on one of these tours.

Bedford Springs Today

In the early 2000s, the resort underwent a complete restoration after being abandoned since the 80s. It reopened in 2007 as you see it today. 

The main entrance and lobby area are flanked by two wings with guest rooms. As you’re looking at the resort, the wing to the right is the most historic section, having been part of the original cluster of buildings. These were eventually joined by additional wings and corridors. Some say these original buildings are haunted by guests from the past. Fortunately, I’ve never had any ghostly encounters during my stays!

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Property & Amenities at Bedford Springs

Common Spaces

One of the best features of Bedford Springs is the multitude of common spaces sprinkled throughout where you can sit and relax. The main lobby is a particular favorite of mine. During the winter months, it has cozy clusters of seating around two fireplaces. It’s the perfect spot to have a drink, read a book, play cards, or just sit and chat.

Here are some of my favorite games to bring on a trip to Bedford Springs.

Adjacent to the lobby is the quaint Duke of Bedford Library. It has lots of dark wood paneling, plush couches and tables with games and puzzles available. 

Much of the building features wide porches with plenty of seating for relaxing and watching the day go by. When the weather is nice, these are prime spots with ample rocking chairs and loungers to relax on. 

One of the main draws of Bedford Springs for me is the opportunity to enjoy these wonderful spaces. I plan ahead and bring my favorite card game to play or book to read while relaxing on the porch.  I’ve even brought a bottle or two of wine from home for the porch to avoid having to pay bar prices.

Bedford Springs’ Rooms

There is one downside to Bedford Springs. A weekend here is not a budget vacation.  Rooms are pricey, but I can honestly say the quality of the room and your experience over the weekend lives up to the price.

When you’re booking your room, you have several options: deluxe, resort view or resort view with porch. The resort view rooms look out to the front lawn of the resort while the deluxe rooms look towards the back of the resort which is up against a hillside. The porch rooms have access to large multi-story porches complete with rocking chairs. 

If you really want the full experience and money isn’t an object, I’d recommend a resort view porch room. That being said, every room on the property is equally nice in terms of its furnishings and amenities, so if a view or a porch isn’t important to you, save some money and go for the deluxe room.

Room fees vary throughout the year. Click here to book your room now!

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Dining at Bedford Springs

Bedford Springs has fabulous dining options, all of which are onsite. You can truly eat and drink your way through the resort during a long weekend and never leave the property.

The Crystal Room

The Crystal Room is the most upscale option for dining at Bedford Springs. They serve breakfast and dinner. I recommend dining here for dinner if you want to splurge a bit. Reservations are highly recommended. They can be made through the concierge or online.

The Frontier Tavern

The Frontier Tavern is my go-to for lunch, dinner, or even a mid-afternoon drink and appetizer. I would describe the menu as upscale bar food, but the space itself has great historic ambience with old resort artifacts, lots of dark wood, comfy high back wing chairs and views out onto the front lawn. When the weather is nice, there is also patio seating and a fire pit on the lawn.  They even have s’mores kits to take out to the fire!

Tillie’s at the Clubhouse

Tillie’s is another great casual dining option for lunch or dinner. The inside of Tillie’s is great if the weather is colder as it has a great bar and big fireplace. In the summer, they have a huge patio for outdoor seating which I’ve enjoyed several times on previous trips.

You do have to walk outside the main resort building to get to Tillie’s. It is located just off the spa end of the main building next to the golf course and is just a 5-minute walk door to door.

Evitt House Coffee

This little coffee shop is great for a quick to-go breakfast option or for an afternoon pick me up and sweet treat. They also have prepared sandwiches and other packaged snacks and beverages that make for a good lunch on the go or just a lighter option than one of the restaurants.

Lobby Bar

The lobby bar is new within the past year or so and is a great addition to the large lobby area. It is a full-service bar with great cocktails and is a good spot to grab a drink to take on the go and find a comfy place to relax.

The Eternal Springs Spa at Bedford Springs

True to the resort’s history, the Eternal Springs Spa is still a mainstay at the Bedford Springs and is, in my opinion, the highlight of your stay. As soon as I walk into the space, I am totally relaxed.

One of the best features of your spa experience is the complimentary Bedford Bath Ritual which is typically scheduled for the hour before your spa treatment. The Bedford Bath Ritual involves a quick exfoliation and deluge shower, a short time in the steam room, and then as much time as you want in a huge mineral spring water hot tub punctuated with quick dips in the cold plunge pool.

