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The Greenbrier
Categories: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Beauty and Spas Day Spas Arts & Entertainment Casinos Hotels, Day Spas, Casinos [Edit]
300 W Main StWhite Sulphur Springs, WV 24986
(304) 536-1110
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
26 reviews for The Greenbrier
Review Highlights
"...outstanding, they have multiple golf courses to choose from..."
(in 5 reviews)
"like the power walk or skeet shooting."
(in 4 reviews)
"This is truly a great historic resort to visit."
(in 14 reviews)
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26 reviews in English
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Review from shane m.
Greensboro, NC
2/6/2012
Drove in to look at the place, then went to Draper's for lunch...ended up getting a room for the night. If you go, join I prefer (their loyalty club) as you get some upgrades and can just book through their website for good package deals. (250 a night with bfast for 2).
Deluxe King room was huge, awesome bathroom with seperate tub/shower/toilet. The decor is what makes this place cool. Service is not as polished as you might think for a 5 star. They are good...not great. You can park anywhere on property for free...if you dont want to spring for the valet.
We would go back and plan to spend some time. -
Review from Chris K.
Pittsburgh, PA
10/28/2011
This is our all-time favorite resort, made even better over the last two years since Jim Justice bought it and brought it back to it's glory.
There are so many activities, you can never do them all in one stay. Great golf, super indoor and outdoor tennis, beautiful pools ( the indoor one is mosaic!), world-class spa, horseback riding (they bring the horses up to the hotel for you!), falconry, biking, fishing, skeet and trap shooting, climbing, hiking movies, bowling, pool tables and more.
The food at all of the restaurants is very good to excellent, and there's 24 hour room service. (The breakfast buffet in the Main Dining Room is to die for!) The facility is the grand old south at it's finest, with huge public rooms, high ceilings, fires in the fireplaces, free tea at 4:15, antiques galore, and wild decor first established by Dorothy Draper, and carried on by Carlton Varney.
The new casino (for guests only) looks like it's been there for years... And it's not loud or crowded... Very genteel.( there's a dress code... Men must wear jackets after 7 pm.) And the shopping! Great!
There is also a world-class health clinic that is a super place for a full physical! Get all the testing and exams done in one place with friendly, personable docs and nurses. (We go to the clinic every year on Thursday - Friday, and then stay for the weekend to treat ourselves.) But the best part is the friendly and gracious staff, willing to do anything to make your stay wonderful. It's the nicest place you'll ever stay. -
Review from Sarah B.
White Sulphur Springs, WV
10/19/2011
We went to celebrate our thirteenth wedding anniversary this past weekend. Our previous visit had been when the resort was on the market and being potentially sold to Marriott. What a difference! Jim Justice has really put the sparkle back into this diamond!
The resort was immaculate. The service was exceptional! The food was great. I was so happy to see that the Greenbrier has their own 40 acre farm where they source a lot of their food from.
The Greenbrier is the best of what the South has to offer. It is a beautiful setting and the resort has a sense of grandeur to it. The new Casino really sparkles and we enjoyed playing there in the evenings.
The other guests are almost as friendly as the staff and so there is a wonderful sense of friendliness and fun.
All I can say is thank God for Jim Justice because he has saved this wonderful historical place and given back as a gift to all of us. -
Review from Elaine O.
10/11/2011
Wonderful resort if you want to relax, be pampered and immerse yourself in an atmosphere of Monte Carlo meets Gone with the Wind. We stayed in a cottage and it was very special, huge bedroom with 4 poster bed, dressing room, walk in closet, lovely bathroom and a separate sitting room with wet bar, mini fridge, fireplace and lots of comfy chairs and sofa. The porch had two comfy chairs with a little table and even an outlet to plug in the laptop etc. It was a short stroll to the main building where we enjoyed complimentary afternoon tea in the lobby and the casino club in the evening. The club is guests only and has a dress code, no loud music or smoking and at 10pm every day the Greenbrier dancers appear in white crinolines, men in tails and spats and they waltz through the casino whilst guests toast one another with a glass, or two, of complimentary champagne. Somehow the new owner has managed to meld civility and culture with warmth and charm and it is not stuffy at all. We were able to rent bikes, hike trails, swim and could have done some skeet shooting, falconry, fly fishing, golf etc. etc.
The staff greet you by name and are very attentive and kind without seeming fake. We flew in to Charleston about a 2 hr lovely drive through the mountains, one can also land in the little local airport or ride the train from Washington DC to the depot across the street from the hotel.
Hopefully we will be able to go back again, it is worth saving for. -
Review from Lisa P.
