(By Elizabeth Tuico) Berkeley Springs, W.V. – The daunting challenge of restoring Coolfont Resort, the rustic mountain retreat in the hills above Berkeley Springs, W.V., needed a developer with a vision, patience, and resolve. Longtime Morgan County, W.V. resident Larry Omps stepped up in 2016 to rescue the abandoned resort. Since then, the Omps family have been carefully renovating the storied property.

Located at the base of Cacapon Mountain, Coolfont Resort is up and running, entertaining guests who appreciate the power of nature. Located four miles above the town of Bath and the heart of Berkeley Springs, W.V., the 252-acre property offers guests a variety of accommodations, fine and casual dining, and amenities in a tranquil setting among trees, streams, and a large lake.

Coolfont Resort feels like it is far away, but it is only a two-hour drive from Baltimore, Washington, and Pittsburgh. Lodging options include Treetop Lodge (lakeview rooms with jacuzzies), Woodland House (two-room, pet-friendly suites), Bear’s Den Cottage (cozy two bedroom adjacent to the Lodge and perfect for a bridal party), and over a dozen A-frame chalet cabins (one-, two- and four-bedroom options). Under the helm of executive chef Greg Bishop, Treetop Restaurant & Bar prepares fresh and hearty dishes for resort guests and the locals.

Coolfont’s Beginnings

In 1961, Sam Ashelman, a Washington, D.C. business owner, bought 1,200 acres in the hills above Berkeley Springs, W.V. The property featured a home built in 1913 by John Herbert Quick called Coolfont in reference to the springs in the area. In 1965, the Coolfont hotel opened followed by cabins, spa and wellness center, conference center, and recreational facilities. The resort remained a popular destination until it closed in 2005.

The Carl M. Freeman Company bought the property from Ashelman that year and developed grand ideas for a bustling resort. However, a year later company president Joshua Freeman died in a helicopter crash. Without Joshua, The Freeman Company abandoned their plans and the property. The buildings fell into a dismal and decaying state for over a decade.

On June 21, 2016, Larry Omps bought a 252-acre tract and the Coolfont structures at an auction at Cacapon Resort State Park. The necessary utility permits came with the sale, but a long and complicated renovation lay ahead.

Ongoing Renovation

Over the years, the vacant resort attracted vandals who broke every window in each building which allowed the structures to rapidly deteriorate. Years of neglect along with the effects from the harsh winters left truly little to be salvaged in the Lodge. “Only the ceiling beams are original,” said Mr. Omps. “We replaced everything else with new materials.”

To his credit, Mr. Omps did not want to tear down the Coolfont structures he inherited in 2016. His focus revolved around keeping the historic character of the resort, adhering to state conservation standards, and uplifting the guest experience.

“The key to the renovation was planning the work in stages,” said Mr. Omps. “We took it step by step, starting with the necessary infrastructure which was tremendously challenging. Then we began the renovations, starting with the Lodge where we wanted to maintain the warmth of the wood. That theme carries throughout the property.”

Mr. Omps did not use an architecture firm for the project. He managed the construction process and drew inspiration from Adirondack Mountain lodge resorts and his trips to Wyoming. The lodge has a cozy, rustic feel. “And I really wanted to create a Cheers-like atmosphere in the bar to foster a sense of community for guests and locals,” he said.

Up the hill from the lodge, the A-frame cabin renovations are nearly complete. These wooded retreats offer comfortable accommodations, kitchen facilities, jacuzzies, and Dish TV, but no Wi-Fi or cell service. At the time of my visit, one original cabin still stood in Coolfont’s Alpine Village. You can see the arduous work the Omps family and the staff have poured into this property.

In 2020, Coolfont Resort and Larry Omps earned the Rural-Owned Small Business of the Year from the West Virginia Small Business Development Center. The Omps family also owns two other hotels in Berkeley Springs, the County Inn and Best Western. During peak tourist season, the family employs about one hundred people.

What Guests Can Do

Coolfont Resort takes you back to a simpler time. Guests enjoy long walks in the woods, tennis, pickleball, and swimming in a large salt water indoor pool. (48 laps equals one mile.) Summer family fun happens at the lake with pedal boats, double-man kayaks, canoes, and single-man kayaks available for rent. A fitness center provides all the equipment for a good indoor workout. Additional activities include volleyball, horseshoes, shuffleboard, cornhole, frisbee golf course, and a game room. The new outdoor restaurant deck offers beautiful views of the lake.

Treetop Restaurant and Bar is a hit with hotel guests and locals. Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, the menu features homemade soups, hearty entrees, creative salads, and rich desserts. Management books musical acts throughout the summer weekends. (Berkeley Springs Brewing Company operates on the Coolfont property. Mr. Omps owns the building, but the brewery and restaurant remain separate entities from the resort.)

Under Ashelman ownership, Coolfont hosted conferences for federal employees and celebrations. Today, Coolfont Resort continues to be a popular event venue. With large indoor spaces and outdoor areas, the property offers the perfect backdrop for weddings, meetings, conferences, and parties. “It is also a great place to host family reunions,” said Mr. Omps. Treetop Restaurant provides onsite event catering.

Do not worry, guests get internet access in the Lodge, Bear’s Den and Woodland House. However, there is no cell phone service or Wi-Fi in the cabins. Dish TV is available in all accommodations.

Opening Soon

Work is underway on a Coolfont campground for tent camping and RV’s along with a camping general store and bathhouse. Plans include more activities for children such panning for gold.

How to Get to Coolfont Resort

Coolfont Resort is about 60 miles west of Hagerstown, Md., off I-70. It is a 15-minute drive from Hancock, Md. Visitors cross the Potomac River on Route 522 into West Virginia. The closest airports are Hagerstown, BWI Marshall, and Washington Dulles.

Coolfont Resort: 3621 Cold Run Valley Road, Berkeley Springs, WV  25411

Phone: (304) 500-0500 | https://coolfont.com/

Check out the abandoned resort in this video: Abandoned Mountainside Chalet (youtube.com)

Elizabeth Tuico is a marketer and writer living in Washington, D.C.