USA Series: The Greenbrier Sulpher Springs, West Virginia

As part of our USA Series, Katy, the Trips with Angie concierge, reviewed her stay that The Greenbrier in Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. 

The Greenbrier is a beautiful resort located in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia, near White Sulphur Springs of which I had the privilege to stay at recently. This place is filled with some amazing history, it has hosted 26 presidents, and countless celebrities.

The property dates back to 1778, when a local woman visited the area to get relief from her chronic rheumatism from the spring of sulphur water that runs through the middle of the property. For the first 125 years the resort, then known as White Sulphur Springs, was a destination for people to escape the coastal heat and diseases in the summer.

The current hotel was built in 1913 by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. In 1942 the hotel was commandeered by the U.S. Army for use as a hospital during the World War II. In 1946 the hospital closed and the railroad bought the property back. The railroad then hired internationally renowned interior designer Dorothy Draper to completely redecorate and restore the property. Draper was known for her use of bright, exuberant colors and large prints that would encompass whole walls. She incorporated black and white tiles, rocco scrollwork, and baroque plasterwork. She also combined different colors, fabrics, and patterns together, combining stripes with floral patterns. The hotel is still decorated in her design style today.

The hotel is also the site of a massive underground bunker meant to serve as an emergency shelter for Congress during the Cold War. The bunker is now available for tours.

There are 10 restaurants on the property ranging from casual establishments to tie and jacket required. Casual establishments include the Coffee shop, Draper’s, Tree Tops Cafe (located poolside), and The Pizza Shoppe. Business Casual or Resort attire is required at The Forum, Prime 44 West, Sam Snead’s (overlooking the golf course), and Slammin’ Sammy’s (also overlooking the golf course). Tie and Jacket is required in the Main Dining Room, and at In-Fusion.

The resort has an indoor pool, an outdoor infinity pool, and two fitness centers. 

There are also indoor and outdoor tennis courts and a tennis pro shop. The resort will soon have 5 golf courses. The original four, including The Old White TPC where the Greenbrier Classic is played as part of the PGA Tour each year, and a new 3 par course opening late summer 2018. The Mineral Spa offers guests a wide variety of services to choose from including services utilizing the healing properties of the native sulphur waters. A Casino was added to the property in 2010 offering slots and traditional table games. Jackets are required for men in the Casino after 10 pm.

In addition to golf, tennis, swimming, and the spa guests can also enjoy horseback riding, falconry, bowling, bocce ball, fishing, fitness classes, glass blowing, jewelry making, kayaking, laser tag, shuffleboard, white water rafting, cooking classes, history tours, Segway tours, hiking, ice skating in the winter, shopping, and an escape room experience. There is also a kids club available for children ages 3-12. Complimentary coffee is available each morning in the Upper Lobby as is tea and cookies in the afternoon.

Tours of the resort are offered daily with outdoor tours and indoors tours offered on alternating days. Tours last just over an hour and I highly recommend them if you are interested in learning more about the history of the property and the area.