Long Beach, CA
I''ve been here maybe 5 times over the last 30 years. Am near the end of a weeklong visit. Definitely the best I've seen it. Not a blemish anywhere. Perfection in the landscaping. Restaurants serve good food. Is there any place where the staff are more attentive, helpful and pleasant? The new owner really gets it. Spa services are excellent... Try Kate's Mountain Ker. Sports galore.
The wi-fi is part of the daily resort fee that is charged as part of your stay. -
Review from Meg H.
Asheville, NC
7/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
I went back in May with some friends. I'll be honest, when I found out we were going, I was like "WHERE??" I had no idea the history fo this place. We stayed in one of the cottages. The cottage was beautiful and the actual bedrooms were HUGE. Each one had it's own private bath. They had a walk in closet. I had packed enough clothes for a month stay (we were there 4 days) but I had enough room to spread out.
The level of service is why this place is rated so highly. It doesn't get any better than the Greenbrier and they do their best to make you feel welcome. Ask and ye shall recieve, indeed.
The restaurants were good. Only had the breakfast buffet once, but it was excellent (Main Dining). The place we ate most frequently was Draper's which had good old southern cooking. Service at night could be a bit slow but when we had tickets to see a play there (yes, there is a theatre AT the resort), they obliged our request for a speedy meal. We dined twice at Sam Snead's (meh), had snacks at the coffee shop across from Drapers (I cannot recall the name??) but the best meal by far was at Prime 44 West. Try the steak, you will not be disappointed. We never had a chance to try the Asian place but we plan on returning next year, so we'll give it a go then.
If you want room service at 3a.m. a fancy man will bring it to you. We felt rather ridiculous sitting on our porch in bum clothes, whilst the fancy waiter drove our late night snacks in a van and laid out a white table cloth on the table w/ the silver trays and all.
Spa - Oh the spa. It was truly THE spa experience from start to finish. They even have a relaxation room you can hang out in, louge chairs, magazines, music headsets, lemonade, water or hot tea. I chose the hot stone massage, which was wonderful. The other ladies chose more involved treatments (masks, soaks, etc.) and all said the same. It was by far the best spa experience I've ever had.
Golf - I didn't play golf but my husband did every day. I will have to update later what he liked but there were courses he preferred more than others. He loved that you could bring your clubs to the clubhouse on day 1 and they'd store it for you all week. And shine your shoes. Or something, I stopped paying attention once he started talking golf.
Casino - I was thinking it might be a little cheesy...but it was actually quite nice. I learned how to play black jack (well...sort of) and had fun at the slots. If you play the slots at the front, you win more. I don't know why, but that was my luck. And when I say win, I mean you will probably lose all you made more more, but it's fun to have actual coins come out after several attempts instead of an immediate GAME OVER from the rest of the slots. The cocktail lounge is nice...and equestrian themed. They have an evening champagne toast and waltz, which is interesting to watch, especially when you see what those poor girls have to wear (get your minds out of the gutter and go the opposite way).
Things to Do - There are million things to do at the resort so you never have to leave. Which is probably good b/c the rest of the town looked like it wasn't hopping, save a winery that had alpacas! It rained almost every day we were there so we didn't get to do all the things we'd planned. We did do the President's Cottage tour. Our friends did the bunker tour and said it was interesting. I would have liked to have done the grounds tour and interior tour. Next trip! This place has so much history it is amazing. You would not believe the list of things you can do there...horseback riding, carriage rides, aerobics classes (their fitness facility is AWESOME!), off roading lessons, falconry (yes, falconry!), skeet shooting, etc.
One of the other things we did is see a little "musical/play" at the theater. It was jazz themed and pretty good. They also play fairly new movies there.
Shopping - Yes, they have shopping. Pretty much anything you can think of if you are willing to pay the price! There is also a little row of shops by the Presidents Cottages, the Art Colony Shops. Mostly local artisans, but lots of unique stuff. If you go into the pottery place, DO NOT PICK anything up or you will be scolded. My friend learned the hard way. And we are old people.
Never got to go to the pool (damn you rain and cold weather!) but they sure did look nice!
One thing I will warn you on....this place is not cheap. We got the bed/breakfast/golf package, which we knew ahead of time on cost, but we ended up with QUITE the hefty bill when we left because every little thing costs SO much. Instead of raiding the mini fridge/bar like we did, I suggest stocking up on your alcohol before you get there. If you get a cottage there is plenty of room for that or you could bring a cooler to keep your beer/mixers cool. Bring snacks too, so you don't end up eating $10 pretzels (maybe it wasn't that bad. I don't know). Note: You may not encounter this problem if you are not a drinker. -
Review from Tom H.
Sterling, VA
5/26/2011
The Greenbrier is beautiful and romantic.
