Omni Homestead GM receives lifetime achievement award

The American Hotel & Lodging Association presented Mark Spadoni, managing director of The Omni Homestead Resort in Bath County, with the association’s General Manager Lifetime Achievement Award on Oct. 28.

The association honored Spadoni in San Antonio at its second annual The Hospitality Show conference, cosponsored by Questex’s Hotel Management brand.

“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from AHLA,” Spadoni said in a statement. “Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work with great teams who understand the importance of hard work, passion and dedication. The Omni Homestead Resort team continues to uphold and enhance the legacy of this incredible resort, welcoming guests to enjoy both its rich history and contemporary luxury.”

Spadoni joined the Omni Homestead in 2021. He has worked in the hospitality industry for more than 40 years, working at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Georgia for about 20 of those years. The Westin received Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards in 2017, 2018 and 2019 under his tenure, as well as in 2022.

In March 2020, Spadoni received the Savannah Tourism Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served on the boards of the Savannah Convention Center, the Tourism Leadership Council in Savannah, Visit Savannah and the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce. Spadoni also was the first chair of Visit Bath County’s board.

Spadoni also founded the Savannah Harbor Foundation to support children’s charities and co-created the Savannah Voice Festival and its sister foundation.

The nearly 260-year-0ld Omni Homestead Resort completed $170 million in propertywide renovations in October 2023. Renovations included upgrades to its 483 guest rooms, a new, 4,000-square-foot pavilion, 72,000 square feet of meeting space, new food and beverage options and a restoration of the Warm Springs Pools.

“Congratulations to Mark on receiving the GM Lifetime Achievement Award,” Kurt Alexander, president of Omni Hotels & Resorts, said in a statement. “This recognition celebrates his remarkable dedication, professionalism and the profound impact he has made on our brand and the hospitality industry.”

Located in Hot Springs, the Homestead resort was founded in 1766. Omni Hotels & Resorts and KSL Capital Partners announced the purchase of the property in 2013.