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Isabelle Baldwin/Alexandria Living Magazine
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Isabelle Baldwin/Alexandria Living Magazine
Nestled below the Appalachian Mountain Range in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia, rests The Greenbrier. This historic landmark and world-class resort is set on 11,000 acres of forest floor and a mere 8 miles from the Allegheny Trailhead — both seem untouched by time.
The Greenbrier received its first guests in 1778 and over the proceeding 235 years, it has housed an eclectic variety of visitors. From celebrities, (notably Debbie Reynolds, Eleanor Roosevelt, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor) to PGA tour members, Presidents (precisely 27 of our country’s 45) and U.S. Army troops.
Entering the grand upper lobby for the first time evokes an almost movie-like elation, with spectacular awe and giddiness carried below every Victorian-era portrait.
With eloquently colored hallways, checkered floors, and floral chintz armchairs, it feels as though Dorothy Draper’s presence lingers far beyond the corridors. Draper, who was commissioned to renovate The Greenbrier in the mid-1940s, believed that it is “just as disastrous to have the wrong accessories in your room as it is to wear sport shoes with an evening dress.” Draper designed hundreds of rooms at the Greenbrier, and her personal favorite was the Victorian Writing Room.
With 103,000 square feet of space, The Greenbrier today is a family-friendly resort. The Outdoor Infinity Pool on a 90-degree summer day provides a sanctuary for guests of all ages. The surrounding natural mineral springs first lured guests to the Greenbrier, but today, it doesn't take more than a dip underwater, where the soothing tunes of summer hits play on repeat, and a whiff of fresh, mountain air to feel a desire to stay.
As the sun sets over the Blue Ridge and the bustle of the grounds begins to dissipate, the staff quietly assemble signs on each floor that offer a warm reminder, "It's Sleepy Time Down South."
Family Friendly Activities
Bunker tour: Dive into history with a 90-minute behind-the-scenes tour of the famous presidential bunker. Carved deep into the mountainside beneath the West Virginia Wing, this once long-kept secret, is an emergency Cold War fallout shelter and top-secret government relocation facility for Congress, ready to be rediscovered. Bunker Tours provide an in-depth look into the hidden doors and passageways of the famous resort, an aspect of that is solely unique to the Greenbrier.
Outdoor Activities: There are many outdoor activities offered for adventurous guests, such as guided and non-guided hikes, meditation trails, biking, and horseback riding through the Allegheny Mountains, kayaking on the Greenbrier or Jackson River, fishing on Howard’s Creek, tennis lessons, falconry, canopy and alpine tours, paintball, paddle boarding, and whitewater rafting on West Virginia’s famous New River Gorge.
Swimming: Enjoy the option between the Outdoor Infinity Pool and 30-meter, heated Indoor Pool. The Indoor Pool is adjacent to the Greenbrier’s infamous mineral spa, where lucky guests will be able to smell the calming accents of lavender and tea tree oil while enjoying a quick dip between meals. The state-of-the-art Outdoor Infinity Pool is heated at a comfortable 80 degrees and overlooks one of many picturesque golf courses.
Movie theatre: The perfect way to end a busy day of rambunctious activities for the family. The Greenbrier Theatre hosts nightly movie screenings ranging from 1930’s classics like The Wizard of Oz to current-day animations like Coco and Peter Rabbit. Movies are often offered alongside popcorn made from a vintage machine, free to any attendee.
Bowling: Among the favorite indoor activities, the Greenbrier features a beautiful eight-lane bowling alley alongside an arcade room and pool tables. All lanes have automatic scoring and built-in kiddie bumpers for inexperienced bowlers.
Golf: The Greenbrier has a longstanding history with world-class golf. Designed and constructed in 1914, the courses have stood the test of time, drawing in guests and celebrities for the better half of a century. The Greenbrier offers private lessons, playing lessons, club fittings, half-day schools, and various clinics and is home to a collection of five luxurious golf courses, all of which are almost too beautiful to play on, but of course, that never stopped Arnold Palmer.
Afternoon Tea: Traditional Afternoon Tea is offered daily for guests in the grand Upper Lobby from 4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tea is served with freshly-prepared pastries, warm cookies, and live piano music and/or dancers.
Dining
Main Dining Room: For breakfast, enjoy the dazzling surroundings of the Main Dining Room which has been in operation for over 100 years. With custom-made chandeliers, grandiose arched windows, and stately columns, the ambiance of the dining room is the epitome of dignified Southern charm. Breakfast is much less a buffet than it is a feast full of fresh, local fruit, namely the famous Greenbrier peach. Eggs are prepared any way imaginable, Southern grits are as delicious as can be expected, and homemade waffles and pancakes await your arrival to be enhanced by maple syrup, honey, and of course, more peaches.
Draper’s: Although the Greenbrier offers numerous options for lunch, including Sam Snead’s, Slammin Sammy’s, The Pizza Shoppe, and the poolside Three Tops Cafe, nothing shines quite as brightly as Draper’s. Draper’s overlooks the beautiful Casino Club, a view which members of all ages can appreciate. The restaurant is as colorful as any Dorothy Draper room and is designed as a tribute to the late decorator. Serving both lunch and dinner, the menu will prove to be a cheerful challenge to navigate, with options as vibrant as the decor, honorable mentions include the Fried Green Tomato Sandwich and Draper’s Chicken Pot Pie.
Adult Activities
Casino: Self-described as Monte Carlo meets Gone With The Wind, the Casino Club at the Greenbrier combines high-class style with high roller thrills, creating an atmosphere that would be any gambler or leisure poker player’s utopia. The Casino Club offers world-class gaming surrounded by live entertainment, international cuisine, and elegant boutique shopping.
Spa: The world-renowned mineral spa and med spa offer a variety of relaxing services to bring guest’s ultimate comfort. The mineral spa presents guests with a multitude of treatments from whirlwind bath services to meditative healing properties of the native sulfur waters.