My wife and I spent our honeymoon here (March 2011). We stayed in one of the Spring Row Cottages. Everything was amazing, especially the food and the bunker tour. Some things (like food) are a little over-priced, but that is expected at such a top-notch resort. We really enjoyed the bunker tour - highly recommend it if you haven't done that yet.
We booked a special "honeymoon" package, and they forgot to give us the chocolates, flowers, and welcome champagne included. A call to the front desk got those to us quickly. I think being in the cottage put us "off the map" a little. They also didn't give us the daily paper even though the front desk asked us which paper we wanted during check-in - again probably just something about being in the cottages. A call to the front desk got us the paper once.
Overall, we loved the luxurious accommodations, gorgeous mountain scenery, and old-fashoned decor. This is truly a great historic resort to visit.
We came on the train (Amtrak) from Manassas, VA. Highly recommend going on the train to anyone who is seeking a full back-in-time experience.
We will definitely return, next time staying in the main hotel building and going with a discount package for off-season or something :-). Such a fun place to visit! -
Review from Robert D.
Wayne, PA
11/18/2010
GREAT!!!!!!!!! needs a lil update....some of the wallpaper is outdated while others will never go out of style
its def a refuge for wasps to run away too.... its Huge hotel with so much to do for everyone... great if u want to get rid of the kids.... they can just get lost in the underground bunker
food is good.......if u like wearing your sports jacket and having a manhattan on a rocking chair overlooking the rolling mountains of w.v.....then this is the place for you
the casino needs to go........ -
Review from Kim N.
Washington, DC
4/19/2010
Spent last weekend here as part of a ladies' spa weekend.
We had reserved a cottage for the 5 of us. When we checked in, they told us that we'd be pretty cozy and offered to upgrade us -- for an extra $200 -- to a two-bedroom suite. The suite was really nice and spacious, but I think nearly $700 for one night is a bit much. it didn't seem that much since we'd already paid for the cottage so an extra $40 didn't seem to be a hefty amount. At least our room came with a spa discount, $25 food/entertainment voucher, etc.
Price aside, the stay was great. Service was impeccable. The room was very spacious and well-maintained. Be prepared for FLORAL wallpaper! The beds were really comfy also.
The estate is HUGE! We never even wandered outside! I strolled around the shops for a bit, and there's some cute stuff to be had. There's also an internet "cafe" area with some standalone computers, connected to the internets. No fee.
Valet is $25/night, and when we checked out, they took our luggage from room to car!
See separate reviews for the eateries we went to (Draper's Cafe and Prime 44) and the spa. -
Review from Charles R.
Conshohocken, PA
10/9/2011
Would give it 5 except for all the problems with reservations.
I think when you give someone a 50% deposit for a room 6 months in advance that the room you were guranteed would be available. At check in I was told that no king beds were left, and would have to take 2 doubles. When I showed the clerk my email from 6 months ago she talked to someone else and after about 10 minutes they did find a king bed. She was sorry it took so long, but said that with 700 rooms it takes a long time to go thru their system. Hmmm, they can't find a software system to take care of problems like that?
Ok, I was told that to call 6-8 weeks in advance for dining reservations. Started calling 9 weeks ago only to find out the main dining room was booked already for Friday night. They booked us into the steak house and was wait listed for the main room. Bit of advice, when you give them your deposit, tell them where you want to eat and you want an email confirmation. They don't open the reservation books until 10 weeks before , but I was told they can always put you on the list for the places you want. Ok the third problem was that I called Wednesday afternoon to see about the main dining room and nothing had changed, I asked if Fusion in the Casino was open and I was told yes. WRONG. Got to Fusion at 7 and it was closed. Went to the Forum and was told they were sold out until well after 9. Asked if we could get into the steak house and was told no, they are also closed. Turns out they close restaurants if they don't think there are enough people to fill them, so beware.
Finally went down to the golf club and ate dinner there. Amazing that once again their reservation people on Wednesday had no clue what dining options were open for the next day. Long story short one of the floor managers made arrangements for us to eat in the Main Dining room on Friday night which was very nice.
Ok, those were the bad things and not good for a place that bills itself as a 5 Star resort. They should not get confused on the rooms like that and they should send an email if they are closing dining rooms.
The wonderful things are the staff and the property itself. Have been alll over and every single person here was wonderful and tried to help and serve you as best they could.
Dinner at the golf club was good, but the lunches are better. Order the burgers, they were great, and the view looking down the first fairway and onto the mountains was beautiful. Tree's were just starting to turn and the weather was perfect. They serve different wines at every different restaurant, which was nice since you could try lots of kinds.
Dinner at the Main Dining Room was wonderful. Amy, who oversees the room couldn't have been nicer. I didn't see trout on the menu's when we arrived , but the lady at the golf club told the Main room my request on Thursday and sure enough, Amy called the room on Friday and I had the best trout I've ever had. Wonderful room with great service. Think there is live music most nights, for sure Friday and Saturday.
