Luxury wellness takes on a deeper meaning at The Spa at The Omni Homestead Resort, where history, healing waters, and heartfelt hospitality come together. Recently named one of Luxury Lifestyle Awards’ TOP 100 Spas of the World 2025, this legendary spa continues to captivate global wellness connoisseurs with its rare blend of heritage, healing waters, and heartfelt hospitality.

Leading and inspiring this iconic destination is Audrey Zmigrodski, Director of the Spa and Warm Springs Pools, whose career spans more than 25 years across spa, hospitality, and food & beverage leadership. Known for her top standards, passion for training and development, and commitment to exceeding guest expectations, Audrey brings a forward-thinking, people-first philosophy that has helped shape luxury wellness at one of America’s most storied resorts.

Alexander Chetchikov, President of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce and leader of LLA, leads our interview with Audrey.

Alexander Chetchikov: Congratulations on The Spa at The Omni Homestead Resort being named one of Luxury Lifestyle Awards’ TOP 100 Spas of the World 2025. What does this recognition mean to you and your team? 

Audrey Zmigrodski: This recognition is incredibly meaningful because it honors not just a place, but the people behind it. The Spa and Warm Springs Pools are stewarded daily by a team that deeply respects the heritage of The Homestead while remaining committed to delivering a modern, world-class wellness experience. To be recognized on a global stage affirms that our focus on thoughtful service, consistency, and authentic care truly resonates with guests. For my team, it validates their dedication, professionalism, and pride in creating moments that guests remember long after they leave.

AC: With over 25 years of experience in spa and hospitality leadership, how has your journey shaped the way you define and deliver luxury wellness today?

AZ: My journey has taught me that true luxury wellness is not defined by opulence alone—it is defined by intention, integrity, and connection. Having worked across spa, hospitality, and food & beverage, I have learned that wellness must be holistic and seamlessly integrated into every touchpoint of the guest experience. Today, I define luxury as feeling genuinely seen, cared for, and restored. Delivering that requires empowered associates, clear standards, and a culture that values both excellence and empathy.

AC: The Omni Homestead Resort has a spa legacy dating back to 1766. How do you balance honouring this historic heritage while introducing modern wellness innovation?

AZ:  The Homestead’s history is not something we work around—it is something we build upon. Our geothermal waters and restorative traditions are the foundation of everything we do. Innovation, for us, means enhancing these timeless elements with modern science thoughtfully placed in our services.  For example, the skin care products that we use, BABOR and ZENTS, and of course, technology, such as HydraFacial, NuFace, and Althaea Skin’s CARA device. We honor the past by preserving its authenticity, while evolving the experience to meet today’s wellness traveler where they are—seeking both grounding and transformation.

AC: Your background spans massage therapy, aesthetics, food & beverage, and operations. How does this multidisciplinary experience influence the guest journey at the spa?

AZ: My experience across multiple disciplines gives me a clear understanding of how excellence is delivered at every level. It allows me to set realistic standards, support my teams effectively, and ensure that the guest experience is cohesive and intentional. Ultimately, it helps us deliver wellness in a way that feels effortless to the guest, even though it is carefully orchestrated behind the scenes.

AC: The Warm Springs Pools are central to the spa’s identity. What makes these mineral-rich waters such a transformative experience for today’s wellness traveller?

AZ: The Warm Springs Pools are a rare and powerful offering. These naturally heated, mineral-rich waters have been a source of restoration for centuries. In today’s fast-paced world, they offer something increasingly rare: stillness, grounding, and a deep sense of connection to nature and history. Guests don’t just soak; they slow down, reset, and reconnect with themselves. That kind of transformation cannot be manufactured; it is felt.

AC: You are known for your passion for training and development. How do you inspire your team to consistently exceed expectations and avoid settling for the status quo?

AZ: Inspiration begins with clarity and trust. I believe in setting clear standards while empowering associates to bring their own pride and purpose into their work. Ongoing training, open dialogue, and accountability are essential, but so is recognition.

From time to time, I personally step into the treatment room to train associates on new services and evolving techniques. That hands-on involvement reinforces that learning and excellence are shared responsibilities, not directives from a distance. It allows me to support the team directly, ensure consistency in delivery, and demonstrate my commitment to their craft and professional growth.

When associates experience leadership alongside them—learning, refining, and elevating services together—they feel supported, respected, and connected to the larger vision. Recognition then becomes tangible and meaningful. Excellence evolves into a shared commitment rather than a mandate, and we cultivate a culture where growth is expected, supported, and celebrated at every level. 

AC: Personalization is a defining element of the spa experience. How does your team ensure each guest’s wellness journey feels truly bespoke and emotionally meaningful?

AZ: Personalization starts with listening. Our team is trained to observe, ask thoughtful questions, and respond intuitively to each guest’s needs—spoken and unspoken. From customized treatments to simple moments of anticipation and care, we aim to create experiences that feel intentional and emotionally resonant. When a guest feels understood rather than processed, their wellness journey becomes personal, memorable, and meaningful.

AC: And lastly, how do you envision the future of luxury wellness at The Spa at The Omni Homestead Resort, and what excites you most about what’s to come?

AZ:  The future of luxury wellness at The Homestead lies in deepening authenticity while continuing to evolve thoughtfully. I am excited about expanding our service offerings, strengthening our connection to the natural environment, and further investing in our people. We also see a meaningful opportunity to evolve our menus to be more intentionally nutritionally focused, supporting wellness from the inside out.

As we look ahead, we hope to further expand into integrative wellness experiences such as fitness programming, yoga, mindful movement, and health coaching, creating a more comprehensive, lifestyle-oriented approach to well-being. What excites me most is the opportunity to continue shaping a wellness destination that honors history, elevates modern expectations, and creates lasting impact, for our guests, our associates, and the legacy of this remarkable place.

Thank you, Audrey, for sharing your inspiring leadership journey and for continuing to elevate The Spa at The Omni Homestead Resort as a global symbol of wellness and thoughtful luxury.

Plan your wellness escape at The Spa at The Omni Homestead Resort at https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/homestead-virginia/wellness