If you’re coming with a group, make sure to have your Bedford Bath Ritual appointments scheduled at the same time so you can enjoy it with friends. 

After you’re done with the Bedford Bath Ritual, dry off, grab your luxurious robe, and head to the relaxation room to wait for your spa service. The relaxation room is probably my favorite space at the resort after the lobby. It’s filled with comfy chaise lounges with blankets, has huge windows overlooking the garden, and has tea and snacks to enjoy. 

I could truly hang out all day there and take a nap, but alas, it’s really the spa treatment you’re there for. I’ve had both massages and facials at the Springs Eternal Spa and both were top notch in my opinion.

The Eternal Springs Spa offers a full menu of spa treatments, from massages and facials, to body treatments, nail and hair services. Check out this link for more spa information.

Pro tip: book your spa appointments as early as you can: They fill up early, especially on weekends!

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Pools

Bedford Springs has both a heated indoor (open year-round) and outdoor pool (open seasonally). The indoor pool was built in 1905 and really transports you back to that era with its tilework and balconies.  When visiting in the winter, you see lots of families with kids enjoying this pool. During the summer, it’s a great spot to take a dip and swim some laps without the crowds of the outdoor pool.

The outdoor pool is located just off the back of the main resort building and is a must-do if visiting in the summer. There are plenty of loungers and cabanas (reserved with a fee) to relax in. There is also a snack and drink bar, The Turtle Shell, so you can have lunch by the pool while enjoying your favorite cocktail.

Activities at Bedford Springs

So, you’ve eaten well, gone to the spa and had some time to relax on a porch or at the pool. Now what do you do? Fortunately, you have lots of options! 

Golf

I will preface this by saying I do not golf, but the resort does have a full 18-hole course onsite if that’s your thing.  The course has gorgeous views of the surrounding landscape and, of course, Tillie’s is a great lunch or dinner stop after you’re done.

Course fees vary by season, day of the week and time, but range from $79 – $219. Equipment rentals and lessons are also available. I imagine in the peak season tee times book fast, so I would reserve as soon as you can.

Hiking

Hiking trails are just out the front door of the resort. These are great for getting a little exercise. There are several loops and options to choose from to suit your fitness level and how much time you have.

One word of advice: Grab a trail map from the front desk before you head out. I once made several navigational errors during a hike because I started the loop going the wrong direction and missed a trail marker.

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Lawn Games

In the summer months, the resort offers complimentary lawn games like croquet and cornhole. They even offer archery sessions for a fee ($45 a person).

Sports Rentals and Tours

The resort offers lots of various rentals and tours to help you enjoy some time outdoors. There are tennis courts (racquet and ball rental for $7), bike rentals ($25-$65 dependent on bike choice and duration), guided hikes and other specialized excursions you can book like fly fishing or horseback riding. Most of these activities can be booked through the Activity Coordinators at 814-624-5633.

Excursions outside the Resort

You can easily spend an entire weekend at Bedford Springs and never leave the property. However, if you have a little more time or are just itching to explore, there are lots of options in the area.

Downtown Bedford

The town of Bedford has a cute, old-timey downtown area just a 5-10 minute drive from the resort. You could certainly spend a few hours here checking out the boutiques, antique shops, cafes and restaurants. Two personal favorites I’ve been to are The Pub at The Golden Eagle Inn and Bella Terra Vineyards. 

The Pub at The Golden Eagle Inn is in the basement level of the Golden Eagle hotel. It has a cozy, dark, casual gathering place feel to it. I’ve eaten lunch here and also just stopped in for a quick beer at the bar. 

Bella Terra Vineyards is another great stop for a wine tasting or to sit and relax with a glass of vino. The wine was great, and there’s lots of seating available if you want to stay for a while.

The town of Bedford also has lots of historic homes and buildings which would make for a great scenic walk. For history buffs, other options are the Fort Bedford Museum right downtown or the Old Bedford Village a few minutes outside of town.

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Bedford County Covered Bridges

One excursion I’ve always wanted to do but have never been able to fit is the Bedford County covered bridges drive. Bedford County is home to 14 covered bridges, and you can see 9 of them in a 40-mile, 90-minute drive. Check out this link for the driving tour map and more info on the Bedford covered bridges.

Resources to Book Your Trip to Bedford Springs

Whether you’re looking for tours, hotels or flights, here are some tools to help get you started planning your trip to Pennsylvania!

Look for activities and tours offered through GetYourGuide or Viator!

Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Check out my travel essentials pages for more of my recommendations.

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