If you are going to this resort you really need to eat one meal at the Main room.
Yes, you have to take off your torn jeans after 7, and yes men must wear sportcoats most everywhere and even a tie in the Main room, but once in a while it's nice to be at a place where people have to dress. What's so hard about throwing on a sport coat I don't know, but there are always a couple of idiots that say they didn't know and can I eat here anyway. Folks, the answer will be a polite , but firm NO. Good for them, they have rules and they maintain them.
Lots to do, beautiful setting, and pricey.
Would go back, but next time I have numbers of managers to make sure there is no confusion. -
Review from Ronnie C.
Washington, DC
2/9/2009
30 miles from White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, I found myself in a bar where the dirt is carried in from the parking lot and gets ground into the floor in a process as gradual and imperceptible as the forces that grind its patrons into tacit acceptance that they will spend every weekend at this bar that is located on a street between their former high school and their local cemetery.
The grit contrasted with the silver and black Foosball table. It had never been used. After our second game she told me, "Your writing needs more structure." I was indignant, "Stream of consciousness Yelp reviews aren't good enough for you?" She shook her head; moments later she would batter my face with the fist that had recently been employed in the transportation of a glass of Wild Turkey 151 to her gullet. Her critique lingered longer than the mild bruising. Writing was architecture and I was building a shantytown.
It's not surprising that this conversation took place after a day at the Greenbrier Resort. The Greenbrier is an anachronism whose decor, activities and hospitality all evoke the antebellum South as seen through the filter of the Lost Generation. I expected to see Jay Gatsby strolling in front of the Greenbrier's stark, antiseptic white buildings, which could all pass for 19th century hospitals or large plantation houses. The interiors are the opposite of the unadorned exterior, exploding in ostentatiousness from the crystal chandeliers to the floral patterned carpet on the floors.
"Ostentatious" is not exactly a complimentary word, and yet that is all there is to describe the interior. In Arkansas, my grandmother has a room full of vaguely expensive looking colonial furniture and statuary. No one is allowed in this gilded "living room" and attempting to sit on any of the furniture results in a gentle chiding and relocation. Imagine your grandmother was given the resources to decorate a decadent hotel. She would create a Disney World for octogenarians. Indeed, you will see many old women quietly sitting in chairs throughout the common areas. One gets the impression that the Greenbrier in winter is the world's fanciest hospice facility.
However, it was never the decor that convinced us to drive four hours to a strange state; we came for the activities. The website's glib descriptions of "off-road driving," "croquet" and "falconry" just provided more room for our imaginations to fill in the gaps. Imagined affixing a saddle to my falcon and solving mysteries together. All those things were icing on the cake, and the cake was made out of a Cold War fallout shelter housed under the Greenbrier's medical wing.
We styled ourselves as "Nuclear Tourists." We vaguely expected others to have the same motivation. They would come from around the nation, clad in radiation suits or those lead smocks you wear during X-rays, looking to crib notes and inspiration for their personal fallout shelters. Instead, we got a gaggle of pleasant middle aged couples with their pants high and their hair slickly parted to one side.
The tour was interesting, but I didn't feel I learned much more than I did reading articles and looking at pictures of the bunker. You don't get to see a great deal of the bunker, as much of it is now used for corporate document storage. The areas you do see have been redecorated for the Greenbrier's cooking courses or they were open to the public during the bunker's operational period, so you never really get the sense that you're seeing a top-secret facility that you were never meant to set eyes upon. Also, the tour guide that couldn't answer question about the blast radius of a Hydrogen Bomb or the bunker's protection from electromagnetic pulses. These are things a nuclear fallout shelter tour guide should know.
After the shelter, we explored the grounds in the wane sunlight of February. It was warm, but there was still enough ice on the ponds to support the weight of multiple geese. Walking the sloping hills of the Greenbrier allows for the kind of conversation you can't have in the din of a DC sidewalk. A walk where a pause isn't awkward and a person kept at arms length can become real; then special. We sat on the grass and shared our favorite anecdotes involving vomit.
The fine treatment you will receive from the Greenbrier staff can only be found at its unique crossroads of "five-star hotel" and "southern hospitality." Everything is charged to the room, but they don't check room keys for afternoon tea, so have a cup and a scone and play chess at one of the solid wood chess tables. The tabletop flips to become a backgammon board and there are dominoes and checkers, if you're so inclined. The staff is always incredibly nice, they always smile genuinely at you and refer to you as ma'am or sir even if your social station does not require such titles.
