Who knew that in the middle of nowhere (aka Greenbrier County, W.Va.) there’s a palatial resort that’s been the top vacation destination for royals, notable high-ranking government officials and their families and even Hollywood celebrities for more than 235 years.
Now a National Historic Landmark, The Greenbrier sits on more than 11,000 acres in a small town amid the awe-inspiring West Virginia Mountains, offering guests from all over the world a luxury resort experience unlike any other. From the moment you step foot on the grounds and observe the massive white structure and the perfectly manicured lawn, you’ll realize that the care that goes into maintaining the property is an indication of how the staff cares for their guests. Not only are they polite and friendly, but also each person goes above and beyond to make guests feel welcome while helping those guests in ways that would be considered far above the minimum. It’s clear The Greenbrier has spent the past 200 years perfecting customer service.
The Greenbrier so distinctive thanks to its vibrant, flamboyant décor—more specifically the patterns that make up that décor! The resort was given its distinguishing facelift in 1946 by renowned interior decorator Dorothy Draper. To this day, Draper’s bold taste and fearlessness to mix color and patterns can still be seen in every corner of the resort, from the hallways and the guest rooms, all the way to the restaurant that was named in her honor.
If you are looking for a wholesome place to relax with one other person, a place that the entire family could enjoy or an exciting new place to hold a meeting or gathering, I encourage you to look into The Greenbrier.
Lodging options
There are a ton of lodging options on the property to accommodate almost any type of vacation you might have. These rooms are what make this resort unique because no two are decorated the same. The first, and most basic, are simple guest rooms. These rooms come with one king-size bed or two doubles and a bathroom. Although these rooms do range in size, the Superior Rooms being the largest and the Gables Rooms the smallest, none are large enough to accommodate more than 4 people at a time (comfortably).
The second option is a classic suite. This option gives guests an opportunity to entertain by providing a little more space through some form of a living area. The Garden Suites and the Draper Suites are both one-bedroom suites, offering a king-size bed or two doubles, along with the option of a queen-size pullout sofa bed. The West Virginia Suites are also one-bedroom suites with two double beds. However, its entertainment parlor is completely separate from the bedroom. The Executive Suite is the largest classic suite option, with two bedrooms and a separate large parlor with a wet bar.
The third option is one of the Historic Suites. These suites are multibedroom suites with parlor space large enough to entertain from 12 to 150 guests. These rooms have at least one special feature that includes elegant foyers, wet bars, multiple entrances and even a few rooftop terraces.
The fourth option, and final option within the main building, is a room or suite within the Windsor Club. The Windsor Club is a collection of deluxe accommodations paired with premier service. But what makes the Windsor Club so exclusive is the fact that it is located within an entire wing of the hotel that you cannot gain access to if you are not one of those guests (or a guest of one of those guests).
The final lodging option, and to many the most exciting, are the Legacy Cottages located throughout the property. These cottages are multibedroom complexes that come in the form of stand-alone homes in Copeland Hill, or as a unit within a “cottage row.” These cottages give guests the feeling of seclusion without alienation. Most cottages have kitchens, porch access and a shuttle that will take them anywhere on the property.
Activities
There are so many activities on-site that you honestly may not get through them all during one vacation. Guests are treated to more than 55 world-class activities that take place both indoors and outdoors. In addition to those activities, daily activities are added that are season specific. Each morning a daily calendar becomes available in the lobby and throughout the hotel to inform guests of that ever-changing list.
The resort is probably most known for its collection of five renowned golf courses: The Old White TPC, The Greenbrier, The Meadows, Oakhurst Links and The Snead. Each of these courses has been played by the greats and most have left their mark on golf history. For instance, Oakhurst Links is the oldest golf club designed and built in America. And notably, The Old White TPC is the home of The Greenbrier Classic, a PGA Tour FedEx Cup Event. Although guests are welcome to play, there are limited tee times for non-guests on most courses.
Although golf is a huge draw, it doesn’t even scratch the surface of the activities offered on the property. There is a world-class Casino Club located in the basement of the main building (where a strict dress code applies). In that same building, guests will find an array of boutique-like shops lining the halls. The resort also has a bowling alley, an indoor and outdoor pool, an aerial adventure course, an alpine climbing tower, an art colony, several bike trails, a bunker (with daily tours being offered), a zipline course, a non-denominational chapel, a croquet lawn, a fitness center, a complete gun club (equipped with skeet fields and a 10-station sporting clays course), off-roading vehicles and a paintball course, among others.
However, no Greenbrier activity list is complete without mention of the spa. Since 1778 people have flocked to the Greenbrier to “take the water” and bathe in the white sulfur spring water. Today, The Greenbrier’s world-renowned mineral spa allows guests to relax in the same native waters while offering a variety of spa services.
Megan Pinckney (@shadesofpinck) is a retired beauty queen turned lifestyle blogger who loves exploring the world and writing about it.
