life as few know it at america’s resort
what do you get when you combine world class dining, pristine interior design & good, old fashioned hospitality? a 5-star resort. well then, what happens when you add a 200+ year history, a cold war-era bunker & 11,000 untouched acres in the foothills of the allegheny mountains? you get the greenbrier - america's resort.
as soon as you walk into the grand entrance (and after you're given a complimentary glass of champagne) you'll notice the colorful wallpaper and decor. dorothy draper, one of the first professional interior designers, was tasked with redecorating the hotel in 1946. in just over a year, she transformed the former military hospital into the bright and over-the-top property that it is today. when researching more about ms. draper, i learned that she was once told green + blue didn’t go together — appalled she said, “the sky is blue. the grass is green. if it’s good enough for God it’s good enough for me!” it was, and still is, a big deal. i mean, the grand reveal party (one that lasted three days i might add) included the duke and duchess of windsor, bing crosby, sam snead & the kennedy family, among others. i could go on & on about the history — if you’re interested in more, check out a full timeline here.
if you think this decor is just reserved to the main guest spaces you’re wrong because the rooms are just as lavish. the hotel has over 700 rooms including guest suites and estate homes. many of the guest cottages, like paradise row, alabama row & baltimore row have been around since the 1830s!
the greenbrier has a dress code policy, and while some may find it archaic, i think it's what's preserved the integrity of the institution. everyone from former presidents and dignitaries, golf legends and famous entrepreneurs have sought relaxation here. since 1778, visitors have been traveling to the area for the healing waters & mountain air. it's one of those places that you can keep coming back to because there's just so much to do. they offer over 50 different activities including falconry, off-roading and skeet shooting. if golf is more your speed, there's three award winning courses for you to explore. the pga even held tours here. prefer pampering? the spa offers massages, facials and mediation. traveling with family? take your kids to the pool (there's an indoor and outdoor one) during the day, then try bowling, or catch a movie. feeling lucky? test it out at the casino club with 37 gaming tables, 300+ slot machines and live sports betting. once you’re here, there’s literally no reason to leave, though the neighboring town of lewisburg has been called one of america’s coolest small towns.
the greenbrier is practically perfect at every season. spring blooms magnificently with manicured grounds & greens; in the fall, gorgeous hues of reds and yellows paint the surrounding mountains; and come winter after a snowfall, the resort transforms into a true wonderland with decorative lights to dazzle. a horse drawn carriage/sleigh ride is one of the best ways to explore the property & they offer tours by reservation daily.
by now you can imagine that the food here is equally as impressive. the hotel boasts 20 different dining and lounging options, each with their own flavor and design. jj's sports lounge is a great place to grab pub food - if you can call it that, it's still pretty gourmet.
for your true, three course meal, you can't go wrong with prime 44 west. named after the legendary west virginia native and the silhouette of the nba logo jerry west, prime 44 west is your classic steak house. it features fresh local ingredients and the best aged beef & seafood options. the dessert is pretty killer too (check it out below).
if you're looking for a classic cocktail try the lobby bar. (fun fact: the chandelier in the room is from gone with the wind!) round out your stay with breakfast in the main dining room (pictured below) and you'll have sampled the best dining that west virginia has to offer. the buffet-style breakfast is anything but your typical buffet. you'll find an omelet station, freshly prepared pastries and fruit, plus lox + caviar to go with your bagel.
you can't leave the greenbrier without touring the cold war bunker. this bunker, which was kept hidden for 30 years, was built to house the united states congress in case of an emergency. no one suspected a thing because it was built in conjunction with the west virginia wing. in 1992, a reporter came snooping around and exposed the secret. today you can tour the bunker and see the dormitories, the re-created house & senate chambers and the cafeteria.
hospitality is at the heart of the greenbrier and i think that’s why visitors have such fond memories of the place. i’ve spent summer vacations, christmas & weekend excursions at the greenbrier and it seems to get more special with each visit. if you have the chance, i hope the greenbrier is on your travel short list.
and if you are in the area, you’re a stones throw away from america’s newest national park, new river gorge! more on how to spend a day in the park here.