The Greenbrier is, succinctly put, 'Da Bomb", but the high cost and aged vibe mean I probably won't return. -
Review from Paul M.
12/7/2009
I used to come to the Greenbrier once a year for a work conference.
It's a big, beautiful place, and there are some gorgeous rooms, views, landscapes and activities, but I was never really that impressed by the service there.
It competes with the homestead in Hot Springs and Bedford Spring resort in PA for the luxury weekend away set. Bedford Springs is much nearer and much better value.
The bar is quite pleasant and they often have decent jazz singers there.
The overall decor in the rooms and throughout the hotel is a styler I like to describe as crazy southern mama - there is no rhyme nor reason to it just lots of fluff, checkers frills and bright colors. It is really due for a style overhaul as it is way too old fashioned. -
Review from Chet C.
Wilmington, NC
3/23/2010
My family and I spent the weekend at the Greenbrier hotel. None of us had ever been there and we were all amazed and the shear scale of this place. The resort is simply massive. The architecture is great. It actually takes you back to a time that most people only read about. We walked the grounds and the whole place is like that, you can just feel the history around you. I especially felt it when we went to their indoor pool. I've been in hundreds of indoor pools before, but never once have I seen anything like this, It looks like one of those pools in an old black and white film. Once we left their we made our way through the ball room. It's also done in the classic style and they've kept it very true to that. The whole place has kept true to the period in which it was built.
We had dinner in the Main Dining Room and the food was every bit as amazing as the architecture. I started out with their BBQ Chesapeake Bay oysters. Wow, both my wife and I couldn't believe just how good they really were. We then both followed the oysters their version of a lettuce wedge salad. This was by far the best wedge salads I've ever had. It was huge and covered with candied bacon and blue cheese. For our entrees I had the smoked pork loin with rosemary and honey glaze, and she had the caramelized onion crusted fillet mignon. There's not a word that I can say that fully describes just how good the pork loin was. She gave me a bite of her fillet and that was it, she wasn't parting with anymore than she had to. So dinner alone would be cause enough for me to give The Greenbrier five stars. But there's still more.
Our room was huge and wonderfully decorated. Everything was very clean and obviously top of the line while remaining very classic and luxurious in style. We had the single most comfortable king sized bed I've ever slept on in my life. Another perk for me was that they offered the complimentary bathrobes and mine actually fit. I'm a full figured gentleman and usually when a hotel leaves a bathrobe for you, it's rarely more than a medium. This one left me with room to spare. The bathroom and closet in our room were actually bigger than some hotel rooms I've staid in in the past.
In reading the map and watching their very informative information channel I found out that The Greenbrier has the widest variety of activities that I've ever seen. I thought going in that you could play golf or ride horse. I never imagined that you could take a course on off road driving, fly fishing, skeet shooting, or even get this, Falconry. I didn't even realize there was any place in this country that taught falconry. They also have a very nice casino downstairs. They have something for pretty much everybody.
Their staff is the most accommodating staff of any hotel I've ever been to. Everyone of them go above and beyond to make your stay an enjoyable one. They are all friendly and always greet you with a smile there. I felt welcome the entire time I was there and don't recall ever once having to open a door for myself. It was the greatest hotel experience I've ever had. I can't wait to go back again. -
Review from Jan S.
Bridgeport, WV
I just returned from an anniversary trip here. I gave it five stars because I felt like every time I return to The Greenbrier, they have improved something. I was married there and had an absoutely wonderful experience. Everything always seemed to be polished and shined up. Carpets have been kept/replaced in good condition. It is a quiet, serene environment where the service is top notch. I have never received bad service in any of the areas. During last Easter last year, and last summer I was worried that the afternoon tea was waning. I noticed they were using plain white cups and saucers. Oh my....! I am happy report the the traditional green cups are back..I do wish they offered sugar cubes instead of packets and a more varied tea selection. They offer ice tea, but not the fabulous peach tea. :( . I also wish they would make 'sweet water' avaiable during tea time.
Room service is a great little treat in the morning and their coffee is very good also. The pool area has a nice food area, and the jerk-shrimp cocktail was very good. Prime 44 has good steaks and great views. The dining room has music and optional dancing. I love Drapers, and was freaked out when they had to move when the casino was finished...but it is still great. I noticed in the casino that there is also an asian place that smelled amazing. This is still a great venu for romantic getaways or special family get togethers. You will experience great southern hospitality and manners. -
Review from John M.
Henrico, VA
6/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is one of two locations (The Homestead being the other) that take you back to the days of the 1920's where you could relax and feel wealthy. Spent the weekend there for a wedding. We had a hard time getting a waitress to get our food to us on time at lunch, but beyond that it was a great weekend. They even had in-room babysitting services so we could attend the wedding.
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Review from Angela G.
Garden Grove, CA
3/23/2009
I went as guest of friend who had a home on the Greenbrier resort. It's a lavish hotel but the super rich and wealthy have crazy huge gorgeous vacation homes(some mansions) all around it. With it comes access to all the greenbrier facilities and everything can be charged to the house instead of the room. (at a $100, 000 membership fee beside your million dollar home)
It's a beautiful hotel. Just breathtakingly timeless and extravagent. The pool facitlities are lovely-so lovely they make you want to come back in the wee hours of the night and sneak in for some late night fun.
Service is remarkable but of course it should be for the price people pay for rooms. Apparently back in the day this place had secret quarters to safe house the president and advisors in a national crisis situation.
I was there for a week, there is only so much swimming, putting and drinking you can do. We started to get pretty bored. So we went shopping and just happened to buy a bb gun for the hell of it. We went back and practiced shooting-don't think the super proper up tight neighbors like it very much. I think that put out the red flag that evil doers were on premises.
We also did a lil drinking and decided to sneak into the pool-just something to do (and very easy to do-a lil ridge hopping).
Somehow after a hour of playing around here come a whole bunch of flashlight. The calvary had arrived. We were taken down to the police station/office and interrogated for hours! Apparently we were there to steal stuff not just have some poolside fun. Wow, those Virginian simpletons need to learn to lighten up.
Long story short we were cited for trespassing. Considering I flew to Vegas 2 days later, I wasnt going to pay to go back to court. So I probably have a warrant for my arrest out there.
Such a criminal!
Beautiful, worthy of checking out if you have somebody else putting you up. But better mind your Ps and Qs don't do anything bad or you'll end up in handcuffs.
There are way more beautiful places out there where your actually encouraged to have fun. Go there instead. -
Review from Laura J.
Denver, CO
12/30/2009
I have mixed feelings about the Greenbrier. My grandmother used to take me walking around the grounds window shopping and for ice cream. It loomed large in my childhood memories.
I went back as an adult and found the current redecoration to be fabulously ugly in an old money way. I should have taken pictures since I can't describe the mix of large bold patterns and colors that don't quite work together.
For the past few years we went to Sunday brunch, which was at the golf club and featured breakfast and lunchen foods and lots of fabulous tiny deserts. This fall the Sunday brunch was no longer in operation so we went to the breakfast at the main dining room. It was also very good and we had the decor to mock.
I understand the bunker will be turned into a casino, and I am very disappointed that Greenbrier county passed legislation allowing gambling. I suspect it will be like the 3 Colorado towns that allowed gambling, a visual nightmare, and hopeful no expansion of gambling will be allowed (there or here). I wish I had toured the bunker before it was converted to a casino.Listed in: Places in WV I'd eat in again.
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Review from Josh E.
Brooklyn, NY
7/28/2008
The Greenbrier is an experience that is hard to describe in the words I'll give it here. It is a totally old fashioned resort that takes you back to a time and lifestyle that many would scoff at, but I think is a totally unique, eye opening, and educational experience. I will say it's prohibitively expensive. I don't know if I will ever go again because of that. These were family business trips, so I can only guess at the cost, but I know it would make me wet my pants.
But, with that money, you get treated like a kIng and you don't take out your wallet once while you're on the grounds. Everything goes to the "room." The food is excellent, the alcohol flows like a river, the grounds are beautiful and the activities are endless. There are three excellent golf courses that are mature with giant trees and a true sense of history along with a host of other outdoor activities for those not interested in golf. The manor/main hotel has a fascinating back story that is not to be missed.
Spending several days at The Greenbrier is like descending into a different time and a truly different place. -
Review from Alex H.
SOMA, San Francisco, CA
11/16/2008
I can't believe only one other person has written about the Greenbrier. I have been coming here almost yearly with my family since before I can remember and can honestly say the Greenbrier is by far the nicest, most welcoming resort I have ever had the opportunity to visit. The food is unbelievable - we typically split our time between a big table in the main dining room and one at the more casual steakhouse and have never been disappointed with a meal. I have yet to experience a dining experience that could compete with the dining room here. I haven't been in a couple years, so I can't remember any entrees specifically - but everything is wonderful.
Brunch is fabulous. There are tons of things to do during the day including an amazing spa (famous for waters from the White Sulphur Springs of Virginia), bowling alley, golf courses, multiple pools, croquet, afternoon tea, and much more.
Above all, the service here is impeccable. I have never met a friendlier, more hospitable staff. Josh is right - it takes you back to an old-world lifestyle that these days would I suppose make some uncomfortable, but is still hard to even compare. The Southern hospitality as this resort has always made me feel like home, and I can't wait to go back. Yes, the price is over the top, but is worth every penny. -
Review from Terri V.
Manhattan, NY
12/23/2008
The Greenbrier is Southern Traditional Americana at it's finest. Decorated by the late designer Dorothy Draper, each room takes on a different character because each room is adorned in its own unique style. Truly decadent, refined, elegant and amazing!
Throughout the hotel every room was decorated to the hilt with beautifully lit gigantic Christmas trees and poinsettas....charming during Christmas!
Absolutely incredible place for a wedding in the Cameo room, which is what brought us here.
This hotel and grounds are gargantuous and host 3 golf courses, a spa, shops, museums, a bowling alley, indoor pool, restaurants, bike and hiking trails, horseback riding, a list of daily activities...like the power walk or skeet shooting. A movie theatre screening a movie for guests in the evenings or see a history of the Greenbrier. The bunker is another interesting tour, a place built beneath the hotel secretly during the cold war, where Congress could be brought and hidden safe from nuclear fallout.
A refined southern afternoon tea was complimentary to guests with a pianist and violinist.
The main street of old town Lewisberg is quaint and charming with antique shops and restaurants.
Rooms are very nice, but some aspects are not updated as other hotels. I imagine that is part of the charm. This is not to mean run-down...this place is immaculately kept! Bathrooms are smaller and they still have CD alarm clocks on their night tables. -
Review from Doug G.
Alexandria, VA
5/9/2011
Well, what can I say about The Greenbrier. Let me start with the Golf courses since that is the main attraction (at least for the fellas) I played on the Greenbrier course, wanted to play on Old White but its closed for PGA preparations. So, i decided to play on the Greenbrier ($229 green fee, cart included) you have to have a caddy to play on this course and let me just say, if you have never had a caddy before, its great. Our caddy was a real great guy, he could have been a comedian if he wasnt such a good caddy. He cleans your clubs for you, gives you yardage and provides all around Greenbrier style service. Now, the course, impeccable. The grounds are just marvelous and extremely well kept. Its a par 72 and not too difficult, however, the greens are ridiculously tough and extremely fast. If your not used to playing on these types of courses I would seriously advice some putting practice before you play. The only thing I didnt like about the course is the fact that the club house is on hole 15 which kinda defeats the purpose of taking a small break with just 3 holes left. The green fees are expensive for the average golfer but definitely worth it.
The Hotel: The place is like a time machine back to the 20's, it has a very quaint feel to it. I must say that i was a lil bit afraid after seeing the pictures and thought that the furniture looked a bit tacky but to be honest the pictures do it no justice. its far from tacky in person. They love bright colors at the Greenbrier, colors everywhere, carpets, wallpaper, drapery, everywhere and everything :) The rooms were a bit small and didnt have the 5 star feel to it (eventhough Greenbrier is a 4 star, the owner is really trying to get back the 5 star it once held)
The service: WOW is all i can say, the service is out of this world. everyone is so nice and so happy and its all so believable. unlike some places where you know the smiles are forced, here at The Greenbrier they seem to really love what they do and they make you feel like your the most important guest in the entire hotel.
The Casino: not too big, not too small, the dealers are nice and the min are low ($15, $25) although drinks are not free :( the fellas must have a jacket after 7 pm which is kinda cool coz it gives it that Casino Royale feel......names Bond....James...Bond :)
The Food: ehhhh, wasn't impressed by the food selection, Prime 44 was closed for renovations while I was there so didn't get to check it out, The Forum was okay, Drapers was very basic, the main dining room didn't leave much of an impression (btw the bowls with water are for your fingers, I caught a guy drinking it LMAO) and the Snead was also just okay.
The Bunker tour: Save your money, it was more like a boring history lesson, the only thing that kept it quasi-entertaining was the awesome tour guide that cracked several witty jokes during the tour. If it wasn't for her I would have hung myself.
Overall: Mr. Justice is doing a great job with this gem, the service alone makes me want to go back, its truly remarkable. -
Review from Mike B.
Matthews, NC
12/13/2009
The food is outstanding, they have multiple golf courses to choose from (Old White is tough the greens are tiny). The golf academy there is really nice and the practice facilities are top notch. All the sports options are outstanding. Only issue was the workout facility is separate from the main hotel so you have a short walk down a hill to get to it.
The dinner scene is a little stuffy for me (you must wear shirt and tie) but the food is worth it. I took the time to take the falconry class while we where there and that was a great experience. If you haven't heard of the 'Bunker tour" it is a must do just to see it.
The rooms are all uniquely decorated so you'll get some kinda ole Southern patterns in the room. Kinda cool.
The staff was outstanding. It is worth the experience at least once (if you can afford it!) -
Review from Janet F.
State College, PA
5/14/2010
My fiancee and I were one of the lucky folks that were able to get in on the $60/night deal the Greenbrier had over the off season. We had the luck of getting the weekend of December 17th. If you live in the northeast, you probably still remember where you were on December 17th--the first snopocalypse of the season. We were driving from DC. What normally takes four hours took us 12. In fact, when we arrived at the Greenbrier it took us awhile to find anyone--it turns out all the roads had been closed so they didn't think there would be any more check ins. It felt like a scene from the shining. However, after about three minutes we found someone to check us in and we could tell people were woken up to greet and serve us at just after 2am. We were amazed by the level of hospitality, especially during such a weather crisis. We ordered room service and the food was promptly delivered to the room within 20 minutes-- a tick before 3am.
The snow added a magical element to the place. I could have spent hours in some of the large rooms just gazing into the winter wonderland sipping on the delicious cider that was offered complementary throughout the hotel.
The facilities were incredible. Some may argue that they are dated, but I think it's just beautiful. What it really is to me is a snapshot into the luxury of the old south, I felt like I was living history.
We also did the bunker tours which probably raised more questions than answered for us--but were interesting nonetheless. I'm still positive they're hiding something for the government there!
Though most memorable to me was probably going down to the iconic springhouse at dusk, on little paths with snowbanks half as tall as me, in my evening dress, past all of the Christmas lights, to see if I could smell the sulfur in the spring. I could and I was totally tickled by it.
We also dined at both Draper's and the Main Dining Room. The Main Dining Room was an experience to remember. I think there is where we got a taste for the role this place plays in the local economy and how wonderful it has been for West Virginia. We were served by a mother and daughter whose family has worked at the Greenbrier since almost day one. Not to mention that the food was out of this world.
The idea of the $60 nights was to bring in those that may not ordinarily stay at the Greenbrier to come in... and I think for some like me it'll bring us back, but next time we might just be willing to pay full price.
I can hope I'll make it back to the Greenbrier sometime in my life, but am glad I've got these memories. It was worth the 12 hour drive to get there from DC and worth the very slow and careful drive out at the end of the weekend to get safely home to Huntington, WV. -
Review from Bill E.
Seattle, WA
6/17/2009
So... this is a "classic" old southern hotel/resort, I get that. The setting and location are beautiful...I only stopped in for a snack and a cocktail, I did not see the guest rooms (thank god) Maybe they're nice, I would suppose they are. The lobby, the bar, the common areas are nightmare-ish! It is sooooo dated and gawdy. Maybe there is a lot more that I didn't see, but good lord, the decor is awful. Seriously.
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Review from John A.
Herndon, VA
4/4/2010 1 Check-in Here
it's a luxury mountain resort but not quite in the mountains of west virginia. In fact, it's damn close to a major highway and an amtrak depot. I saw some folks walking up to check in with luggage and kids in tow, fresh off the train. turns out, Congress spent millions decades ago building a massive "cold war" bunker--just in case. Anyone, having suffered the last 10 miles up to and down from The Homestead resort, knows why this is could be a good thing, especially in winter. The place has it's own charming sense of southern style that I've not seen anywhere else, and it's all good as long as you're not too focused on the quality of in-resort dining options and price. Much better to drive 10 minutes to Lewisburg for dinner and a good excuse to get off the farm for a few hours. As you would expect, most indoor and outdoor activities are pricey. It's like spending entire days in a very large theater complex :-) But to make up for this, they've got a very nice grown-up playground with slots and table games, which will be replaced by a much bigger one in three months before the start of a PGA tourney--The Greenbrier Classic--in July. nice. overall, the whole family had a great time, and the service was noticeably better than what we experienced at The Homestead last year...
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Review from Peter C.
Mill Valley, CA
10/3/2009
Our family recently visited the Greebrier for a vacation before the boys went off to college. We have been to Hawaii and many resorts and this was the best vacation we have ever had. To begin with, the hotel was purchased by a local wealthy railroad and wheat owner who has put millions into the hotel. When we were there, they were constructing an underground casino (not what you think- only hotel guests in jackets will be allowed, etc). They also are adding 3 new restaurants (which are definitely needed). The hospitality from the doormen to the maids to the waiters was fantastic. We stayed in a two bedroom cottage just down the road from the main hotel. Great place, big living room and bedrooms. While we were there for the week - played Golf (3 courses on site), tennis (indoor and out), worked out in gym, great pool, bowled (on site), went skeet/clay shooting (5 min away), did falconry (5 min) away and did white water rafting on the Gauley river. It was expensive, but it didn't matter we had such a good time. Only criticism was the main restaurant was pricey and OK but not great. But they will have 3 additional restaurants. It was not easy to get to from the West coast, but I would go again in a heart beat.
